This trip to Perth and Margaret River demonstrates the diversity and beauty of Australia’s natural landscapes and sceneries. Take this journey to see beautiful sights, decadent pleasures, and an unending number of activities.
It takes around three and a half hours to get from Perth to Margaret River in Western Australia‘s southwest region, which is nothing in a state where road journeys may take weeks.
Having pauses along the trip to swim on sandy beaches, participate in indigenous activities, and go on self-directed guided excursions adds to the overall satisfaction. It is only later in the year that so many excellent regional sites may be enjoyed.
It is thus highly recommended to go during this period (September to November). That way, you can make sure your journey coincides with the whale and wildflower observation stations.
From the Perth Central Business District to Kings Park
Kings Park, which overlooks downtown Perth, is either a 10-minute drive or a 25-minute walk away from the hotel. Select your means of transportation and make your way to the park. You will enjoy a spectacular view of the Perth metropolis as well as the rich wildflowers from this vantage point.
Immerse yourself in the park’s distinctive flora, cultural displays, monuments, and works of art by European and Aboriginal artists, among others. In addition to its award-winning restaurants, fine wines, and fresh locally sourced vegetables, Perth is also famed for its world-class shopping.
The Old Treasury-State Buildings should be explored over the course of an afternoon and an evening. Petition Wine Bar, Thai-inspired Long Chim, and Wildflower rooftop food, bar, and restaurant are just a few of the many options available at this extensive selection of some of Perth’s most popular pubs and eateries.
Which provides a unique dining experience while providing close views of the towers that surround it. The hills of Perth are a rich green location with rolling slopes where cattle wander, and guests may spend the morning trekking through the Lesmurdie Falls or visiting the Araluen botanical park, among other activities.
From Perth to Bunbury, Western Australia
Your first stop will be at Bunbury, which is 175 kilometers from Perth and an excellent spot to take a break and stretch your legs when driving from Perth to the Margaret River. It also serves as an excellent justification for contacting the ethical Dolphin Discovery Center. There are no dolphins leaping by the hoops at this place!
The Dolphin Discovery Center is dedicated to the study, protection, and education of dolphins, as well as other kinds of natural marine life in the surrounding region. Bunbury is also home to a number of interesting historical sites.
Take a self-guided tour of Bunbury’s main attractions, which include St. Mark’s Church (which dates back to 1824), the Rose Hotel (1865), the King Cottage Museum (1880), the old post office, and the courthouse. For more information, visit the Bunbury Visitor Center at the old train station at Carmody Place (1880).
From Bunbury to Busselton
Those traveling from Perth to Margaret River should take the Bussell route to the southwest for 57 kilometers until they reach Busselton, where they should then follow the signs to Margaret River city center.
Busselton, named after a pioneer family from the area, is a family-friendly vacation destination with 30 kilometers of sandy beaches and the world-famous Busselton Jetty, which is one of the most visited attractions in Western Australia.
Restoration of a historic wooden jetty that is more than 150 years old and 1.8 kilometers in length, and which is the largest of its sort anywhere in the southern hemisphere and second-longest anywhere in the globe, is underway.
Busselton is home to the Underwater Observatory Tour at the Busselton Jetty, which brings you to the end of the pier on a little jetty, where you can see the underwater world.
When it comes to things to do in Busselton, a whale-watching cruise from Busselton is at the top of the list. If you are passing through during the whale-watching season (from early September to December), this whale-watching excursion is an essential must.
It departs from Busselton Jetty and provides some of the greatest chances in Western Australia to see whales up and personal. It is possible to observe dolphins, seagulls, and seals in addition to the much-loved humpback whale family and they’re young.
From Busselton to Dunsborough
Begin your two-hour journey to Bunbury by traveling via the Kwinana Highway and the Forrest Highway. We recommend that you bring the ingredients for a picnic lunch with you when you arrive so that you may enjoy it before boarding the Cape.
This area has a sequence of white sand beaches, spectacular views of the coast, surf jumps, good walking routes, and peaceful beaches for swimming and swimming pools.
Additionally, the local brewery offers a delectable assortment of craft beers and gourmet foods. The stunning views from the summit of Cape Naturaliste, located inside the Leeuwin Naturalist National Park, are worth the climb. You may walk through the first portion of the Cape to Cape Track starting from here.
The path is one of the most diversified beautiful trails on the globe, and it offers something for everyone. If you’re traveling between September and December. Binoculars are a good investment since you may be able to see migrating humpback whales. Enjoy a spectacular sunset in the Indian Ocean at neighboring Sugarloaf Rock before returning to Dunsborough at the end of the day.
To get to Augusta, you’ll need to go south on Caves Road, which will take you via the Margaret River area. However, your next destination is Dunsborough, which is situated on the shores of magnificent Geographe Bay.
This place is popular with divers because of the extraordinarily clear seas and shipwrecks that can be found along the rough shoreline, which has now been designated as the biggest accessible dive site in the southern hemisphere.
A highlight of the park’s upper reaches is the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, which was the only staffed lighthouse in Western Australia until the park’s establishment in 1888. There are biking and walking pathways along the beaches, but Dunsborough has fantastic nature trails where we always have our cameras ready in case we see any local animals, such as kangaroos.
For those coming for surfing or swimming, bear in mind that the waves on these beaches are considerably calmer than those found farther south, making it a fantastic place to learn to surf or just relax and take a dip in the water.
Meelup Bay, Eagle Bay, and Bunker’s Bay are some of our favorite spots. Eat lunch before returning to the road once you’ve finished swimming. Despite the fact that there are many wonderful cafés in the city, we particularly like the lovely Bunker Beach House in Bunker Bay.
From Dunsborough to Margaret River
Spend the morning exploring Dunsborough, stopping in at small stores and art galleries along the way. A guided tour of the cave with torches will follow, which will serve as a nice cultural representation. Local indigenous guides will take you on a tour of the Ngilgi cave, which is located near Yallingup and is known for its magical formations and tales.
Continue south on Cave Road, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, and stop for lunch at one of the numerous wineries and breweries. Spend the day hopping between the doors of the Margaret River vineyard and the doors of the gourmet food stores in town.
Enjoy excellent wines and artisanal dishes that are sure to please your palate. Aside from that, you may sample the delectable creations of the many award-winning chefs that work in the area.
River Margaret is a river in the United Kingdom
Begin your day with a quick stroll along the main street, where you may look for art, fashion, and sweets. After that, make your way to Surfers Point, which is one of Margaret River’s most well-known surfing areas. It is the site of the world-renowned Margaret River Pro Surfing Competition, and it is a wonderful spot to relax and watch local pros in action.
Prepare a picnic lunch by the river, complete with gourmet foods and light snacks, for a relaxing day. Additionally, local wineries, breweries, and eateries may be visited between Margaret River and Dunsborough to relive the experience once again.
It’s time to start thinking about your three-hour drive back to Perth from here. Return via the Bussell and Forrest roads, as well as the Kwinana highway, with stops at the seaside towns of Mandurah, Bunbury, and Busselton for rest and relaxation.
The cave of Ngilgi, discovered in 1899, is an underground cavern filled with stalactites and old stalagmites that is available to the public every day for exploration. It is also worthwhile to see the ancient lighthouse of Cape Leeuwin, which is the tallest in mainland Australia and provides the greatest view of the vast natural environment.
The Margaret River region also contains approximately 350 limestone caves hidden beneath the Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge. These caves were formed by water that has seeped through the porous limestone rock and calcium carbonate, which has formed stalactites and other fascinating formations in the limestone caves.