Lonely Planet Journalist Visit
Margaret River's reputation as the jewel in Western Australia's crown is well merited, as it sparkles with fine wineries, captivating landscapes and exquisite hotels and restaurants, however, scratch beneath the surface of these delights and you’ll find a wealth of diverse activities to make your visit even more memorable. Danielle Hugh finds caves, quandongs and her balance on an Aussie bush tucker tour.
Before we even begin, you should know that I’m anything but the poster child for physical fitness, so the prospect of four hours of canoeing, walking and caving was a little daunting. But having just turned 30 and given up my irrational fears of looking foolish, I jumped at the chance of trying a Cave, Canoe and Bush Tucker Tour on the wilds of the Margaret River. There were about 18 people in the group I joined and they had come from as far afield as Japan, Germany and the US and from as close as a couple of streets away. I’m guessing, but I would put the age range of the adventurers between five and sixty-something and the group was made up of singles, couples, families and groups of friends. Soon after arriving at the starting point, I met Anne and Rod from Adelaide who invited me to share their canoe. Helen Lee, who owns the business and shares the tour guiding with her specialist guides, gave us a quick canoeing lesson and we were off, taking a few minutes to get the hang of going in a straight line, then powering solidly along after that. Having been most afraid that I might capsize the canoe and dump my unsuspecting new pals in the water, I was delighted to discover a sense of balance of which I had been previously unaware. For some reason, canoeing terrifies a lot of people, but in the very stable canoes provided for our use, finding and maintaining a good balance didn’t seem to be a problem. Joy of joys, I was a well-balanced individual who was able to contribute soundly in teamwork situations. Cheered by this discovery, I found myself relaxing and soaking up the spectacular scenery of the river, its banks and the steep faces of the Wallcliffe Cliffs. The river was deep and clear and the surface was barely rippled by a light breeze. We had a leisurely 10-minute paddle to a little island of paperbarks, or melaleucas, in the middle of the river, where we stopped to taste some of the bush tucker Helen collects in the local trees, some 500 to 600 years old, which develop an air pocket in their trunks to allow them to breathe even when they are partly submerged for up to three months when the river rises. There’s an eerie feel to the Island, because little else grows under the paperbarks and the breeze whistles through the strips of bark that hang from their trunks and branches. Aptly named, the bark from these trees was given various uses by the local Aboriginal and European settlers, from nappies for babies to diary pages for recording experiences and learning to write. After the island of melaleucas, which we were lucky to experience as it will soon be underwater, we paddle further upriver to the Margaret River Rowing Club, a rough timber building just metres from the water’s edge. Here there is a rock landing – a great place to stop for a swim on a hot day. A tip here, don’t forget your bathers. The river was cool and refreshing and I’m sure at least some people didn’t want to get out. After cooling off, it was back into the canoes for the paddle down river to a spot at the foot of the cliffs. Then, and this was the only really tricky part, there is a steep hill to climb. There is a good path to follow and it is the kind of walk that will puff you out but not take too long to recover from. A short walk from the crest of the hill is the entrance to one of the 100s of local caves. With temperatures at a constant 20 degrees, the caves were used by early settlers like the Bussell family as a place to store milk and the cheese and butter they made. While the Bussells were building Walcliffe House, on the banks of the Margaret River, the caves also provided a home. From the cave, you head back down the hill and into the canoes again for the return trip to a spot near the river mouth. The tour is over. Helen is proud that the tours can be designed to cater for people of all abilities and really there is not too much to be worried about if you are even slightly intrepid. However, if you know someone who can’t cope with a little bit of dust and physical exertion and a few flies, this may not be the adventure for them. At $70 for adults and $30 for children, this four-hour tour is a great way to find out more about the river and local history, as well as get some fresh air and exercise and meet people. The gourmet lunch is superb and includes 20 native dishes too! Don’t forget your hat, sunscreen, walking shoes and some drinking water.
The Great Bushtucker Winery and River tours have been operating in the Margaret River region since 1990.Owned and guided by Helen Lee, voted the inaugural Best Tour Guide in the Western Australian Tourism Awards 1999, the tours are really exceptional value. On the river or winery trail, the specialist nature guides give the guest, a real sense of fun and adventure!
