A Craft Brewery Trail Through Margaret River

Come for the wine, stay for the craft beer: your guide to the best craft breweries in the Margaret River region.

A world-class wine region with a dramatically beautiful coastline and lush green interior, it’s little wonder that the Margaret River has won over the heart of many a traveller. But while wine (and in more recent times, its winery restaurants) might be the region’s major calling card, it’s far from being the only reason to visit. This bucolic corner of WA is also home to a burgeoning craft brewery scene that’s slowly turning heads nationwide.

From a microbrewery located in an industrial precinct to a cosy taphouse that’s housed in the head brewer’s old family home, and a brewpub that’s set on an old dairy farm amid rolling pastureland, Margaret River’s breweries are as diverse as they are plentiful.

For a point-to-point guide that takes in the best of the brewery offering in Margaret River, follow our carefully curated craft brewery trail below.

Shelter Brewing Co, Busselton

The first cab off the rank is Shelter Brewing Co. Located right by the water on the Busselton foreshore, you’ll not only get to sip stellar beers, but also soak up ocean views and relaxed beachy vibes. Their selection of sips includes various styles, catering to different tastes and preferences, such as the light and refreshing Juicy Juicy XPA (Extra Pale Ale) or the malty Red Ale with caramel and dried fruit flavours.

Shelter Margaret River — Enjoy mouthwatering pizzas and an impressive array of craft beers. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

There are also a range of wines and cocktails to choose from. Everything is to be enjoyed with a range of wood-fired, classic pizzas that are made in an imported Italian Marana Forni pizza oven.

Shelter Brewing Co — Craft beer meets stunning coastal views. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Rocky Ridge Brewing Co, Busselton

If walking into Rocky Ridge Brewing Co feels like you’ve arrived home, you wouldn’t be mistaken: this inviting Busselton brewery’s taproom is in fact located within the former family home of its owners, the Coates family.

Rocky Ridge Brewing Co Brewery — Discover why Rocky Ridge Brewing Co. has amassed a cult following.

The building dates back to the 1930s, and was revamped and opened in its current guise, as a temple to beer, in 2019. It’s since gone from strength to strength, earning a legion of loyal fans from near and far who come for the slow-brewed, preservative-free and unpasteurised beers served from its 25 rotating taps, as well as its burger menu.

Rocky Ridge Brewing Co Burger — Sink your teeth into the burgers at Rocky Ridge Brewing Co.

You’ll find all the usual suspects here (hazy IPAs, unfiltered lagers, pale ales) as well as a raft of unconventional limited edition releases – think maple bacon stout and an imperial dragon fruit sour. Pull up a pew at one of the long tables running down the side of the house, watch the world go by from the high-top tables in the paved front yard, or cosy up under the heaters in the back garden.

Rocky Ridge Brewing Co Beers — Find out what all the fuss is about and taste these top local brews for yourself.

Not only is the Coates family serious about beer, but they’re pretty serious about sustainability too. Their off-site Jindong brewery is completely off-grid and achieved carbon-neutral status in 2021.

The Sophisticated Beast, Vasse

It’s an easy 15-minute drive from Busselton’s Rocky Ridge to this Vasse microbrewery, where small-batch, wild ferment, farmhouse-style beers reign supreme.

The self-proclaimed smallest brewery in Western Australia, The Sophisticated Beast lies hidden in the unlikely location of an industrial estate. And true to owner-operator Ryan White’s word, the brewery and its cellar door are wildly modest, with room for just a handful of guests.

Swing by for a fruited sour, gluten-free IPA, or even a cold-brew coffee. Time your trip right and you may even land a sneaky sample of oak-aged beer straight from the barrel. Opening hours are extremely limited (and subject to change) so it pays to check them in advance.

Cheeky Monkey HQ Taphouse, Vasse

Just a few doors down from The Sophisticated Beast (quite literally a four-minute walk away) lies Cheeky Monkey HQ Taphouse (currently undergoing renovations and set to reopen in November 2022). Much like its neighbour, the hours at this Margaret River brewery and taphouse are a touch out of the norm and there’s also an industrial bare-bones aesthetic.

The Cheeky Monkey Taphouse in Vasse — The Cheeky Monkey HQ Taphouse in Vasse delivers an industrial bare-bones aesthetic. (Image: Lewis French)

On the flip side, you can sink a cold pint of an uncomplicated crisp multi-award winning XPA while admiring the inner workings of a working brewery, from mammoth gleaming fermentation vessels to the bottling line.

Cheeky Monkey Beer — Sink a cold pint of Cheeky Monkey’s multi-award-winning XPA. (Image: Lewis French)

Play a game of pool, work your way through the pizza menu, and pick up a few takeaway tinnies before hitting the open road once again.

