Margaret River: Canoe Tour & Wild Food Lunch Tasting

Summary

Margaret River canoe trip with wild food tastings and riverside stories

You’ll paddle along Margaret River with a local guide, explore hidden spots most people never see, and try wild foods like kangaroo and emu during a riverside lunch. Listen to stories about aboriginal history and early settlers while drifting through peaceful forests. If you’re craving something different — or just want to laugh at your own paddling skills — this day trip sticks with you long after you’ve dried off.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly chickened out when I saw the canoes lined up at Prevelly Beach — I mean, I’ve kayaked before but never in water that looked this clear (and honestly, this cold). But our guide, Ben, just grinned and handed me a paddle like he’d seen it all before. The river mouth was quiet except for gulls squabbling over something shiny on the sand. It felt like we were sneaking into a secret place — no powerboats, just the soft slap of water against fiberglass and that smell of eucalyptus drifting from the banks.

We paddled upstream along the Margaret River, past these crumbly limestone cliffs where Ben pointed out old aboriginal sites. He told us about how the Wadandi people used to fish here — I tried to imagine it, but mostly I was focused on not spinning in circles (which happened anyway; nobody judged). There’s this silence you only get on water like that. Every so often someone would spot a kingfisher or hear something rustle in the bush — probably a kangaroo, which made me laugh because there was kangaroo on the lunch menu too.

Lunch was…well, different. We stopped under some paperbarks and Ben laid out this spread: emu with wild nut pesto, kangaroo slices with chutney, even crocodile (I only took half a bite — sorry). Everything tasted earthy and fresh; I still remember how tart those bush tomatoes were. Someone tried to pronounce “quandong” properly — Li laughed so hard she almost dropped her bread in the river. The whole thing felt like a picnic you couldn’t have anywhere else.

Afterwards we drifted further upstream, learning about Bussell family dramas and local history while sunlight flickered through the trees. My arms were tired but it didn’t matter much by then. On the way back there was this half-serious race for a bottle of Margaret River wine (I lost badly), but honestly I just wanted to float and let it all soak in for another minute or two. Still think about that quiet stretch of river sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Margaret River Canoe Tour and Lunch

• Meet at Margaret River mouth
• Safety briefing and introductions
• Launch canoes and paddle upstream
• View cliffs and aboriginal sites
• Enjoy exotic wild food lunch
• Paddle further past kangaroo habitats
• Learn local history and take photos
• Return downstream by canoe

Top questions

What time does the Margaret River canoe tour start?

The tour begins at 11:00 am at Prevelly Beach where Margaret River meets the ocean.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

No, pickup is not included; guests meet at Surfers Point near Prevelly Beach.

What kind of food is served on the Margaret River canoe tour?

The lunch features wild foods from Western Australia like kangaroo, emu, crocodile, native pestos and chutneys, plus vegetarian options.

How long is the canoeing part of the tour?

You’ll paddle upstream past cliffs and forests for several hours with breaks for lunch and stories along the way.

Is this Margaret River day trip suitable for families?

Yes, travelers of all ages are welcome; infants must sit on an adult’s lap or use specialized seats if needed.

Are vegetarian options available for lunch?

Yes, vegetarians are well catered for during lunch on this tour.

Do tours run in all weather conditions?

Tours operate in all conditions but guests should contact the office on the morning of their booking to confirm any changes due to weather.

Who leads the Margaret River canoe tour?

A local guide leads each group and shares stories about wildlife, aboriginal culture, and settler history during the trip.

What’s included

Your day includes all canoeing equipment provided by your local guide plus a generous riverside lunch featuring wild foods from Western Australia such as kangaroo, emu, crocodile (with plenty of vegetarian choices), fresh breads, pestos and chutneys—everything you need for paddling upstream through tranquil forests before returning in the afternoon.