Hidden Gems: Boutique Full-Day Wine, Farm & Lunch Tour

Start with animals, not a cellar door. This seven-hour Margaret River outing mixes boutique wine, farm produce, chocolate, coffee, coastal scenery, and a generous lunch into one small-group day. I like the way it goes beyond standard winery hopping, and I especially like the chance to meet smaller producers rather than spending the whole day at large commercial estates.

The farm visit and lunch at Olio Bello are the tour’s strongest features. You feed alpacas and emus, eat scones with jam and cream, taste olive oils, and sit down to a proper farm-to-plate meal. The main consideration is pace: with three wineries plus several food stops, this is a full day. The chocolate tasting is brief, and anyone seeking a slow, wine-only itinerary may find the range of stops a little busy.

The day at a glance

• Feed alpacas and emus: Begin at Margaret River Hideaway and Farmstay with animal encounters, scones, and locally roasted coffee or tea.
• Taste local specialties: Temper Temper Fine Chocolate provides a short stop that also introduces a local coffee roaster.
• Visit three boutique wineries: Ashbrook Estate, Brown Hill Estate, and Redgate Wines offer a broad look at Margaret River wine styles.
• Eat among olive groves: Olio Bello combines olive-oil tastings with a substantial included lunch.
• Pause at Gracetown: Take in the Indian Ocean, surfers, and possible dolphin or whale sightings.
• Travel in a small group: The air-conditioned vehicle carries no more than 11 people, with pickup and return at Margaret River in-town locations.

Why this Margaret River tour feels different

Margaret River is famous for wine, but a winery-only day gives you just one slice of the region. This tour adds the people, farms, food, and scenery that help explain why local produce matters here.

I like the balance. You begin with animals and morning tea, shift to chocolate and coffee, then spend time at vineyards before stopping at the coast and an olive farm. The wine remains the main event, but it does not swallow the day.

The small-group limit matters too. With a maximum of 11 people, you are not being moved around in a large coach. That makes it easier to hear your guide, ask questions, and speak with the people pouring the wine. Guides Ziggy and Dani receive especially warm praise for their humor, local knowledge, good communication, and ability to keep the group relaxed.

The tone appears friendly rather than formal. One particularly appealing detail is that the day often ends with a group that has become sociable and comfortable together. If you enjoy meeting people from different countries, that small-group atmosphere adds real value.

9:00 am pickup and the first farm stop

The day begins at 9:00 am, with pickup available from Margaret River in-town locations. The listed meeting point is 1 Tunbridge Street, Margaret River, and the tour returns there at the end.

Your first stop is Margaret River Hideaway and Farmstay, where you hand-feed alpacas and emus. This is not simply a photo stop. The animals give the morning a hands-on start, and the setting provides a gentler introduction to the area than beginning with a tasting room.

Morning tea includes scones with jam and cream, plus locally roasted coffee or tea. That is a useful feature for anyone who does not want wine on an empty stomach. It also gives the group time to settle in before the tastings begin.

The farm visit lasts about 55 minutes. Families can appreciate the variety, especially if older children are joining the day. Children under seven must use a child seat, so keep that requirement in mind when booking.

Temper Temper: chocolate, coffee, and a quick stop

Temper Temper Fine Chocolate is a 25-minute stop. You taste fine chocolate and check out the coffee-roasting side of the business.

The stop is short, and that is worth understanding before you go. The chocolate tasting itself may take only a few minutes, followed by time to look around the shop. I would treat it as a pleasant palate cleanser between the farm and the wineries, not as a full chocolate workshop.

This stop works best for people who enjoy local food products but do not need every visit to become a long tour. If you want an extended coffee or chocolate experience, you may find this part too brief.

Three boutique wineries, three different perspectives

The wine portion takes place at Ashbrook Estate, Brown Hill Estate, and Redgate Wines. Each visit is scheduled for about an hour, giving the wine stops enough time to feel substantial without turning the day into one long tasting room session.

The appeal is variety. Margaret River has a strong reputation, but the region is not defined by one single style. Smaller wineries can offer more personal contact with the owners, winemakers, and staff, along with a closer look at how wine moves from vineyard to bottle.

Ashbrook Estate

Ashbrook Estate is the first listed winery. By this point, you have had breakfast, chocolate, and coffee, so the tasting arrives at a sensible point in the morning.

The tour aims to teach rather than simply pour. You can expect an introduction to different wines and an explanation of what makes the local producers distinct. The exact wines served can change, so it is better to expect a range than a fixed menu.

Brown Hill Estate

Brown Hill Estate follows the coastal and olive-farm portion of the day. A second winery stop gives you a fresh setting and another view of Margaret River production.

This is where the small-group format earns its keep. A tasting at a boutique estate can feel more direct and personal than a crowded commercial cellar door. The day may include a large number of samples overall. One account described more than 21 tastings, while another estimated around 30 wines, so pace yourself and use the water provided.

