Feeding farm animals before you taste wine is a great way to start a day in Margaret River. This tour mixes hands-on farm time, tastings at 3 boutique wineries, and food stops built around local producers.

I like the pace because it gives you time to actually talk to people at each stop, not just stand in a line. I also like that the day feels producer-led, so you’re tasting wines and treats you’re unlikely to find in every retail display.

One thing to consider: it runs about 7 hours, and there’s an easy walk in farm and countryside areas, so comfortable shoes help.

Key takeaways before you go

• Alpacas and emus early on: you hand feed the animals, then move straight into morning tea with scones.
• A chocolate-and-coffee stop: a quick 3-in-1 break that keeps energy up between tastings.
• Lunch at an olive farm: you taste olive oils and olive-based products made on-site.
• 3 winery cellar doors: guided tastings designed for variety, with access that goes a bit behind the scenes.
• Small group feel: multiple mentions of tight group size (often around a dozen), so the guide can keep conversation going.

A Full Day Off the Main Strip: What This Tour Really Delivers

Margaret River can feel like a choose-your-own-adventure of wine names, but this day is built around smaller producers and real farm-to-bottle stories. The format matters: you’re not just hopping from one tasting room to the next. You’re getting a sequence that starts outdoors, adds artisan food, then lands at wineries where you can taste with context.

The value isn’t only in the wine. It’s in how the stops fit together. You’ll taste things that share flavors with what you eat—olives, olive oils, chocolate, coffee—so your palate gets guided through the day instead of being left to guess.

And yes, the animal stop is genuinely memorable. Even if you’ve seen farm animals before, this one starts the day with a hands-on moment that’s different from the usual wine-tour script.

7 Hours, Smooth Pickup, and Real Pacing

The tour runs for 7 hours, with pickup and drop-off in Margaret River town centre. Pickup options typically include Burnside, Margaret River, and Prevelly, and you’ll be returned to those same areas at the end of the day.

Why I think the timing works: the schedule is broken into blocks that make sense. You begin with breakfast and animal feeding (before you’re tasting anything), then you get a mid-morning artisan stop (chocolate/coffee/tea), followed by lunch, and then the main event—three winery tastings.

Transport gets a lot of praise. People consistently note a clean, comfortable mini-bus and efficient logistics. That’s not glamorous, but it matters when you’re spending a full day out in the region.

Tip for your comfort: dress for a day outside. The farm-and-countryside walk is easy, but it’s still outdoors, and morning feels cooler than you expect in Western Australia.

Morning Farm Time: Feeding Emus and Alpacas, Then Scones and Coffee

The day starts at a farm where you’ll hand feed emus and alpacas. It’s the kind of stop that wakes everyone up fast, especially because the interaction comes before any alcohol. You’ll also get morning tea with homemade scones plus jam and cream, along with local roasted coffee and tea.

This is one of the strongest parts of the tour because it’s not a quick photo-op. You get enough time to do the feeding, settle into the morning, and actually enjoy the break. People also mention how friendly and relaxed the atmosphere feels, which makes the whole tour start on a good note.

What to watch: the tour rules say no bare feet and no smoking in the vehicle or indoors. Also, there’s an easy walk in the farm environment, so keep that in mind if you’re traveling with any mobility limits.

If you’re planning this around other activities in Margaret River, I’d treat this day as your anchor. It’s a full-body reset—fresh air, warm food, then you’re ready for wineries.

The 3-in-1 Artisan Break: Chocolate, Coffee, and Tea

Between the farm and lunch, the tour includes a “3-in-1” stop with chocolate, coffee, and tea. This is a smart timing choice. You’re refueling before the wine portion gets serious, and the flavors help you notice differences later in the day.

The chocolate stop stands out because it’s not just standard bars. People describe unusual varieties and high-quality creations, the kind of place where you’ll want to try a few things even if you’re not usually a chocolate person.

Practical advice: if you’re the type who likes to keep shopping minimal, set a small budget for this stop. Chocolate and coffee/tea purchases can turn into souvenirs fast, and the shops encourage sampling.

Also, since you’ll taste wine later, keep the chocolate selection in the “fun, not overwhelming” lane. A small tasting goes a long way when your afternoon includes multiple cellar doors.

Olive Farm Lunch: Oils, Olive Products, and a Proper Midday Reset

Lunch happens at an olive farm in the heart of Margaret River. You’ll get a meal plus tastings of olive oils and olive-based products made on-site.

In plain terms, this is the middle pillar of the day. The day is heavy on tasting, so lunch needs to be both filling and interesting. Olive oil and olive products also create a palate bridge between food and wine—salty, savory, herbal notes that can make you more aware of structure in the wines later.

One name that comes up in people’s experiences is Olio Bello, a spot described as a strong lunch stop with plenty to sample. Even if your exact olive farm varies, the format stays the same: eat, then taste the oils and products as part of the lunch experience.

A note on drinks: the tour includes lunch, but drinks at lunch other than water aren’t included. So if you want wine with lunch, plan to buy it separately (and remember you’ll still be tasting later in the day).

