Margaret River Shopping

I love going in this store when I am down in Margaret River, you will never know what you will find. Lloyds started as a hardware store but they are far from being in that category now. Inside the store you will find all kinds of things for the home - kitchenware, gifts, camping and fishing goods, whatever you can think of.

Relaxed bookshop, come internet cafe. Stop by for a chat with the helpful owners, and grab yourself a cuppa. A really great range of books - I always find at least one book here.

Look out for special events.

Open 7 days a week.

What to buy: Books of course!

Almost next door to Margaret Rivers famous bakery and the Melting Pot Glass Studio is the amazing Margaret River Gallery, where it is room after room of works of art from established and emerging artists from Western Australia.

As cheap skates we managed to "just browsing thanks" to the pretty sales person, who was more than happy to let us browse in peace, perhaps in the full knowledge that we might buy something.

We saw works of art, sculpture, jewellery and finely crafted wooden fine furniture and I'd suggest a visit in excess of an hour to really appreciate what is on offer - even if you are in the cheap skate category yourself and manage to keep your hands in your pocket and away from the wallet and credit card.

Like the next door Melting Pot Glass Studio, the MRG can assist for freight to your destination and the shop is open 7 days.

Almost next door to Margaret Rivers famous bakery and the Margaret River Gallery is an amazing shop and glass studio - Melting Pot.

There is an extensive and ever changing array of glass goodies for sale and, with gold coin donation, visitors can watch glass blowing demonstrations (it was too hot in there for us, so we stayed in under the shops aircon).

The array of glass items is amazing and ranges from the functional wine goblets to very expensive works of art that could be shown in a gallery. We very nearly blew our budget and thought very seriously about purchasing a hand blown glass ornament. We found the staff very knowledgeable and helpful and there is a postage and packing service available for purchases "back home" where ever that might be.

Well worth a browse in Melting Pot, which is open 7 days a week 9.30am - 5pm with glass blowing demonstrations Tues - Sat.

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It was a friend who strongly suggested that we stop in the little town of Cowaramup on our way to Margaret River and experience the Candy Cow - glad we did.

Brightly coloured and full of yummy, tempting sweet treats, The Candy Cow is a treat for the eyes as well as the mouth. Extensive range of chocolate, honeycrunch using West Australian honey, fudge, nougat and lots of types of candy. They even have a selection of gobstoppers in various mouth sizes - an ideal gift to keep a mouth from talking (photo included - I bought 9 for one person - LOL).

There are free samples of their made on the premises fudge (30 varieties) and Lady Gaw just had to have the chocolate jaffa fudge. It was so good that the ants at our accommodation were lined up for a try too. Each morning at 11am there is a "Honeycrunch Making Show" and you get to chose your own piece to take home, that's if it lasts that long.

Warning: This shop is NOT for those on a diet.

Set down by a little brook amid beautiful gardens, Brookland Valley Winery not only makes delicious wines and serves excellent food at their restaurant overlooking the lake, it also has one of the prettiest shops for those feeling in need of a little retail therapy. Housed in a seperate building from the restaurant, the Gallery of Wine Art (forget about the silly name) stocks charming wine and food-related items and gifts sourced from all over the world as well as providing wine tasting and cellar door sales.

Before you leave the winery, be sure to take a walk by the lake where the antique bronze sculpture of Pan that features on the winery's labels plays his flute.

What to buy: Elegant homewares from all around the world, delicious preserves, the latest recipe books, gorgeous Florentine soaps, Reidel wine glasses, their own fine wines ....

What to pay: $5 -$500

If you love trawling the isles for that special bargain, you cannot go past Lloyds in the main street of Margaret River. Lloyds has lots. Candles, gifts, jewellery, camping gear, ceramics, homewares, toys, gardenware, art, local crafts etc. I always stop in a Lloyds whenever I'm in Margaret River. Make sure you go right to the back of the shop as well as there's more wonderful treasures in there!

What to pay: Lloyds is a fantastic bargain basement.

This Lemon Lime and Bitters is for those who want to cut back on carbohydrates without losing the flavour.

This refreshing soft drink from Margaret River Beverages is made with half the sugar yet with all the great taste.