Thursday, February 1, 2024

Your Margaret River Region Summer Bucket List

Sun-filled mornings spent procrastinating. Long days by, in, on and around the glistening Indian and/or Southern Oceans. Balmy nights filled with food, wine and merry-making. Welcome to summer in the Margaret River Region.

It’s prime holiday time, and there’s plenty of summertime fun ripe for the picking. Not sure where to begin, or looking for something new to try during your next trip down south? Here are our top things to do in the Margaret River Region this summer.

Private Properties’ Margaret River Region Summer Bucket List

Dive into the sea

Wadandi (Saltwater) Boodja (country) is hugged by more than 130km of salt water, making it the ultimate destination for lovers of the sea. No matter if you surf, dive, snorkel, swim or paddle, we guarantee you’ll be able to find your very own natural swimming pool in our backyard. Where will you find the Private Properties team?

The Aquarium. Image credit: Aquabumps

Meandering down the bush track to the Aquarium near Canal Rocks.
Playing with the kids post-surf at Yallingup Lagoon.
Snorkelling between the rocks at Quarry Bay.
Discovering an underwater world of unique sculptures along the Busselton Jetty’s new Underwater Sculpture and Artificial Reef Trail.
SUPing the crystal-clear waters that lap at Eagle Bay.

Taste the Margaret River Region on a plate

One of the best ways to really experience a destination is by taste. The spoils of a Margaret River summer certainly taste ever-so-sweet – think locally caught seafood, fresh summer fruit and litres of ice-cream. Where are the Private Properties team eating this summer?

Inara, Busselton. Image credit: Tori Lill

For an incredibly generous, Levantine-inspired banquet, book Inara.
Much-loved Bunbury institution Benesse has opened its third iteration in Busselton and it’s just as good as the original.
There’s plenty of rustic charm about Witchcliffe’s newest eatery – Dear Darnell’s. Dressed in recycled timber, steel and artifacts, Darnell’s features a contemporary food and cocktails menu that’s as appealing to the stomach as the venue is to the eyes.
They shook their food truck home, but not their name, or (thankfully) their hearty American-style fare. Head to Normal Van for moreish burgers, bevvies and soft-serve ice-cream.
We were incredibly sad to see much-loved restaurant Arimia close its doors in 2023, but our sadness was quickly replaced with excitement at the news that Ann Spencer and Chef Evan Hayter were working on a new offering – de’sendent – right on Margaret River’s main street. This intimate, edgy restaurant is a go-to if you love sleek architecture, a tasting menu that truly reflects the best of local ingredients, and a premium wine list.

Sip on summer vibes

Beach picnics, pastel sunsets, family catch ups and any and every food. A tasty tipple, froth-topped brew or sparkly bubbles pair perfectly with this season’s must-dos. We’re enjoying every last drop of sun by pairing it with:

Lady Lola. Image credit: Peggy Voir

Small batch, minimal intervention wine by winemaking young guns and innovative micro-brewing geniuses Vallée du Venom, on the deck outside of their pop-up cellar door at Yallingup Galleries.
Locally distilled gin poured over the rocks at Cowaramup’s West Winds Distillery and Tavern.
Lady Lola Aperitivos and complimentary snacks between 3-5pm every Friday and Saturday.
Laidback, beachside hangs at The Goose or Shelter Brewing Co. It’s really all about that glassy ocean view, but the cocktails and local brews are pretty good too.

Connect with the whole family

Coming down south with the kids? Here’s what you do: Check out our top things to do in the Margaret River Region with the kids, and add them (plus the following ideas) to your summer bucket list.

Taylor Homestead

Our kids attest that the Busselton Foreshore Shipwreck playground is a must-do, while us mums and dads swear by the enclosed playground at Par 3 (which also happens to have a bar license and mini golf for the teens).
Who doesn’t love a cuddle with a cute and fluffy farm animal? Visit Sunflowers Animal Farm and feed everything from lambs and cows, to piglets, llamas and joeys. For all the benefits of an animal farm, as well as the added bonus of a picturesque setting and delightfully instagrammable (and tasty) fare, head to Meelup Farmhouse.
Need a break from, while still looking after, the kids? Lose them in a manmade or living hedge maze.
Spend hours picking (and eating) fresh fruit off the bush or tree. Our recommendation: Lorien Blueberries.
Frolic through fields of beautiful sunflowers when they’re in full bloom, thanks to the local farmers behind Taylor Homestead. If you’re fast enough, you might even be able to tee up a professional photoshoot while you’re there.

Practise healthy living

A happy self is a healthy self, and we’ve got some summertime activities for you to try that’s not only good for you, but heaps of fun too.

Busselton foreshore. Image credit: Photo Elements, Margaret River

Soak in the beautiful Geographe Bay with a sea swim, or walk, run or ride down the long-stretching path that lines the coast between Busselton and Dunsborough.
Work up a sweat and work off all of those summer feasts at Pilates Bar. You’ll catch us feeling the burn at Pilates Bar’s hot reformer pilates classes.
Get steamy with a sauna experience by Busselton Jetty with Alchemy Saunas.
Nurture your body, mind and soul with a decadent spa experience. We treat ourselves to a Balance package at Empire Spa.
Put your phones away and get your hands dirty with a pottery workshop run by expert potter Sally May Mills of Claylines.

You might have all the things you’d like to see and do this summer, but what about your homebase? Check out just some of our favourite summer holiday homes here.