Margaret River: Winery Tour with Lunch and Brewery Visit

Margaret River’s wine country is best enjoyed with someone else handling the driving. This full-day outing combines three boutique wineries, a barrel tasting, Grove Distillery, and a brewery lunch, so you get more than a string of cellar-door visits. Guides such as Chris, Olivier, Jason, Andi, and Arto bring local stories, music, and plenty of practical wine talk.

I like the good mix of stops: wine, spirits, chocolate, nougat, cheese, beer, lunch, and even a turn at the driving range. I also like the relaxed pace, which gives you time to taste without being hurried from one venue to the next. The main drawback is that the day covers a lot of ground and includes several tasting stops, so it may feel full for anyone who prefers a slow, single-estate wine visit.

Key points

• Three boutique wineries offer tutored tastings, with one stop including a behind-the-scenes visit and barrel tasting.
• Grove Distillery adds chocolate, nougat, and local liqueur-style products to the wine-focused day.
• Brewery lunch includes a glass of wine or beer, followed by access to a golf driving range.
• Guides set the tone, with Chris, Olivier, Jason, Andi, and Arto praised for friendly commentary and good organization.
• Pickup is available across the Margaret River Community, including Margaret River, Prevelly, Gnarabup, Witchcliffe, Cowaramup, Gracetown, Rosa Brook, and Grove Distillery Car Park.
• The $130 price covers transport, lunch, tastings, the winery tour, driving range, water, and local food samples.

A full Margaret River day without the driving

This 450-minute tour gives you about seven and a half hours in the Margaret River region. That is long enough to reach several different venues, settle into the day, and still return without turning the outing into a late-night event.

You begin with pickup from an agreed location in the Margaret River Community. The Cheers bus is easy to spot, with full-body branding and the Cheers logo. Pickup times are sent by text to the number used during booking, so make sure that number works in Australia.

The pickup area is unusually broad for a local wine tour. It includes the Margaret River township, Prevelly, Gnarabup, Witchcliffe, Cowaramup, Gracetown, Rosa Brook, and the Grove Distillery car park. The booking information contains conflicting notes about pickup being included and not included, but the detailed transport information says Cheers offers complimentary pickup and drop-off within this area. If your accommodation is close to, but not clearly inside, the service area, contact the operator before booking.

The bus matters here. Margaret River’s wineries are spread out, and driving after tastings is not a sensible plan. You can focus on the glass in front of you, listen to the guide, and watch the scenery change between stops.

Three boutique wineries with different personalities

The heart of the day is the visit to three boutique wineries. The exact wineries can vary, but the structure gives you several chances to compare styles, tasting rooms, and approaches to Margaret River wine.

Each winery offers a tutored tasting, so you are not left guessing what to notice. You can ask about the grapes, production methods, and the character of the region. The tour is aimed at ordinary wine drinkers, not just people who already know the difference between every local variety.

One of the stops includes a behind-the-scenes winery visit and barrel tasting. This is one of the most useful parts of the day because it moves the experience beyond simply standing at a counter with a row of glasses. Tasting from a barrel gives you a chance to think about how wine changes before bottling, and the cellar visit adds some context to what you are drinking.

You also receive cheese and crackers at a selected venue. It is a small detail, but a welcome one. A little food helps pace the tastings and gives you something plain to eat between richer samples.

The boutique setting should appeal to you if you prefer smaller, more relaxed venues. One recent departure particularly enjoyed Jarvis Estate, while another found that the winery stops felt private and easygoing. That said, winery schedules and venues can change, so you should book this for the overall format rather than one specific estate.

Grove Distillery adds chocolate and nougat

The stop at award-winning Grove Distillery breaks up the wine focus. Here, you sample local gourmet treats, including chocolate and nougat, along with the distillery’s products.

This is a smart addition for anyone in a mixed group. Not everyone has the same interest in wine, and a distillery stop gives the day another flavor. The sweet samples also provide a useful contrast after several wine tastings.

Do not expect this part to replace a full distillery tour unless the guide specifically confirms one for your departure. The supplied details promise a visit and sampling, but they do not describe a long production walk-through. Think of Grove as a short, tasty change of pace rather than the main event.

The stop also helps explain why the tour works for couples or groups with different tastes. One person can focus on wine, another can try the local sweets, and everyone still stays together.

Brewery lunch and a little time at the driving range

Lunch takes place at a craft brewery and includes a glass of wine or beer. That choice is useful because it lets you stay with wine or switch to beer for a while. The lunch is one of the more highly praised parts of the day, and it gives you a proper pause after the morning tastings.

The brewery stop is not just a meal break. You also receive access to the driving range. This is an unusual extra on a wine tour, and it adds a playful activity without demanding a full round of golf or specialist equipment.

I would treat the driving range as a bonus rather than the reason to book. The details do not specify how long you spend there, what equipment is supplied, or whether instruction is included. If golf is central to your plans, confirm those points first. If you simply like the idea of hitting a few balls between lunch and the afternoon tastings, it is a pleasant change from another seated tasting room.

The brewery stop can also help reset the pace of the day. Wine tours sometimes become a blur of glasses and cellar doors. A meal, a beer option, and an activity give you a chance to stretch your legs and chat with the group.

