Margaret River

Written by Callum Taylor, Camille Laurent, Marika Maslanka
21/08/2025
Serene aerial view of Yallingup's coastline in Western Australia, showcasing its stunning beaches and natural beauty.
Ross Ogston, Pexels

Margaret River, Australia, is a premier destination that blends world-class wineries and gourmet food with a rugged coastline featuring renowned surf breaks and pristine beaches. The region also offers extensive natural landscapes, including ancient caves and towering forests, appealing to both those seeking relaxation and outdoor adventure.

The Margaret River town centre is a relaxed hub, offering a variety of cafes, galleries, and local shops for visitors to gather. Beyond the town, numerous breweries provide spacious, family-friendly settings that are ideal for socialising. For independent travellers and backpackers, hostels located centrally in Margaret River town offer opportunities to connect with others and often provide assistance with local work.

Top 5 Things to do in Margaret River

Visiting Margaret River allows for immersion in a renowned wine region, exploration of ancient caves and towering forests, and engagement with its dynamic coastal environment.

1. Explore World-Class Wineries

Margaret River is globally celebrated for its exceptional wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Visitors can spend days exploring the numerous cellar doors, engaging in tastings, and learning about the winemaking process directly from producers. Many wineries also feature restaurants offering gourmet meals paired with their wines. Whether a first-timer or a connoisseur, the variety of styles and intimate tasting experiences at family-run estates or prestigious vineyards like Vasse Felix and Leeuwin Estate are highly rewarding.

Cost: Wine tastings at cellar doors typically range from AUD $0-20 per tasting. For a guided experience, full-day wine tours often cost between AUD $150-200+, usually including tastings, lunch, and sometimes additional gourmet stops like chocolate or cheese. Self-driving is a popular option, allowing for flexibility.

Transport: The Margaret River wine region is spread out, making a car the most convenient way to explore. Self-drive itineraries are readily available. Alternatively, numerous guided wine tours operate from Margaret River town, often including pick-up and drop-off from local accommodation. Taxis are available but can be costly for multiple stops, with fares starting around AUD $4.20 plus AUD $1.06 per mile or AUD $1.50 per kilometre.

2. Discover Ancient Limestone Caves

The Margaret River region is home to an extensive network of magnificent limestone caves, each offering a unique underground experience. Visitors can explore a natural time capsule at Mammoth Cave, which features ancient fossil remains and offers self-guided audio tours, making it accessible for families. For a more challenging and visually stunning guided experience, Lake Cave is notable for its 'suspended table' formation reflected in a tranquil underground lake, accessible by descending a long staircase into a spectacular sinkhole. Jewel Cave, the largest show cave in Western Australia, is known for its breathtaking crystal formations and is exclusively visited via a guided tour.

Cost: Entry fees for show caves like Lake Cave, Mammoth Cave, and Jewel Cave typically range from AUD $23-32 for adults, with child and senior concessions available.

Transport: The caves are generally located along Caves Road, south of Margaret River town. Access is best by private car. Some regional tours may include cave visits as part of their itinerary.

3. Experience Coastal Beauty and Surf

The rugged coastline of Margaret River provides a perfect setting for various beach activities and surfing. Visitors can witness the power of the ocean at world-class surf breaks like Surfer's Point, known for hosting international competitions. For those seeking a unique natural phenomenon, Injidup Natural Spa offers a calm, spa-like experience within a natural rock pool, sculpted by ocean waves, ideal for relaxing during calm conditions. Further south, Hamelin Bay allows for close encounters with wild stingrays and eagle rays in its clear, turquoise waters.

Cost: Visiting beaches and natural coastal spots like Injidup Natural Spa and Hamelin Bay is free. Surf lessons for beginners typically cost around AUD $85-160 for a group lesson or AUD $160 for a private two-hour lesson, with equipment often included.

Transport: These coastal attractions are best accessed by private car as they are outside of Margaret River town and public transport is limited. Hamelin Bay is approximately a 30-40 minute drive south of Margaret River. Injidup Natural Spa is about a 20-25 minute drive north. Surf schools often provide lessons at suitable beaches depending on conditions.

4. Walk Through Boranup Karri Forest

Beyond the coastline and vineyards, Margaret River offers the immersive beauty of Boranup Karri Forest. This towering forest features magnificent Karri trees, some reaching heights of 60 metres, creating a dappled canopy that is particularly striking in sunlight. Visitors can enjoy scenic drives through the forest or embark on various walking trails to appreciate the unique ecosystem and potentially spot native wildflowers depending on the season. It offers a tranquil escape and a different natural landscape to explore.

Cost: Accessing and exploring Boranup Karri Forest is free.

Transport: Boranup Karri Forest is located approximately 20-30 minutes south of Margaret River town, along Caves Road. A private car is essential for visiting and exploring the forest trails.

5. Embark on a Whale Watching Cruise (Seasonal)

During specific periods of the year, the waters off the Margaret River region become a prime location for whale watching. From June to September, visitors can witness humpback and southern right whales on their northern migration from Augusta. Later in the season, from September to December, these majestic creatures, often with calves, can be observed in Geographe Bay off Busselton and Dunsborough as they journey south. Cruises provide an opportunity to see breaching, tail slapping, and other natural behaviors of these marine giants up close, with many tours featuring experienced skippers and marine biologists on board.

Cost: Whale watching cruises typically cost around AUD $95 for adults, with child rates available.

Transport: Tours depart from various points, primarily Augusta (June-August) or Busselton and Dunsborough (September-December). A private car is recommended to reach these departure points from Margaret River town. Travel time to Augusta is about 45 minutes, and to Busselton/Dunsborough is around 30-45 minutes.

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