32 Awesome Things to Do in Margaret River (2026)
Margaret River has been one of those destinations we’ve been back to so many times! Each time, we learn something new, find something even more amazing, and this is why we keep coming back!
In total, we’ve spent many months exploring the area in our caravan, finding the best out-of-the-way places you can find – along with the well-known favourites!
We’ve poured all of that experience into this guide. You’ll find the typical touristy things, which are awesome for a reason! But, you’ll also find many smaller, lesser-known things to do. Some are family-friendly, others not so… Enjoy this list 🙂
Short on time and want it all mapped out for you? Check out our 3-Day Margaret River Itinerary for exactly how to fit it all in.
Our Fav Margaret River Resources
– Book your accommodation with Booking.com
– Looking to travel in comfort? Book your RV with StarRV
-The best tours can be found at Viator.com. Click here
Where is Margaret River?
Before we get to the good stuff, let’s get our bearings. The Margaret River region is located in the beautiful South West corner of Western Australia, about a 3-hour drive south of Perth.
It’s a long, narrow region that stretches from Busselton and Dunsborough in the north down to Augusta in the south, with the Indian Ocean on one side and amazing national parks on the other.
How to Get to Margaret River?
The journey to Margaret River is part of the adventure. The road meanders down the west coast with spectacular views at times. The vast majority of visitors fly into Perth Airport (PER) and drive down. We use and recommend Discover Cars to get the best rates.
Driving is essential for exploring the region properly, as attractions are spread out and public transport is limited. The drive from Perth is scenic and easy, taking roughly 3 hours along the Forrest and Bussell Highways.
Here are a few options for you:
- Hire Cars: Picking up a rental car from Perth Airport is the most convenient option. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season. Check out Discover Cars for the best rates
- RVs and Campervans: Exploring Margaret River in an RV or campervan is another fantastic way to see the region. It depends on your style of travel, but a campervan is a luxury home on wheels that you can park with the best views!
If driving to Margaret River doesn’t interest you, here are a few options for tours direct from Perth. These are also perfect if you don’t have the time to fully explore the region and just want to pick out some highlight spots.
This highly rated tour departs from Perth, and stops at all the best places in Margaret River – Caves, Wine and a Lighthouse! Check out dates here
World-Class Wineries
You can’t talk about Margaret River without talking about wine. The region produces some of Australia’s best, and visiting a winery (or five!) is an essential experience.
Here are our top picks, categorised by the kind of adventure you’d like:
For even more of our favourite wineries, check out our full guide to Margaret River wine tasting tours.
1. Enjoy a World-Class Lunch at Vasse Felix
As the founding wine estate in the region, Vasse Felix is iconic. Their cellar door offers fantastic tastings, but the real star is the restaurant. It serves delicious modern Australian cuisine focused on local produce, making it the perfect spot for a special occasion lunch overlooking the vines.
Don’t miss the art gallery downstairs.
2. Wander the Stunning Grounds of Voyager Estate
Walking through the grand entrance of Voyager Estate feels like stepping into another world. The Cape Dutch architecture and one of Australia’s largest flagpoles are impressive, but the meticulously manicured gardens are Instagrammable!
Their tastings are fantastic for learning more about the wine, and the degustation lunch is simply delicious!
3. Relax with the Family at Swings & Roundabouts
If you’re travelling with kids, this is your spot. Perched on a hill with beautiful views, its sprawling lawns, fantastic playground, and relaxed atmosphere allow you to enjoy a wine tasting while the little ones play.
Highly recommended grabbing a pizza for lunch. Woodfired pizzas are the best!
4. Soak in the Scenery at Aravina Estate
Aravina is more than just a winery; it’s a destination. With gorgeous gardens that are a sea of hydrangeas in summer, a fascinating surf museum, and a gallery of vintage sports cars, there’s something for everyone.
It offers one of the most picturesque settings in the region for a tasting or lunch. And it is at Margaret River where all the wineries are at awesome locations!
