Premium Margaret River Wine + Beer Tour (Departs from Busselton)

Margaret River tastes better with a small crew. This six to seven-hour outing combines three guided winery tastings with lunch at Beerfarm, then may add a final winery, brewery, or distillery stop. I like the accommodation pickup and drop-off, and I like the mix of serious wine, chocolate, beer, and country scenery. The main consideration is that the exact venues can change, and the final stop is not guaranteed.

The tour costs $139.86 per person, which is fair if you value transport, tastings, lunch, and a small group rather than trying to organize several cellar doors yourself. The vehicle holds no more than 11 people, and guide Attila has earned particular praise for being funny, friendly, and informative. Still, you should allow up to 7.5 hours, especially if you have a cruise, dinner reservation, or other fixed plan afterward.

Key points at a glance

• Small groups of up to 11: A good size for conversation without the feel of a large coach tour.
• Three main winery tastings: The included stops focus on generous guided pours at award-winning Margaret River producers.
• Beerfarm lunch included: Food, local beer, and relaxed country surroundings break up the wine tasting.
• Venues can change: Weather, opening times, pickup locations, and group interests help determine the final route.
• Pickup from Busselton accommodation: You avoid driving after drinking and do not need to arrange a taxi between rural venues.
• Final drinks may cost extra: A later winery, brewery, or distillery visit is possible, but drinks there are not included.

A relaxed start from Busselton

Pickup is offered from accommodation in Busselton and surrounding areas. The stated tour start is 10:30 a.m., while pickup arrangements begin earlier, with the exact time confirmed the day before. If that message has not arrived by 4 p.m. the previous day, call the operator.

The drive is part of the appeal. You travel in a clean, air-conditioned vehicle rather than assigning one person to stay sober and navigate country roads. That matters here because the worthwhile cellar doors are spread through the Margaret River wine region, not gathered in one compact village.

With a maximum of 11 people, the day should feel more personal than a large bus outing. It also makes it easier to chat with the guide and other couples or small groups. One especially well-praised guide is Attila, who was described as informative, friendly, and funny. A good guide can make a major difference on a tasting day, particularly when the venue order changes.

The operator notes that the route is only a sample. The actual wineries may shift according to availability, weather, the geographic location of the people being collected, and the interests of the group. You should book this tour for the general style of the day, not for a promise that every named venue will appear.

Passel Estate and the wine region’s quieter side

Passel Estate is presented as a boutique, family-owned winery where conservation and wine production share the setting. Its wines are made by winemaker Bruce Drakes, and the stop is planned for about an hour.

This is the sort of cellar door that suits you if you prefer a smaller producer and a calmer tasting room to a highly commercial operation. The focus is on the wine and the surroundings, with time for a guided tasting rather than a quick sample before rushing back to the vehicle.

You should also keep expectations sensible. A cellar door tasting is not a full winery tour unless the guide and venue specifically add that detail on the day. The supplied information promises generous guided tastings, but it does not promise vineyard walks, barrel-room access, or a production demonstration.

L.S. Merchants brings a more playful tasting

The second listed winery is L.S. Merchants, a family-owned producer working with minimal intervention, small batches, and adventurous blends. The planned visit lasts about an hour.

This stop gives the day some contrast. Instead of tasting only conventional regional styles, you may encounter wines that reflect a more experimental approach. That can be useful if you already know Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and want to try something less predictable.

The phrase liquid surprises fits the spirit of this stop, but it also points to a possible limitation. If you prefer a tightly structured tasting built around familiar grape varieties, an innovative small-batch producer may feel less straightforward. If you enjoy asking questions and trying unusual blends, it should be one of the more entertaining parts of the route.

Temper Temper adds a short chocolate break

The Cowaramup stop at Temper Temper Fine Chocolate lasts about 15 minutes. The shop makes artisanal chocolate using carefully sourced ingredients, so this is a brief change of pace between drinks.

Do not expect a long factory visit or a chocolate-making class. The value is in giving your palate and attention a short rest. A complimentary chocolate taste is included in the description, making this a pleasant extra rather than a major stop.

Fifteen minutes is enough to browse and sample, but not enough for a leisurely shopping session if the shop is busy. If you want to buy gifts, be ready to move along when the guide calls the group back.

Beerfarm turns lunch into part of the experience

Beerfarm is the day’s main food break, with about an hour and a half scheduled. The venue sits on 160 acres of Australian countryside and combines its own beer, food, and informal surroundings.

Lunch is included, which strengthens the value of the tour. Wine tastings can leave you hungry, and a proper meal makes the afternoon more comfortable. The operator says dietary preferences can be accommodated, but you must provide those details at least seven days before the tour. If you have an allergy or strict restriction, confirm it directly with the restaurant when you arrive.

The brewery is also a smart counterpoint to the winery stops. You get a chance to switch from grape-based drinks to local beer and take in a more casual setting. One direct account praised the food at Beerfarm, calling it very good, so I would treat lunch as a real part of the day rather than a basic snack stop.

The one-hour-thirty-minute schedule gives you more breathing room than the short chocolate stop. Still, the time has to cover lunch and the venue itself, so this is not a full brewery production tour unless conditions on the day allow it.

