Why a Private Tour Through Margaret River’s Wineries & Breweries Changed the Way I Travel

I thought I knew what a wine tour was. You hop on a bus, you get shuttled from one winery to the next, and by the end of the day you’re clutching a bottle of something you vaguely remember liking. That’s what I expected when my friends and I booked a private tour in Margaret River.

What I didn’t expect was to walk away thinking, “Wow, I don’t ever want to do group tours again.” This wasn’t just sipping wine and nodding along like I understood tannins. This was an experience that felt personal, relaxed, a little bit luxurious, and, honestly, a whole lot of fun.

Let me take you through it.

The Magic of Going Private

You know when you’re traveling with friends and there’s always that one person who doesn’t like Chardonnay, or someone else who is secretly way more into craft beer than wine? Usually, that means compromise. On a standard group tour, the itinerary is already set, so you kind of just roll with it.

But with a private tour in Margaret River, the entire day was built around us. Before we even set foot in the minibus, the company had asked about our tastes. Did we want more wineries or breweries? Any food preferences? Were we into big-name vineyards or smaller, boutique spots?

I had never been on a tour where the answer could be “yes to all of the above.” And that’s exactly what we got.

Our Driver Was Basically a Walking Encyclopedia

I’ve been on tours where the driver says things like, “On your left is a vineyard” and then cranks up the radio. This was not that. Our guide, let’s call him Dave, because of course his name was Dave, was a local who clearly loved Margaret River.

As we cruised between wineries, he gave us little tidbits about the region’s history, how the soils affect the grapes, and even which restaurants locals go to when the tourists clear out. At one point he casually explained why certain wines taste better with certain foods, and it actually made sense. Like, the kind of sense that makes you feel smarter without needing a dictionary.

By the end of the day, I was spouting off things like “oh, this one’s got great minerality” as if I hadn’t just Googled “what does minerality even mean” the week before.

The Minibus Had Better Sound Than My Living Room

Okay, this might sound like a small thing, but the minibus sound system was incredible. When you’re with your best mates, half the fun is in the journey itself. We plugged in a playlist, and suddenly it felt like a road trip with bonus wine.

At one point, someone put on Fleetwood Mac, and I swear the entire bus turned into a karaoke bar rolling through the Margaret River countryside. Wine tasting with a side of “Dreams” at full volume? 10/10 recommend.

Discovering the Hidden Gems

This was the part that really made me fall in love with the private tour idea. Sure, we visited a couple of the well-known Margaret River wineries, because it’s basically a crime not to. But then Dave pulled into these boutique spots that weren’t even on my radar.

One winery was run by a family who literally poured us tastings in their backyard garden. Another brewery had only just opened and was experimenting with small-batch beers that tasted like nothing I’d had before.

These weren’t places I would have found if I’d Googled “best wineries in Margaret River.” They weren’t trying to be flashy; they were just quietly excellent. And it made the whole day feel like we were in on a secret.

Food, Glorious Food

Let’s talk about the food for a second, because Margaret River isn’t just about the drinks. At one of the wineries, we had a long-table lunch under the trees. Think local cheeses, fresh bread, olives that were dangerously addictive, and mains that tasted like the chefs had been waiting all week to cook just for us.

There’s something about pairing wine with food that turns it from “this is nice” to “wow, this is life.” I swear the glass of Cabernet Sauvignon I had with slow-cooked lamb made me reconsider every sad, rushed dinner I’ve ever eaten.

The Brewery Twist

Now, not everyone in our group was a wine drinker. Normally, that’s a recipe for someone spending the day pretending to enjoy Sauvignon Blanc while secretly wishing for a cold beer. But because we had the flexibility of a private tour, we mixed in a couple of Margaret River breweries.

That was a game-changer. One spot served a hazy IPA that hit the exact level of fruity-meets-hoppy I love. Another had a chocolate porter that made me want to cancel dessert altogether. For the non-wine crew, it was perfect. For the rest of us, it was a nice break before diving back into the reds.

No Herding Cats

Here’s something I didn’t realize until halfway through: private tours are so much more chill. No waiting for twenty people to shuffle back onto a bus. No polite small talk with strangers about where you’re from. No being stuck at a stop you’re not interested in because someone else really wants to linger.

It was just us, moving at our own pace. If we wanted to stay longer somewhere, we did. If we wanted to leave early, no problem. The whole day felt like it was ours, not borrowed time on someone else’s schedule.

The Unexpected Education

By the end of the day, we weren’t just a little tipsy and sun-kissed, we’d actually learned something. I can now tell you the difference between a Shiraz from Margaret River and one from Barossa. I can actually pair a beer with food without guessing.

And I think that’s the beauty of these kinds of private tours. They sneak in the education while you’re having too much fun to notice. It’s not a lecture, it’s a conversation. And you walk away with stories and knowledge you didn’t know you wanted.

Why I’d Do It Again (and Again)

I’ve traveled enough to know that not every tour is worth repeating. But this? I’d go back tomorrow. In fact, I’d argue that if you’re visiting Margaret River, booking a private winery and brewery tour is the best way to see it.

You get the flexibility, the hidden gems, the local insight, and, let’s be honest, the bragging rights. Because it’s one thing to say you’ve been wine tasting in Margaret River. It’s another to say you drank a family’s homemade Chardonnay in their garden while listening to Fleetwood Mac blasting from a minibus in the middle of paradise.

That's a Wrap

Margaret River has always had a reputation for world-class wines, but what I discovered on this trip is that it’s so much more than that. It’s the breweries pushing boundaries, the food that makes every sip better, the locals who welcome you like friends, and the landscapes that look like they’ve been plucked from a postcard.

And the best way to experience all of that? Go private. Trust me. Once you’ve done it this way, you’ll never look at a group tour the same again.

So if you’re heading down south anytime soon, do yourself a favor. Gather a few friends, book a private tour, and let Margaret River do the rest. Just don’t forget your playlist, you’ll thank me later.