The 18 best things to do in Margaret River

There’s a lot more to Busselton Jetty than meets the eye – and considering it’s the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, you’ll struggle to take it all in at once. Built in 1865, the heritage-listed jetty extends 1.8 kilometres over the protected waters of Geographe Bay. You can take a 45-minute scenic round-trip ride aboard the solar-powered Busselton Jetty Train, dive into the secrets of the sea at the Marine Discovery Centre, and discover 300 different marine species in the Busselton Underwater Observatory – one of only six underwater observatories in the entire world. Those keen to get up close can even dive and snorkel with marine life in Busselton Jetty's Underwater Snorkel Park.

For new and old hikers alike, the Cape to Cape is a spectacular walking odyssey that is bound to (at some point) take your breath away. You can choose to do this walk in small segments in a day-walk kinda way (there are a number of shorter, accessible paved walking tracks available), or you can go for the full week-long walking challenge, spanning 123 kilometres. You can do this self-guided, or with a guided company, like Walk Into Luxury. You'll hike in tune with nature on this intimate and stunning walk on the rugged Western Australian coastline. Expect wild cliffs, remote beaches and sheltered woodlands, all in one.

Mother Nature has blessed Margaret River with some of the most beautiful and breathtaking caves in the country. Down south, Jewel Cave is WA’s largest show cave, boasting three bedazzling chambers filled with gleaming crystal ornaments and even fossil remains of Tasmanian tigers. Drive 25 minutes north from Jewel Cave and you’ll arrive at Lake Cave, the region’s deepest and most 'actively dripping' crystal wonderland. For fossil enthusiasts, Mammoth Cave provides a self-guided audio tour through a labyrinth of 10,000 fossils. And if you're staying up north, check out the ancient Ngilgi Cave, featuring intriguing installations both above and below ground.

Margaret River is a legendary surf spot known for its mind-blowing natural beauty, space and perfect waves that work for total beginners to World Surf Lifesaving champs. Although there are 75 named breaks over a 120-kilometre stretch of coast to choose from, you can't go wrong at the Margaret River Mouth for beginners, Injidup Beach for intermediates, or Mainbreak at Surfer's Point for the experienced. The river mouth is super close to the main town, protected by a bay and patrolled in summer. Injidup is all about turquoise waters and beautiful rock pools, is protected from big southerlies and swells, and is good for all levels. However, if you're a pro, Mainbreak is paradise with its 20-25 foot waves most days.

Despite being one of the world’s youngest and most geographically isolated wine regions, the winemakers in this picturesque pocket of WA have built quite a reputation for their cabernet sauvignons and chardonnays. You’ll want to dedicate a whole day to journeying through the 90-plus cellar doors, which range from farm-style set-ups with casual cheeseboards to castle-like estates offering degustation lunches. We’d suggest starting at Leeuwin Estate, one of the region’s five founding wineries, to sample their flagship Art Series chardonnay. Next, head ten minutes down the road to Xanadu Wines for a taste of their exclusive cellar door offerings. Finish your wine tour at Voyager Estate, where you can explore their sustainable vineyard or enjoy a five-course seasonal tasting experience.

Besides its blindingly bright sands and sparkling turquoise waters, Hamelin Bay is famous for its rather friendly stingray population. Both smooth stingrays and eagle rays can be spotted gliding along the shoreline, with wingspans measuring up to two metres. You can spot these graceful creatures year-round, but summer is prime time, when the waters are calmer and you can stick around for a refreshing swim. Top tip: arrive early to beat the tide and the strong winds.

Named after the towering pale-barked karri trees that rise 60 metres into the sky, this forest offers one of the region's most picturesque drives. Make plenty of pit stops along the way, including at Boranup Lookout for sweeping views of the forest and glimpses of Hamelin Bay. The unsealed roads are best tackled by two-wheel drive vehicles, and will lead you to a campground at the southern end if you’re keen on staying the night.

This not-so-secret spot makes appearances on almost every round-up of the best pizza in Australia. Pizzica's rustic brick restaurant has lots of character and will transport you straight from Margaret River to the charming region of Salento in south-east Italy. On any given night, Pizzica is fully packed with people travelling across the state for a slice of their infamous wood-fired pizzas. The namesake Pizzica is a go-to, loaded with mozzarella, friarielli (broccoli rabe), Italian sausage, fresh chilli and pecorino cheese, which is sprinkled on after cooking. Just make sure to eat it while it’s hot.

