Margaret River: Winery Tour with Lunch and Brewery Visit

Winery day, but with a brewery twist. I like that you get three boutique winery visits plus a craft brewery lunch, not just another drive-by tasting circuit.

I also love the added wine tasting 101 session at the end, which helps you make sense of what you actually enjoyed (not just what you were poured). One drawback to consider: this is a long 450-minute day, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with back problems.

Key highlights before you go

• Three boutique Margaret River wineries with tutored, guided wine tastings at each stop
• Behind-the-scenes barrel tasting that goes beyond the tasting room script
• Craft brewery lunch with a glass of wine or beer plus local gourmet extras
• Grove Distillery visit with chocolate and nougat sampling
• Golf driving range access as a fun break from tasting mode
• Wine tasting 101 session plus complimentary bottled spring water to end strong

A long, fun day of Margaret River tastings and sweet stops

This tour is built for people who want to taste their way around Margaret River without planning, juggling reservations, or figuring out driving times. It runs about 450 minutes (a full day), and you’ll be moving through a handful of carefully chosen stops rather than spending all day in one place.

What makes it especially appealing is the mix: wineries for the wine nerd moments, a craft brewery for lunch and a reset, and a distillery for the sweet side of the region. In other words, it’s not only about red wine and white wine. You also get treats like chocolate and nougat, plus a chance to learn what you’re tasting, not just what you’re being offered.

Getting on the Cheers Tour Bus (and why pickup matters)

Pickup and drop-off are included, and it’s designed around the Margaret River Community area. That includes Margaret River Township, Prevelly, Gnarabup, Witchcliffe, Cowaramup, Gracetown, Rosa Brook, and even the Grove Distillery car park.

The bus is easy to spot, with full body wraps featuring the Cheers logo. You’ll also get pickup times communicated by text to the number you provide, so double-check that your phone number works in Australia before travel day.

One more practical point I like: transport is a big deal on any wine tour, and this one has strong feedback for the day’s flow and driver performance. If you prefer a relaxed pace where you’re not rushed off your feet, the high transport score is a good sign.

First winery stop: how you taste when there’s a plan

You visit three boutique Margaret River wineries, and the tastings are tutored. That matters because it turns a tasting flight into a guided experience where you can pick up differences more quickly.

At one of the venues, you’ll also get a cheese and cracker platter, which is a smart way to calibrate your palate. Cheese can make certain flavors pop, and it also slows you down just enough to pay attention instead of sprinting through pours.

The vibe at these smaller wineries tends to feel more personal than the big production line style tastings. In past days, I’ve heard people mention the stops felt private and relaxed, and the purchasing atmosphere didn’t feel pushy. That’s exactly what you want when you’re trying to enjoy the day, not negotiate sales.

The barrel tasting part that makes it feel real

One standout piece is the behind-the-scenes winery tour with barrel tasting. This is where you get past the standard tasting room routine and into the actual production environment, including how wine changes while it ages.

Barrels aren’t just props. They influence flavor and texture, and a guided barrel tasting helps you connect what you smelled and tasted in the glass to something physical. If you’ve ever wondered why a similar-looking wine tastes different from one cellar to the next, this part helps you see the why.

It’s also a good break from pure tasting time. The tour component adds variety, and it gives the day structure, so you’re not just sitting and standing at the same kind of counter at every stop.

Grove Distillery and the sweet local pairings

After the winery portion, you’ll stop at Grove Distillery, described as award-winning. This is a nice change of pace because it widens the day beyond wine into spirits and local craft.

You’ll also sample local gourmet treats here, including chocolate and nougat. This is one of those underrated “tour design” choices. Sweet snacks help reset your palate between tastings, and they keep the day from feeling like an endless parade of alcohol-focused moments.

If you love food pairings, this segment is a comfortable fit. You’re not required to understand distilling jargon to enjoy it. You can just taste, compare, and enjoy the fact that the tour keeps throwing variety at you.

Lunch at a craft brewery, plus a glass to match

Lunch happens at a craft brewery, and it includes a glass of wine or beer. That’s a key value point because meals on tours can get expensive fast, and here it’s part of the overall package rather than an afterthought.

I like that the brewery stop isn’t only about food. It’s also part of the region’s craft identity. Margaret River is known for wine, but the broader creative scene matters too, and a brewery lunch gives you a more rounded day than wine-only itineraries.

A nice extra at this stage is golf driving range access. You get the chance to throw in a bit of action during the day, which can feel refreshing after sitting through several tastings. It’s not about being a serious golfer. It’s about moving your body for a while so the afternoon feels lighter.

Practical tip: wear shoes you can walk in and expect some outdoor time. Even if the day is paced well, you’ll still be stepping between venues and standing around for tastings.

Wine tasting 101, so the pours start making sense

By the time you reach the end of the tour, you’ll have a wine tasting 101 session. This is the part I value most, especially if you’re not an expert.

