Things to See and Do around Margaret River
Western Australia's South West
The South West pocket of Western Australia offers some of the most varied travel experiences in the State, from towering forests to whale watching, fine food, wine and world class surfing. The massive surf along the coastline has turned Margaret River, in Australia's South West region, into a surfing mecca. Surfers from all around the world are drawn to Margaret River to pit their skills against the might of the Indian Ocean. However, there’s a lot more on offer around Australia's South West.
Wine & Food tasting
The Margaret River wine region is world famous for its award-winning wines, vineyard restaurants and gourmet food producers. Recent years has also seen the emergence of a brewing fraternity specialising in distinctive ales, pilsners and lagers. With over 120 wineries, five breweries and a liqueur factory to explore, many with onsite dining options, you are spoilt for choice. With an abundance of fresh produce the region offers up a culinary adventure with seasonal, farm-fresh and organic options all available.
Caves
The Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge has over 100 limestone caves, eight of which are open to the public for a range of guided or self-guided tours. Inside these pristine chambers you'll see delicate formations, some reflected in underground waterways. The new Jewel Cave Preservation Centre is a fantastic introduction to caves in the region, and features an on-site cafe so you can sit back and enjoy the surrounding bushland.
Lighthouses
Located on the Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste outcrop the coastline has some of the most raw and rugged shipping conditions in WA, hence the fantastic surf. To protect mariners of the past and present the Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste lighthouses were built at the start of turn of the 20th century to guide mariners heading to England. These lighthouses are now open to the public on tours. Cape Leeuwin is the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia and stand at the meeting point of the Indian and Southern Oceans whilst the smaller Cape Naturaliste lighthouse offers a more accessible climb and views of the protected Geographe Bay.
Swimming, Snorkelling & Diving
With 138kms of coastline the region is an aquatic playground boasting pounding surf, sheltered bays, river systems (perfect for kayaking and kitesurfing in Augusta), diving hotspots (including dive wrecks), rocky outcrops and boating facilities. This corner of the Indian Ocean is blessed with some of the cleanest water anywhere and with over 75 surf breaks (not including the secret spots) there are plenty of options to find your own break to enjoy.
Tours
A number of tour operators offer a range of tours (standard and personalised) that enable visitors to the region to explore the length and breadth of it with local knowledge. Apart from wine tours there are also tours covering ocean/river cruising, mountain biking, rock climbing and abseiling, canoe and horse riding just to name a few. The more adventurous can make their own way on the abundance of walking and cycle trails that criss-cross the region, taking in the dramatic and ever-changing scenery of the Cape to Cape Track (138kms), the towering Karri trees of Boranup Forest, river boardwalks and short walks branching out from the region’s town centres.
