Margaret River is one of the most famous regions of Western Australia, located on the most southwestern tip of the state and of the country. It's located south of Perth, past Mandurah and Bunbury
I first visited Australia in 2019 and, while I did make it to the west coast, on that trip I visited Perth and then headed northward all the way to Exmouth. I knew that when I planned to return down under with my partner in 2025 to drive "the lap" in our campervan around the entire country, that exploring the southern part of Western Australia was absolutely a must-do. We visited Perth again in 2025, primarily to watch James Blunt in concert, one of the best we've ever been to!
→ Check out my complete guide to visiting Perth!
For over 60,000 years the Wadandi (Saltwater) people have called the area home, long before the Europeans arrived.
It's important to make a distinction here: there is a town of Margaret River, located in the heart of the Margaret River region. The name can be used interchangeably for both! In this blog post, when I talk about "going to Margaret River" I am discussing visiting the entire region, including the town.
We first visited Margaret River at the beginning of November 2025, returned a few weeks later and then again in March 2026 and updated the original post with all the new things we did from each visit. This post was first published on 8 November 2025; last updated 31 March 2026.
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Below is some useful information for preparing for your trip to Margaret River. In all cases, please be sure to check with the relevant local authorities for the latest and accurate information.
Language: The official language of Australia is English. In Margaret River, the traditional language of the Wadandi (Saltwater People) is Wardandi.
→ Learn more about the language of the Wadandi (Saltwater People).
Currency: The currency used in Australia is the Australian dollar, denoted as AUD $. I use a Wise account when I travel which allows me to have a single, free account with multiple currencies. I only have to pay once to convert my money in the app and then I can pay in AUD $!
→ Check the latest currency conversion between AUD $ and your local currency.
Data/WiFi: Before you arrive, I recommend purchasing an eSim on your phone so that you can access data the moment you land. eSims are much more convenient as it means you don't have to put a separate physical Sim into your phone. AirAlo offers great deals for eSims of various data sizes and time lengths with Optus.
→ Load an international eSim on your phone with AirAlo.
If you are visiting Australia long term, you might wish to put a physical Sim in your phone as AirAlo is geared more towards short term visitors on holiday. This way you can access a local phone plan. There are three main mobile phone network providers in Australia: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Telstra has the best coverage across the country whereas Optus and Vodafone are good within cities. I recommend Telstra as it means you have the best coverage while you travel around the country, especially in rural areas.
Different towns within the Margaret River region offer free WiFi, such as in the town of Margaret River itself supported by the Free Margaret River WiFi Project. All libraries across the Shire also offer free WiFi as do many restaurants and cafes.
Visa: All passport holders except New Zealand require a visa to visit Australia. All arrivals must fill out an Australian arrival card before landing.
→ Check which visa you need for Australia.
Time of year to visit: Australia can be visited all year-round. Margaret River, situated on the southwest coast of the country, south of Perth in Western Australia, can get very hot in the summer and cool in the winter months. I recommend visiting in spring (September-November) or autumn (March-May) for pleasant, sunny days.
Length of stay: Across three different visits, we spent a week in the Margaret River area visiting the whole region from north to south. There are so many great beaches, towns and restaurants to explore!
It's important to make a distinction here: there is a town of Margaret River, located in the heart of the Margaret River region. The name can be used interchangeably for both! In this blog post, when I talk about "going to Margaret River," I am discussing visiting the entire region (including the town).
The Margaret River region stretches from Busselton on the north coast down to Augusta on the south coast across a coastal peninsula with gorgeous nature; think beaches, tall trees and amazing drives.
Map of the Margaret River region via Wikipedia
By flight: The closest major airport is in Perth, a two-hour drive north. Most visitors to Margaret River will arrive in Perth if coming by air.
→ Check out my complete guide to visiting Perth!
There is also a smaller regional airport at Busselton Margaret River offering public transport routes to Sydney and Melbourne and a host of private charter routes. This airport is located just outside Busselton at the start of the region.
By car: If you're driving around the country as we are in our campervan, then the easiest way to get to Margaret River is with your own wheels.
→ If you don't have your own car, you can rent one in Perth or Busselton.
You might want to start in Perth as your base for renting a campervan to explore Australia.
→ Rent a campervan in Perth with Apollo, Camplify, Indie or Juicy.
By bus: You can take a bus from Perth down to Busselton with South West Coachlines who run a daily service every morning.
By coach: Transwa runs a coach service from Perth all the way down the Margaret River region with various stops, ending in Augusta.
By guided tour: If you don't have your own wheels or simply want to make a day trip from Perth, you can join a guided tour of Margaret River which is an excellent way to get a great insight of the area with a guide and on a short timeframe.
Our campervan in Blackwood River National Park
Margaret River stretches from Busselton in the north about 100km across the peninsula to Augusta in the south with loads of beaches, forests and towns to explore along the way.
