Wine, views, and chocolate—one full day. This premium Perth-to-Margaret River tour bundles boutique wine tastings, a proper 3-course estate lunch, and iconic coastal stops like Canal Rocks and Busselton Jetty.

I especially like how the day is built around food as well as wine: the estate lunch is the main event, and it comes with a full menu designed for a relaxed sit-down. I also like the extra “not-just-wine” stops—Gabriel’s Chocolate and Vasse Virgin’s natural products—so the day feels like Western Australia, not just a checklist.

One drawback to keep in mind is pacing. The Busselton Jetty stop is about 30 minutes (great for photos, shorter for a long walk), and some departures pour tastings in the same glass, which may feel odd if you’re picky about how you compare wines.

Key points to know before you go

• Small group (max 11) with a live English guide, so the day doesn’t feel rushed.
• A standout 3-course lunch at a top estate (Wise, Vasse Felix, Clairault Streicker, or Aravina depending on the option).
• Canal Rocks + Busselton Jetty give you dramatic coastal scenery, not just vineyards.
• Vasse Virgin Estate adds a luxe twist with olive oil skincare and gourmet products.
• Gabriel’s Chocolate is a bean-to-bar stop with single-origin tastings.
• Expect a full 12 hours from Perth, so wear comfortable shoes and plan for a long day.

Perth-to-Margaret River, the premium way: 12 hours that actually stay structured

This is a true full-day outing: about 12 hours total, including hotel pickup and drop-off in Perth. You’re paying $318 per person, so the value only makes sense if you like the idea of a “done-for-you” schedule—drive time, multiple tasting experiences, a real lunch, and several curated stops in one day.

The setup is also what makes it feel premium. You’re in a small group of up to 11, and there’s a live English guide for context and smooth transitions between locations. You’ll have water provided, and you can bring your own if you like. Because it’s wheelchair accessible, you can expect the operator to think about practical movement during the day.

Logistics note: you’ll be outdoors for at least a portion of the route (Canal Rocks and Busselton Jetty), so you’ll want the basics—comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera. If you’re the type who likes to linger, this tour is still enjoyable, but you’ll want to use the jetty and coastal stops for quick, satisfying walks rather than a long “wander and explore” style.

Starting with coffee at Crooked Carrot Café before you hit the wineries

After pickup, the day begins with a scenic drive toward the Margaret River region. One of the first food moments is morning tea at Crooked Carrot Café, with coffee or tea plus freshly baked treats. You get about an hour here, which is long enough to reset after travel and get properly fed before wine tastings start.

Why I like this kind of start: it keeps the day from turning into a caffeine-and-crackers situation. Wine tastings can work better when you’re already comfortable in your stomach and relaxed in your pace. It also gives you a chance to casually set expectations—this tour has a sequence, and once you’re on the road again, you’ll be moving from one highlight to the next.

No food-only moment is listed beyond this morning tea, so if you know you prefer a more substantial breakfast, eat well when you can and consider bringing water. (Water is provided, but you’ll still feel better if you’re consistent with it.)

Canal Rocks: the coastal photo stop that makes the day feel bigger than wine

One of the most scenic breaks is Canal Rocks, a natural rock formation with dramatic views over the Indian Ocean. You’re not there for a long hike-style adventure—this is a viewpoint stop. Expect you’ll do the classic routine: look, photograph, breathe in ocean air, and then get back on the bus.

This matters because Margaret River tours can sometimes feel like you’re stuck inside cellar doors all day. Canal Rocks shifts the mood. It’s a reminder that this region isn’t just vineyards—it’s coastline, rocks, wind, and big sky. If you bring a hat and keep your sunscreen handy, you’ll enjoy this stop more than you think, even if you’re not normally a “nature photos” person.

Boutique wine tastings: charming cellar doors, and one small tasting quirk

The core of the tour is wine. You’ll visit acclaimed boutique wineries in the Margaret River region and enjoy premium wine tastings in cellar doors. The day includes multiple tasting blocks—enough time to compare styles and not just do a quick sip-and-go.

Here’s the useful nuance: at least one highlighted note is that tastings may be served in the same glass. If you’re a serious wine nerd who likes consistent presentation differences (or you’re used to each tasting being set up a certain way), that could feel slightly off. On the other hand, it usually won’t change the taste of what you’re drinking—it mainly affects how “formal” the tasting experience feels.

For you, the smart move is to use the time actively:

• Pay attention to aroma before you sip.
• Take quick notes in your phone right after each pour (even a few words helps).
• If a winery offers a tasting option style, listen to the guide’s cues—this tour is structured, so your guide is there to help you get more out of each stop.

Estate lunch at Wise (and other top venues): where the price starts to make sense

The heart of the food program is your gourmet 3-course lunch at a top estate. Depending on the option, lunch may be at Aravina Estate, Clairault Streicker, Vasse Felix, or Wise. Each venue is known for a careful pairing of wines and a menu built around locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.

This is one reason the tour feels “premium” in practice. Many wine tours have a lunch that’s technically included but feels like an afterthought. Here, the lunch is the pause in the day—the moment you sit down, slow your breathing, and reset before the next tasting round.

One specific thing that stands out: lunch at Wise has been singled out as a highlight, including praise for meeting high expectations from people who care a lot about dining. Translation for you: this isn’t just a meal stop. It’s the kind of lunch that can make the full-day timing feel worth it, even if you’re not trying to eat fancy all the time.

Vasse Virgin Estate: olive oil skincare plus gourmet products

Between wineries and chocolate, you get a stop that expands the “local luxury” feeling: Vasse Virgin Estate. Instead of focusing only on wine, you sample handmade olive oil skincare and gourmet food products.

