A taste of Margaret River – including hiking, wine, caves and a helicopter experience – proved the perfect family reunion for these adventurous couples.
Michael White and his wife Anne, who are based in Perth, met up with Michael’s cousin Zita Horton and her husband Russell, who jetted into Western Australia from their home in Brisbane.
The two couples decided to combine the family reunion with Cape To Cape Explorer Tours‘ most popular short tour. Called the “Ultimate 4 Day Cape to Cape Explorer“, it’s the best taste of Margaret River.
The tour includes guided hiking on some of the most stunning sections of the Cape to Cape Track. And gives participants the chance to indulge in premium wines, fly between wineries by helicopter with local company The Flying Corkscrew, explore the region’s subterranean caves, and relax in five-star style at Smiths Beach Resort.
Also on the itinerary is a welcome by Indigenous custodians from award-winning local operator Cape Cultural Tours. And transfers to and from Perth.
Best taste of Margaret River
Michael and Anne said they’d visited Margaret River before, but said the four-day tour was the perfect way to experience the best of the region in style.
“We had so many highlights – too many to mention them all. Having lunch at Leeuwin Estate. You can’t beat that. And getting down to Hamelin Bay and seeing the big stingrays. That was very cool,” Michael said.
“I also very much loved having the guided component to walking on the Track. I think about the times you bushwalk by yourself, and you miss so much. You’re going to miss a lot of detail without having a guide to explain it to you.”
Food, glorious food
For Anne, the food provided by Cape To Cape Explorer Tours’ in-house catering was the highlight. “As well as everything else, the food was fantastic. From lunch the first day, all the way through, it was very good.”
Russell said he loved learning about the geology of the Margaret River region – from every angle.
“I really enjoyed how (guides) Gene and Heather explained the geology. And then seeing it down at water level, and up on the headlands, and below ground in a cave, and then from from the air in a helicopter. I found that really interesting,” Russell said.
“And the flora and fauna was a highlight. We saw quite a lot of wildlife and all the wildflowers. I can’t believe we jagged four days and the weather has just been so good.”
Great guides on the Track
Russell was also a fan of the gourmet breakfasts, trail lunches and dinners provided by Cape To Cape Explorer Tours, as well as the quality of guiding.
“The food that you provided, it was off the richter scale. And something else I was really impressed with is that you say you’re eco friendly, but it’s actually in everything you do. Using glass jars instead of water bottles, for example. That’s just such a smart move. Plastic bottles are just the bane of my life,” he said.
“You’ve got great people too. They’re all really knowledgable. Heather (head guide) really knows her stuff, she was delightful, and her ethos is great. All the guides are great.”
Russell’s wife Zita added: “My highlights were Cape Leeuwin lighthouse. That was fascinating, I’m glad we saw it. And I particularly liked the karri forest at Boranup. It was beautiful.”
A no-hassles visit to the region
Overall, the foursome said they highly recommended the four-day highlights tour as the best taste of Margaret River.
“It’s a great taster. Not just of the Cape to Cape Track, but Margaret River in general. You see the track, and the region, and the caves, and the wines and restaurants,” Michael said.
That was echoed by Russell, who said the fur-day tour took all the hassle out of a visit to the region.
“All the people you deal with are locals. There’s no mucking around trying to make a decision. The way you’re delivering each experience is bang, bang, bang – every time it’s the best that is available. It’s a great itinerary and I’d definitely recommend it.”
Click HERE for more information or to book an Ultimate 4 Day Cape to Cape Explorer tour.