A Food Lover’s Paradise
While wine might be the star of the region, the food can’t go overlooked! The foodie scene here is incredible, with something to satisfy every craving.
5. Sip a Cold One at Eagle Bay Brewing Co
Perched on a hill with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, this family-run brewery is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon.
They serve up great craft beers and a delicious, casual lunch menu with fresh, local ingredients. It’s a fantastic spot to watch the sunset over the bay.
6. Taste Local Spirits at Margaret River Distilling Company
Home of Giniversity, this is a must-visit for gin lovers. Tucked away in a native Peppermint forest, you can enjoy a tasting paddle of their unique gins, blend your own gin in a masterclass, or simply relax with a cocktail and a burger on their rustic deck.
7. Indulge Your Sweet Tooth (Twice!)
You can’t visit without a chocolate fix. The Margaret River Chocolate Co. is a classic stop where you can watch chocolatiers at work and enjoy free samples. For a different experience, visit Gabriel Chocolate, Australia’s first bean-to-bar chocolate maker, offering a more artisanal tasting experience.
8. Sample Artisan Cheese at the Margaret River Dairy Company
Right next to the main town, this is the perfect place to stock up for a picnic. You can sample their full range of award-winning cheeses, from creamy camembert to flavourful cheddars, and don’t forget to try their ridiculously creamy yogurts.
9. Discover Local Olive Oils
The region is dotted with fantastic olive groves. Places like Olio Bello and Petra Olive Oil Estate offer tastings where you can sample everything from robust olive oils to tapenades.
For something different, check out Vasse Virgin for their gourmet foods and olive oil-based skincare products.
10. Mingle with Locals at the Farmers’ Market
Held every Saturday morning from 7:30 am to 11:30 am at the Margaret River Education Campus, this is the heart of the local community. It’s an authentic producer-direct market, meaning the people selling the produce are the ones who grew or made it.
Grab a coffee and stock up on the freshest sourdough, fruit, and vegetables imaginable. Click here for more info
The Stunning Coastline
The wineries might get the international attention, but the coastline is the region’s true gem.
With over 130 kilometres of pristine coast, you’ll find everything from rugged surf breaks to sheltered, family-friendly bays.
11. Find Your Perfect Beach
There’s a beach for every mood. Check out the iconic surf at Surfers Point, the crystal-clear waters of Smiths Beach, or the sheltered lagoon at Yallingup Beach. For a calm, shady picnic spot with gentle waves, you can’t beat Meelup Beach.
12. Swim at the Injidup Natural Spa
This natural rock pool is a local favourite. Waves crash over the surrounding rocks, creating a bubbling, protected spa-like pool. It’s a truly refreshing ocean experience.
Just be sure to wear sturdy shoes for the short walk down and be mindful of large swells. We take our reef shoes for us and the kids – it makes it easier and it means you don’t need to carry your shoes once your near the water!
13. Meet the Famous Hamelin Bay Stingrays
Head south to Hamelin Bay, where friendly rays often come right into the shallows. It’s an incredible wildlife encounter.
The best time to see them is on a calm morning when the water is clear. Remember to give them space and look, don’t touch.
14. Go for a Surf (or Watch the Pros)
Margaret River is a world-renowned surf destination, home to the annual Margaret River Pro. If you’re a beginner, book a lesson at a calmer spot like Redgate Beach.
Book your surf lesson here to learn from the best. Lesson includes a surfboard, a wetsuit and all the instructions! Click here
If you’re experienced, you’ll be spoiled for choice with over 75 breaks along the coast.
15. Walk a Section of the Cape to Cape Track
This 123km trail is one of Australia’s great walks. You don’t have to do the whole thing; the stretch from Cape Naturaliste to Sugarloaf Rock is particularly stunning and accessible, with boardwalks and sealed paths perfect for an easy stroll.
