Geographe wine region guide

Geographe is an up-and-coming wine region that’s well worth a visit, either en route to its more famous next-door neighbour, Margaret River, or in its own right. You’ll find friendly, family-run cellar doors with high-quality wines that are gaining well-deserved popularity and recognition.

Where is the Geographe wine region?

With the Peel wine region to its north and the world-famous Margaret River region to its south, the Geographe wine region is part of the string of jewels lying along Western Australia’s south-west coast. It stretches from the agricultural town of Harvey (best known for dairy and oranges) down past Bunbury and the Ferguson Valley to Busselton – clinging to the coastline of Geographe Bay and reaching inland towards small towns like Collie.

While Harvey is barely an hour and a half’s drive from Perth, it takes closer to two and a half hours to get to the furthest reaches of the region from the city.

Interstate and international visitors can now get there not only by road from Perth (in a car or bus), but also by flying into Busselton from the eastern states, thanks to Jetstar’s direct Melbourne-Busselton route launched in early 2022.

History of the Geographe wine region

The name comes from the French ship Géographe, captained by Nicolas Baudin on his scientific expedition to Australia in 1800 to 1803 – after the British settlement in what is now Sydney, but well before European colonisation of Western Australia. (In fact, many modern place names in the south west of Australia have French origins and date back to the same expedition – Cape Naturaliste, the Leschenault estuary and the town of Esperance, to name a few.)

The oldest (and probably best-known) winery of the region, Capel Vale Wines, was established in the mid 1970s. Other vineyards followed – often established by larger producers who made their wines elsewhere. With the local wine industry growing, Geographe was registered as a Geographical Indication in 1999.

Today there are just under 800 hectares under vine, producing about 5% of WA’s wine grapes. It’s home to about 20 boutique wineries, mostly family-owned.

Areas of the Geographe wine region

Although there are no official sub-regions (with Geographical Indications), the geography of valleys and ranges creates a variety of microclimates, and different sources identify about three to five distinct districts. James Halliday (Australia’s premier wine writer) names three, while the regional wine association divides it up as follows:

• Harvey, the northernmost part of the region (and closest to Perth), has been home to a handful of small wineries since the late 1990s.
• The Ferguson Valley has a slightly larger range with a few beautiful dining options.
• The Donnybrook area is best known for apples, but has a larger range of wineries again.
• Capel’s rich soils are perfect for vine growth. Here you’ll find Capel Vale’s cellar door and restaurant.
• The coastal area of Busselton and surrounds has a climate similar to that of Margaret River. You can visit Whicher Ridge Wines to see their unique sensory garden.

What kinds of wine is the Geographe wine region known for?

Many visitors may drive right through en route to the Geographe region’s much more famous next-door neighbour, Margaret River, but there’s no reason not to stop on the way south from Perth, or even dedicate a whole trip to this region. 

Some of the main varieties grown in the region are the Aussie mainstays of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, semillon and sauvignon blanc. But Geographe also claims to be a region where you can “experience Europe in a day”, and the Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French grapes being grown there make it an exciting and diverse region. 

“Elegance” is a term that often pops up in descriptions of Geographe wines.

Wineries to visit in the Geographe wine region

In Geographe, you’ll find small, friendly wineries with unique touches.

• Green Door Wines mainly feature Italian and Spanish varietals, and offer a range of grazing platters at their cellar door so you can sip and nibble European-style (with incredible views over the hills).
• St Aidan Wines has a refined restaurant menu or the option of picnicking on their rolling lawn with a glass of one of their wines made from classic Aussie grapes.
• At Whicher Ridge, you can wander their sensory garden, which features plants that represent the aromas or ideal pairings of different wines – or even book in for a tour of the garden along with wine tasting.

When to visit the Geographe wine region

While crowds flock to Margaret River during school holidays and long weekends, Geographe may be a little quieter.

Book cosy accommodation with a wood fire during the winter months or stay near the beach in summer.

How long to stay in the Geographe wine region

You could visit a couple of wineries in a day if you’re just passing through (or even venturing out of Perth on a day trip), but staying at least a night or two will give you a chance to explore wineries and everything else the region has to offer!

Where to stay in the Geographe wine region

In the northern part of the region, you’ll find a small range of hotels and Airbnbs in Bunbury and smaller inland towns. Busselton is more geared towards tourism, with an abundance of holiday homes and self-catering accommodation to rent.

Other things to do in the Geographe wine region

Fresh produce, beautiful nature, and relaxed country and coastal lifestyles… wherever you stay, the Geographe region offers a relaxing escape with plenty to do apart from wine.

In Bunbury, learn about dolphins (and see the friendly local pod) at the Dolphin Discovery Centre, have fish and chips at the beach, and pick up some amazing meals to fuel your trip from the Bunbury Farmers Market.

In the Ferguson Valley, Gnomesville (where thousands of gnomes have gathered in a patch of forest) is a quirky must-do, and you’re right on the edge of Wellington National Park for outdoor adventures.

Donnybrook is all about the apples – pick your own in season or just buy them fresh from the farmer.

In Busselton you can walk or take the train along the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere (with an underwater aquarium and observatory at the end), enjoy the beach, or take a whale watching tour in season.