Vineyard Hotels: Western Australia (2023)

A family friendly, organic, permaculture farmstay in Margaret River, Western Australia, Burnside Organic Farm is a busy place with a vineyard & winery, vegetable & fruit gardens, plus farm animals including pigs, geese and hens. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their solar powered, self catering bungalows are a mixture of one and two bedrooms that can host up to five people. All of them have a full kitchen, a lounge with flat-screen TV with DVD player, laundry facilities and some bungalows have a spa bath. Outside there is plenty of space to dine or just to relax, with some hammocks, swings, seating and barbecues. Note: Free WiFi is available in the main building but not in the bungalows. THE FARM: The farm is certified organic and biodynamic, and is mainly occupied with the production of wine and avocados. There is a winery at the farm stay too and guests can take a tour and learn a little about the making of its very good organic wines; zinfandel and vermentino, red and white. They also have some beehives at the farm, olive groves, and orchards of citrus fruit and apples. The animals include pigs, hens and geese and guests are free to interact with and feed them and are also welcome to take some of the great range of vegetables and herbs from the garden for cooking with. The friendly owners are generally on hand to advise on the best things to pick in season and they can give some cooking tips too. THE LOCATION: For those of you not familiar with the Margaret River, it is one of Australia’s best regions for rural tourism, stretching out over 100 square miles its centrepoint is the town of Margaret River itself, a lovely relaxed town which has a strong surfing culture but also lot of great restaurants, art galleries, craft shops and cafes. There are many wineries in the region, Burnside Farm included, and consistently makes some of Australia’s best wines. The farm stay is right beside the Keenan State Forest, which is a wonderful place for hiking and wildlife spotting. It’s about 10 minutes by car from Surfers Point, and all that beautiful coastline, READ MORE

Just outside Perth, in Swan Valley’s wine country, lies the historic Mandoon Estate. It sees a large number of daytime visitors for its wine tourism activities but, unlike most other similar estates, it also offers overnight accommodation. Its Maya Maya Hotel is a modern luxury hotel that has by now come to be seen as one of Swan’s finest. The complete range of wine enotourism associated with the estate is there at your doorstep, and indeed all the accommodation  has unobstructed views over the vineyards. It also has partnerships with local Noongar Aboriginal organizations, and you can explore elements of the Noongar culture and traditions around the estate. THE ACCOMMODATION: At Maya Maya, you’ll have a choice of 32 luxury rooms and suites, with a maximum of two per unit, divided between Delux Rooms (entry-level) Superior Rooms, and Executive Suites. Whether you choose a Delux Room or a suite, spaciousness is pretty much a guarantee. You’ll also find them tastefully furnished, featuring plush beds, top-notch modern amenities, and a design aesthetic that is modern and minimalist. With that in mind, their cheaper rooms offer good value in comparison to their more expensive suites, unless you’re planning an extended stay maybe, and don’t mind splashing out a bit for the extra space and slightly more homely feeling they might offer. All the accommodation overlooks the historical Verdelho vines initially planted in 1895, and each room has outside space with views of the vineyards, the ancient gum trees, and the meandering Swan River. Check out all your room options here at Booking.com FACILITIES & THINGS TO DO: Staying at Maya Maya means the renowned Mandoon Estate’s vineyards and winery at your door. Plus their Homestead Brewery, and their wonderful Llawn picnic ground where you can order your own picnic hampers. They have various activity programs for guests on the estate too – vineyard tours, brewery tours, wine & food pairing and tasting, etc. And things like Bush Tucker Tours where you can learn about local indigenous food and culture from local Noongar Elder, Dale Tilbrook. You can also explore indigenous art at their own Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery. The Wild Swan is a READ MORE