Margaret River for Asia: Things to Do

Find Something for Everyone

Family time is fun time in Margaret River. Whether you prefer active, fast-paced adventures or tranquil, more leisurely pursuits, you’ll find something of interest to occupy every member of your diverse clan no matter what the age. Here are a few suggestions:

Beachcombing, Swimming and Snorkelling
Wander Through Boranup Forest
Hike a Nature Trail
Go Back in Time in a Prehistoric Cave
Explore Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
Discover Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
Get Onboard for Whale Watching
Pay a visit to Busselton Jetty
Visit Ellensbrook Homestead
Travel the Food & Wine Trail

Beachcombing, Swimming and Snorkelling

Although Margaret River’s breaking waves draw professional surfers from around the world, there are also many sheltered family beaches that are ideal for swimming and picnicking. Locations for calmer waters include beaches at Meelup, Eagle Bay and Bunker Bay.

When weather conditions are right there are also safe places to snorkel, including Prevelly and Gnarabup. Dotted along this coast are sheltered bays including Kilcarnup and Cowaramup Bay that are suitable for launching small boats. Other water activities include fishing and canoeing along the Margaret River.

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Wander Through Boranup Forest

Margaret River Located within majestic Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, the Boranup Forest offers an excellent selection of camping facilities and hiking trails as well as the Boranup Lookout at 200 m above sea level with sweeping vistas of the forest and sea. The Boranup Forest is notable for more than its beauty, being the western-most stand of karri in Western Australia, with some of the 100-year-old trees reaching a height of 60 m or more (see Back to Nature).

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Hike a Nature Trail

For the footloose and fancy free there are several of inviting nature walks and hiking trails in the Margaret River region, including the Cape Naturaliste track, the Bunker Bay walk, the Canal Rocks-to-Wyadup track and the Meekadarabee Falls walk, among many others. Of course, the most famous and challenging of local treks is the Cape-to-Cape track, which at 140 km from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, is broken up into small sections.

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Go Back in Time in a Prehistoric Cave

Margaret River The ancient limestone ridge that stretches 80 km along the coast between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin is home to an underground system of more than 350 caves. Most are closed to the public, but those that are open for viewing include Mammoth, Lake, Jewel, Ngilgi, and Moondyne caves. CaveWorks is an eco-centre with impressive displays of the caves set in the natural environment of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge (see Back to Nature).

The Jewel and Mammoth cave areas also offer many above-ground wonders, including the fantastic Marri Walk Trail and the Karri Walk Trail. Not to be missed.

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Explore Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

Margaret River The Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse was built in 1904 and features 59-step staircase made of teak. The lighthouse and Maritime Museum provide a window on the region’s past as well as superb views of Geographe Bay. Cape Naturaliste is the northernmost point in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and marks the starting point of the Cape-to-Cape walk.

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Discover Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Margaret River Built between 1895 and 1896 from local limestone, historic Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse stands on the most south-westerly tip of Australia where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. The structure today remains an important working lighthouse. Nearby is a waterwheel and wooden flume that once delivered fresh spring water.

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Get Onboard for Whale Watching

Cape Leeuwin at the southern tip of the Margaret River region is the place to be between July and November for sighting humpback and southern right whales as they make their annual migration. The huge mammals can also be spotted from Cape Naturaliste in the north. Guided tours are available. Also look out for dolphins and New Zealand fur seals that inhabit the surrounding waters. Abundant bird life inhabits the shores in August.

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Pay a visit to Busselton Jetty

The bustling city of Busselton, named after pioneer John Bussell, is the gateway to the Margaret River region and home to the 140-year-old Busselton Jetty. Said to be the longest wooden structure in the southern hemisphere, the jetty dates back to last century and has been progressively lengthened over time to accommodate shipping. The jetty is home to a wonderland of cold water coral. An underwater observatory has been built at its end.

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Visit Ellensbrook Homestead

Margaret River Historic Ellensbrook Homestead was once the home of Alfred and Ellen Bussell, the district’s first pioneers. Now a renovated National Trust property, the lovely homestead is set in coastal sand dunes next to a perennial stream and located near is a walking trail leading to a cave and Meekadarabee Falls, known to Aboriginal people as the “bathing place of the Moon”.

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Travel the Food & Wine Trail

Make a day following the unique tastes and textures Margaret River as you travel the Food & Wine Trail to sample a medley of local gourmet delights. Click here for more. Margaret River has something for every taste, making the region a food lovers’ paradise.

Additional family destinations include Eagles Heritage Raptor Wildlife Park, a sanctuary for injured birds of prey, and Cape Lavender, with beautiful lavender gardens, shop and award winning restaurant/cafe and cellar door sales.

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