Where do the world’s discerning travellers go for the best wine tourism? Bordeaux? Champagne? Chianti? Napa Valley? Marlborough? Barossa Valley?

None of the above. In fact, it’s Margaret River and the region was honoured in November 2006 at the World Wine Tourism Summit with the International Wine Region Tourism Award.

Tourism plays a large part in the overall success of a wine region and the awards were developed to recognise the regions and companies that contribute heavily to the overall success of the wine industry. In his announcement of the winner, Rich Cartière, editor and publisher of the Wine Market Report and who is based in the Napa Valley, California, said, "The Margaret River Wine Region was chosen to receive the award for demonstrating outstanding commitment to the benefits of private-public partnership and purposeful cooperation as well as showing its support for a broad base of the local tourism economy." Furthermore, he said, "this was done in what many consider to be the most remote wine region on the planet."

Not only is Margaret River a drawcard for all who endeavour to understand, learn and appreciate wine and its culture, it is also blessed with a natural environment that makes the region a wonderful place to visit. It is home to a beautiful coastline of rolling sand dunes, rugged cliffs, white sandy beaches and pure waters. Then, when you move inland, you can experience dense forests of unique West Australian flora and fauna.

These natural wonders provide a playground for all who venture to experience them and, in another accolade earlier this year, 'Australian Outdoor Magazine' ranked Margaret River in its top 10 adventure towns of Australia and New Zealand. "Margaret’s offers up more than enough facilities and areas to keep the adventure seeker extremely well occupied," boasted Mike Wood, Managing Director of Mountain Designs W.A.

The listing catapulted the region to the next level against tough competition from long-recognised adventure destinations such as Queenstown and Cairns. The region’s mild climate sees adventure sports such as canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking and abseiling within reach throughout the seasons.

For those who prefer their action wet, surf has been a mainstay in Margaret River’s tourism appeal since the 1960s, drawing in the big-wave enthusiasts and grommets alike. More recently, the wreck of the decommissioned HMAS Swan off Dunsborough has provided fabulous diving for those wanting to venture further under the water.

The diversity of the Margaret River region allows tourists to vary their holidaying, moving from an early morning surf to a day of hiking, viewing a cave or checking out the wares at the local galleries before a long and lazy gastronomic lunch at one of the many wineries. The possibilities for reward and excitement are endless.

Fifty years ago Margaret River was a one-street town with a pub and a corner deli. Today it is regarded as a top tourism destination. Margaret River covers a spectacular area of the world and the ability for travellers to experience all these wonders is a testament to the past, present and future residents that keep the wine region a must-see destination. And whilst it is wonderful for the region to be officially recognised with awards such as the International Wine Region Tourism Award, nothing beats the happy faces of our visitors that we see every day.