Three Boutique Wineries: Taste with Context, Not a Rush

Now for the main event: guided wine tastings at 3 wineries, described as boutique and selected for variety. People repeatedly mention tasting a wide range, and that the hosts at these wineries take time to explain what’s in the glass—not just pour and move on.

The tour also includes access behind the scenes as part of these tastings. That’s one of the reasons this kind of itinerary feels different from a basic “cellar door tour.” You’re being shown how production and selection connect to the bottle.

What “three wineries” means in real life

Three wineries is a sweet spot. It’s enough to feel like you learned something and found styles you love. It’s also not so many that you’re tasting through fatigue.

Most people come away talking about:

• the variety across the day (different styles rather than one safe lineup)
• the chance to ask questions and get real answers
• the feeling that these are smaller, family-run or locally driven places

Meeting the people behind the wine

Several guides and hosts get praised by name. For example, people mention winemaker hosts like Ray Marais at Redgate, along with guides such as Dani and Ziggy (plus others like Greg, Jan, and Jules in different groups). The common thread is that the people involved make the tastings more interactive and personal.

A simple strategy for tasting

Here’s how I’d play it inside the wine stops:

• Start by asking what the producer thinks is special about that vineyard block or wine style.
• Taste for balance: fruit, acidity, and finish. Then go back for your favorite.
• If you buy wine, buy one you understand, not just the one that’s easiest.

The tour is built so you can do that. The pace is often described as well paced and not rushed, giving you breathing room to actually compare pours.

Shopping Without Pressure: What to Expect from the Stops

One of the best parts of this kind of day is shopping that feels like a bonus, not a sales mission. Multiple experiences describe ample time to sample and purchase, without a hard push.

What you can realistically expect to come home with:

• bottles from boutique wineries (often more interesting than the most famous names)
• chocolate, coffee, and tea from the artisan stop
• olive oil or olive-based pantry items from the farm

Since alcohol purchases are a common add-on, it helps that the tour includes plenty of tasting time so your buying decisions aren’t rushed.

Also, if you’re the practical type who hates clutter: pick one wine, one food souvenir (like chocolate or olive oil), and stop there. Your tote bag will thank you later.

Price and Value: Why $145 Can Make Sense

At $145 per person for a 7-hour day, the question isn’t only whether the tour is “cheap” or “expensive.” It’s what you’re getting that you’d otherwise need to pay for separately.

Here’s what’s included:

• hotel pickup and drop-off within Margaret River town centre
• morning tea with homemade scones
• wine tastings at 3 wineries
• lunch
• olive oil and local products tastings
• chocolate tastings

When you price that out on your own, the value gets clearer. Transportation alone can cost a lot if you’re not traveling with a driver. Then add multiple winery cellar door tastings, a proper lunch, and the artisan food stops. This itinerary bundles all of that into one pass.

Where value can vary for you personally: if you already have a car and you only want the most famous wineries, you might feel like you could replicate parts of the day. But if you want the off-track mix—farm animals plus olive oil plus boutique wineries—this format tends to feel worth it.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Not)

This tour fits best if you:

• want a no-driving day and a smooth, organized route
• enjoy learning while tasting—especially across multiple producer types (farm, olive farm, wineries)
• like variety and want to find wines and products beyond the most obvious names
• enjoy artisan food stops that aren’t just dessert for dessert’s sake

You might skip it if you:

• want a very loose, independent day where you control every stop
• have very little interest in wine tastings (the wineries are the core afternoon)
• are traveling with small children or babies; it’s not suitable for babies under 1 year and children under 2 years

Also, alcohol rules matter. Drinking age is 18, and you may be asked for ID.

Book It or Skip It: My Bottom Line

If you’re in Margaret River and you want one day that mixes farm life with food and wine, I’d strongly consider booking this tour. It’s built around variety, friendly people, and a tasting flow that makes sense: animals and breakfast first, then chocolate and coffee, then lunch at an olive farm, and finally three guided winery tastings.

The main drawback is simple: it’s a full day, so plan for comfort, shoes, and a relaxed pace. If you’re okay with that, the itinerary is the kind that turns a normal wine day into a story you’ll remember.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the tour?

The tour runs for 7 hours.

Where is pickup offered?

Pickup is offered from all hotels in Margaret River township. Pickup options mentioned include Burnside, Margaret River, and Prevelly.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off within Margaret River town centre are included.

How many wineries do we visit?

You visit 3 wineries, each with a guided wine tasting.

Do we have lunch, or is it snacks only?

Lunch is included. It’s served at an olive farm, and you also taste olive oils and olive-based products.

Is there chocolate, coffee, or tea on the tour?

Yes. There’s a stop that includes chocolate tasting plus coffee and tea.

Are drinks at lunch included?

Lunch includes water, but drinks other than water are not included.

What’s the drinking age requirement?

The drinking age is 18, and ID may be requested.

Can I bring a pet?

No pets are allowed. Assistance dogs are allowed.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card and wear comfortable clothes.

Is the tour cancelable?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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