Margaret River WA, Cape Leeuwin WA, Watershed winery, Voyager winery, Leeuwin winery, lighthouse, waterwheel

Margaret River WA April 26, 2015
Another day on the road. We wanted to see some of the beaches on the coast and all the way down to Augusta, which dates from 1830. We had planned to be back up at the Margaret River Wineries by 1pm, but that plan got foiled as we wandered in and out to the beaches and got stuck behind Sunday sight-seers. What can you do?

One place we made a point of seeing was Margaret River (the beach) which is where they have the big surf classic every year, last week in fact. It's a bit of an eye opener, its is huge with boardwalks and viewing platforms and carparks. They were still pulling the tents and scaffolds and the like down from the weekend. I don't know about surf, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves

The Bombie. Margaret River Beach, WA

Margaret River Beach, WA

Hanging' five. Margaret River Beach, WA

Remains of the big surf comp. Margaret River Beach, WA

Look at that water! Margaret River Beach, WA

Just had to grab a snap of the Karri tree forest we drove into and out of:

Karri forest. Cape Leeuwin WA

Finally made it into Augusta after 1pm, looking for a feed but found everything, such as it was, chock-a-block. Continued on out to the cape to have a look at the lighthouse, intentions on then zooming back up to Margaret River. Any plans we had for a nice lazy lunch at a winery in the district were long gone. Not to worry, had a toasty at the lighthouse and debated giving them another $8 to walk up and look at the lighthouse we could see quite well from the cafe. I took some snaps from afar, here's one, after all, If you've seen one lighthouse you've seen them all:

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, WA

Just near the lighthouse is a waterwheel, once used by the builders of the lighthouse to run a pump to pump water up to them to mix cement with. The water is now an electric feed and the wheel itself is all calcified over. It pays to use your imagination

Waterwheel. Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, WA

Water-race to waterwheel. Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, WA

After more snail delays on the road, we eventually made it into Margaret River the town. Wow, I thought we had stumbled into Berri on the south coast on Mothers Day. It was just wall to wall people and cafes and shops and cars scattered everywhere. We grabbed a few directions to a couple (there are hundreds) of wineries and left them with it.

First winery was Watershed 'Winery of the year', which looked fairly typical of a better winery. I took snaps while Judy took exception to the bar-staff but bought a bottle or two anyhow.

Watershed Winery. Margaret River WA

Judy sampling. Watershed Winery. Margaret River WA

Next was Voyager Winery. You turn in off a tiny backroad to be treated by an avenue, lined on both sides by white walls and with a flagpole as its focus. Following that there is a white walled formal garden and the tasting room and the dining room and the rose garden. It look like it came over from France. A bit pretentious but really well done, and you have to love something that's been done with gusto and style. I took snaps, Judy took wine and loved the service. It really does make a difference

Formal garden. Voyager Winery. Margaret River WA

Rose Garden. Voyager Winery. Margaret River WA

Last on our list (well not last but we had to draw a line somewhere) was Leeuwin Winery. After a 1.5 km driveway you arrive at a really nice understated garden and grounds and tasting room and restaurant. Judy drank very good wine (and purchased many), I took snaps, you know how it goes. Underneath they have what looks like a converted cellar, but may well have been purpose built. This place's wines carry Australian art as their labels' all the originals are housed downstairs in this climate controlled and secure cellar. It's no wonder, there's a mill and-a-half worth down here!

Leeuwin Winery. Margaret River WA

Art Gallery. Leeuwin Winery. Margaret River WA 

Judy sampling. Leeuwin Winery. Margaret River WA