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15 May 2014 by Alex Stewart
From wine tours to one of the most exciting food festivals in the world, here is our guide to delectable Western Australia
Australia's largest state is also one of its wildest and most rewarding. Picturesque Perth is the sunniest state capital in the country. To the south lie the acclaimed vineyards of Margaret River, forests of towering karri trees, seasonal wildflowers, serene natural harbours and gourmet producers. North of Perth, natural attractions like the limestone Pinnacles must be seen to be believed, while the breathtaking coast offers hundreds of kilometres of white-sand beaches and wonderful fresh seafood.
Did you know: Perth is Australia's closest gateway to the UK, some four hours closer than Sydney...
Read our guide to the Top 5 bars & restaurants in Perth
Meet the world's best chefs
To get a real taste of Western Australia's fantastic produce, don't miss the Margaret River Gourmet Escape, which takes place every November and brings 25 of the world's best chefs together with local food personalities and wine makers for the ultimate three day feast.
The 2014 festival, from 21-23 November, will see Heston Blumenthal headlining the event, accompanied by Rick Stein, Sat Baines, Clare Smyth and Australian chefs Peter Gilmore and Frank Camorra amongst others, all of whom will showcase their skills and menus. The line up for 2014 is the most exciting and high-profile to date, making the Margaret River Gourmet Escape an essential date in every foodie's calendar.
Graze at the Gourmet Village from stalls offering the best local produce or take part in a series of special beach BBQs and long-table lunches in secret locations.
"I don't think that there is any other food event on this planet like this!"
Heston Blumenthal, UK Chef
Click on the video below to watch some of the highlights of last year's event.
Read a review of the 2013 event by one of our team, who traveled Down Under last year.
- Explore Margaret River & the west coast
- Or, enjoy a gourmet escape to the Margaret River region
- Find out why no trip Down Under is complete without a visit to Western Australia
- Or, discover the Top 5 foodie experiences in Australia's South West.
Alternatively, click on the video below to get a flavour of the wine tasting at Vasse Felix
Taste of adventure
As well as foodie delights, Australia's South West is home to stunning beaches, tall-timber forests, world-class surf breaks and ancient caves.
Work up an appetite swimming and snorkelling around Denmark and William Bay National Park; hike a section of the Bibbulmun Track, one of the world's greatest long-distance walking trails; stare up at stalactites in the 500,000-year-old Ngilgi Cave near Yallingup; watch whales cavorting from early June right through to October at Albany or Cape Leeuwin; cycle along the Munda Biddi Trail, one of the longest off-road cycling trails in the world; or follow treetop walkways suspended 40m above the ancient forest floor.
Tour Western Australia by Motorhome for a sense of adventure