By car: Of course, the easiest way to explore is with your own wheels. We are traveling around the entire country in our campervan for a year and it gives so much freedom to get around.
→ If you don't have your own car, you can rent one in Perth or Busselton.
By public transport: If you don't have a vehicle, you have a few other options, although they are infrequent. The best recommendation would be to base yourself in Margaret River, the main town of the region, and do day trips from there. You could take a Transwa coach which connects the main towns of the region.
By guided tour: Alternatively, Get Your Guide offers heaps of different guided tours all across the region with loads of different activities which you can take part in.
Hotel: Not traveling by campervan? Visiting from nearby Perth? Driving in a car?
There are a number of towns you could base yourself in when visiting Margaret River region. The town of Margaret River is the main hub which would give you the best base to explore. Aside from that, popular spots are Busselton, Dunsborough, Yallingup and Augusta.
If you're looking for a place to stay in Margaret River, you'll find something to suit your budget and accommodation type from cute backpacker spots to high-end resorts and everything in between.
→ Check out places to stay to suit your budget and accommodation type.
Camping: We are driving "the lap" around Australia, exploring the country in our campervan. The best way to find camping spots is to use an app. We use Wikicamps Australia, a cheap app that has every single amenity listed (both free and paid) that you might need on the road. This includes things like where to fill up fresh water, where to dump grey water, where to empty toilets, where to stay, gas stations, information points and also has suggestions for things to do as you go.
→ Download the Wikicamps Australia app.
There is no freedom camping directly within the Margaret River region. We stayed at five different spots around the area, all of which we found on Wikicamps:
What a public dumping spot looks like
Free camping in Capel
The closest we stayed to Margaret River was at the delightful Olive Hill Farm surrounded by olive trees and sheep. It is for self-contained vehicles only as there are no facilities.
At the time we visited, it was $30 per night and you can book in advance online.
Olive Hill Farm
Waking up at Olive Hill Farm
In Blackwood River National Park, we camped at Sues Bridge camp, a delightful forest escape next to the Blackwood River. You can swim or go boating in the river and hang out at peaceful, spacious campsites.
Toilets and a camp kitchen are available. You must book online in advance.
Sue's Bridge in Blackwood River National Park
Willow Springs is a free campground in the heart of the Donnelly Forest. There are some basic amenities like long drop toilets and fire pits. It's a bit of a bumpy drive through unsealed forest roads but should be fine for all vehicles; we managed it in our Mercedes Sprinter campervan.
Willow Springs in the Donnelly Forest
One of the closest free camping spots to Margaret River is at the Brockman Stewart Rest Area. It's set just back from the highway and surprisingly quiet, nestled between the trees. There are also toilets available.
Brockman Stewart Rest Area
We had some really yummy meals throughout our time in the Margaret River region. I've put them in geographical order from north to south: Busselton, Dunsborough, Cape Naturaliste, Margaret River and Gnarabup.
Busselton
One morning, we had the juiciest açaí bowls at Freshalicious. The location is a bit random inside a strip mall but trust me they were so tasty.
Dunsborough
We had a delicious pizza at Bungalow Neighbourhood Social, a super vibey hangout spot with a bar. We also enjoyed our brunch at Evviva Cafe, especially the açaí bowls.
Bungalow Neighbourhood Social
Evviva Cafe
When we returned in March, we stopped for mouthwateringly good ice cream at Elski, a Danish ice creamery that makes all their own ice cream and sorbet in-house. The flavours are fantastic and always changing; if they have buttermilk elderflower on the menu when you visit, be sure to try it. They also have a range of gluten-free sweet treats, including an almond croissant cookie. Yum!
After, we visited Merchant & Maker, a gourmet deli and grocery store which serves what my partner claims to be one of the best cups of coffee he had in Australia!
Elski
Merchant & Maker
Cape Naturaliste
Having lunch at Wise Eagle Bay overlooking the vineyards and off towards the ocean was probably one of our favourite meals we had in the entire region. You can go for a set menu or pick off the à la carte and everything is just delicious.
When we returned to Margaret River in March, we had lunch at Meelup Farmhouse. Run by a husband and wife, they serve up a mouthwatering (if slightly overwhelming) menu of locally-sourced Australian food.
The interior is designed like a large, wood, airy barn and is super aesthetic and the food is excellent. We stopped in for lunch and can really recommend the risotto, the mussels and the Wombok salad!
Margaret River
Being the main town of the region means that they had the most choices for restaurants. We enjoyed brunch at Aldo's Cafe while our campervan's front windshield was being replaced.
For dinner, the Korean BBQ at Teddis Big Spoon is amazing followed by dessert at Mai Tardi, the best gelateria in Margaret River.
However, it was The Spot Italiano that took the cake for us, so much so we had dinner there twice in November and then again when we came back in March!
