Western Australia Touring Infomation

Margaret River - 2 Days

Drive Time: 2 hr 30 min | 162 km

Whales, wine, white sand beaches, coastal walks, great camping, breweries and sparkling limestone caves - there's a lot to see in the Margaret River region. If you have the time, give yourself 3 days to see it all without feeling rushed. Everything mentioned in the article, and more, is mapped below.

Calm clear waters of Yallingup. Photo: BobbyBense via IG

Day 1 - Rock Pools, Art, Wine, Coastal walks

• Start at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and climb the 59 stairs to the top for amazing views. The lighthouse keepers cottage serves coffee and cakes. From here you can walk out to Sugarloaf Rock (45 minutes each way) or drive (9 mins).
• At Yallingup, take a dip or go snorkeling in the calm clear ocean. It's protected by Yallingup Reef here. 
• Ngilgi Cave is the first of the limestone caves you come to. There are six in total and you'll pass them all as you head south. You can buy a 4 cave pass for $67, 3 caves $54, 2 caves $41, or just pay $22 to enter each cave.
• Excellent art galleries are scattered along Caves Road - The Studio Gallery, Yallingup Galleries Garden Studio and Yallingup Galleries.
• Turn off Caves Road to Canal Rocks. There are two good lookouts, Ali's View Lookout and Kathleen's Seat. Enjoy a coastal walk to Injidup Natural Spa (20 min one way) or drive (10 minutes)
• At Injidup Natural Spa you can swim in the large rock pool and enjoy the fizz of the ocean as it spills into it. This is for experienced swimmers only.
• Go Whale watching with Legend Charters at Cowaramup Bay (June to December)

Cape Naturaliste Ligthhouse. Photo: timcampbellphoto via IG

Indjidup Natural Spa. Photo: Gyspylovinlight via IG

Margaret River Wineries

The pristine environment and the micro climates of Margaret River have produced a broad range of premium wines. Meander from cellar door to cellar door through rolling countryside tasting some of Australia's best wine. Here are some of our favorites (from  north to south)

• Empire Estate
• Windance Estate
• Swings and Roundabouts
• Flying Fish Cove
• Cheeky Monkey Brewery and Cidery
• Vasse Felix
• Cullen Wines
• Gralyn Estate
• Juniper
• Leeuwin Estate
• Glenbrook Estate
• Flowstone Wines
• McLeod Creek Wines

Margaret River Winery. Photo: discovermargaretriver via IG

Champagne and Oysters! Photo: RusselWong via IG

Day 2 - Surf, Caves, Forest

• If you're interested to see the actual river that gave the Margaret River region its name, turn down Wallcliff Road and go to its mouth. McLeod Tours will take you on a cruise of the river.
• Watch the surfers, or catch a wave yourself, at Surfers Point. 
• The White Elephant Cafe overlooks the beach if you'd like to stop there for a coffee break.
• Ceramic lovers should drop in to Dilkes Hoffman Ceramics Studio.
• Leeuwin Estate Winery is worth dropping in to for a taste of their excellent wines.
• And then you hit a cluster of caves in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park - Galgardup cave, Mammoth Cave, Lake Cave and Giants Cave.
• Stretch your legs at Fairy Forest and take in the view at Boranup Forest Viewpoint.
• There is plenty of camping in the national park at Conto Campsite. It's mapped below.
• As you leave the Margaret River region the next day, stop in at Hamelin Bay to pat the wild stingrays and swim in the turquoise waters of Hamelin Beach and detour down to Leeuwin Lighthouse.

 
Photo: SeanScottPhotography via IG

 
Cowaramup Brewery

Photo: Tyron_Massara