Take a helicopter trip to Margaret River to visit world-class wineries - taste their unique wines, indulge in their gourmet dishes, and bring it all together with an adventurous and thrilling helicopter flight. If you don't know where to start, the five best wineries in Margaret River to visit by helicopter are:
Best Margaret River Wineries to Visit
If you're venturing to Margaret River, Australia, and you want the trip to be one to remember, the following wineries are ones that you must visit. Their cellar doors feature some of the most exclusive and unique wines in the world!
1. Swings & Roundabouts
Location: 85 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River WA 6285
Opening Hours:
- Sunday-Thursday: 4 pm - 9 pm (kitchen closes 8 pm)
- Friday–Saturday: Cellar Door 11 am - 4 pm; Restaurant 4 pm - 10 pm (kitchen closes 9 pm)
Swings & Roundabouts is one of the best Margaret River wineries if you're looking to engage in some premium wine tasting, featuring some of the best wines that Margaret River produces. The venue is a combination of an open, warm atmosphere with rustic timer surrounds - a relaxed location by any means.
This winery, often called the local's local, features the flagship Swings range on tap, as well as access to the premium Backyard Stories label. With both indoor and outdoor seating, it's a great winery to visit at any time of the year, and a great place for a high-end dinner, too, with seasonal Western Australian produce being at the forefront.
Although the restaurant is not open for lunch, just dinner, the cellar door and winery is open during the day, and you can visit it as a part of Rotor One's Margaret River Wine Region Helicopter Tour - allowing you to have one of the best wine experiences while also getting to fly in a state-of-the-art helicopter.
What to Order: When you're at Swings & Roundabouts, try ordering their Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Merlot, or Backyard Stories Shiraz, and pair them with prosciutto and pear woodfired pizza or slow-roasted lamb with local greens.
2. Amelia Park
Location: 3857 Caves Road, Wilyabrup WA 6280
Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11 am - 3 pm (lunch only)
Found outside of the Margaret River town, right in Wilyabrup WA, you'll find Amelia Park, which combines a relaxed and inviting atmosphere with contemporary design, making for one of the best wine experiences in south western Australia.
The grand timber doors with massive vistas, a polished wood interior, and a scene of refinement make this one of the most popular destinations in the Margaret River region.
This is a family-run estate, headed by husband-and-wife team Blair and Renée Allen - who have earned a Premier’s Award and multiple Gold Plates. The warm and attentive service is complemented by the jarrah woodfired grill that infuses each dish with smoky depth - which you can enjoy in a modern and bright dining space.
Amelia Park is an excellent place to stop for lunch, especially when you pair their fine dining with their premium wines - ripe for you to discover, with a variety of Chardonnay, Grenache, Shiraz, and Tempranillo to choose from.
Of course, arriving by helicopter makes the whole experience just that much more exciting - whether you drink a single glass or a whole bottle.
What to Order: Some of the standout wines at this location include the Amelia Park Chardonnay, Bush Vine Tempranillo, Reserve Shiraz, and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. These pair well with their wood-roasted rack of lamb and the pan-roasted fish of the day.
3. Aravina Estate
Location: 61 Thornton Road, Yallingup WA 6282
Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: Restaurant 11:30 am - 3:00 pm | Cellar Door 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
If you're looking for fantastic food outside of Perth, along with some of the most delicious wines, another favourite location to visit is Aravina Estate - a combination of fine dining, premium wines, and stunning scenery.
This massive estate is spread across 180 acres in Yallingup, with manicured vineyards, lake views, and its modern winery and Terrace Restaurant. Guests can choose to spend the afternoon dining on the veranda overlooking the vines or on the lawns beside the water.
Aravina's vineyard features 12 different grape varieties, allowing them to produce premium varietals, including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Grenache, and Arinto. Guests can also enjoy their A Collection Wines and the prestigious Wildwood Ridge Reserve label.
The lunch menu is also something to behold at Aravina Estate, with fresh and local produce that results in dishes that you don't want to miss - with each bite bursting with flavour.
Aravina Estate is also included in Rotor One's Margaret River Helicopter Wine Tour - combining the fun and adventure of riding in a helicopter with the luxury of experiencing one of the finest winemakers in the country. With a helicopter ride, dining, and fine wine, the overall experience is one that everybody needs to take part in.
What to Order: Some of the most popular wines to explore at Aravina Estate include the Wildwood Ridge Reserve Chardonnay, Grenache-Tempranillo Blend, and the Estate Muscat. Dishes such as grilled octopus with chipotle and black garlic, beetroot salad with smoked labneh and oat crumble, blue manna crab rice, and 16-hour braised beef rump cap are must-haves.
