Margaret River Travel Guide
Wine, surf, caves, karri forests and a coast where two oceans meet — everything you need to plan Western Australia’s most complete escape, three hours from Perth.
The Margaret River Travel Guide
Australia’s most complete escape might just be this pocket of the far south-west. In one compact region, Margaret River serves up more than 200 cellar doors, some of the planet’s best surf, ancient underground caves, towering karri forests and a wild coastline where two oceans meet. Three hours from Perth, it rewards anyone who loves good wine, good food and the great outdoors. This guide brings it all together — where to go, what to do, and how to plan your days.
More than 200 cellar doors, world-class surf, ancient caves and a coast where two oceans meet — all in one region.
Explore the Guide
Wineries & Cellar Doors
The cellar doors and grapes that made the region famous.
Cellar doors → OceanSurfing
World-class breaks at Surfers Point and gentler bays to learn.
Surfing → UndergroundThe Caves
Jewel, Lake, Mammoth and Ngilgi — the ridge’s limestone caves.
The caves → Coast walkCape to Cape Track
123 km of clifftop coast from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin.
The track → SeasonalWhale Watching
Humpbacks and southern rights off the capes from June.
Whales → GourmetFood & Produce
Chocolate, cheese, olive oil, brewers and providores.
Food & produce →The Practical Bits
Best Time to Visit
Seasons for wine, surf, whales and beaches.
Best time → GuideWhere to Stay
From coastal cottages to luxury retreats.
Where to stay → GuideWhere to Eat
Long lunches, cellar-door dining and casual bites.
Where to eat → GuideGetting Around
Driving, distances and getting here from Perth.
Getting around → GuideDunsborough & Yallingup
The calm-water north end of the region.
The north → ToursMargaret River Tours
Guided wine, food, caves and coast days.
See tours →Margaret River — FAQ
What is Margaret River known for?
World-class wine (especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay), powerful surf breaks, ancient limestone caves, tall karri forests, gourmet food, and a wild, beautiful coastline between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin.
Where is Margaret River?
In the far south-west corner of Western Australia, about a three-hour drive (~270 km) south of Perth. The region runs along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, from Dunsborough in the north to Augusta in the south.
How many days do you need in Margaret River?
At least two or three — there’s wine, surf, caves, forests and coast to enjoy. A long weekend is popular; a week lets you slow right down. See a weekend in Margaret River.
How do you get to Margaret River?
Most visitors drive from Perth (~3 hours) or fly to Busselton-Margaret River Airport. A car is very handy for the region’s spread-out wineries and coast. See getting around.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer and autumn for warm, dry days and the beaches; winter for big surf and cosy cellar doors; and June to December for whales. See the best time to visit.
Margaret River, Planned Around You
World-class cellar doors and surf, ancient caves, karri forests and the wild Cape-to-Cape coast — with the driving and bookings handled by the family that’s toured Australia since 1974.
Call 0409 661 342 Plan My Trip — Free Enquiry