A Rainy Day Off Done Right: My Perfect Margaret River Day Itinerary

Running a private driving service means I’m usually the one behind the wheel, making sure others have a relaxed, memorable time exploring this beautiful region. But every now and then, I get the chance to experience Margaret River the way I recommend it to guests, with no rush, no plans, just good company, good food, and a driver of our own.

My wife and I had a friend visiting this weekend and we spent the day doing exactly that. And what a day it was. So I thought I would share with you a great one day itinerary in Margaret River. We started with a slow morning and a walk to the Margaret River Bakery. It was raining, but that didn’t stop us. In fact, it made our hot coffee and fruity Danish feel even more comforting. From there, we made our way south to Glenarty Road for their Farm Feast, a three-course lunch that, as always, did not disappoint. The arrival alone sets the tone: lambs in the paddock, vines just beyond the cellar door, and that warm country welcome you can’t fake.

We had a vegetarian in our group, and her dishes were just as exciting as ours, no shortcuts, no compromises. For the first time, we tried the pork and it was chef’s kiss. The team is always so knowledgeable, the presentation is spot-on, and everything, from the flavours to the service, was flawless. I’ve been to Glenarty Road more times than I can count, and one thing I’ll say every time is: consistency matters. They nail it.

After lunch, we made a little detour through Witchcliffe, which is such a gem — vintage, quirky, and full of charm. We dropped into McHenry Hohnen for a wine tasting (always a favourite). If you're planning a visit, keep an eye out: they're opening a brand new cellar door and wine bar restaurant soon. It’s an exciting addition to the region, and I can’t wait to see what they do with it. Next stop was Dear Darnell's to warm up with a mulled wine. The kind of cosy little moment that sticks with you.

By late afternoon, the hunger crept back in (surprisingly quickly!), so we made our way to Margaret River township to Swings & Roundabouts for pizza: wood-fired, simple, and exactly what we needed. Our favourite pizza — the Regina is to die for. The ham and mushrooms are thinly sliced just right, and the dough is spot-on: light and full of flavour. It hit the spot perfectly after a day of good food and wine And because no perfect day is complete without dessert, we finished with Zucca ice cream and a cannoli from Mai Tardi. I mean, come on. That’s how you wrap up a day!

Being a passenger for once reminded me how special it is to take it slow, to soak in each place without clock-watching, and to just enjoy the ride. It also reminded me how important having a driver is. Someone who takes care of the roads, the schedule (or lack of one), and all the little details that let you fully lean into the experience.

If you’re planning your own day like this, I’d love to be the one behind the wheel, so you can focus on everything else.

Margaret River. Your way — always.

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