The Margaret River region is a favourite for many Western Australians as it’s a great distance for a getaway and home to some incredible beaches, award winning wineries and stunning nature. There is so much to see and do here but with this 3 or 5 day Margaret River itinerary you will cover a lot of what this incredible region has to offer.
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Best time to visit
Margaret River is most popular during the summer months (December-February) as the days are filled with sunshine and is the best time to visit the surrounding beaches. Just keep in mind that it is peak season in Western Australia and there will be lots of crowds due to school holidays. If you plan on going during this time, make sure you book in advance.
Where to stay
Margarets In Town Apartments is a great option if you want to be located within the Margaret River Town.
A popular choice for a luxurious getaway is Chambre Estate which is located a little further out from the town.
Other places to consider that are popular amongst locals is Smiths Beach resort in Yallingup or the award winning Pullman Bunker Bay Resort.
If you are looking for a place to disconnect after a few busy days in Perth, Hidden Valley Forest Retreat is a great choice and is located between Margaret River and Dunsborough.
How many days
We would suggest spending at least 3 days in Margaret River to make the drive worth it and allow you to see why this region is a favourite for many West Aussies.
If you do have 5 days to spend here, we would highly recommend that as it will allow you to experience the true magic of Margaret River.
How to get around
The Margaret River region is quite large so hiring a car from Perth and driving down will allow you to get the best experience. Ubers and public transport is also quite limited here so exploring the areas outside of Margaret River town will be difficult without a car.
The drive from Perth is about 3 – 3.5 hours on well maintained roads so it’s a relatively easy drive and there are a few places to check out along the way which will break up the drive nicely.
3 and 5 Day Itinerary Overview
3-Day Margaret River Itinerary
Day 1: Perth to Margaret River
Day 2: Wineries and Breweries
Day 3: Explore the Coast
5-Day Margaret River Itinerary
Day 1-3: As above
Day 4: Explore the forests and the caves
Day 5: Caves Road drive and Dunsborough region
Day 1: Make Your Way Down from Perth
This itinerary starts in Perth, Western Australia, check out our 3, 5 or 7 day Perth itinerary here if you have time to explore the city.
You can choose to do the drive down to Margaret River in one hit which is about 3 – 3.5 hours.
Otherwise, we’d suggest stopping in at Bunbury Farmers Market which is on the way. It’s a really cool spot with lots of yummy food and fresh produce. It was one of our favourites when we lived in Bunbury!
Once you have grabbed your snacks, you will have about 90 minutes left to drive.
You can also choose to stop in at Busselton Jetty, which is a really nice coastal town and is home to the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere with its impressive 1.8 km.
There are also a few good options for lunch here and will only add about 10 minutes to the total drive time.
Get checked in at your accommodation and spend some time relaxing after the drive.
You can choose to spend the afternoon walking down Margaret River’s main street and enjoy the charm of the local boutiques, bookstores and art galleries.
Otherwise, enjoy a walk through the forest and along the river at Rotary Park.
Finish the day strong with a woodfired pizza from Swings and Roundabouts!
Tours to consider:
- Busselton Jetty (train, snorkel, observatory)
Day 2: A Day Out Exploring the Local Wineries
As two self proclaimed wine enthusiasts, wine tastings in Margaret River is one of our absolute favourite things to do.
We have tried a fair few of the wineries around this region but there are hundreds to choose from.
Even if you feel like you don’t know much about wine, we still recommend visiting a few of the wineries around as it is a great way to learn about it and get to try a few different options. Margaret River is especially known for some of the world’s best Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Most tastings will only cost $10 per person so it’s a relatively cheap activity to do and a great experience meeting some of the locals. Plus this fee is often waived if you end up purchasing any bottles.
A few of our favourites to check out that are all unique in their own way include:
- Aravina
- Fishbone Wines
- Vasse Felix
- Leeuwin Estate
- Voyager Estate
- Cape Mentelle
A few breweries to consider:
- Wild Hop
- Beer Farm
- Colonial Brewing
- Cheeky Monkey
The best way to experience the wine region is to join an organised tour as you won’t have to be concerned about how many tastings you’ve done.
There are plenty to choose from including The Margaret River Experience WA and All About Margaret River.
Tours to consider:
- Wine tour
Day 3: Exploring the Coastal Gems (Last day of the 3 Day Itinerary)
No Margaret River trip is complete without exploring the stunning coast of the Southwest.
We’ll share some of our favourite spots to go for a swim or snorkel.
Hamelin Bay
If Australian wildlife interests you then Hamelin Bay is a great choice as the famous stingray is a frequent visitor here.
You can see them up close as they swim along the shoreline. Please be respectful and do not touch these wild animals.
It is also a great spot for swimming and snorkelling as it is a sheltered bay.