Gnarabup
The White Elephant Cafe has the absolute best view situated straight on Gnarabup Beach overlooking the ocean and the beach. Their fish tacos and the tofu bowl are both fantastic.
Although you can visit the highlights of Margaret River in a day - such as with a guided tour - it's such a naturally gorgeous region that I really recommend staying at least a few days (if not a week!) to enjoy it properly.
Here is everything we did in the region in order geographically from north to south across all three of our visits:
Walk the Busselton Jetty
The Busselton Jetty is the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere and the second-longest in the entire world only after Southend Pier in England! It stretches 1,841 metres out into the ocean. You can go for a long walk along it plus loads of activities you can participate in.
Go shopping in Dunsborough
Dunsborough is a very boutique-y, upmarket town in Margaret River with loads of gorgeous shops to wander through. We particularly enjoyed Wander + Laze, a delightful, colourful shop with a beautiful range of clothing, accessories and home decor, as well as Olive + Lily, a lovely boutique with gorgeous statement pieces and accessories for all seasons in great materials (100% linen!). There is also a delightful flower shop at the back of the store selling fresh and dried flower bouquets and vases.
Wander + Laze
Olive + Lily
Enjoy the beaches of Cape Naturaliste
This beautiful cape lies between Dunsborough and Yallingup and has so many exquisite beaches to see all along its edge. We spent a day just driving and stopping along the way enjoying the clear blue waters. You'd need a whole week just to spend a day at each enjoying them all!
Here are all the ones we visited:
- Castle Bay
- Meelup Beach
- Point Picquet
- Eagle Bay
- Shelley Cove
Castle Bay
Meelup Beach
Point Picquet
Eagle Bay Beach
Love a pretty beach staircase!
Shelley Cove
Take in the view from Sugarloaf Rock Lookout
This impressive granite rock lies just off the mainland surrounded by the swirls of the Indian Ocean. You cannot reach the rock, separated by a strong channel of water, but it is a popular spot for seabirds to nest which you'll often see flying about the rock.
Go surfing at Yallingup or Smiths Beach
These are two of the most popular surf spots along the Margaret River region and you'll catch big waves full of avid surfers.
Yallingup Beach
Smiths Beach
Find the natural rock pools at Injidup Natural Spa
While we didn't, swimming is popular in the natural rock pools nestled in and amongst the rocks of Injidup Natural Spa. You'll need to walk down from the parking lot and do a bit of rock climbing to find the pools.
We spotted the natural pool in our drone
Spot kangaroos
You can't control wildlife but Margaret River is a popular spot to see kangaroos in the wild. The best time to see them is at sunrise or sunset as they are nocturnal animals. We saw a field absolutely full of them near Yallingup!
Get a massage in Margaret River
Okay, this isn't unique to Margaret River, but I can really recommend Good Chinese Massage in Margaret River town, especially their back and shoulder massage for people like us living in campervans on thin foam mattresses! We didn't need an appointment and simply walked in, but you can book online.
Browse the Margaret River Book Exchange
Find the mouth of the Margaret River
A short drive north of Surfers Point you can visit the exact spot where the Margaret River - the river after which the town and region are named - meets the Indian Ocean.
There are big surfing waves here - so big in fact that when we visited, the beach was closed because they were too big and it was dangerous!
Go surfing (or watch!) at Surfers Point
Near Margaret River, Surfers Point is known for its epic waves where you can watch surfers - or join them! There's a nice, short wooden boardwalk too with great views stretching around the Point.
Hang out and have lunch at Gnarabup Beach
I mentioned the White Elephant Cafe here up in the food guide but I can also recommend Gnarabup Beach itself, too, even if you don't want to have lunch here. The beach is nestled in a protected bay and the water is simply gorgeous. Watch out for seagulls!
Drive through the Boranup Forest
This road through Boranup Forest under the gigantic Karri trees was just breathtaking, especially at golden hour. There is a specific photo spot where you can stop and go for a short walk into the trees which I really recommend; you just feel so small here!
Hang out on Hamelin Bay Beach
This huge beach is one of the most popular in the Margaret River region with a big expanse of pure white sand. If you're lucky, you might spot friendly stingrays and eagle rays in the water!
Walk up to the Hamelin Bay Observation Deck
At the end of Hamelin Bay Beach, you can do a short walk up to a boardwalk viewpoint with panoramic views across Hamelin Bay, Foul Bay and out to Hamelin Island.
Visit Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia and is at the very bottom tip of the Margaret River region, south of Augusta. It's at the very end of the Leeuwin Scenic Drive and also marks the start or end of the Cape to Cape Hiking Track.
During the day time you can enter the lighthouse and check out the views from the top but we also really loved coming in the evening as it's a fantastic spot for sunset over the ocean.
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
