AMONG GIANTS AND VINES

From wild coastlines and towering trees to gin tastings and firelit evenings, Pemberton's Ampersand Estates offers a restorative escape year round.

- AMY VAN

Western Australia's Margaret River is a go-to for vinous adventures, but those willing to drive a little further will discover the tranquil gem of Pemberton. The area lies about 40 minutes east of Margaret River Region and 3.5 hours south of Perth.

The landscape here is larger than life. After all, Pemberton is famed for its colossal karri trees, the tallest of which – the iconic Gloucester Tree – can be climbed for panoramic views of the forest canopy. Come spring, the woods are blanketed in a riot of wildflowers. Western Australia boasts around 11,000 native flora species, 75% of which are found in the South West.

Beyond the forests lie the Yeagarup Sand Dunes, the largest inland dune system in the Southern Hemisphere, where 4WD jeep rides end at the roaring Southern Ocean. With nothing but water between Western Australia and Antarctica, the coastline feels raw, remote, and elemental.

Pemberton also sits at the heart of the Southern Forests Wine Region, home to six cellar doors and black Périgord truffle country, responsible for up to 85% of the Southern Hemisphere's annual harvest. Truffle hunts typically take place from June to August.

It is within this fertile and dramatic setting that Ampersand Estates has quietly redefined the notion of a wine retreat.

WINE, WILDERNESS, AND WELCOME FIRES