Premium Margaret River Wine + Beer Tour (Departs from Busselton)

Margaret River is at its best when you combine wine with the region’s relaxed country character, and this tour does exactly that. You can taste small-batch wines, stop for handmade chocolate, eat lunch at Beerfarm, and let someone else handle the roads between Busselton and the cellar doors. The small maximum of 11 people helps the day feel social rather than crowded.

I like the mix of three winery tastings and a brewery lunch, since it gives you more than a string of similar cellar doors. I also like the hotel pickup, air-conditioned vehicle, and the chance to visit places such as Passel Estate and LS Merchants, where the focus is on boutique production rather than mass-market bottles.

The main thing to watch is the flexible schedule. The named venues are only examples, and your final stops depend on availability, weather, passenger locations, and group interests. If you expect four wineries every time, you may be disappointed. The advertised package guarantees three winery tastings, while a later winery, distillery, or brewery stop may be added when time allows.

Key points to know before booking

• A small group of up to 11: You get a more personal day than on a large coach, with time to chat and ask questions.
• Three winery tastings are included: The core wine program is more dependable than the optional final stop.
• Beerfarm supplies the main meal: Lunch is included at a popular brewery or bistro, with dietary requirements accommodated when advised ahead of time.
• The route can change: Passel Estate, LS Merchants, Fermoy Estate, Lenton Brae, Temper Temper, and Beerfarm form a sample day, not a fixed promise.
• Pickup is from Busselton and nearby areas: You avoid arranging a designated driver, but pickup and return add time to the stated six-hour touring period.
• Drinks at the last stop may cost extra: The final winery, brewery, or distillery visit is time permitting, not part of the included tasting allowance.

What the day from Busselton feels like

The tour begins with pickup from your accommodation in Busselton and surrounding areas. The stated start time is 10:30 a.m., with pickup details sent the day before. The operator says pickup begins around 9:45 a.m., though the exact time varies by accommodation and route.

That difference matters. You are not simply meeting at one central point and starting the clock. Your morning may include several collections, and the return drive also depends on where people are staying. Allow up to 7.5 hours from pickup to drop-off, even though the touring portion is usually about six hours.

You travel in a clean, spacious, air-conditioned vehicle. With no more than 11 people, you can expect a quieter setting than a full-size bus, but it is still a shared outing. That format works especially well for couples and small groups who want company without giving up too much personal attention.

A guide named Attila has led this tour and was praised for being informative, friendly, and funny. Guides can vary, but that description gives you a useful sense of the tone to expect: this is designed as a relaxed day out, not a formal wine course.

Passel Estate and the pleasure of a smaller cellar door

Passel Estate is one of the more distinctive sample stops. The family-owned winery links wine production with conservation and sits among attractive natural surroundings. Its wines are made by winemaker Bruce Drakes, a name that gives the tasting a stronger connection to the craft behind the bottle.

You are scheduled to spend about an hour here, enough time for a proper guided tasting rather than a rushed sip and move-on visit. The appeal is the scale. A boutique cellar door can give you a clearer sense of the people and decisions behind the wines than a large commercial venue.

Still, remember that Passel Estate is not guaranteed on every departure. Venue selection depends on the day’s logistics, including the location of other passengers and the availability of each business. If this is the stop you most want, ask the operator before booking, but do not assume the answer will be yes.

LS Merchants brings a more playful wine stop

LS Merchants offers another side of Margaret River wine. This family-owned producer works with minimal intervention, small batches, and unusual blends. The tone is described as fun and informal, with a willingness to try combinations that may not fit a traditional tasting lineup.

That makes the stop useful for you if you already know the standard Margaret River names and want something less predictable. It also gives beginners a chance to learn that regional wine is not limited to one narrow style.

The scheduled visit lasts about an hour. Generous guided tastings are part of the tour, but the exact wines and venue will change with the route. If the group visits LS Merchants, expect the interest to come from experimentation and personality rather than from a grand estate setting.

Temper Temper adds a short chocolate break

The stop at Temper Temper Fine Chocolate takes around 15 minutes, so this is a small addition rather than a major part of the day. The shop in Cowaramup makes handmade chocolate from carefully selected ingredients.

That brief pause works well between tastings. Wine tours can become repetitive when every stop involves another flight of glasses, and a sweet bite changes the rhythm. It also gives people who are less focused on wine something to enjoy.

The chocolate is complimentary in the sample plan, but the information does not promise a full tasting menu or a particular product. Think of it as a quick regional food stop, not a separate chocolate tour.

Beerfarm is the day’s practical center

Beerfarm is scheduled for about 90 minutes and provides lunch. Set on 160 acres of Australian countryside, the brewery combines beer, food, and an easygoing atmosphere. It is the point in the day when the group can sit down, eat, and reset before more tastings.

I like this choice because lunch at a brewery breaks up the wine route. You are not expected to spend the entire day standing at cellar doors, and the setting offers a change of pace. The brewery also gives non-wine drinkers a clear reason to enjoy the outing.

Lunch is included, and the tour says dietary preferences can be accommodated. You must send dietary requirements, food allergies, accessibility needs, or other special requests at least seven days before departure. It is also sensible to repeat any allergy directly to the restaurant when you arrive, as the responsibility for confirming the meal remains with you.