Newly opened in Bussleton, Dunsborough, The Great Bushtucker Winery Tour picks up guests every day, at all accommodation, at approx 11am to
11-15am.The tour is guided by accredited wine and nature guides, who will provide exceptional value for money as you travel to seven great Estates, forests, gourmet factories and enjoy a locally produced gourmet lunch. The emphasis is on fun, premium wine and gourmet food- and you sure get lots!
The Great Winery Tour boasts an extensive tasting array of 40 white and red wines, five ports and Liquors, three chocolate bowls, six cheeses, and even boutique beers. Gourmet local foods are served at a fun and friendly Winery Lunch and each wild food on the menu is specially presented by your nature guide. All ages and abilities are encouraged to join this fun day out!
The pick up and drop off allows all guests to really get in the mood of the fabulous and scenic wineries- while –the great Bushtucker guide assists everyone in tasting –story telling and even a good sing along!
For a great Australian day out and value for your dollar- this trip is not to be missed- especially as all the features on the area are covered by the really excellent guide! Bring your camera for brilliant memories!
Bushtucker River and Winery tours are owned and guided by Helen Lee, a West Australian, education, anthropology and botany enthusiast. The tours commenced in 1988, in Pemberton W.A. as a project by Helen, to bring the natural world to the visitor in a fun and informative activity program.
In 1991 Helen Lee opened her Bushtucker River, Cave, Canoe tour, on the Margaret River and guided every tour 360 days a year, for the next 6 years. Having a passion for Aboriginal and natural history, Helen discovered medicinal plants native to the river and coast. Using these plants and natural bush foods, Helen concocted, 25 interesting gourmet foods, for the traveller to experience. The cave on the river and cliffs provide a natural adventure path, as travellers follow Helen and her specialist guides, through wildflowers, crystal caves, Aboriginal shelters and forested islands. The pioneer hardships and native foods, plus Aboriginal bush remedies, are demonstrated against a backdrop of magnificent Wallcliffe House, hand built by a family, with 13 babies in (1829-62). The story of how the river formed 60,000 years ago unfolds, as the traveller enjoys food collection, medicine use, cave shelters and a gourmet picnic prepared from all Helen’s collected “Bushtuckers.” Between each heritage site visit and the gourmet picnic, travellers canoe in 2-5 seater eco canoes, stable and silent, on the pristine forest surrounding, Margaret River! Swimming is a must November to May each year!
Helen and her guides’ story telling ability and their passion for the environment, bring to life the cultural world of Aboriginal and outdoor Australian life. The tour is fine for active and inactive visitors. Awards in 1996 for excellence in heritage and cultural tourism and again in 1999 and 2002, have provided strong motivation for Helen to maintain quality, informed and professional tour guiding, on the beautiful Margaret River.
In 1999 Helen Lee was awarded the F.A.C.E.T. Golden Guide pin for the best guide, the only award of its kind in Australia.
In 1997 Helen created the Bushtucker Great Wine, Food, Forest tour. From pickup at 11am, to 5pm return to accommodation, travellers are guided though the famous Margaret River Wine Region and its excellent attraction. From Busselton, Dunsborough or Margaret River guests can join the Bushtucker Great Wineries Tour, and experience: 40 premium white and red wines, seven cheeses and three chocolate bowls, and five ports, liquors and boutique beers! The itinerary is planned around natural good fun and beautiful estates! five old, new or boutique wineries and a brewery are visited as well as cheese and chocolate factories. All ages enjoy the groovy music, interesting wine, food and forest commentary and try rare and tasty gourmet Margaret River produce, at a winery lunch. It is a beautiful day of good cheer, and available 365 days of the year! Visitors travel in comfort mini coach with 13-20 other travellers from all over the globe!
The Bushtucker River and Great Wineries Tours are very fairly priced and both include lunch, wine tasting, tasty treats and equipment. All ages and abilities are welcome all year and Helen Lee is still the happy and keen Bushtucker Woman of Margaret River.
Please visit and Helen will enrich and entertain your travels! Refer to Booking or Tour pages for extra details on tours and booking details.