Wine Tasting 101 closes the day

The final part of the tour includes a Wine Tasting 101 session. This is especially helpful if you are new to wine or want a simple framework for making sense of the earlier tastings.

You can expect the session to focus on practical tasting basics rather than heavy technical language. After visiting several wineries, you will have real examples in mind, which makes the lesson more useful than a classroom talk at the start of the day.

A complimentary bottle of spring water is provided, and water is available on board. Still, bring your own bottle if you prefer to keep one with you during the stops. Comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera are sensible choices, as the day includes outdoor movement and time at different venues.

The tour ends with the Cheers wine bonus buy offer. This can be handy if you find a bottle you want to take home, but you should not feel obliged to purchase. The venues offer wine for sale without making that the focus of the visit, which suits a relaxed tasting day.

The guides make the day work

A wine tour depends heavily on its guide. The strongest part of this experience is the human side, and several guides have received praise for being warm, informative, and good at managing different group personalities.

Chris is noted for explaining the region and its history while keeping the mood welcoming. Olivier has handled both guiding and driving, including a lively mixed group, with patience and good humor. Jason is described as an excellent host, while Andi and Arto have also led well-organized departures.

You should not assume you will receive a particular guide, but the names give you a sense of the company’s guiding style. Expect local commentary, music, wine explanations, and a guide who keeps the day moving.

The group atmosphere can vary. A cheerful group can make the bus rides and tastings especially fun, while a quieter group may suit you if you prefer less chatter. The tour appears designed to encourage conversation, so it is not ideal if you want a private, silent day with only your own companions.

What the $130 price really covers

At $130 per person, the tour offers solid value if you plan to use most of its inclusions. You receive transport, three tutored winery tastings, a behind-the-scenes winery tour, barrel tasting, Grove Distillery, gourmet samples, cheese and crackers, brewery lunch, a glass of wine or beer, driving-range access, the Wine Tasting 101 session, and bottled water.

Booking separate transport to three wineries would quickly add cost and planning work. You would also need a designated driver, and that person would miss much of the tasting. Here, the transport is part of the point, not an afterthought.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors to Margaret River, couples who want a ready-made day, and small groups with mixed levels of wine interest. It is less compelling if you already have a car, know which estates you want to visit, and prefer to spend several hours at one winery.

Lunch is included, but the menu is not specified. If you have strict dietary needs, ask the operator before booking. The same advice applies to the exact brewery, wineries, and timing, since those details are not fixed in the information provided.

Practical limits you should know before booking

Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suited to the weather. Margaret River days can include outdoor walking, and the tour asks you to move between wineries, the distillery, brewery, and driving range.

Smoking, vaping, and alcohol are not allowed on the bus. Western Australian rules prohibit drinking alcohol during the bus journey, so save your purchases for later. Drinks are also not permitted in the vehicle.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant people, wheelchair users, or people with back problems. The transport and stops may involve movement that is not suitable for those needs. Ask the operator about your particular situation before paying.

The cancellation policy is friendly: you can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Margaret River plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

You will likely enjoy this tour if you want a broad taste of the region in one day, especially if you are staying within the pickup area and do not want to drive. It suits curious beginners as well as wine drinkers who enjoy comparing several small producers.

It is also a good fit for a mixed group. The distillery, sweets, brewery lunch, cheese, driving range, and local commentary keep the day from becoming wine-only.

You may prefer a private or more focused outing if you want a particular winery, a long lunch, a serious cellar experience, or control over every stop. The schedule is varied and well-paced, but variety means you will not linger at each venue for half a day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Margaret River in a single, social day and value safe transport, several tastings, lunch, and a guide who can add local context. The three boutique wineries, barrel tasting, Grove Distillery, and brewery stop give you a useful spread of the region’s food and drink culture for $130.

Skip it if your priority is a quiet private tasting at one estate, or if the driving range and extra food stops sound like distractions. Before booking, confirm your pickup point, dietary needs, and the exact venues for your date. For most first-time visitors who want an easy introduction without driving, this is a well-rounded choice.

FAQ

How long does the Margaret River winery tour last?

The tour lasts 450 minutes, or about seven and a half hours.

What is included in the $130 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off as described in the transport details, lunch at a craft brewery, a glass of wine or beer, driving-range access, tutored tastings at three boutique wineries, a behind-the-scenes winery tour with barrel tasting, Grove Distillery, gourmet samples, cheese and crackers, a Wine Tasting 101 session, bottled spring water, and an expert local guide.

Where is pickup available?

Complimentary pickup and drop-off are offered within the Margaret River Community, including Margaret River township, Prevelly, Gnarabup, Witchcliffe, Cowaramup, Gracetown, Rosa Brook, and the Grove Distillery car park. Contact Cheers if you are unsure whether your accommodation is covered.

How will I recognize the tour vehicle?

The Cheers bus has full-body wraps and the Cheers logo. Pickup times are sent by text to the number supplied during booking, so make sure your phone number works in Australia.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is provided at a craft brewery and includes a glass of wine or beer. The specific menu is not provided, so contact the operator about dietary requirements.

Can I drink alcohol on the bus?

No. Smoking, vaping, drinks, and alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. Alcohol consumption during the bus journey is also not legal in Western Australia.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility or health concerns?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant people, wheelchair users, or people with back problems. Contact the operator before booking if you have a specific concern about the vehicle or stops.