Margaret River: Winery Tour with Lunch and Brewery Visit

Wine country, with a cheerful bus ride. This 7.5-hour Margaret River tour combines three boutique wineries, a brewery lunch, a distillery visit, and local sweets without asking you to plan the driving. I especially like the varied stops and the relaxed, informative guiding from people such as Chris, Olivier, Jason, Andi, and Arto. The main drawback is that the day packs in many venues, so this is not the tour for lingering over one winery.

I also like the practical extras: a barrel tasting, cheese and crackers, a wine-tasting 101 session, and access to a driving range. The price is $130 per person, which is fair when lunch, tastings, transport, and a full day of local commentary are included. Just confirm your pickup location carefully, since the booking information gives conflicting wording about hotel pickup, although the detailed transport notes say complimentary pickup and drop-off are offered within the Margaret River Community.

Key points at a glance

• Three boutique wineries: Each tasting gives you a different look at Margaret River wine rather than one long stop at a single estate.
• Barrel tasting included: You get a behind-the-scenes look at wine before it reaches the bottle.
• Brewery lunch with a drink: Lunch comes with a glass of wine or beer, plus access to the driving range.
• Grove Distillery and local sweets: Expect a stop featuring liqueur and samples of chocolate and nougat.
• Strong local guiding: Chris, Olivier, Jason, Andi, and Arto have all been praised for friendly commentary and good area knowledge.
• Easy local transport: Pickup and drop-off cover listed places within the Margaret River Community, with a Cheers bus that is easy to spot.

What the 450-minute Margaret River day feels like

This is a full-day outing built for variety. In seven and a half hours, you move between wineries, a craft brewery, Grove Distillery, and food sampling stops, with your guide filling the drive with music, local stories, and commentary about the region.

I think the format works well if you want an introduction to Margaret River without arranging a designated driver. It also suits couples, small groups, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting other people over tastings. The mood can be lively, and one of the guides, Olivier, even handled a rowdy group with good patience, so do not expect a silent, private wine seminar.

Your pickup is arranged from an agreed location in the Margaret River Community. That area includes Margaret River Township, Prevelly, Gnarabup, Witchcliffe, Cowaramup, Gracetown, Rosa Brook, and the Grove Distillery car park. Pickup details are sent by text, so use a working Australian phone number and check it before the day.

The Cheers bus has full-body branding and the Cheers logo, making it easier to spot. The stated pickup information says the service is complimentary for bookings of any size within the listed area. Because another part of the booking information says pickup and drop-off are not included, I would confirm your accommodation before paying, especially if you are staying outside those communities.

Three boutique wineries, each with a different role

The winery visits are the heart of the day. You visit three boutique Margaret River wineries and take part in tutored tastings, so you are not simply handed a glass and left to guess what you are drinking.

The guides help explain the basics and connect the wines to the region. Elizabeth, who enjoyed a tour led by Chris, noted how much she learned about both the area and wine. That is useful if you are new to tasting, but it should also appeal to people who already know a little and want a relaxed refresher.

One stop includes a cheese and cracker platter. It is a modest touch, but an important one on a day built around alcohol. Having something savoury between tastings makes the schedule more comfortable and gives you a chance to compare food with the wines.

The stops are also designed to feel less formal than a large commercial cellar door. Aaliyah particularly liked the mix of locations, describing them as private and relaxed, with enough time to enjoy them without being hurried. That balance matters. Winery tours can become a race from one tasting counter to the next, but the timing here has generally been praised as comfortable.

Jarvis Estate was a particular highlight for Anna, so it may be the winery that stays with you most, although the exact winery lineup can change. You should treat the three venues as part of the day’s discovery rather than expect a fixed list of famous estates.

A small practical point: the wineries offer bottles for purchase, but the atmosphere is not described as pushy. You can buy something for later, use the Cheers wine bonus buy offer, or simply enjoy the tasting and move on.

Behind the scenes with a barrel tasting

The behind-the-scenes winery visit adds substance to what could otherwise be a series of pleasant samples. You get to see part of the production process and take part in a barrel tasting.

Barrel wine is still developing, so this gives you a chance to taste something before its final bottled form. It can be a more useful lesson than another standard pour because you begin to understand that wine changes during production. The guide’s explanation helps put the tasting into context.

I would not book this expecting a long technical winery course. The day has several stops, and the barrel tasting is one part of a broader program. Still, it is a worthwhile inclusion for anyone curious about how wine moves from the winery to the cellar door.

The final wine tasting 101 session gives the day a clear finish. It is a good feature for beginners who want simple guidance on tasting, but experienced wine drinkers may find it basic. That is not a flaw, provided you know the tour aims to be welcoming rather than specialist.

Grove Distillery, chocolate, and nougat

The visit to the award-winning Grove Distillery changes the pace. Instead of focusing only on wine, you get a look at local spirits and a chance to sample regional treats.

The food side includes chocolate and nougat, and the distillery stop has been described as a liqueur stop. This variety is one of the strongest parts of the itinerary. After several wine tastings, a sweet sample and a different type of drink give your palate a break.

I like this stop because it makes the day feel more connected to Margaret River’s food culture. You are not only drinking wine. You are also trying products made for visitors who want edible souvenirs and small local specialties.

