Home of the Cowara bird, but often referred to as Cow Town, Cowaramup is a small community of about 2000 people filled with gourmet food, locally made products and world class wineries.

A short 12 minute drive from Tanah Marah will put you in the heart of the town where you can indulge in all it has to offer; including this itinerary of Mel’s favourites.

Start the morning right

For me, no day is ready to start without a fresh coffee! Head to Red Feather Coffee drive thru for some of the best coffee the South West has to offer. Coffee not your thing? They also whip up delicious smoothies made in house and freshly squeezed juices. 

If you’re ready for a delicious breakfast, they also make amazing jaffles with incredible flavours like truffle mushroom, slow cooked brisket and the classic bacon and egg.

If you want somewhere to go somewhere you can sit and enjoy your coffee, head over to Smithereen’s Cafe or Gourmet Food Merchant. While you’re there, you can browse through their wide range of delicious local produce; I find it hard to leave there empty handed! 

Shop ’til you drop

Now that you’ve fuelled yourself for the morning, it’s time to enjoy one of my favourite pastimes – shopping!

There is such an array of amazing stores in Cowaramup filled with amazing products, often locally made. Be sure to check out Wild Earth Trading Co, Moon Haven, Seven Seas Tea or my personal favourite, Mukau Giftware & Gallery. They’re all perfect for finding a beautiful gift for yourself or your loved ones!

Ready for a treat?

It’s not really a trip to the Margaret River Region without stocking up on delicious chocolates and sweet treats!

My favourite chocolate place is Temper Temper, which is the neighbour of Seven Seas Tea. They have so many delicious chocolatey treats to choose from like their famous rocky road flavours to their dairy-free Mayan hot chocolate mix.

If you’re looking for something different, you’ll be happy to hear that the Temper Temper team often creates some out there flavour combinations! Some of their unique creations include carrot cake, grapefruit & fennel and green tea, lemongrass & black sesame.

For all the candy lovers out there, you really can’t do better than Candy Cow. Their massive range includes everything from the humble hum bug to giant chocolate freckles; they even have a great selection of sugar free lollies.

For me, I really can’t go past the blueberry and strawberry bon bons!

Ok, lets talk about the cows

Cowaramup is home to a wonderful herd of 42 life size fibreglass Friesian cows and calves wandering the streets, parks and shops around the town.

I remember my first visit to Cowaramup as a child, posing for a few cow photos with a giant blue and pink Candy Cow lollipop in hand. While you’re driving through the town, you’ll often see others taking photos and selfies with the Cowaramup Cows.

Cowaramup town is actually named after the Cowara bird, also known as the Purple Crowned Lorikeet. I am yet to see one myself and can’t wait for the day that I do!

It’s time to recharge

After a morning of shopping and nailing the perfect cow selfie, it’s time for some lunch.

If you want something casual to grab and go, I can’t go past a toasted wrap from Cowaramup French Bakery. Their apple pies are my guilty pleasures – good luck walking out of there without one of their beautiful baked goods!

You can head to Pioneer Park and enjoy your lunch under the shady trees.

If you’re looking to head out for lunch, a short 8 minute drive from the heart of Cowaramup will take you Fishbone Wines and Restaurant – a Curtin family favourite.

Fishbone serves an incredible Japanese inspired menu alongside a vast selection of wines, including their own. I can’t go past their pan fried gyoza and my favourite yasai (tempura vegetable fritter) sushi. I recommend heading to their website and booking a table to make sure you don’t miss out.

If you’ve booked for lunch, you can head there a little earlier and enjoy a wine tasting. My favourite is their black label Chardonnay. Enjoy a bottle with lunch or take it home for later.

Speaking of delicious wine…

A short 15 minute drive from Tanah Marah or 7 minutes from Cowaramup town, you’ll find the cellar door of the award winning Victory Point Wines.

Victory Point Wines is another family favourite and we’re so lucky to have them so close by! I love taking friends and family visiting the region to their stunning cellar door to taste their incredible wines. I always leave with either a bottle of my favourite Rosé or their incredible red blend, The Mallee Root.

A further 6 minutes down the road, you’ll come across Jarvis Estate.

Jarvis Estate offers more than premium wine tastings at their cellar door, they also a private tasting straight from the barrel. They also have an art gallery from a local artist!

Be sure to head over to their website and book your free tour and tasting to make sure you don’t miss out!

On the way home

I hope you’ve saved some room for some of the best local ice cream! Miller’s Ice Creamery is on the way back to Tanah Marah and offers over 20 flavours of ice cream as well as some special creations. They have a great range including gluten free, dairy free and vegan options.

If you don’t think you can squeeze in any ice cream right now, you can take a tub home for later.

On Bussell Highway and just 9 minutes from Tanah Marah is Margaret River Fresh Produce. Here you’ll find a great selection of local spray-free fruit and vegetables as well as bread, seafood and ready made meals. You can stop in for an afternoon pick me up or to grab fresh and local ingredients to cook a great dinner.

What’s the best way to end the day?

Our nearest beach is a short 16 minute drive from Tanah Marah. Cowaramup Bay in Gracetown is one of my favourite places!

Not only are the sweeping panoramic views and white sandy beaches just stunning, but it was also where Lucy proposed to me! So it holds very special place in my heart.

Take a drink or pack a picnic and enjoy the sunset while reminiscing on your day and all the new memories you have created.