Local’s Perth to Margaret River Road Trip Guide 2023: Discover beautiful gems

Are you looking for a road trip with beautiful scenery, great food, and plenty of adventures? Look no further than a Perth to Margaret River Road Trip. This route takes you from Perth along the stunningly beautiful coast and through spectacular forests winding its way to the picturesque town of Margaret River. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of wineries, scenic lookouts, and even a few hidden gems.

David was born in Western Australia and I have lived here for over 20 years. The Margaret River region has always been one of my favourite places as it reminds me a little bit of England (where I was born).

Perth to Margaret River Road Trip Map

Car Hire for a Perth to Margaret River Road Trip

There are car hire booths at Perth airport, but it’s best to pre-book your car rental.

To compare Australia car hire prices, Discover Cars is an award-winning car rental comparison website. They offer competitive pricing in over 10,000 locations worldwide and are have a high rate of customer satisfaction.

Drivenow is a good resource to compare campervan hire in Western Australia as it includes all the large companies like Britz, Maui, Jucy as well as smaller ones.

Compare Rental Cars Here.

Perth to Margaret River Road Trip Stops

Depending on your interests and what you’ve already seen, use these Perth to Margaret River road trip stops to plan your itinerary and overnight accommodation. You can get from Perth to Margaret River in about three hours, but you will miss out on some incredible experiences.

Penguin Island

Penguin Island, located 700 m off the coast of Rockingham, is an amazing place where you can see wild penguins up close. Only 45 minutes south of Perth city, Penguin Island is part of Shoalwater Islands Marine Park and home to more than 1200 little penguins! This guide provides all the information on Penguin Island.

Book tickets for a Dolphin, Penguin and Sea Lion Cruise, which allows you the opportunity to spot dolphins, penguins, and sea lions on a leisurely tour. The ticket price includes:

• Complimentary photos from your cruise uploaded to Flickr
• A 60-minute cruise around the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
• Return ferry transfers to and from Penguin Island
• Penguin Feeding Show held by the rangers at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm daily

If you just want the ferry over to Penguin Island, you can book here.

Mandurah

Only 35 minutes from Rockingham is canal-lined Mandurah.

The Peel-Harvey Estuary has abundant wildlife, including dolphins, and the most popular way to see them is on a dolphin cruise. This 75-minute tour departs several times during the day and offers the chance to spot dolphins in the calm waterways and many of the 130 bird species that live in the Creery Wetlands.

This Pirate Cruise is a fun way for those with children to explore the canals and hopefully see the wild bottlenose dolphins. You also have the chance to steer the pirate wheel and ring the bell as you cruise Mandurah’s canals.

If you decide to stay overnight in Mandurah, consider this 90-minute Sunset Cruise aboard the two-story Dancing Dolphin.

Lake Clifton

Lake Clifton is 30 minutes from Mandurah, with a slight detour off Forrest Highway. Here you can see the incredible thrombolites, living, breathing rock-like structures, viewed from a wooden boardwalk and lookout.

Read this guide on things to do in Lake Clifton for more information.

Bunbury

Leaving Lake Clifton, travel along Forrest Highway for about 50 minutes, and you will be in Bunbury.

Locals tip: The Crooked Carrot along Forrest Highway in Myalup is an excellent place to stop for breakfast or lunch with a fresh selection of gourmet pies, salads, rolls and sandwiches, plus delicious hot dishes. However, this popular café is not just about the food, even though it’s amazing. Kids will love the large playground, and you can’t help but find the quirky vintage additions fascinating. The restored trams are beautiful.

This port city is most famous for its Dolphin Discovery Centre, where you may see wild dolphins, or you can take a Dolphin Eco-Cruise.

To find out more about what there is to do, read this Bunbury Travel Guide.

Find out the best places to stay in Bunbury here.

If you plan on spending the night in Bunbury, you can take a detour into the Ferguson Valley and Gnomesville.

Busselton

Busselton is one of my favourite stops between Perth and Margaret River, especially in summer. The calm bay provides fantastic swimming conditions for children, and the shark net provides that added safety.

There’s always lots to do in and around Busselton, with the Busselton Jetty and the Busselton Underwater Observatory being the main tourist attraction.

For more information, read this guide on things to do in Busselton.