The tradeoff is time. Every added stop means less time at the wineries, brewery, or driving range. If your priority is serious wine buying, you may prefer a tour focused only on estates. If you like a little of everything, the distillery and sweet treats are a welcome change.

Brewery lunch and a surprising driving-range stop

Lunch takes place at a craft brewery, with a glass of wine or beer included. That is a practical value point in a $130 tour, since a meal and drink can otherwise add noticeably to the cost of a day out.

The brewery stop also provides a useful change of setting. You can sit down, eat properly, and take a break from tasting-room conversations. Sarah’s description of delicious food and wine captures the broad appeal of this part of the tour, while Andrew found the lunch very good overall.

You also get access to the driving range. It is an unusual extra on a winery tour, and it gives the middle of the day a little movement rather than making the entire experience about sitting and sipping.

Do not book this expecting a full round of golf. The information specifies driving-range access, not a golf course round. Think of it as a short recreational add-on at the brewery. If you do not play, the lunch and drink still make the stop worthwhile, but the golfing element may feel less important to you.

The guides make the difference

The guide is central to the experience because there is a fair amount of driving between stops. The best moments come not only from the tastings but from how the guide keeps the group connected and explains the region.

Chris has been praised for his commentary on Margaret River’s history and culture, as well as for creating a welcoming mood. Olivier has been described as helpful and informed about the area, while Jason has received strong praise for being friendly and well informed. Andi and Arto were also singled out for making the day enjoyable and well organized.

Those details point to a tour that depends on the individual guide. The company has several people leading trips, so the style may vary from one date to another. You might get a guide who focuses more on local stories, or one who keeps the group laughing between venues.

The music and commentary on the bus help prevent the transfers from feeling like dead time. The bus is also a safer choice than driving yourself after multiple tastings. Smoking, vaping, food and alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle, and Western Australian law does not permit drinking alcohol on the bus during the journey.

Is $130 good value?

At $130, the price is reasonable for what is bundled into the day. You are paying for transport, a full schedule, lunch at a brewery, a drink with lunch, three tutored tastings, a barrel tasting, distillery access, sweet samples, cheese and crackers, bottled water, the driving range, and local guiding.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange a car, a designated driver, several tasting fees, lunch, and transport between venues. It is less compelling if you plan to visit only one winery or prefer to spend a whole afternoon at a single estate.

The complimentary bottled spring water is useful, especially in warm weather. Bring your own water bottle too, along with a hat, sunscreen, camera, and comfortable shoes. Clothing should suit the day’s weather, since you will be getting on and off the bus and spending time at different venues.

There is also a Cheers wine bonus buy offer, but the tour does not appear to require purchases. That is good for your budget. You can enjoy the tastings without feeling that the day is designed only to sell bottles.

Who should book, and who should skip it?

I would recommend this tour if you want a broad first look at Margaret River, especially if you are staying within the listed pickup area and do not want to drive. It is a good fit for people who enjoy wine but also want beer, spirits, chocolate, nougat, food, and a little recreation.

It also suits beginners. The tutored tastings and wine 101 session give you a starting point without making you feel out of place. The guides explain the area in plain terms, and the group atmosphere can be social and fun.

I would choose another option if you want a quiet, highly focused wine day, a private guide, or long visits at only the most prestigious estates. The three-winery format gives you variety, but it also means each stop has a time limit.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or wheelchair users. Comfortable shoes matter, and you should be prepared for a day of moving between venues rather than settling into one location.

My final take on the Cheers wine tour

I like this experience because it gives you a real sense of the region’s food and drink scene without making the day too serious. The wineries provide the main event, while the brewery lunch, Grove Distillery, chocolate, nougat, and driving range keep the schedule fresh.

The strongest reasons to book are the variety of stops, the well-liked guides, and the value of having transport and lunch handled. Confirm pickup in advance, bring sun protection, and go in expecting a lively group day rather than a private tasting.

At $130, I would book it for an easy Margaret River introduction. I would skip it only if your main goal is detailed wine study or a slow afternoon at one estate.

FAQ

How long does the Margaret River tour last?

The tour lasts 450 minutes, or 7.5 hours.

What is included in the $130 price?

The price includes lunch at a craft brewery, a glass of wine or beer with lunch, driving-range access, tutored tastings at three boutique wineries, a behind-the-scenes winery tour with barrel tasting, a visit to Grove Distillery, local gourmet samples, cheese and crackers at a selected venue, a wine tasting 101 session, bottled water, and an expert English-speaking guide.

Is hotel pickup included?

The detailed pickup information says complimentary pickup and drop-off are available within the Margaret River Community, including Margaret River Township, Prevelly, Gnarabup, Witchcliffe, Cowaramup, Gracetown, Rosa Brook, and the Grove Distillery car park. Because another part of the booking information says pickup and drop-off are not included, confirm your accommodation location before booking.

How will I recognize the tour vehicle?

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

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, a camera, and water. Bottled spring water is also provided on board.

Can I smoke, vape, or drink alcohol on the bus?

No. Smoking and vaping are not allowed, and drinks, including alcoholic drinks, are not permitted in the vehicle.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or wheelchair users. The tour is conducted in English.