16. Marvel at Sugarloaf Rock & Canal Rocks
These two geological wonders are must-sees. Sugarloaf Rock is a gigantic granite island that is breathtaking at sunset. A little further south, Canal Rocks is a series of granite formations connected by a timber boardwalk, allowing you to walk out over the crashing waves.
Into the Wild Forests
Just inland from the coast, the landscape transforms into a majestic forest of towering trees that will make you feel tiny in the best way possible.
17. Drive Through the Boranup Karri Forest
This is one of the most beautiful drives in Australia. The pale-barked karri trees can reach up to 60 metres high, and the light filtering through the canopy is simply magical.
Pull over at the Boranup Lookout for a fantastic photo opportunity and take a moment to just listen to the sounds of the forest.
18. Take a Scenic Drive on Caves Road
Winding its way from Busselton to Augusta, this is the main artery of the Margaret River region. Lined with towering trees and connecting many of the top attractions, the drive itself is an experience.
Just take it slow, as it can be winding and narrow in places. Try to avoid driving and dusk or dawn – that’s when Kangaroos are more likely to be near the road.
The Ancient Caves
Beneath the surface of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge lies a network of over 100 limestone caves. Book tours in advance, especially during holidays.
19. Be Dazzled by Lake Cave
Arguably, the most beautiful of the caves. After descending over 300 steps into a stunning sinkhole, a guided tour reveals a tranquil lake that perfectly mirrors the delicate crystal “suspended table” formation.
It’s a truly magical experience. Visit and let us know if you agree by how amazing this is!
20. Explore the Immense Jewel Cave
As the biggest show cave in Western Australia, Jewel Cave is awe-inspiring. A guided tour takes you through three massive chambers filled with jaw-dropping stalagmites and one of the longest “straw” stalactites in any tourist cave in the world. It has around 250 steps. Book early as you can only enter with guided tours.
21. Go Back in Time at Mammoth Cave
This is the most accessible of the caves and is perfect for families, with a self-guided audio tour that lets you explore at your own pace.
The first chamber is wheelchair accessible. It’s also home to ancient fossil remains of extinct Australian Megafauna.
22. Experience Indigenous Culture at Ngilgi Cave
Near Yallingup, Ngilgi (pronounced ‘Nil-gi’) offers a fantastic semi-guided tour. For a truly special experience, book the Ancient Lands Experience with Koomal Dreaming to hear the cave’s connection to the local Wadandi people through stories and didgeridoo playing.
For the Thrill-Seekers
If you’re looking for a shot of adrenaline, Margaret River has you covered. It really does have something for everyone!
23. Go Mountain Biking Through the Bush
The region is a premier mountain biking destination, with an extensive network of trails weaving through the bushland. The purpose-built trails in Wooditjup National Park cater to all skill levels, from gentle family-friendly loops to technical single-track for experienced riders.
For you, fellow DH MTBers (beginners to experienced), check out the small group tour with some awesome trails. They’ll lend you a bike if you don’t have yours.
24. Embark on an Adventure Caving Expedition
For a truly immersive experience, leave the boardwalks behind and explore the region’s caves on a guided adventure tour. You’ll be fitted with a helmet and headlamp to crawl, climb, and squeeze your way through stunning underground passages that few get to see.
Start here to find your adventure
25. Zip Through the Treetops
Get a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful Tuart Forest at Forest Adventures South West. This high-ropes adventure park features exhilarating zip lines, suspended bridges, and over 70 challenging activities set high in the canopy. It’s a fantastic day out for thrill-seeking families and adults.
Book your awesome Zipline experience here. Click to check dates
26. Join a Sealife Spotting Tour
Take to the water on a boat tour from Dunsborough or Augusta to experience the incredible marine life. You can spot colonies of New Zealand fur seals sunning themselves on the rocks, encounter pods of playful dolphins, and, during the migration season (June-Nov), witness the breathtaking sight of Humpback and Southern Right Whales.
Book your Whale Watching tour here, but book asap as these tours sell out fast due to limited season.
