Here are seven spots along Margaret River that are stress-free to visit with young ones in tow
West Australia’s ‘wine region’ is a must visit for its lush produce, premium wines and welcoming vineyards. Travelling with kids? Margaret River – a small town south of Perth – provides tons of fun, without compromising the grown-ups’ need for fine wine and cuisine. At these seven wineries and breweries, dedicated kids’ menus, playgrounds and activities aplenty will keep your children entertained.
1. Brews on tap at Cheeky Monkey Brewery
If you are visiting Margaret River with kids, Cheeky Monkey Brewery is a must visit. The grounds are lush and allow for ample space to run about. It has one of the largest, most inviting, fenced-in playgrounds where kids of all ages can have hours of fun. They serve award-winning brews on tap and in canned form for you to take home to enjoy. The restaurant menu has a ton of hearty eats (specialty burgers, pizzas and fries). Grab a table outdoors – the vista views of the lake and vineyard are amazing. The spacious grounds are very welcoming to four-legged kids too.
2. Sparkling fruit wines at The Berry Farm
The Berry Farm’s jams, preserves, sauces and syrups are as popular as their sparkling fruit wines and dessert wines. At their Cottage Café, little ones can enjoy tucking into their freshly baked scones with house-made jam and clotted cream. After which, they can muck about in the rustic adventure playground, or on the colourful slides and climbing structures. Walking around the lush grounds is a great way to work up an appetite and it is also a great spot for bird watching.
3. Hand-crafted wine at Flametree Winery
Even with the kids in tow, you should still visit some of the more prolific wineries at Margaret River. Located on the shores of Geographe Bay, Flametree Winery has a whole list of award-winning wines made with fruit sourced from growers within the Margaret River Wine Region, including their Embers and Flametree range. Their beach house style cellar door building is elegantly furnished and perfect to visit at any time of the year. Not only can you participate in wine tasting and gourmet make-your-own platter sessions, it features an inviting deck, beautiful gardens and a spacious lawn for the kiddos to play a bout of frisbee or to wind down for a family picnic. Also, Flametree Winery is pet- and wheelchair-friendly!
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4. Award-winning restaurant at Leeuwin Estate
This family business may not have a dedicated children’s playground, but Leeuwin Estate makes up for it with their expansive front lawn and their family-style outdoor seating. The restaurant adopts a paddock-to-plate philosophy and their food is fresh, local and mostly free-range. At the cellar door, sip their opulent and age-worthy wines under the ‘Art Series’ labels, which will keep the parents happy while the kids run about on the grounds outside.
5. Sports cars and decadent wines at Aravina Estate
When it comes to family-friendly wineries, the guys at Aravina Estate win top honours. Their large and lush lawn have views of undulating vines, sparkling lakes and a beautiful garden that has a range of roses, hydrangeas and camellias. Their cellar door serves decadent wines, and the restaurant boasts exhaustive menus for both kids and adults. For motor enthusiasts young and old, Aravina Estate has an enviable collection of rare sports cars and vintage vehicles – have a drink, grab a bite, and go ahead and browse.
6. Vineyard views at Swings & Roundabouts
You know the estate boasts a host of kiddie-friendly fun when you see the name Swings & Roundabouts being used. The wine aspect is kept light-hearted to appeal to novice wine drinkers and they have wood-fired pizzas to pair with the drinks. There are many things for kids to enjoy: the estate is equipped with a large wooden playground, outdoor seating and there is even an old-school tyre swing. There are often local live music acts on Sundays, when the cellar door backyard takes on a picnic vibe.
7. Xanadu Winery
Xanadu’s grounds may be smaller than other Margaret River wineries, but it ticks all the right boxes. A well-stocked cellar door with friendly and personable service, outstanding wines, and lush grounds to run about in. There’s also a casually elegant restaurant serving delectable cuisine by head chef Aaron Lim. The chef Lim grew up in Singapore and Malaysia, has worked in top restaurants around the world and now uses seasonal produce to create delicious dishes at Xanadu. Kids are well taken care of, and so are the adults.
Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours as well as booking requirements before visiting, and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about.
The information is accurate as of press time. For updated information, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights, visit singaporeair.com.
SEE ALSO: The best wine bars in Lisbon, Portugal
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings on 2 January 2018 and updated on 21 March 2021.
PHOTOS: CHEEKY MONKEY BREWERY, THE BERRY FARM’S CELLAR DOOR & COTTAGE CAFE, WATERSHED WINES, LEEUWIN ESTATE, ARAVINA ESTATE, INSTAGRAM, XANADU WINES FACEBOOK