If you’re thinking of extending your stay, this guide on the best accommodation in Busselton will help you find where to book.

Dunsborough

Just over 20 minutes from Busselton is the trendy town of Dunsborough, on Geographe Bay. This small town is a favourite with tourists and locals who enjoy being close to the beach and the Margaret River region.

My favourite part is Cape Naturaliste, where you will find some of the best beaches in the world, a beautiful lighthouse, and the start of the famous Cape to Cape track.

Read this post on what to do in Dunsborough for more information.

For where to stay, this guide to the best accommodation in Dunsborough will provide some ideas.

Yallingup

The laid-back small community of Yallingup, just 10 minutes across the peninsula from Dunsborough, is favoured by surfers due to its world-class surf breaks. The beach is also popular with families due to the sheltered lagoon providing calm conditions.

Yallingup is the start of the Caves Road wineries that line the road to Margaret River. You’ll also find art galleries, caves, breweries, restaurants, luxury accommodation, and more around this area.

This article shares all the best things to do in Yallingup, and find the best places to stay in Yallingup here.

Margaret River

The final leg of your Perth to Margaret River road trip is half an hour from Yallingup. The town has a relaxed holiday feel with shops, pubs, cafes, and restaurants lining the main street.

Margaret River is a great place to base yourself to enjoy the local wineries, breweries, tourist attractions, outstanding beaches, mountain bike tracks, and hiking trails.

For a complete list of attractions, read this guide on things to do in Margaret River and the best accommodation in Margaret River for ideas on where to stay.

Perth to Margaret River Road Trip Packing List

• If you take prescription medication make sure you have enough for the duration of your trip and bring a script renewal from your doctor
• Swiss army knife, torch, & spare batteries
• First aid kit & emergency blanket
• Fire extinguisher
• Duct tape
• Umbrella/rain protection
• Insect repellent – mosquitoes can carry diseases such as encephalitis and Ross River fever
• Sun protection – sunscreen, large brimmed hat, sunglasses, and long-sleeve top
• National Park holiday or annual pass, which can be purchased online or at various outlets like visitor centres. RAC WA offer a 50% discount for members
• A CB Radio is useful if you are planning to travel into remote areas
• Cash and credit/debit cards
• Toiletries
• Toilet Paper
• Travel mugs, reusable water bottles, utensils, rubbish bags, and reusable bags
• Eskie or portable fridge
• Clothes, footwear, swimwear, towels
• Camera, drone, phone, tablet, and chargers
• Entertainment (cards, boardgames, books etc.)
• Guide book (I still like having a paper version)

Tips for a Perth to Margaret River Road Trip

• Leave early in the morning to arrive well before dusk when animals can hinder and danger the roads.
• Don’t drive tired. If you feel sleepy, pull over at one of the many rest stops on the side of the road.
• Make sure you have plenty of water for your journey – stay hydrated.
• Keep some snacks handy.
• Be prepared that you may lose the radio signal in some parts, so bring some music with you.
• Know your route and research the best places to stop along the way. Our Western Australia travel guides provide great advice on which hotels, restaurants and attractions to visit.
• Check for road closures which can be closed due to several factors, including bush fires.
• If you are towing a caravan, trailer, or boat ensure you know the legal load limit for your vehicle and that it is well secured. The maximum speed limit for a vehicle towing a trailer or caravan is 100 kmph, unless otherwise signposted.
• Buy a Telstra SIM card as their regional coverage is the best.
• Road trains (large trucks with up to four carriages) can be as long as 60m so extreme care must be taken if overtaking.
• Keep up to date with emergency advice on the WA Emergency site.
• The open road speed limit is 110 km per hour and 50 km per hour in built up areas. However, pay attention to the signs as they often change.
• It is illegal to touch your mobile phone while driving and all passengers must wear a seatbelt.
• Carry a first aid kit.
• It is highly recommended to have a GPS in order to avoid getting lost or download a mapping app like Avenza that provides a map even when you are out of range.
• Note a list of emergency contacts before you leave.
• Keep valuables out of sight.
  

With these considerations in mind, you should be able to enjoy a safe, fun, and memorable road trip from Perth to Margaret River.

Perth to Margaret River Road Trip FAQ

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