Smith Beach
A real gem in Western Australia with a long stretch of powdered white sand and clear water.
Perfect for beach walking, swimming, snorkelling and surfing.
The Aquarium
One of the best places to snorkel in the Southwest with its calm crystal clear waters.
Located along Yallingup’s coastline and a short walk through bushland, you’ll find this stunning spot.
Injidup Natural Spa
This hidden rock pool is a must visit during your time in Margaret River.
Located right on the edge of the Indian Ocean you’ll see waves crashing over the rocks and forming a mini waterfall to enjoy! We recommend coming here early in the morning as it can get quite busy.
Gracetown Beach
Located in the bay of Cowaramup and is a great spot for swimming in the calm shallows but also offers world-class waves on the outlying surf breaks.
Gnarabup Beach
A stunning little beach which is a really good choice if you’re visiting with children as it is protected by reefs and provides calm conditions for swimming.
Redgate Beach
Beautiful sandy beach with amazing views of waves crashing into huge rock formations offshore.
It is a great choice for surfers, especially if you are a beginner.
Tip
If you are staying around the Margaret River and want to witness a sunset in true Western Australia style, a great spot to do this is at Sugarloaf Rock located in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.
Day 4: Visit the Boranup Forest and Explore Caves
Now that you have explored the beautiful coast of Margaret River, it is time to explore the beautiful Boranup Karri Forest.
An easy 25 minute drive south of Margaret River town along Caves Road you will find these enormous Karri trees, some towering over 60m in height.
On the eastern side of Caves Road you will find The Karri Lookout which is a great spot to enjoy the stunning view and photograph the trees.
Boranup Drive is a great way to explore the area and loops back out to Caves Road.
You will also find Hamelin Bay closeby, so if you missed it on day 3, you do have the option of visiting it on day 4.
There is a large network of underground limestone caves in this area so if you are feeling a little adventurous, it would be the perfect time to visit one of them.
Jewel Cave
This is the largest public cave in Western Australia and has three huge chambers and unique formations to explore. You can only access the cave through a guided tour and tickets are about $25 for adults.
Lake Cave
Another cave to explore through a guided tour is Lake Cave which is one of the smaller caves in the area but still very impressive!
You will start this cave adventure by climbing down some wooden stairs (about 350 steps) into a sinkhole.
As you climb down you will even see some of the Karri trees growing from the bottom.
Your guide will turn off the lights at one point so if you are scared of the dark, this cave is not for you!
Tickets to explore this cave are about $25 for adults.
Ngilgi Cave
You will start with a walk through native bushland with lots of information about the region, stories of the traditional Wadandi people.
Your guide will follow you to the cave and give you an overview of everything before you finish the cave on a self-guided basis.
It is worth mentioning that prams can’t go in the cave, so if you are bringing younger children, you will need to plan ahead for that.
Tickets for Ngilgi cave are about $32 per adult.
Mammoth Cave
This cave is like a natural time capsule with over 10,000 fossils that once accumulated inside the cave.
You will be going on a self-guided tour in the Mammoth Cave but will have access to audios available in English, French, German, Malay, and Mandarin.
You will finish your visit with a walk through a forest with beautiful green foliage, enormous trees and wildflowers during spring and winter.
Tickets are about $25 per adult.
Tours to consider
- Jewel Cave
- Lake Cave
- Ngilgi Cave
- Mammoth Cave
Day 5: Explore Dunsborough (Last Day of the 5 Day Margaret River Itinerary)
Once you have checked out of your accommodation and are ready to start the journey back to Perth (or further south if you have more time to spend) we recommend visiting the Dunsborough area.
Dunsborough is a popular holiday spot for West Australians and for good reason.
The area is known for its beautiful sandy coves and stunning rock formations.
Start your day with a delicious breakfast and coffee, a popular choice is Meelup Farmhouse, a perfect mix between coastal and country charm, or La Lah Cafe for a very insta-worthy brunch.
Head down to Meelup Beach which is the perfect spot to spend some time swimming and relaxing. It is also possible to rent a kayak or a SUP and take lessons if required.
You can also check out Castle Rock Beach which is only a 10 minute drive from Meelup Beach. It is often a little quieter here but equally as beautiful!
The perfect way to wrap up your trip in Margaret River is at Eagle Bay Brewing Co with sweeping views over the rural landscape and the Indian Ocean.
Enjoy a tasty lunch and a locally crafted beer before you head out on the journey back to Perth.
Final Words
We hope you enjoyed your time in Margaret River and that this guide was helpful!
If you have more time to explore Western Australia after your time in Margaret River, we would highly recommend driving further down to Denmark and Albany.
If you have time to spend in Perth, you can check out our Perth Itinerary here.