Heads up: Gumnutly is reader-supported. Some links on this page are, or may become, affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. How we make money
Margaret River is one of the easiest places in Australia to buy a gift with a story. The region is packed with producers who make things on site and sell them at the door: wine, of course, but also chocolate, cheese, olive oil, coffee and nougat. The best part is that you usually get to taste before you buy.
Here’s what to look for, where to find it, and what will survive the trip home.
How we pick
- Made in the region, by the producer’s own account. We only say a product is made in Margaret River when the producer says so, and we link to it.
- You can buy it at the source. Most of these producers have a cellar door, shop or tasting room you can visit. Check opening hours on their sites.
- Travel-tested advice. We flag what’s fragile, what needs refrigeration and what’s tricky to send overseas.
- No prices, no invented tasting notes. Taste it yourself; that’s half the fun.
Wine
Margaret River is one of Australia’s best-known wine regions, and it’s particularly famous for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Vasse Felix, established in 1967, calls itself the region’s founding wine estate. Today there are dozens of cellar doors, from big names to tiny family operations.
Gift ideas: – A bottle you tasted and loved at the cellar door, which comes with a story. – A mixed half-dozen from one winery, packed in their own shipper. – Something from a smaller producer that isn’t easy to find in bottle shops elsewhere.
Getting it home: many wineries will ship within Australia, which saves you carrying bottles. Sending wine overseas is more complicated: some countries restrict alcohol imports or charge duty, and many couriers have rules. Ask the winery whether they ship to your destination. If you’re flying, check your airline’s limits on alcohol in checked luggage.
For which wineries to visit, and how to do it safely, see Margaret River wineries worth the drive.
Chocolate
Margaret River Chocolate Company has a large chocolate shop at Metricup, a popular stop for families, and it says entry and chocolate tastings are free. Chocolate is a crowd-pleaser and travels well if you keep it out of the heat.
Tip: on a hot day, don’t leave chocolate in the car while you do a winery lunch. Bring a small cooler bag.
Margaret River Chocolate Company
Cheese
Margaret River Dairy Company has made cheese and yoghurt at Metricup for years, but the business has changed hands recently, so check whether its shop is open before you plan a stop.
Getting it home: cheese needs to stay cold, so bring an esky or a cooler bag with ice packs for the drive. It’s usually not a good gift for overseas: most countries restrict dairy in personal luggage and parcels. Enjoy it here, or take it home within Australia.
Olive oil
Olive groves grow well in the region’s Mediterranean climate, and several producers press their own oil. Olio Bello, near Cowaramup, is one of the best known, and makes its oils on its own property.
Getting it home: olive oil is heavy and comes in glass, so wrap it well. Tins travel better than bottles if they’re on offer. For overseas gifts, check the destination’s rules; commercially sealed oil is often allowed, but not always.
More local finds
- Coffee: local roasters sell beans you can take home.
- Nougat: Bettenay’s, a family-run estate, makes nougat as well as wine.
- Preserves, honey and sauces: the Margaret River Farmers’ Market, every Saturday morning, is the best place for small-batch producers.
- Art and ceramics: galleries in town and around the region sell work by local artists. It’s lighter to carry than wine, and it lasts longer.
A Margaret River gift hamper you can put together yourself
| Item | Where | Travels well? |
|---|---|---|
| Bottle of Cabernet or Chardonnay | Any cellar door | Within Australia, yes; overseas, check |
| Chocolate selection | Chocolate company shop | Yes, if kept cool |
| Olive oil (tin if available) | Olive grove shop | Yes, packed well |
| Coffee beans | Local roaster | Yes |
| Nougat | Nougat company shop | Yes |
| Cheese | Dairy tasting outlet | Only with an esky; not for overseas |
Where to stay while you shop
If you’re planning a producer-hopping weekend, stay central so you’re not driving long distances. River Reach Chalet is a two-bedroom bush chalet about two minutes’ walk from the river and a short drive from town.
Disclosure: River Reach Chalet was previously our founder’s business, and our founder still has a financial interest in it.
It sleeps four, so it suits two couples sharing a weekend of tastings, and direct bookings go through Margaret River Holiday Houses. See where to stay in Margaret River for more options in town, bush and coast.
Can’t get there? Shop online
Many of these producers sell online and ship within Australia. Look for the “shop” link on their websites. Buying direct means the producer gets the full price.
More from Gumnutly
- A Margaret River weekend itinerary: 2 days, 2 nights
- Best Australian-made gifts to send overseas
- Australian souvenirs that aren’t tacky
Written by our editors. Origin claims are the producers’ own, linked where stated. Last checked: 31 October 2026.