This is a great mid-day change if you’re wine-tired or you just want variety in what you taste and try. Skincare may sound unusual in a wine tour, but it fits the broader Margaret River idea: local producers making quality products in very different categories. You get to experience something tactile and different, not just another bottle.

Practical tip: if you’re sensitive to scents, go in prepared to smell and sample the products. If not, this is one of the most memorable “what was that?” stops on the itinerary because it’s not something you’ll do on every wine day.

Gabriel’s Chocolate: bean-to-bar tastings for your sweet tooth

Then comes the sweet payoff: Gabriel’s Chocolate, noted as Western Australia’s first bean-to-bar chocolatier. You’ll enjoy a chocolate tasting made from single-origin cacao beans, with a chance to learn about the chocolate-making process.

What I like about ending a day like this with chocolate: it balances the wine and keeps the day from feeling one-note. Wine tours can blur together (even when they’re good). Chocolate tasting brings a different set of flavors and textures, and it’s also a fun “bring it back to someone” souvenir category.

If you’re traveling with someone who’s not obsessed with wine, chocolate is a great common ground. And if you are obsessed with wine, chocolate is still a smart finisher—it makes the day feel complete.

Busselton Jetty: iconic timber-piled views, but plan your time

The last major sightseeing stop is Busselton Jetty, described as the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. You’ll get about a 30-minute stop—enough to walk a portion, take photos, and enjoy the ocean views.

Here’s the practical truth: 30 minutes is not a long jetty walk. It’s best thought of as a quick scenic visit. You’ll still get the iconic feel of the place, but if you want to walk much farther out, you might want a longer stop on a separate outing.

Still, even a short visit can be satisfying because the jetty is dramatic and photogenic, and the setting is calm. Think: slow stroll, camera roll, ocean air, and a little mental decompression before you head back toward Perth.

Guide quality and small-group comfort: why this tour feels smoother

The guide makes a difference on a long day like this. Past departures have praised guides such as Terry for being excellent and offering general WA context, plus Paul for being warm and professional with genuine attention to comfort. That’s the kind of guidance that helps when you’re moving quickly between wineries and sights: you get short explanations, local context, and a sense of how the day is working.

Because the group is limited to 11, you’re not stuck in a crowded bus with a “stand in line” vibe. It’s easier to ask a question, easier to hear the guide, and easier to stay on schedule without feeling stressed.

You also get the simple benefit of a structured day: pickup, guided stops, lunch, tastings, and return transport. After hours in a car, you’ll appreciate not having to figure out parking, timing, or where to eat.

Price and value: is $318 reasonable for this kind of day?

At $318 per person, this tour isn’t budget travel. It’s premium full-day pricing from Perth, and your money goes into several things at once:

• Round-trip transport and a 12-hour day
• Multiple wine tastings at boutique cellar doors
• A 3-course lunch at a top estate
• Extras that aren’t always included on wine-only tours: Vasse Virgin and Gabriel’s Chocolate
• A major sightseeing stop with real draw: Busselton Jetty, plus Canal Rocks

If your ideal Margaret River day is wine plus food plus a couple of well-chosen landmarks, this can feel like good value because so much is included and timed. If you’re the type who likes to wander without a schedule, or you prefer to spend a lot more time at each venue, you’ll feel the “everything in one day” tradeoff.

Who should book this Margaret River premium tour—and who should skip it

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want a full day from Perth without planning wineries yourself
• Care about a real estate lunch (not a token sandwich)
• Like the idea of tasting more than wine, including olive oil products and bean-to-bar chocolate
• Prefer a small group and an English-speaking guide

You might want to skip or consider alternatives if you:

• Need long, flexible time at each stop (especially at Busselton Jetty)
• Are very sensitive to how tastings are presented and compared (the same-glass note may bother you)
• Only want wine and would rather keep things simpler

Should you book? My practical take

Book it if you want a structured, premium Margaret River day that mixes wine, food, chocolate, and coastal scenery without you doing the heavy lifting. It’s priced like a “you pay for the schedule and the included experiences” day, and the lunch plus the extra stops are what make that work.

Consider a different plan if you’re chasing slow travel, long walks, or lots of free time. This itinerary moves, and the jetty stop in particular is brief.

If you’re deciding right now, go with this tour if your must-haves include boutique tastings, an estate 3-course lunch, Vasse Virgin, Gabriel’s Chocolate, and Busselton Jetty in one smooth day.

FAQ

How long is the Perth to Margaret River full-day wine tour?

It runs for 12 hours.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off in Perth?

Yes. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included.

What food and tastings are included during the day?

You’ll have morning tea at Crooked Carrot Café, wine tastings at boutique wineries, a gourmet 3-course lunch at a top estate, plus tastings at Vasse Virgin Estate and chocolate tasting at Gabriel’s Chocolate.

Which lunch venues are offered on this tour?

The lunch is at one of these top estates: Aravina Estate, Clairault Streicker, Vasse Felix, or Wise.

How big is the group and is it wheelchair accessible?

The group is limited to 11 participants and the tour is wheelchair accessible.

What are the main sightseeing stops besides the wineries?

You’ll visit Canal Rocks for coastal views and Busselton Jetty (including time to stroll along the pier).

You Might Also Enjoy

Cruising the Swan TourUltimate Swan Valley Food and Wine Day Trip from PerthPerth Segway 1.5 Hour Kings Park TourFrom Perth: Swan Valley Cruise, Winery, Cheese & Lunch