Redgate Wines

Redgate Wines closes the winery visits. The stop is especially appealing because Ray, the owner and winemaker, may spend time with the group. Meeting someone who follows the wine from vine to glass gives the tasting more meaning than simply checking off labels.

The three wineries together are a strong part of the value. You are not paying only for transportation between tasting rooms. You are getting access to three small producers and the chance to compare their styles in one day.

That said, a day with many tastings is not suited to everyone. If you are a serious wine buyer, the range may be exciting. If you drink little or prefer long, quiet meals and scenery, the schedule may feel wine-heavy by late afternoon.

Gracetown brings the Indian Ocean into the picture

The Gracetown stop lasts about 15 minutes. It is a brief pause, but it breaks up the food and wine with open coastal views.

You look toward the green-toned Indian Ocean and may see dolphins riding waves with local surfers. During migration season, whales can sometimes be spotted. These sightings are not guaranteed, so enjoy the stop for the view rather than treating it as a wildlife excursion.

The visit also adds local character. You hear the story connected with Gracetown and get a quick sense of the coast that surrounds the wine country. Fifteen minutes is enough for a look and a few photographs, but not enough for a walk or extended beach time.

Olio Bello: olive oil and the day’s best meal

Lunch at Olio Bello is one of the tour’s highlights. The farm setting among olive groves gives the meal a clear sense of place, and the stop begins with tastings of olive oils and olive-based products.

The included lunch is made from fresh ingredients and served at the on-site cafe. Several accounts describe the food as excellent, substantial, and better than expected. That matters on a full-day wine tour. A proper meal helps you enjoy the afternoon tastings without relying on scones and chocolate to carry you through.

You should note that drinks other than water during lunch are not included. If you want something additional with the meal, budget for it separately. The olive-oil tasting is included, as is lunch.

Olio Bello also shows why this is more than a standard wine outing. You are tasting a local agricultural product in the place where it is made, then eating a meal built around fresh regional ingredients. I like that connection between farm, producer, and plate.

What the $136.28 price delivers

At $136.28 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to visit Margaret River wineries. But comparing it with a basic cellar-door transfer misses much of what is included.

The price covers pickup and drop-off at Margaret River in-town locations, an air-conditioned vehicle, morning tea, coffee or tea, lunch, wine tastings, and olive-oil tastings. You also receive a full day of driving, planning, and access to three boutique wineries.

A self-guided day would require a designated driver, fuel, route planning, separate tasting arrangements, and payment for lunch and food stops. You would also need to manage the legal and practical problems of wine tasting while driving. The tour removes those burdens.

The strongest value comes from the range. You get farm animals, scones, chocolate, coffee, a beach stop, olive products, lunch, and three wineries. If you plan to visit only three wineries and skip the other stops, the price may seem less attractive. If you want one organized introduction to the wider region, it is fair value.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this day to first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Margaret River. It gives you enough wine to understand the region without making every hour identical.

It also suits couples, small groups, and families with older children. The farm, chocolate, coast, and olive stop give non-drinkers and younger participants something to enjoy. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part.

You should think twice if you want complete control over the schedule. The tour has a planned route and fixed stop lengths. The chocolate visit is short, Gracetown is only a quick look, and three winery tastings can make the afternoon feel full.

The tour is also a poor match if you want to visit famous large estates only. Its focus is on smaller producers and local businesses, including family-run wineries and food makers. That is its strength, but it will not suit every wine-country wish list.

Useful booking details before you go

The experience lasts about seven hours and begins at 9:00 am. Pickup is offered from Margaret River in-town locations, and the listed start and end point is 1 Tunbridge Street.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the group size is capped at 11. That is a comfortable scale for a day with several stops, though exact vehicle space and seating arrangements are not specified.

Confirmation is provided when you book. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low numbers force cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose another date or experience.

Should you book the Hidden Gems wine tour?

Book it if you want Margaret River in broad, generous strokes: local farms, handmade food, coastal scenery, olive oil, chocolate, and three boutique wineries. The most praised parts are the guides, the relaxed small-group mood, the Olio Bello lunch, and the personal feel of the winery visits.

Skip it if you want a slow wine-only day, a long chocolate experience, or extended time at the coast. For most first-time visitors, though, the mix is the point. At $136.28, you get far more than a ride between cellar doors, and the chance to meet local producers gives the day its real character.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is 1 Tunbridge Street, Margaret River, Western Australia 6285.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 9:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

Does the tour offer pickup?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from in-town locations in Margaret River.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 11 participants.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at Olio Bello is included in the price.

Are drinks included with lunch?

Water is included, but drinks other than water during lunch are not included.

What food is provided in the morning?

Morning tea includes scones with jam and cream, plus locally roasted coffee or tea.

Which wineries are visited?

The listed wineries are Ashbrook Estate, Brown Hill Estate, and Redgate Wines. The exact stops may depend on the day’s arrangements.

Can children join the tour?

Most people can participate, and children under seven must sit in a child seat.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can be offered another date or receive a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.