Art, History & More Must-Dos
27. Step Back in Time at Ellensbrook Homestead
Visit one of the region’s most significant heritage sites. Built in 1857, this historic homestead was home to early settlers and offers a fascinating glimpse into the area’s pioneer history, with beautiful grounds to explore.
28. Stroll the Busselton Jetty
At 1.8km long, this is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. You can walk its length or take the charming little red train to the end, where you can descend 8 metres beneath the waves in the incredible Underwater Observatory. For something differet, book a snorkel boat tour and view from the ocean in!
Our Tip: Book tickets for the observatory online in advance as it often sells out.
29. See the View from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
Located at the northern end of the cape, a tour of this historic lighthouse offers fascinating maritime tales and spectacular panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and Geographe Bay. The easy climb makes it great for all ages.
30. Stand at the Tip of Australia at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
Journey to the most south-westerly point of Australia, where the mighty Southern and Indian Oceans collide. A guided tour of mainland Australia’s tallest lighthouse reveals the challenges of a lightkeeper’s life, and the wild, windswept scenery is truly unforgettable.
Prebook your guided tour of the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. Click here
31. Get Lost in the Yallingup Maze
A perfect activity for the whole family. Challenge yourselves in the huge, ever-changing hedge maze, then tackle the 18-hole mini-golf, puzzles, and bouncy castle. The café is a great spot to refuel afterwards.
32. Watch a Sunset at Surfers Point
There’s no better way to end a day in Margaret River. Grab some fish and chips from town, find a spot on the grassy hill at Surfers Point, and join locals and fellow travellers to watch the sun dip below the horizon as surfers catch the last waves of the day.
Best Places to Stay in Margaret River
Choosing the right base camp can make all the difference. The region offers everything from luxe resorts to charming forest retreats.
Here are a few of our favourites:
- Best Luxury Hotel – Cape Lodge: This is the quintessential Margaret River luxury experience. It feels more like a private country estate than a hotel, with stunning rooms overlooking a lake, a world-renowned restaurant, and impeccable service. It’s centrally located in the heart of the winery sub-region of Wilyrup. Note it is adults only.
- Best Value Resort – Margaret River Tourist Park: For a fantastic location without the luxury price tag, this is our top pick. Situated close to the town centre, this tourist park caters for everyone. It has an outdoor swimming pool, and playground. There are options of a cottage or chalet, or campsite.
- Best Boutique Stay – Losari Retreat: If you’re looking for a peaceful and romantic escape, Losari is perfect. It features six secluded luxury villas, each with a private spa bath, set within 66 acres of beautiful forest. It’s an intimate and serene base for exploring the region.
If camping’s more your style, we’ve put together a full guide to camping in Margaret River.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in Margaret River other than wineries?
So much! You can explore stunning beaches, go surfing, hike parts of the Cape to Cape Track, discover ancient cave systems, drive through majestic karri forests, and indulge in a fantastic foodie scene with breweries, distilleries, and local produce.
Is Margaret River worth visiting?
Absolutely, 100% yes! It’s one of the few places in the world that offers a perfect blend of world-class food and wine, breathtaking natural beauty, and endless opportunities for adventure. It has something for everyone.
For the full breakdown of costs, timing and whether it’s worth the drive, check out our dedicated Is Margaret River Worth Visiting guide.
What to do on a day trip to Margaret River?
For a packed but amazing day, start by exploring Lake Cave in the morning. Then, head to a winery like Vasse Felix or Leeuwin Estate for a beautiful lunch. Finish your day with a scenic drive through the Boranup Forest before heading home.
Why do people visit Margaret River?
People flock to Margaret River for its unique combination of experiences. You can spend the morning surfing a world-class break and the afternoon tasting premium wines at a stunning cellar door. It offers both rugged adventure and sophisticated indulgence in one beautiful package.
Our Thoughts
We hope this guide helps you plan an unforgettable trip to one of our favourite places on Earth.
Margaret River is a region to be savoured, so take your time, explore, and create your own amazing memories.
