Food, Wine, and Luxury in Margaret River
I’m recently back from 2 fabulous weeks down under, most of which was spent in the stunning Margaret River area of Western Australia. For those who don’t know, Margaret River is one of Australia’s top locations for wine (at least in my humble opinion). It’s also home to one of the Great Walks of Australia, the Cape To Cape Track, which I was able to explore for myself on this visit.
Normally, the track, which covers 135 km, would take 6-7 days to complete, with overnights at camp sites along the way. If you know me, you know that camping is certainly not my idea of a perfect holiday. However, a local company called Walk into Luxury has created a perfect experience for those who want to be immersed in natural beauty while still enjoying creature comforts and a touch of luxury.
They’ve condensed the Cape to Cape Track to 4 days/3 nights, highlighting the most scenic portions of the track. And instead of setting up camp every night, you get to spend the evening in the comfort of a gorgeous villa at Injidup Spa Retreat, with expansive views over the Indian Ocean.
The view from our villa at Injidup Spa Retreat
The food and wine during this experience was also phenomenal—it’s in one of Australia’s finest wine growing regions, after all! All our meals were hand-selected from local delis and markets, and our amazing guides Anne, Hoppy, and Janita made a point to share where each day’s meals came from. We were treated to a wonderful sampling of the region’s wine, with a dinner at Hayshed, a private chef’s dinner with a local winemaker (the highlight for me), and a celebratory lunch at Will’s Domain to cap it all off. And for a cultural component, you experience a private didgeridoo performance from an Aboriginal traditional owner at the beautiful Ngilgi Cave.
The perfect setting for wine tasting!
The walk itself is described as moderately difficult and covers about 41 km of coastal track. There are 2 shorter walks that bookend the long ones on the middle days, but with the exception of a few uphill climbs and beach walks where we had to cross some mini rivers, the experience was relatively relaxed and at an easy pace. All the walkers had plenty of time to admire the stunning scenery and local flora and fauna. And with all the amazing food we were eating, it was nice to get some exercise and feel that we had earned our delicious meals!
Overall, I would highly recommend this experience. Margaret River is a stunning location, and while it is remote, it is worth the effort to get out there. Walk into Luxury is a fantastic operator that really caters to their clients’ needs, with excellent attention to detail. And the walk? It’s a perfect way to enjoy the natural beauty of the coast, get a little exercise, and indulge in the fantastic local produce!
Gorgeous coastal views on the Cape to Cape Track
Interested in exploring Margaret River or the Cape to Cape Track? Browse our Australian Vacation Packages, or give me a call at (312) 951-8517 to start planning your trip of a lifetime!