Margaret River Travelers Recommend

With three days in Margaret River, you can take a deep dive into wine making (and tasting),  go surfing or whale watching, and maybe even glimpse a woylie. Here are our favorite ways to spend 72 hours in this Western Australia hot spot.

Day 1: Intro to wine country

Get oriented with the Margaret River wine region on a half- or full-day tasting excursion that covers a few wineries and other culinary attractions. Some tours include lunch; others stop at breweries or beaches as well as wineries. If you’re a coffee lover, join the “coffee safari” at  Yahava KoffeeWorks to learn all about the roasting process.

Day 2: Outdoor adventures

Margaret River boasts a prime setting on the southwestern coast of Australia, where the Indian and Southern oceans meet—so take your pick of white-sand beaches and rugged coastal scenery. Go whale watching during migration season (typically May to September—cruises depart from Augusta and Dunsborough), learn how to surf, or explore the river in a canoe. At night, keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos, woylies, and other marsupials on a wildlife tour, when the animals tend to be most active.

Day 3: More wine

Gain more insight into the local wine and food scene at a winery like Vasse Felix, Leeuwin Estate, or Voyager Estate. Besides tastings, you might get a behind-the-scenes tour of the property, check out grape varietals in the vineyard, indulge in a multicourse lunch, meet the winemakers, or watch a cooking demo. In the evening, relax over dinner—and maybe another glass of wine—in downtown Margaret River or nearby Dunsborough.

With two days in Margaret River, you can savor the region’s wine and culinary attractions—and get out into nature and do some surfing or whale watching. Here are a few ways to make the most of 48 hours in one of Western Australia’s top destinations.

Day 1: Wine country

**Morning:**A wine-tasting tour is the ideal way to get to know Margaret River (without having to worry about driving). Half- and full-day options are available; some tours also include visits to breweries or beaches. Alternatively, begin your day at Yahava KoffeeWorks, learning the ins and outs of coffee roasting.

**Afternoon:**If you’re not already on a full-day tour, make your way to a local winery, such as Leeuwin Estate. Besides tastings, activities might include a gourmet meal, a cooking demo, or a behind-the-scenes tour. 

**Night:**Enjoy a relaxing meal in downtown Margaret River, Dunsborough, or Augusta. Margaret River is the biggest of the three towns and has the most dining options.

Day 2: The great outdoors

**Morning:**Margaret River’s location on Australia’s southwest coast—where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean—provides whale-watching opportunities during the migration season, typically May to September. Start your day on a cruise departing from Augusta or Dunsborough.

**Afternoon:**Do as the locals do, and head to the beach. Take a surfing lesson, go canoeing on the river, or just chill on the soft white sand. Alternatively, learn about the region’s natural environment on a coastal tour.

**Night:**If you’ve always wanted to see possums, kangaroos, woylies, or other marsupials, you might have to wait till evening, when they’re normally more active. Nocturnal wildlife tours usually teach you about the animals while taking you to the locations where they’re likely to be glimpsed.

Replete with beaches, caves, and vineyards, Western Australia’s beautiful Margaret River is popular with foodies and outdoors enthusiasts. Here’s how to make the most of 24 hours in and around this little town south of Perth.

Morning: Culinary attractions

If it’s your first time in Margaret River, a wine-themed day trip is a must. Along with the region’s top varietals, most tours showcase cheese, chocolate, and other local food items—and some include stops at nearby beaches or caves. Alternatively, start the day with a caffeine buzz at Yahava KoffeeWorks, and learn about the coffee-making process. 

Afternoon: Nature—or wine

If you’re not already on an all-day wine tour, head to a local winery—such as Leeuwin Estate or Voyager Estate—before or after lunch. Wander the vineyards, check out some local art, savor a multicourse meal—or just taste all the wine. If you’re looking for something a bit more active, take a surfing lesson, go canoeing on the river, or explore the region’s natural environment and wildlife.

Night: Aussie animals

Like many animals, some Australian species are more active in the evening, and a night tour might be your best chance to see possums, kangaroos, and other marsupials. Your guide will know where the animals hang out, and you’ll learn a bit about their native habitats as well. If you’re simply looking for an evening out, enjoy a nice dinner and glass of wine in Margaret River or another nearby town, such as Dunsborough or Augusta.