Most people know the Margaret River region in Western Australia for its legion of wineries, where you spend your days just hopping from wine tasting to wine tasting. But just in case you’re not a wine person (horrors, what are you doing down there then?) or you’ve been designated as the sober driver, wine isn’t the only thing you can indulge in while in this picturesque region.
Get Beachy
Enjoy an amazing sunset at Redgate Beach
One might not associate this green region of vineyards with white sandy shores, but Margaret River boasts some excellent beaches and an impressive surf popular among local surfers. Prevelly Beach is larger, but I personally enjoyed Redgate Beach, a pretty small beach a little further down south, with larger rocks and more quiet nooks where you can contemplate life as the sun sets. Even on the crowded Easter holiday, there were only a handful of cars in the carpark, and we were left alone in our chosen spot.
Eat Well
Mmh fresh oysters at Leeuwin Estate’s restaurant!
Good wine has to go with some great food, and there are plenty of options for breakfast and lunch in Margaret River. Several of the wineries also have restaurants and dining options, though they generally are open for lunch and not for dinner as most things in Australia tend to close around 4-5pm. This Margaret River map has detailed opening times on most of the eating spots in Margaret River as well as the locations of all the hot spots to visit.
Alternatively there are more niche gourmet food places you can check out. Providore has an awesome selection of gourmet jams and food, while Margaret River Chocolate Factory is famous for its chocolates, of course. Also spotted, places where you can get exclusively olive oil products, home-made ice cream, nuts and cereals and even cheese, so make sure you study that map closely.
Go Caving
Millions of little stalactites hang down from the roof of Mammoth cave
Caves Road along the western coastline connects Margaret River’s various tourist caves, from Jewel Cave and Moondyne Cave further south, to Lakes Cave and Mammoth Cave further north. Mammoth Cave leaves you free to explore these large underground caverns on your own, while you need to book a tour with Jewel and Lakes Cave. Moondyne Cave is only open from June to December but gives you a more hands-on caving experience rather than following carefully constructed paths. Be prepared to do a fair bit of walking and climbing!
What else have you done in Margaret River besides wine tasting? Share your experience here!
awesome place i never forget this place
I clicked on the title thinking it said Win Free Activities and got here to find out I wasn’t winning anything and there’d be no wine but I’m still impressed.
I’ve heard the beaches are amazing too and that photo of the caves is pretty special. Great post!
Thanks Nick, sorry you didn’t win or get any wine but glad you enjoyed the post!
If you are going down to Margaret River for wine though, I do have a very wine filled post up on my blog: https://theoccasionaltraveller.com/2014/05/19/margaret-river-wineries/
Hey Jaclynn, great post. We are definitely big for our wines in this area. 🙂 There is also the maze and mini golf at A’Maze’N just outside town or hiking bits of the Cape to Cape. If you are really adventurous, there is mountain biking in the pine forests or rock climbing in the area too. On the weekends, there is live music at a lot of places, whether it is at Cheeky Monkeys Brewery in the afternoon or at Settler’s Tavern during the night. If you are there on a Saturday, there is a farmer’s market on near the library in the morning too. The beach was one of my favourites, sun, water and sand in your toes. Safe Travels.
There is honestly quite a lot to do in what at first glance might seem like a rather quiet countryside place to visit! And it is beautiful when the weather is cooperative 🙂 thanks for the tips!