ON CLOUD WINE

Australia is renowned for its exquisite wine regions - and Margaret River is at the top of the list

The sun is definitely rising on the Margaret River wine region. It's never been a secret to Australians that much of the country's finest wine is made out west, but with increasing overseas flights available to Perth, Margaret River is now opening up to the rest of the world. And what a treat it is!

Around Margaret River are some of the world's tallest trees and ancient cave systems, plus whales, wildflowers and wild coastlines with world-class surfing.

There's an eye-opening clarity to the bright light, and Western Australia's colours seem to be turned up to 11. Beyond the state's cities - Perth, neighbour Fremantle and far-out Broome - the natural world rules in primary colours: red deserts, blue oceans and the intense yellow sun.

Margaret River produces three per cent of Australia's wine, but a quarter of its premium wines. Which is perhaps another reason why wine critic Jancis Robinson said, "Margaret River is the closest thing to paradise of any wine region I have visited in my extensive search for knowledge."