Margaret River is a perfect destination for those with tastes ranging from outdoor adventure, fine wine and exceptional dining, and breathtaking scenery. Just three hours from Perth, Margaret River is a great weekend or longer getaway.
Of all the teeny-tiny holiday hotspots Australia has managed to keep under wraps, Margaret River has to be up there with the most breathtaking of them. It is just so quaint and charming and absolutely perfect for all those that love good food, fine wine and a morning on the surf.
Yes, you may well be taken aback by just how few locals there actually are – something that is made even more exaggerated by the amount of tourists that flock here for a weekend away – but that never detracts from the small country town vibe it seems to cherish so much.
Just three hours south of Perth, this hidden spot offers up some of the most diverse attractions you have ever seen, or ever thought possible, and here are the best of them:
Going Cape To Cape
The 130-plus-kilometre trail that takes you along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge is one of the most spectacular trails anywhere in the world. It is a gorgeous cocktail made up of amazing flora and fauna that grows, staggering panoramas offered atop each cliff, some of the most flawless beaches anywhere and the sunsets that taint the ocean gold. If you’re a road-tripper, a walker or an avid trekker, this is one to indulge yourself with because the views are incredible.
Eating and Drinking
Margaret River is famed for its wineries, there is no denying that. But what is fine wine without good food? Luckily, there are these world class restaurants scattered all over the region, especially in Forest Rise. So, when you make your way toward this region, make sure you book yourself onto a wine tour and indulge yourself in the cornucopia of delicious establishments along the way.
Visit The Lighthouse
The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is magnificent. That is the only way to put it. But what else do you expect from such a unique structure that stands at forty-meters high and sits on the most southwesterly point of the mainland? Get there at dusk, head there at dawn, or go anytime in between; it won’t matter in the slightest because the vistas you get from here, across the coastline and over the ocean are always astonishing.
Go On A Cave Exploration
Hidden beneath the national park are over a hundred-and-fifty limestone caves, a few of which you can actually explore yourself. If you want to get your breath snatched from you, then the one you absolutely have to visit is the Mammoth Cave, which has this amazing fossil embedded into the wall of a 50,000-year-old Zygomaturus jawbone. If you want to go further down, however, and toward the core of the earth, then it is the Ngilgi and Lake Caves that you want to take on.
Surf Like No Other
The water, beach and surfing conditions here are some of the best anywhere in the world, which is why so many top names tend to fly over to Prevelly beach every April and compete. But it isn’t just Prevelly that is worth exploring. The Margaret River Mouth, Gracetown and Southside are all worth your time, all of them. Australia is known for its amazing beaches and incredible surf, and these are at the top of those lists.
In summary, Margaret River has much to offer visitors looking for a charming, small-town vibe, beautiful scenery, a vibrant food and wine scene, and active outdoor adventures. Make sure you visit!
Pinnable Images:
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I’ve been to Perth numerous times already but I haven’t had the pleasure to visit this place. I didn’t know this existed until now. It’s a charming spot to look forward to on our next adventure to Perth.