The Margaret River region packs world-class wine, limestone caves, powerful surf, tall karri forest and a 1.8 km jetty into one stretch of coast in the far south-west of Western Australia. This is Wadandi Country. Here is how to get there, what to see and how long to stay.
Where is Margaret River and how do you get there from Perth?
Margaret River is a town and wine region in the south-west corner of Western Australia, about three hours' drive south of Perth, so it pairs well with a few days in Perth. The wider region runs from Busselton and Cape Naturaliste in the north to Augusta and Cape Leeuwin in the south. Driving its length without stopping takes about 1 hour 10 minutes.
- By car: the most flexible option, as wineries, caves and beaches are spread out. Our guide to driving in Australia covers licences and road rules.
- By air: Jetstar flies direct to Busselton Margaret River Airport from Melbourne and Sydney, three times a week each. Sydney flights were paused from 2 June to 21 September 2026, so check the schedule. The airport is about 45 minutes' drive from Margaret River town.
- By coach: Transwa and South West Coachlines run through the region's main towns, but there is no public transport to most sights.
Hire cars at the airport need booking ahead, and the local tourism body recommends arranging transport before you arrive.
| Area | Highlights | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Busselton | Busselton Jetty, Underwater Observatory, airport | North-east edge, on Geographe Bay |
| Dunsborough and Cape Naturaliste | Lighthouse, whale watching (Sep to early Dec), Cape to Cape start | Northern tip |
| Yallingup | Ngilgi Cave, Koomal Dreaming tours, surf beaches | North-west coast |
| Wilyabrup | The region's founding wineries | North of Margaret River town |
| Margaret River and Prevelly | Town, Surfers Point, river mouth | Middle of the region |
| Boranup | Karri forest, Boranup Drive, lookout | South of town, inland from the coast |
| Augusta and Cape Leeuwin | Jewel Cave, lighthouse, whales (Jun to Aug) | Southern tip |
Which Margaret River wineries should you visit?
Start with the founding estates of Wilyabrup, then follow your taste: the region has about 100 cellar doors, according to the Margaret River Wine Association. More than 42 of its wineries hold 5-star ratings in the Halliday Wine Companion.
Wine here is younger than you might think. In 1966 agronomist Dr John Gladstones published research pointing to the area's Bordeaux-like climate. A year later, in 1967, Dr Tom Cullity planted cabernet sauvignon at Vasse Felix. Moss Wood (1969), Cape Mentelle (1970) and Cullen (1971) followed, and these four are still known as the founding wineries.
- What to drink: cabernet sauvignon, planted by all four founding wineries, is still at the heart of the region.
- Plan the day: pick three or four cellar doors close together, book lunch, and use a designated driver or a tour.
- Beyond wine: breweries, cideries, local produce and long winery lunches are a big part of a visit.
Which Margaret River caves can you visit?
Four show caves are open to visitors: Jewel, Lake, Mammoth and Ngilgi. All are run by the Capes Foundation and open daily from 9am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm.
| Cave | Location | Visit style | Adult price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jewel Cave | Near Augusta | Guided, 1 hour, 250 stairs | A$26 |
| Lake Cave | South of Margaret River | Guided, 1 hour, 325 stairs | A$26 |
| Mammoth Cave | South of Margaret River | Self-guided with audio | A$26 |
| Ngilgi Cave | Yallingup | Self-guided, about 1.5 hours | A$32 |
Jewel Cave is Western Australia's largest show cave, and its tour covers fossil finds including Tasmanian tigers. Lake Cave is reached by stairs through a sunken forest and holds a still underground lake with a rare "suspended table" formation. Mammoth Cave has a fossil jawbone of zygomaturus, a large wombat-like animal, still in the wall. Ngilgi Cave includes the Ancient Lands Experience, which shares Wadandi place names and seasons. Jewel and Lake Cave tours need booking, and online booking is recommended for all four.
Is Busselton Jetty worth visiting?
Yes, especially with kids or on a cloudy day. At 1.841 km, the timber jetty stretches far into Geographe Bay and has more than 150 years of history.
- Walk it: a Day Pass costs A$5 and the walk takes about 20 to 30 minutes each way.