The brewery also has a sprawling, mother venue in Wilyabrup, known as the Caves Road Brewpub , that’s a fine spot to visit on a sunny day with 16 extravagantly crafted beers on tap.

Cheeky Monkey Taphouse Wilyabrup — Get out to the Cheeky Monkey in Wilyabrup too. (Image: Lewis French)

Eagle Bay Brewery Co, Eagle Bay

This family-owned brewery in Eagle Bay is more than just a brewery. Onsite you’ll also find a restaurant, garden bar, veggie garden and vineyard. This ultra-modern establishment boasts sweeping views of farmland, bushland, Cape Naturaliste, and the Indian Ocean. The microbrewery produces a range of handcrafted beers on-site from the unique Cacao Stout (5.5% ABV) to the tropical fruity My Friend Nelson IPA.

Nab a spot outside and nibble on woodfired pizzas, gourmet share platters, and salads. There’s also a playground onsite to keep your little ones entertained.

Wild Hop Brewing Company, Yallingup

Drive 20 kilometres further west from Cheeky Monkey and you’ll reach Wild Hop – a dreamy, tranquil retreat tucked away in the Yallingup hills, between the trees and next to a dam, that epitomises the term ‘boutique brewery’.

Soak up the boutique brewery vibes on the deck at Wild Hop Brewery.

A favourite haunt among in-the-know locals, this brewpub likes to keep things simple. There’s no ‘core range’ of beers on offer here. Just one beer – the Short Shorts Czech Pilsner – is a constant, while the other 10 taps are always rotating, featuring whatever has been dreamed up by the brewers and most recently batch brewed. The fact that Wild Hop doesn’t can or bottle their beers only adds to the draw (and exclusivity).

Tasting Paddle Wild Hop Brewery — Wild Hop doesn’t can or bottle their beers; the brewpub is the only way to taste them.

There’s nothing pedestrian about the food menu here either. Forget your pub classics: the kitchen at this Margaret River brewery uses seasonal ingredients to piece together its ever-changing share plates menu, which is presided over by a wood-fired rotisserie oven. The juicy whole or half-free range chook has become something of a house signature.

Share Plates at Wild Hop Brewery — Dig into some quality food at Wild Hop Brewery with your mates.

Beerfarm, Metricup

It’s only another 15-minute drive from Black Brewing Co.’s HQ to the rural locality of Beerfarm . A local legend of a place, this sustainable Metricup brewery does exactly what it says on the tin, bringing together beer and a working farm in one location, with cattle, sheep, alpacas and chickens all resident on its 65 hectares.

Beerfarm brewery Margaret River — The sustainable Beerfarm brewery is set on 65 hectares in Metricup.

A rustic joint, housed within an old dairy farm and hayshed that dates back to the early 1900s, Beerfarm has plenty of character as well as a growing number of beer industry accolades to its name.

There are always eight core beers on tap here, alongside the brewery’s off-kilter special releases. Perhaps chief among Beerfarm’s more unconventional and alluring pours is its Native Series, which highlights Indigenous ingredients through collabs with Indigenous organisations (think a quandong and samphire gose, and a wattleseed red ale).

Beyond the beers and ambience, punters here are guaranteed a good meal too. Burnt Ends Smoking Co heads up the kitchen, bringing some seriously moreish low-and-slow style barbecue to the Margaret River, using spent grain and grass-fed Angus beef sourced straight from the same farm.

Beerfarm food and lager — Beerfarm combines great beers with great food. So come hungry.

Cowaramup Brewing Company, Cowaramup

Take the Bussell Highway and drive 10 minutes south to arrive at Cowaramup Brewing Company , a spacious brewpub with a scenic country backdrop. Parents, for one, will be thrilled to see that there’s a kid’s playground, while hopheads will relish the refreshingly simple six-strong line-up of craft beers.

The German-style Cowaramup Pilsener, with its crisp finish and moderate bitterness, has become the house’s most popular drop, but there’s also a hefeweizen, a summer ale, a special pale ale, an IPA, and a chocolate porter to try. Sample them all with one of the house’s tasting paddles, or sign up for a brewery tour to see behind the scenes. It’s a plum spot for a pub lunch too, with tables spilling out onto the deck and manicured lawns.

For more insider tips and inspiration, see our ultimate travel guide to Margaret River.

From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

Why Silversea?

Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

silversea cruise ship pool deck — Take a dip in the pool deck.

1. Koolama Bay

Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise — Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise — Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise. — Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

4. Horizontal Falls

Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

With each tidal shift, the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide. — Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

5. Montgomery Reef

As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel, turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef — Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions , guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion — See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys — Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com

A craft brewery trail through Margaret River