4. Vasse Felix
Location: Caves Road, Margaret River WA 6285
Opening Hours: Daily: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm | Restaurant: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Another popular winery to travel to via helicopter is Vasse Felix, an estate that features an elegant mix of glass, timber, and stone - creating a rustic yet modern atmosphere that is perfect for wine tasting and more.
The interior has a large, private collection of art, which adds to the experience. While the artwork is visually striking, the real treat comes in the form of the cellar door, which features signature varietals, such as Sauvignon Blanc Semillon and acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon.
Vasse Felix also features Tom Cullity and Reserve collections, both reflections of the region's unique terroir.
Dining at Vasse Felix is always a treat as well, with the restaurant overlooking the Wilyabrup Brook, and food inspired by fresh and local produce. Each and every single dish on the menu is designed to complement at least one of the wines perfectly - making it an excellent place to enjoy lunch at your table along with a few glasses of wine.
Travel to Vasse Felix via helicopter with Rotor One's bespoke charter service.
What to Order: Some of the favourite wines to order here include the 2019 Filius Chardonnay and the Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec. Must-try dishes include Exmouth tiger prawns with lemon myrtle butter, chargrilled lamb with native mind jus, and local line-caught fish with a citrus emulsion.
5. Leeuwin Estate
Location: Stevens Road, Margaret River WA 6285
Opening Hours: Daily: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm | Restaurant: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
If you want to experience fine wine, gourmet dining, music, art, and great architecture, you've got to visit Leeuwin Estate. It's found among rolling vineyards and karri forests, with great open-air spaces to create a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere.
This winery first garnered a reputation for its Art Series Chardonnay, which is now considered one of the finest wines in Australia - an inspiration for so many others that have followed. Visitors can enjoy guided tastings and the on-site art gallery.
The Leeuwin Estate Restaurant is also popular, producing fine Australian cuisine inspired by regional produce. Dine on the terrace with amazing vineyard views, and enjoy one of the many festivals and concerts that the estate regularly holds.
What to Order: Try the Art Series Chardonnay, Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Art Series Shiraz. pair them with the venison filet with native pepperberry juice, the marron ravioli with burnt butter and lemon myrtle, and the dark chocolate bark with wattleseed ice cream.
Why Visit the Margaret River Wine Region?
Margaret River is one of these rare regions where natural beauty meets man-made marvels, with a combination of natural vineyards and rolling hills, impressive estates - both rustic and modern, and some of the best varietals and gourmet dining that Australia has to offer. Here's why you need to take a helicopter tour of Margaret River.
Amazing Cellar Doors Around Every Corner
The simple fact is that Margaret River has amazing cellar doors around every corner, with diversity being the key theme. Each and every cellar door tells the story of passionate winemakers, sustainable practices, and decades of craftsmanship.
Whether you go for a guided flight of reserve wines or a more intimate wine tasting, this is where you go if you want to taste both new and unique as well as time-tested wines - and this is the case whether we're talking about Chardonnay, Riesling, or anything in between.
Delicious Meals and Wine Pairings
Next, Margaret River isn't just for wine lovers, because those same great wineries, besides having a rich tradition for wine making, also play home to some of the most renowned restaurants in the whole world.
These winery restaurants generally rely on fresh and local produce to craft their dishes. In this region, you can expect plenty of fresh seafood, woodfired dishes, and garden-grown ingredients.
Great Scenery and Quality Time With The People Who Matter the Most
Between wine tasting and gourmet bites of food, take in the amazing views offered by this region of Australia, with sunlit vines, lush forests, calm lakes, and the glimmering Indian Ocean. These views, great food and wine, and time spent with your family and friends make a Margaret River helicopter tour worthwhile every time.
Why Travel to the Margaret River Region By Helicopter?
Are you wondering why a helicopter tour of Margaret River is the best option? Here's why!
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Margaret River is less than an hour from Perth by helicopter, compared to several tedious hours driving by car and dealing with traffic all the while.
- Driving to Margaret River means either abstaining from drinking more than a glass of wine or having a designated driver to get back home - both problems that don't exist when you have an expert helicopter pilot flying you.
- Margaret River is one of the most visually stunning places in Australia, but if you think that it looks nice from the ground, just wait until you get a bird's-eye-view from the sky. These are views and photo opportunities that just can't be beat.
- There is also a certain element of luxury involved here. Getting to board a private helicopter with plush seating, panoramic views, noise-cancelling headsets, and a pilot that doubles as a tour guide is nothing short of a five-star experience - it's about getting to enjoy the finer things in life.