- Ride the train: a solar-powered train runs along the jetty. The train and the Underwater Observatory are ticketed separately from the Day Pass.
- Go below the surface: the 45-minute Underwater Observatory tour includes a return train ride; a shorter 15-minute Mini Tour means walking to the end and back.
Tours run year-round, subject to weather. Book ahead in school holidays.
Where can you surf in Margaret River?
The famous break is Surfers Point at Prevelly, near the river mouth, which takes the full force of Indian Ocean swell. It hosts the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, a World Surf League Championship Tour event held from 16 to 26 April in 2026 and secured until 2028. Watching from the shore is free.
Surfers Point, Main Break and The Box are for experienced surfers only. Beginners should book a lesson with a licensed surf school on a gentler beach, and always check conditions first. Our guide to where to surf in Australia rates breaks by level and season.
Can you walk the Cape to Cape Track?
Yes. The Cape to Cape Track runs about 130 km through Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin lighthouses, and most walkers take 5 to 7 days. Walking it is free, and many access points let you do a short section instead.
- Camping: campsites cannot be reserved. Some are free with toilets; others, such as Boranup and Contos, charge a small fee.
- River crossing: the Margaret River mouth can usually be crossed, but in some winter periods it is unsafe and walkers must take an inland detour.
- Safety: avoid the hot summer months, and stay off the track on Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger days.
Both lighthouses are worth a stop. Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse dates from 1903, and its guided tour costs A$18. Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, where the Southern and Indian oceans meet, is the tallest on mainland Australia; its 176-step tower tour costs A$23, or A$7.50 for the grounds and museum only.
On the drive south, take Boranup Drive, a narrow unsealed road that suits 2WD cars, through karri forest that reaches 50 m or more. Boranup is the westernmost place karri grows.
When is whale watching season in Margaret River?
From about June to early December, moving north as the season goes on. Augusta sees whales first, with the best viewing from June to August, when humpback and southern right whales gather in Flinders Bay and southern rights may calve close to shore. From September to early December, humpback mothers and calves rest in Geographe Bay off Dunsborough.
Cruises leave from both towns, and on calm days you can spot whales from the coast and the Cape to Cape Track. For whale sharks and humpbacks further north, see our guide to Ningaloo Reef snorkelling and diving.
How can you learn about Wadandi Country?
The best way is with a Wadandi guide. The Wadandi (Saltwater) people are the Traditional Owners of this coast, and their custodianship goes back tens of thousands of years.
Koomal Dreaming is led by Josh "Koomal" Whiteland, a Wadandi custodian based near Dunsborough. Tours include a didgeridoo experience deep inside Ngilgi Cave, plus native foods, bush medicine and traditional fire lighting. Tours are booked on the Koomal Dreaming website.
Listen rather than ask for stories, follow your guide on photos, and treat caves and coast as places with meaning, not just scenery. Our guides to Aboriginal cultural tours and visiting Australia respectfully explain more.
When should you visit Margaret River, and for how many days?
Spring (September to November) is a strong all-round choice: whales are in Geographe Bay and the weather suits walking. Autumn brings the April surf contest, and winter has whales off Augusta and big swell, but it is cooler and wetter. Summer is beach season, though it is hot for long walks and busy in school holidays. See our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Australia.
Plan three to four days for wineries, two caves, the jetty and a coast walk. Add a week if you want to walk the full Cape to Cape Track. The region also fits well into a longer drive; see our best road trips in Australia.
Facts checked October 2026. Prices, flight schedules and opening hours change; confirm with the operator or park authority before you travel.
- A Breathtaking Destination (Margaret River Wine Association)
- Wine stories: the founding four (Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association)
- Fly direct from Melbourne and Sydney (Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association)
- Jewel Cave (Capes Foundation)
- Ngilgi Cave and Ancient Lands (Capes Foundation)
- Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse (Capes Foundation)
- Busselton Jetty FAQs (Busselton Jetty)
- Western Australia Margaret River Pro (Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association)
- Margaret River Pro brings waves of action to WA's South West (Government of Western Australia)
- Cape to Cape Track (Parks and Wildlife Service WA)
- Boranup Drive (Parks and Wildlife Service WA)
- Whale watching (Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association)
- Koomal Dreaming (Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association)