The goal here is simple: you’ll start learning how to taste with intention. That turns the rest of the day into something you can interpret, instead of just collecting memories of flavors you can’t name.

It also helps if you’re trying to buy a bottle later. When you know what you liked and why, you’re less likely to buy something because it sounded fancy on a label. You’ll have a better chance of making a purchase that matches your taste.

And to keep things easy on the finish, you get complimentary bottled spring water. Small detail, big deal. Staying hydrated makes the final tastings and the drive back feel way more comfortable.

Price and value: what $130 actually buys you

At $130 per person, this tour is priced like a full-day experience, not a quick sampler. The reason it can be good value is that you’re not paying separately for transportation, lunch, tastings, and the special stops.

What’s included from the start:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within the Margaret River Community zone
• Lunch at a craft brewery
• Tutored wine tastings at three boutique wineries
• A behind-the-scenes winery tour with barrel tasting
• Grove Distillery visit plus gourmet treat sampling (including chocolate and nougat)
• Golf driving range access
• A wine tasting 101 session
• Cheese and crackers at a selected venue
• Complimentary bottled spring water
• A Cheers wine bonus buy offer (optional)

That last bullet matters less to everyone who just wants to enjoy and move on, but for people who like bringing something home, it can be a useful add-on. Past experiences described a friendly, not pushy atmosphere when purchases came up, which is exactly how it should feel on a day like this.

Who should book this tour, and who might want to skip it

This is a great fit if you want:

• A structured full-day Margaret River plan without driving yourself
• Multiple tastings with guidance, not just browsing a shelf
• A mix of wine, brewery lunch, and a distillery stop
• A fun pause built in (the driving range)
• A tasting session that helps you understand what you’re enjoying

It’s not a fit if:

• You use a wheelchair, or if mobility access is a concern
• You have back problems, since it’s a full day with walking and standing
• You’re pregnant (listed as not suitable)

Also, keep your day weather-ready. Bring sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes, and water. You’ll have bottled water on board, but you’ll still want what you brought with you for comfort during stops.

One more rule to remember: smoking and vaping are not allowed, and you can’t drink alcohol in the vehicle. The tour is set up around tasting responsibly, so plan your expectations accordingly.

The guides and group feel, based on real days

A big part of why this tour lands well is the human side. Guides named Chris, Olivier, Jason, Andi, and Arto have been credited with being engaging, informative, and genuinely good at keeping the day fun.

I also like that the group energy described in past tours is friendly and mixed, with at least one group mixing people from Ireland, Sweden, and Australia. That kind of mix usually helps because you end up chatting without it turning into a rigid classroom.

If you care about commentary and local context, this tour is designed for that. The guides bring music and regional commentary, so you’re not just switching between tasting rooms in silence.

Should you book this Margaret River winery tour?

Book it if you want a full-day Margaret River experience that mixes three boutique wineries with more than wine: barrel tasting, craft brewery lunch, distillery stops, and a built-in palate reset through food and sweet treats. The inclusion of wine tasting 101 makes it feel like you leave with actual skills, not only souvenirs.

Skip it if you’re looking for a short, low-volume itinerary, or if mobility limits affect you, because this is a long day and it’s not listed as suitable for wheelchair users or people with back problems.

If you’re the type who enjoys variety and wants your tastings guided end to end, this one is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the Margaret River Winery Tour with Lunch and Brewery Visit?

The tour runs for 450 minutes, which is a full day.

How many wineries and other stops are included?

You visit 3 boutique Margaret River wineries, plus you stop at a craft brewery for lunch and at Grove Distillery.

Is lunch included, and what do I get?

Yes. Lunch is at a craft brewery, and it includes a glass of wine or beer.

Is golf included on this tour?

Yes. You get driving range access and enjoy a round of golf at the driving range.

Are wine tastings included at the wineries?

Yes. You get tutored wine tastings at three boutique wineries, plus a behind-the-scenes winery tour with a barrel tasting.

Do I get any food or snacks besides lunch?

Yes. You’ll sample local gourmet treats, including chocolate and nougat, and you’ll have a cheese and crackers platter at a selected venue.

Is pickup and drop-off included, and where does it cover?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for the Margaret River Community, including Margaret River Township, Prevelly, Gnarabup, Witchcliffe, Cowaramup, Gracetown, Rosa Brook, and Grove Distillery car park.

Are there any rules about smoking or vaping?

Smoking and vaping are not allowed, including in the vehicle. Drinks in the vehicle are also not allowed, and alcohol cannot be brought or consumed in the vehicle.

Should you book this Margaret River Winery Tour with Lunch and Brewery Visit?

If you’re planning a Margaret River trip and want a guided day that mixes three boutique winery tastings, a behind-the-scenes barrel experience, craft brewery lunch, and Grove Distillery plus sweet treats, this tour is a strong choice. It’s especially worth booking if you want your tastings explained through a wine tasting 101 session, not left to guess.