Things to do in and around Margaret River

Last Minute Hotels in Margaret River

This guide has been compile to give you some ideas of what to do around Margaret River. Whilst all care has been taken to ensure the information is correct the Hotel Home can not be held responsible for any mistakes but we have tried to give you the free or low cost options rather than organised tours. Whilst we do recommend many of the wonderful tours available to you, we know that you would probably also like to find your own way around, so here are a few options:

Stunning Caves

The Margaret River region offers visitors some of the most unique and stunning cave experiences in Australia.

Along the spine of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge and beneath soaring Karri forest lie more than 150 caves. These caves belong to a series of complex and fragile Karst systems which are landscapes formed by the rapid drainage of water underground. Karst systems are characterised most often by caves, dolines (large holes), blind valleys, sinking streams and springs. The main road that travels along the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge is aptly named Caves Road. The Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association operates three spectacular show caves; Lake, Mammoth and Jewel. These caves are easily accessible, each with their own story to tell and decorated with their own unique formations.

Margaret River is a beautiful wine growing region set just inland from the pretty south west coast of Western Australia. The surrounding landscape is made up of deep forests, spectacular beaches, and a number of limestone caves.

Several good swimming beaches include Gracetown and Prevally, although much more popular are the many surfing beaches near Margaret River. Great surfing beaches include Gnarabup, Margaret River Mouth, Redgate and Suicides, although many of the coastal bays and beaches in this area offer fantastic surf.

Also popular around Margaret River is a trip to the spectacular limestone caves of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Caves. The area is covered with about 350 caves, although not all of them are accessible to the public. The main ones to visit are all along Caves Road, including Jewel Cave, Lake Cave, Mammoth Cave and Moondyne Cave. Many of the caves also feature fossilised creatures from years ago.

One thing that shouldn't be missed on a visit to Margaret River is, of course, a trip to its many vineyards. There are a number of tours which you can join out to the vineyards, where you get to taste some of the delicious wines of the region as well as a number of other attractions.

There is a wide range of accommodation in Margaret River, with a couple of campsites, hotels, a hostel and a number of lodges and bed and breakfasts. There are also a range of eating places, mainly situated along Bussell Highway.

Wineries

The Margaret River wine region is home to over 200 world class and premium wine producers. A selection of these include:

Breweries

For a change from visiting wineries, try one of our special breweries.

Galleries / Potteries / Studios

Art and wine go hand in hand and the region is famed for its artists. There are numerous galleries, potteries and studios serving the area.

In Margaret River Town centre:

In the region:

Natural Olive Oil and Soap Factory

Completely natural, handmade, beautifully fragrant herbal treatments for your body. Visitors to the factory can overlook the working factory from a mezzanine level, taking in the process from the manufacture through to the individually hand package finished products. All the products are made using natural and organic ingredients, pure rainwater and the finest that Mother Nature has provided. Visit their website for more detail.

Chocolate Factory

The Margaret River Chocolate Factory is another "must do" and an alternative or complement to the wineries. It is located between Dunsborough and Margaret River on the corner of Harmans Mill Road and Harmans Road South.

The Berry Farm

Visit The Berry Farm and taste their delicious range of award winning fruit and berry wines, sparkling and dessert wines, ports and liqueurs. Sample their unique range of gourmet jams, preserves, verjuice and fermented wine vinegars. Enjoy a delicious lunch or morning tea in the cottage cafe set amongst charming old world gardens brimming with bird life.

Children's Activities

Cape to Cape Walking Trail

Margaret River is well positioned midway between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste (Margaret River is in Sector 3 area), an excellent base from which to explore the Cape to Cape region. Augusta, Busselton and Yallingup are all within a 50 km radius of Margaret River.

Vintages Accommodation warmly welcome Track walkers to our motel and understand the need for comfort and good rest and maybe a nice hot spa waiting for you to help soothe the muscles. Glenys and Ray are very happy to assist in any aspect of a planned walk, with the added bonus of a complimentary drop off and pick up to and from the trek and the motel. Packed lunches can also be supplied on request.

Natural Attractions

The Augusta Margaret River region is blessed with a stunning array of natural attractions worth visiting year round. The spectacular caves, pristine beaches and majestic forests offer something for everyone.

UNTAMED BEAUTY – ECO TOURISM AT ITS BEST

The wild, rugged beauty of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge with its dramatic cliffs and rocks, the tranquil aqua waters of the many protected bays, the local vineyards covered in rising mist in the early morning all contribute to outstanding visual splendour. It’s a photographer’s dream. For a more hands on approach when visiting the area the intrepid traveller can journey along the Cape to Cape Track, stretching from Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste. The total journey takes between 5-6 days with plenty of delightful stops and welcome camping rests along the walk. For those a little less adventurous, many sections of the trail make for a most enjoyable short stroll. Section maps are available in both visitor centres. Large stingrays grace the waters of Hamelin Bay. There are schools of dolphins, the occasional seal, and on land kangaroos, possums and bird life aplenty. The Blackwood and Margaret Rivers' meandering waterways are visited by pelicans, hundreds of black swans, red necked stints, egrets while onshore blue wrens, silvereyes, magpies and a number of species of cockatoos. Out at the Leeuwin Cape and along the spectacular beaches view a variety of seabirds including the Yellow nosed Albatross, Great winged Petrel, the Australasian Gannet and the Flesh-footed Shearwater, to name just a few. The Blackwood and Margaret Rivers also offer abundant water activities, ranging from canoeing to fishing and boating. The Blackwood is also becoming internationally renowned for its favourable kitesurfing conditions. In Spring the countryside comes alive with a huge variety of Australian wildflowers which lay a carpet of mesmerising colours through the forests and coastal heath. It’s wonderful for those who like to walk and explore.

FISHING – AS GOOD AS IT GETS

The area is a fisherman’s paradise. With its abundance of waterways there’s something for everyone from the professional to the amateur and the family fun day out. Fishing from a boat, the jetty or the riverbank will reward you with Bream, Herring and Yellow Fin Whiting. Blue Manor crabs are found in season, but you may need to get friendly with the locals to find out where. Beach fishing all along the coast is extensive and worth the exploration and effort.

BEACHES

The serene aqua water of Hamelin Bay provides the perfect ambiance for relaxing in the sun, beach combing, swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving out on the shipwrecks. This bay is often graced with the presence of stingrays which can be hand fed. Beach combing in stormy weather will reap many treasures spilled onto the sand by incoming waves.

SPORT

Besides the many water sports on offer such as water skiing, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, kitesurfing, and windsurfing, improve your handicap on one of the world’s most scenic golf courses in Augusta, a mere 30 minute drive south of Margaret River. There’s bowls, tennis, walk trails, cycling and many other sporting activities to keep the energy packed holiday maker busy. A number of local operators provide guided tours.

Last Minute Hotels in Margaret River

Last Minute Hotels in Margaret River

Last Minute Hotels in Margaret River

Last Minute Hotels in Margaret River

Last Minute Hotels in Margaret River