Fermoy Estate and a royal Cabernet connection

Fermoy Estate is another possible winery stop, with about an hour set aside. Its most distinctive claim is that its Cabernet Sauvignon was served at the official wedding of Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary.

That detail adds a memorable talking point to the tasting. It also gives you a reason to pay attention to the Cabernet rather than treating every pour as just another glass in a long day. Margaret River is particularly associated with Cabernet Sauvignon, so this stop fits the region’s identity.

The royal connection is interesting, but it should not be mistaken for a guarantee that you will taste the exact wine served at the wedding. The available information says the estate’s iconic Cabernet was served at that event, not that the wedding vintage is available during your visit.

Lenton Brae offers a slower final glass

Lenton Brae Winery is designed as a relaxed closing stop in the sample route. You may sit with a glass overlooking the lake, use the fireplace inside, or browse the onsite deli for local produce. Lawn games and table tennis are also available.

This is a useful way to finish a tasting day because it is less formal than moving directly from one guided pour to another. You can talk with the group, enjoy the setting, and decide if you want to buy something for later.

The important qualification is timing. The included details describe a final winery, distillery, or brewery stop as time permitting, with drinks at your own cost. Lenton Brae is therefore a possible venue, not a fixed promise. If it happens, budget for any extra glass or tasting.

Why the venue changes matter

Some people will be disappointed if they reserve this tour expecting a fixed list of four wineries. The experience is built around three main award-winning winery visits, plus lunch and a possible final stop. The route can change without notice.

That flexibility has a practical benefit. A tour operator can adapt to a winery’s availability, bad weather, group pickup locations, or seasonal conditions. It also prevents a closed cellar door from ruining the day. The trade-off is less certainty for you.

When booking, focus on these promises:

• Three winery tastings are included.
• Lunch at a brewery or bistro is included.
• A final winery, brewery, or distillery may be added.
• Any drinks at that last stop are extra.
• The named venues are examples, not guaranteed stops.

This distinction matters because one person expected four wineries and found that only three were visited. The day still included a brewery, but the description could have set clearer expectations about the final venue. I would book it as a wine-and-beer day with three core wineries, not as a fixed four-winery circuit.

Is $139.86 a good price?

At $139.86, the price covers more than tastings. You receive accommodation pickup and drop-off, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, an experienced guide, lunch, the three primary winery visits, and gratuities.

That is good value if you would otherwise need to hire a car, nominate a sober driver, pay for fuel, arrange meals, and coordinate several cellar doors. The small group also adds value, especially if you prefer conversation and a flexible feel over a large coach.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want to buy wine at one producer or spend a long time at each cellar door. This is a moving day with several stops, not a single-estate visit. You are paying for access to a broad sample of the region and for someone else to handle the driving.

Drinks at the possible final stop are not covered. Set aside a little extra if you want to continue tasting late in the afternoon.

Who should book this day?

I would recommend it to couples, solo visitors, friends, and small groups staying in Busselton who want a simple way to see several producers. It is especially suitable if you like both wine and beer and do not want every stop to feel formal.

It also works well for people who appreciate a guide’s personality. Attila’s friendly and humorous style was a highlight of one outing, and a small group gives that personal contact more room to matter.

You may want a different experience if you need a completely fixed schedule, want a long lunch with no time pressure, or care most about visiting specific wineries. The route can change, and the day involves several tastings in succession.

Children can participate when accompanied by an adult, but alcohol is served only to people aged 18 and over. Since the tour centers on tastings, adults who enjoy wine, beer, food, and conversation will get the most from it.

Practical advice before you reserve

Tell the operator about dietary requirements, allergies, accessibility needs, and other requests at least seven days before departure. For food allergies, confirm the arrangements directly with the restaurant when you arrive.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not refunded. The tour also depends on suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 42 days. That does not mean you must reserve exactly six weeks ahead, but it suggests that popular dates can fill early, particularly during busy periods.

Keep the full afternoon open. The main tour lasts about six hours, but pickup and drop-off can bring the total to as much as 7.5 hours. Do not schedule a tight connection afterward.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

Pickup is offered from your accommodation in Busselton and surrounding areas. Exact pickup details are provided before the tour.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:30 a.m. Pickup may begin earlier, and the exact time is confirmed the day before.

How long does the experience last?

The main tour takes about six hours. Including pickup and drop-off, you should allow up to 7.5 hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 11 travelers.

How many wineries are included?

Three award-winning wineries with guided tastings are included. A later winery, brewery, or distillery may be added if time allows, but that stop is not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a popular brewery or bistro is included, with Beerfarm shown as an example venue.

Are drinks at every stop included?

Guided tastings at the three main wineries are included. Drinks or optional tastings at the final stop are not included.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Yes, dietary requirements should be provided at least seven days before the tour. If you have allergies or strict restrictions, confirm them directly with the restaurant on arrival.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Should you book the Margaret River wine and beer tour?

Book it if you want three substantial winery tastings, included lunch, small-group transport, and a relaxed mix of wine and beer without driving yourself. The price is reasonable for the amount of transport and food included, and a good guide such as Attila can make the day feel warm and social.

Skip it if a specific fourth winery is essential or if you need a rigid timetable. The smartest approach is to treat the named venues as possible highlights, while judging the tour by its core promise: a full day of Margaret River wine, brewery food, local beer, and easy pickup from Busselton.