REGION GUIDE
A guide to the Margaret River region
The Margaret River region sits in the south west corner of Western Australia, a stretch of coast, vineyard and forest known for its ocean and surf, its wine and food, and a relaxed, unhurried way of life. It draws a mix of people from all over, and visitors tend to describe both the place and its community the same way, laid back. This guide is an overview of the region and its towns, to help you find your way around and choose where to base yourself.
THE REGION
Ocean, vines, forest and an easy pace
The region is best known for its wine, with vineyards running through its centre, but there is far more to it than that. The coast is lined with surf breaks and white sand beaches, the interior is karri and jarrah forest threaded with walking and mountain bike trails, and there are caves beneath much of it. The food and produce are a destination in their own right, and there is a steady run of music and food events through the year.
What people remember, though, is the feel of it. The region has a multicultural, welcoming community and a genuinely relaxed pace, and most visitors leave talking as much about that as about the wine.
FINDING YOUR WAY
How the region fits together
The region runs north to south along the coast, between two capes, Cape Naturaliste in the north and Cape Leeuwin in the south. Busselton sits at the northern gateway on its calm bay, with Dunsborough and Yallingup just beyond, where the surf beaches and the northern cellar doors are. Margaret River town sits in the middle, among forest, river and trails, the heart of the region. Augusta lies at the southern tip, quieter and wilder, where the Blackwood River meets the sea and two oceans come together. Wherever you base yourself, nowhere in the region is far from anywhere else.
GETTING HERE
How To Get to Margaret River region
Where is Margaret River?
The name covers three things. There is the river itself, the town of Margaret River in the middle of the region, and the wider Margaret River region, which runs from Busselton and Cape Naturaliste in the north to Augusta and Cape Leeuwin in the south.
When people say they are "going to Margaret River", they usually mean the whole region. Where you stay within it changes how you spend your days, so it is worth choosing a base carefully (see the towns below).
How far is Margaret River from Perth?
Margaret River town is about three hours' drive south of Perth, roughly 270km. Busselton and Dunsborough are around two and a half hours. Most people drive straight down the Kwinana Freeway and Forrest Highway, stopping in Bunbury or Busselton on the way.
Can I fly into the region?
Yes. Busselton Margaret River Airport is the region's airport, about 45 minutes from Margaret River town. Jetstar flies direct from Melbourne and Sydney a few times a week, so east coast visitors can skip Perth entirely.
Is there a train or bus from Perth?
There is no passenger train into the region. Daily coaches run from Perth to Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River and Augusta, but they stop in town centres and won't get you to wineries, beaches or trailheads.
If you would rather not drive the three hours yourself, we run private transfers from Perth and the airport straight to your door.
Wherever you base yourself, we collect from your door. Read more about tours from Dunsborough, Busselton and Yallingup.
WHERE TO BASE YOURSELF
The towns of the region
Margaret River town
The heart of the region, with an independent main street of coffee shops and local businesses, a Saturday farmers market, mountain bike trails on its doorstep and forest, river and surf all close by.
Yallingup
Surf, coast and cellar doors at the north western corner, with some of the region's best known beaches and breaks.
Busselton
A beachside town on Geographe Bay, built around its famous jetty, an easy and well connected base at the northern gateway.
Dunsborough
A relaxed bay town at the northern end, close to the surf beaches, the northern cellar doors and Cape Naturaliste.
Augusta
The quiet southern tip, where the Blackwood River meets the sea, Cape Leeuwin lighthouse stands and two oceans meet.
Wine, coast, forest and events
Beyond the cellar doors, the region rewards exploring. The Cape to Cape Track runs the length of the coast between the two lighthouses, there are caves to visit beneath the ridge, whales pass offshore through the cooler months, and the food, from winery restaurants to the Saturday market, is a reason to visit on its own. Through the year the region hosts wine, food and music events that are worth planning a trip around.
Exploring the region with a local
If you would like to explore the region without driving yourself, this is what we do, with private wine tours across the region.