The gorgeous wine-making region around Margaret River isn’t just for grown-ups, it’s now great for kids too

WORDS MATT KINDER
PHOTOGRAPHY KYLE PASKETT

Internationally acclaimed as one of the finest premium wine regions in the world, Margaret River is now also forging a reputation as a family-friendly holiday destination. With a number of children’s attractions opening up and more local businesses going kid-friendly, we took the easy three-hour (272km) drive from Perth to find out what’s cool for kids – and discovered that this is a region where the whole family can have fun.

Animal antics

Sorting wool at Yallingyup
Shearing ShedYallingup Shearing Shed (Lot 115 Wildwood Rd, Yallingup, tel: +61 (8) 9755 2309) is the perfect place for the kids to get their hands dirty while learning the tricks of the sheep trade. It’s a hands-on experience as you learn to tend to the animals, muster sheep and bottle-feed lambs. Steve and Darryl, the resident shearers – “We’ve both been tossing sheep for 30 years!” – will keep the giggles coming with their contagious laughter and jokes.

If you want to farm-stay rather than farm-visit, Sunflowers Animal Farm (Caves Rd, Margaret River, tel: +61 (8) 9757 3343) is the place for you. You’ll be greeted at the front gate by Gumboots the kangaroo, a 15-month joey, who’ll lead you to the main house.

You can spend your days feeding more than 200 different animals, collecting eggs and enjoying the free pony and tractor rides. There’s also a huge kids’ playground plus a barbecue and picnic area.

A serious little barn owl at Eagles’
Heritage Raptor Wildlife CentreThe fearless can visit the Naturaliste Reptile Park (10 Wildwood Rd, Carbanup River, tel: +61 (8) 9755 1771), the only reptile park outside of Perth in Western Australia (WA). Rod the manager enthuses: “Parents will enjoy the thrill of watching their kids hold a two-metre snake”. Or just get up close to lizards, snakes, turtles and even the star attraction, Crikey the baby saltwater crocodile.

Set among natural bushland, Eagles’ Heritage Raptor Wildlife Centre (Boodjidup Rd, Margaret River, tel: +61 (8) 9757 2960) has the largest selection of eagles, hawks, falcons and owls in Australia. Make sure you catch one of the awesome eagle flight shows at 11am and 1.30pm daily. One of these birds of prey might even sit on your arm!

Wild child

The stunning spectacle of Lake Cave
Photo: Augusta Margaret River
Tourism Association

Board-riders are spoiled for choice along the 130 kilometres of pristine coastline around Margaret River – it has some of the world’s most famous surf breaks. Learning to surf is a great way to experience the region’s lifestyle, especially with the experts from the Margaret River Surf Shop & Surf School teaching you (Margaret’s Beach Resort Commercial Centre, Gnarabup, tel: +61 (8) 9757 1111). The two-hour lessons held at Redgate Beach include everything from getting into the surf and basic water tips to catching your very first wave!

Peaceful Hamelin Bay, a half-hour drive from Margaret River, is well known for the giant stingrays that visit the shallows near the jetty. Between one and two metres wide, these friendly sea creatures like swimming up close to snorkellers checking out the abundant underwater life. Gnarabup Beach is another popular place to swim, thanks to its sheltered turquoise waters.

A bit out of town, but well worth the 20km drive along picturesque Caves Road, is Lake Cave and the fascinating interpretation centre, CaveWorks (Caves Rd, Margaret River, tel: +61 (8) 9757 7411). More than 60 metres underground, Lake Cave is one of the few caves in Australia with a lake running through it the entire way. Surrounded by stunning crystal formations and the tranquil lake below, the kids will think they are descending into a scene from The Lord of the Rings.

Historic Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse (Leeuwin Rd, Augusta, tel: +61 (8) 9758 1920) is situated at the most south-western tip of Australia and lights up the meeting place of the Southern and Indian Oceans. It’s a fantastic spot for whale watching and bush walks, and guided tours of the lighthouse are run daily.

Chilli Waters Supa Golf (Harman’s Mill Rd, Willyabrup, tel: +61 (8) 9755 6425) is a wonderful place to enjoy a fun game of mini-
golf. It uses super-size clubs and balls on a shorter-than-normal course, letting you pay more attention to the stunning views. There’s plenty of local wildlife, too – watch out for the kangaroos when you’re teeing off!

For a more contemplative moment, head to Melting Pot Glass Studio (91 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River, tel: +61 (8) 9757 2252). Local artist Gerry Reilly’s beautiful glass objects draw inspiration from south-west WA’s dramatic landscapes, and his daily glass-blowing demonstrations will leave the kids mesmerised.

Munchy moments

Simmo’s Ice Cream (Shop 2, 140 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River, tel: +61 (8) 9757 8886) is a must on any kid’s holiday list. Simmo’s has more than 39 ice cream flavours made daily from local ingredients, including apple pie, mango-passionfruit sorbet and liquorice – not to mention a funpark at their Dunsborough store, 45 minutes north of Margaret River. At Candy Cow (Shop 3, cnr Bussell Hwy and Bottrill St, Cowaramup, tel: +61 (8) 9755 9155) watch fresh honeycomb being made then have a taste. After that, if your sweet tooth can still handle it, Ye Olde Lolly Shoppe (Shop 3, 103 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River, tel: +61 (8) 9758 7555) has a brilliant selection of old-style lollies and a great range of Australian memorabilia. The famous Margaret River Chocolate Factory (cnr Harman’s Mill Rd and Harman’s South Rd, Willyabrup, tel: +61 (8) 9755 6555) is another must-visit and the “ultimate kids’ destination”, according to owner Martin Black. As if unlimited chocolate tasting wasn’t enough, you can also watch the chocolate being made and take in the educational storyboards and videos on the history of chocolate.

Photo: Tourism Western
AustraliaWith so much to do down here, the kids will have the time of their lives. Happy kids mean happy parents, which means a family holiday to remember for all the right reasons!

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On the go

No matter what your family size, check out the range of cars and caravans at Budget (tel: 1300 362 848) or AVIS (tel: 136 333). Both have offices across Perth, including locations at the international and domestic airports.

You can hook up the caravan or just go camping at Riverview Tourist Park (8 Willmott Ave, Margaret River, tel: +61 (8) 9757 2270) or Margaret River Tourist Park & Country Cottages (44 Station Rd, Margaret River, tel: +61 (8) 9757 2180).

Feed the monsters

• Palandri Wines (cnr Bussell Hwy and Boundary Rd, Cowaramup, tel: +61 (8) 9756 5100) has an indoor kids’ games room, super-friendly staff and a healthy kids’ sampler plate called The Munch and Crunch.
• Xanadu Wines (Boodjidup Rd, Margaret River, tel: +61 (8) 9757 2581) offers a delicious children’s menu and an undercover playground.
• Cowaramup Brewing Company (Lot 3, North Treeton Rd, Cowaramup, tel: +61 (8) 9755 5822) has a kids’ bouncy castle, free sports equipment and the “Cowaramup lunch box” full of local treats.
• Gnarabup Beach Café (Gnarabup Beach, Margaret River, tel: +61 (8) 9757 1900) is situated right on the beach and if you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of dolphins swimming past while you munch on your fish and chips.