Stays we love - from the Indian ocean to the vineyard

Aug 27

There's a particular kind of magic to the stretch of coast around Yallingup, where the Indian Ocean meets ancient karri forests, and vineyards roll out behind the dunes. This edition of Stays We Love takes you to two very different, equally unforgettable ways to experience it: a first-class beachfront resort with its toes in the sand, and a boutique winery escape tucked among the vines.

‍Option 1: Smiths Beach Resort, Yallingup

‍Recently ranked No. 8 in the Best Summer Holiday Spots in Australia (December 2025).

Perched right above one of the region's most photographed beaches, Smiths Beach Resort is the kind of place that makes you want to slow right down. The location alone is hard to beat with a short stroll to the white sand and turquoise water of Smiths Beach, watch the sunset, or enjoy a short walk along the Cape to Cape trail to Canal Rocks, with the Yallingup and Margaret River wine trails just a short drive inland.

‍The accommodation is genuinely first-class: spacious villas with ocean or bush outlooks, designed for long, easy stays whether you're travelling as a couple or with the whole family. The resort's restaurant has long been a drawcard in its own right, serving elevated, produce-driven dishes that make the most of the region's abundance, think local seafood, regional wine, and views to match.

‍And the beautifully renovated swimming pool at the heart of the resort is worth a splash even in winter. This is now the perfect spot to while away an afternoon between beach walks and wine tastings with Forage Safaris.

‍Highlights:

Spacious, first-class villa accommodation with ocean or forest views
Direct access to Smiths Beach, one of the coast's most beautiful stretches of sand
On-site restaurant showcasing the best of the region's produce and wine
Short drive to Dunsborough for some of the best local restaurants.‍ ‍

Option 2: Island Brook Estate

‍Island Brook Estate Vineyard and Chalets has achieved recognition with its 2024 semillon sauvignon blanc, winning a gold medal and the prestigious MCC Label trophy for the Best White Blend at the 2024 Sanector Wine Show of Western Australia. (Wineries of Western Australia)

A short drive south from Busselton, Island Brook Estate offers something equally special, the chance to wake up on a working vineyard, surrounded by vines, forest, and quiet. The accommodation here is stunning in its own right: private, peaceful, and designed to let the landscape do the talking.

Beautiful outlooks across the jarrah forest and vineyards with native wildlife and birds in abundance, gives visitors the chance to relax in nature whilst enjoying endless views from the chalets.

‍It's the kind of stay that suits travellers who want to slow down further still , mornings with a coffee on the deck, afternoons exploring the estate's own wines, and evenings under some of the clearest skies in the region around the fire pit (only in certain seasons). Beautiful walks around the farm and to the cellar door are encouraged.

‍Highlights:

Accommodation set right on a working winery estate
Peaceful, private setting surrounded by vines and forest
Easy access to the estate's own wine tasting experience
A quieter, more secluded alternative to coastal stays

‍ The Forage Connection

‍Whether you're staying beachside at Smiths Beach or vineyard-side at Island Brook Estate, both properties sit right at the heart of what we love about this region, the connection between land, food, and wine. A Forage Safaris Margaret River tour is the perfect companion to either stay, taking you behind the scenes with the region's farmers, winemakers, and producers, so you leave not just relaxed, but with a real understanding of what makes Margaret River's food and wine scene so special.