Cameras at the ready! With its ever-changing colour, deciding when to visit Sugarloaf Rock can be a real challenge. We recommend visiting this impressive rock formation in the early evening, when the sunset over the Indian Ocean transforms the rock’s colours every minute. You’ll want to arrive about 45 minutes before sunset to catch the full spectacle. Check out exactly when the sun plans to dip here.

Margaret River’s over-achiever award goes to Cape Leeuwin. It’s not only the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia and the country’s most south-westerly point, but is one of the best land-based whale-watching spots during winter. Built in 1895, this fully operational lighthouse invites you to explore its maritime history with a tour that takes you right to the top of the tower. From here, you’ll have a prime vantage point to spot southern right whales and humpbacks as they migrate to the warmer waters of the Margaret River Region from May and November.

Originally built as a hangout for the Margaret River’s emerging surf culture in the ’70s, Settlers Tavern (or 'The Tav') welcomes a wide mix of world-class winemakers, sports stars, local legends and travellers from every continent. Settlers support the local music scene through regular gigs and open mic nights. It also backs WA producers by featuring only 100 per cent Australian seafood on its menu and spotlighting many Aussie wineries and breweries in its beverage bible of 600-plus wines and 60-plus bottled beers.

It’s worth braving the wind and crashing waves at Canal Rocks, or Winjee Sam to the Traditional Owners, for the spectacular views over the Indian Ocean. Thousands of years of surging and crashing waves have carved a narrow channel between the granite rocks along the coastline – and you can cross a bridge between the rocks to feel the full force of the wind and waves. Hold onto your hats!

If you’re desperately seeking refuge from the humdrum of weeknight grocery shopping then you will find a harvest citadel at Margaret River Farmers Market, hosted every Saturday morning from 7.30-11.30am. From stall to stall, the produce caretakers of the local shires await to showcase their reapable rewards in this communal haven. Come and fulfil your weekly wishes for something fresh, something sweet or something missing from your cooking escapes, and enjoy the sanctuary of a charity-run breakfast bar alongside your harvest hunt.

Newly opened in November 2023, Yallingup is the Margaret River Region’s largest gallery dedicated to contemporary Aboriginal art. Wander through the light-filled space and explore its ever-changing collection, showcasing art and Dreamtime stories from local Noongar artists, further afield to the Western Desert, Central Australia and North Queensland. Yallingup Aboriginal Art is open from Monday to Saturday, and you can make a day out of it by also visiting the nearby Yallingup Maze and Jilyara cellar door.

Established in 1985, the Margaret River Pro is one of only two Australian events on the prestigious World Surf League Championship Tour. With its global rep as one of the most consistent big wave surfing destinations in the world, you’re bound to see some pretty big swells being surfed by the top professional surfers from across the globe. The majority of the competition goes down on Main Break and The Box, but you can soak up all the action at the event hub, which features big screen replays, expert commentary, food trucks and merchandise stands. Surf fanatics can also get up close and personal with the pros who take time to chat, sign autographs and pose for pics.

Every year, thousands of art addicts descend on the southwest for the largest open studio event of its kind in Australia. Held across 16 days in September, this free celebration invites you to peek inside the creative minds of 144 amazing artists – from potters and printmakers, to mosaicists, jewellers, glassmakers, sculptors and more. You’ll have a rare chance to mingle with the artists, watch them work their magic, purchase a special piece, or get hands-on with a colourful array of workshops, including watercolour painting, wheel throwing and rope basketry. 

Situated on a secluded beach in the heart of the Margaret River, this luxurious spa retreat offers wellness journeys for solos and couples. You can melt away any stress with a relaxing Swedish-style massage, nourish your skin with a hydrating glow facial or relax in the infrared sauna with your loved one. Go all in with an overnight stay in one of Injidup’s ten adult-only villas, each with its own private plunge pool and panoramic ocean views.

Set amidst the rolling vineyards of WA’s coastal wine region, Pair’d is a ‘wine first’ event set to uncork its inaugural year in November, 2024. The four-day festival showcases the South West’s world-class wines, paired with incredible culinary, music and cultural experiences. Vinophiles can sip wine in the sun at a long Nature’s Table lunch, sample 18 of the region’s top wines at the Grand Tasting, and brush shoulders with Michelin-star chefs in a world-first Wine Dinner Series. When happy hour hits, head to Castle Bay, which will transform into a beach club with daybeds, seafood platters and, of course, more wine.