The exact lunch venue can vary because the package refers to a popular brewery or bistro, though Beerfarm is the named sample stop. Drinks beyond what is included may be extra, so check what your meal covers if you are budgeting closely.

Fermoy Estate gives the wine route a royal connection

Fermoy Estate is included as another sample winery, with an hour set aside for tasting. Its most memorable detail is the connection to Denmark’s royal wedding. Fermoy’s Cabernet Sauvignon was served at the official wedding of Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary.

That fact gives the tasting an easy conversation starter, but the stop is still about the wine rather than ceremony. Margaret River is particularly well known for Cabernet Sauvignon, so this can be a useful place to compare a classic regional variety with the more adventurous blends you may encounter elsewhere.

As with all named venues, Fermoy Estate is not guaranteed. The tour promises three award-winning winery visits, but the operator chooses among venues based on practical conditions. Do not book solely because you want to visit this estate.

Lenton Brae supplies a slower final winery mood

Lenton Brae offers a more relaxed setting, with the sample visit lasting about an hour. You can have a glass of wine overlooking the lake, sit by the fireplace, browse an onsite deli of local produce, or use lawn games and table tennis if the group has time.

This is the kind of stop that makes a full-day wine outing feel less like a checklist. The value is not only in tasting another wine. It is also in having a comfortable place to sit, talk, and enjoy the setting.

The trade-off is that the final stop may not be included on your day, or it may be replaced by a distillery or brewery. If a later drink is offered, it is at your own cost. The core package is three winery tastings, and anything beyond that depends on the timing of the day.

Why the changing route matters

The flexible itinerary is both the tour’s strength and its main limitation. It allows the guide to choose venues that fit the weather, road geography, group interests, and opening availability. You may get a route that works better for the people on board than a rigid list would.

The drawback is that the tour name and sample schedule can create expectations that are too specific. One reported outing included three winery visits rather than four, with no additional winery available later. The operator has clarified that the last stop may be a winery, brewery, or gin distillery, and may not happen at all.

I would approach this tour with the right promise in mind: three winery tastings, lunch, and a possible extra stop. That is a solid day. It is not a guaranteed four-winery crawl.

What you get for $139.86

At $139.86 per person, the price includes the driving, hotel pickup and return, guide, three guided winery tastings, lunch, and gratuities. You are also paying for the convenience of not needing a designated driver on unfamiliar country roads.

That package has good value if you plan to taste generously. Buying separate transfers, paying for several tastings, arranging lunch, and organizing a return ride would quickly make a self-guided day less simple. The small group also adds value because the outing should feel more personal than a large bus excursion.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want to visit one particular winery or control every stop. Since the route changes, you are buying a well-organized regional day rather than a guaranteed list of estates.

There are two costs to keep in mind. Drinks at a final winery, distillery, or brewery are not included, and any purchases of bottles, chocolate, or other goods are naturally separate. The package covers the main experience, not every extra sip or souvenir.

Who will enjoy this most

This tour suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a social day without joining a large group. It is also useful if you are staying in Busselton and do not want to rent a car or nominate someone to stay sober.

You will probably enjoy it most if you like variety. The day can include wine, beer, lunch, chocolate, scenery, and conversation. It is less suited to a serious collector who wants long, technical tastings at a fixed list of estates.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and alcoholic drinks are served only to people aged 18 and over. Most people can participate, and the operator asks you to raise accessibility concerns in advance rather than assuming every venue will suit every need.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Because venue availability and weather affect the route, the day works best when you keep your schedule open. If you have a cruise, transfer, dinner reservation, or flight to catch, tell the driver about the restriction, but do not plan a tight connection after the tour.

Is this Margaret River tour worth booking?

I would book this tour if you want an easy, social introduction to Margaret River from Busselton. The strongest reasons are the small vehicle, included lunch, three winery tastings, and the blend of wine with beer and chocolate. A guide such as Attila can also make the long day feel light and friendly.

I would choose another option if your priority is a fixed four-winery itinerary, a particular estate, or highly technical wine education. For the best experience, book it as a flexible regional tasting day. Expect three wineries, treat the additional stop as a bonus, and allow the full 7.5 hours.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour includes pickup from your accommodation in Busselton and surrounding areas. Exact pickup times are shared the day before the tour.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:30 a.m. Pickup may begin around 9:45 a.m., depending on where passengers are staying.

How long does the tour take?

The touring portion lasts about six hours. With pickup and drop-off, you should allow up to 7.5 hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 11 participants.

How many wineries are included?

Three award-winning wineries and guided wine tastings are included. Any additional winery, brewery, or distillery stop depends on time and availability.

Are the listed venues guaranteed?

No. The venues can change because of availability, weather, the geographical location of passengers, and the group’s general interests.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a brewery or bistro is included. Beerfarm is the named brewery in the sample route.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Yes, dietary preferences and special requests can be accommodated when advised at least seven days before the tour. You should also confirm food allergies directly with the restaurant when you arrive.

Are drinks at the final stop included?

No. If the schedule includes a final winery, brewery, or distillery, drinks or optional tastings there are at your own cost.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If poor weather or a failure to meet the minimum number of participants cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.