“Can you imagine a place where you enjoy the morning on a deserted beach, interact with native wildlife, taste world-class wine everywhere you go, eat fresh local produce in acclaimed restaurants, then kick back and watch mother nature blow your mind?
“Well, that’s just a normal day in the Margaret River region.”
These are the words of local tour operator Chris O’Hare of Top Drop Tours, a Perth ex-pat who moved to a 1.6 hectare lot just outside of town with his wife Kerry eight years ago. They have since had two children and run an award-winning business.
“We had looked at this region as being a place to retire to, but instead we said, ‘let’s go now’.”
It’s a particularly exciting time to be in Margaret River. Next month, locals will be rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s best chefs.
Gourmet Escape, a three-day food and wine festival, will run from November 16 to 19 with events to feature the likes of Curtis Stone, David Thompson and Luke Nguyen, as well as Brazil’s Alex Atala, from Top 50 restaurant D.O.M., and Ana Ros of Hisa Franko, this year’s winner of World’s Best Female Chef.
The event, now in its fifth year, has put Western Australia, long-celebrated for its top wines and great surf, on the global culinary map and will likely draw around 10,000 visitors to the region.
Space Realty agent Paul Manners says it’s one of the few occasions when you might find yourself in a mild traffic jam.
Manners moved from Perth to the Margaret River seven years ago and says while it’s mostly a quiet community, there are a handful of busy periods each year.
“You’ve got to embrace these tourist migrations at Christmas, Easter and during the festival,” he says. “You might have to wait a bit longer for a coffee, but you can enjoy the festival atmosphere.”
And while the tourists are key to keeping the economy thriving, it’s the locals that make Manners glad he made the move.
“What I didn’t expect, and what I’m really embracing, is the sense of community here,” he says. “It’s been a really pleasant surprise.”
There are plenty of property gems in the area too. Designed by internationally renowned architect Kerry Hill, Ooi House is an AIA-award-winning home set on 2.4 hectares with views to the ocean.
Built in rammed earth, with a glass and steel pavilion housing the kitchen and open-plan living room, the $3.7 million residence has a central koi pond and a full-length deck.
Listed with Space Realty, the property comes with an olive grove, fig trees and a separate self-contained chalet.
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