Margaret River | Must-Visit Attractions South of Perth
South of Perth, Western Australia, lies a region blessed with endless charms. Often broadly referred to as the "Margaret River Region" after the river flowing through it, this area is world-renowned for premium wineries, pristine beaches, and ancient limestone caves, making it a dream getaway for independent travelers.
Today, I'm sharing the top 5 must-visit attractions in this southern Perth region to help you easily plan your Western Australia adventure!
◎ How to Get to Margaret River
The Margaret River region is approximately 270 kilometers from downtown Perth. Aside from public transit connections reaching Busselton, traveling throughout the wider region is generally best done by renting a car and driving yourself or joining an organized guided tour.
Driving takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours each way. While a day trip starting from Perth is doable, you will realistically be limited to 3 to 5 sights at most. If you want to explore more extensively, I highly recommend staying overnight in the south.
If you prefer guided day tours, local itineraries offer fantastic value. You can easily book through options like Klook's Margaret River Day Tour or KKday's Margaret River Day Tour. Both offer great rates, responsive customer support, and save you plenty of time and driving hassle!
1. Busselton Jetty
Boasting over 150 years of history, Busselton Jetty is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, stretching an impressive 1.7 kilometers out to sea. It is famously celebrated as the real-world inspiration for the overwater train in Hayao Miyazaki's animated masterpiece Spirited Away. At the very end of the jetty sits an 8-meter-deep Underwater Observatory, allowing visitors to marvel at panoramic views of vivid coral reefs, with occasional appearances by dolphins and migrating whales. It's an absolute must-visit in southern Western Australia!
◎ Address: Busselton Jetty, Queen Street, Busselton, WA
◎ Admission: Jetty Day Pass: Adults $5, Free for kids under 17; Return Train Ticket: Adults $18, Children (ages 3–17) $12; Underwater Observatory Tour: Adults $42, Children (ages 3–17) $27
◎ Transportation: Take the Mandurah Line train to the terminus at Mandurah Station, then transfer to the Pemberton Transwa long-distance bus and alight at Albert St Busselton (Transit Guide | Car Rental Comparison)
◎ Recommended Tours: Margaret River Day Tour 1 | Margaret River Day Tour 2 | Margaret River Day Tour 3 | 4-Day Western Australia Tour
◎ Official Website: Busselton Jetty
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare Rates | Recommended Stays)
(The area surrounding Busselton Jetty features lush parklands, sandy beaches, and welcoming cafes where you can savor fresh seafood and hearty brunches.)
(Right at the jetty entrance stands a row of charming wooden huts serving as the ticket booths for jetty passes, train fares, and observatory tickets.)
(Here is the famous railway extending into the sea that evokes the magical water train from Spirited Away. Hayao Miyazaki seemed to draw so much inspiration across Australia, from Ross in Tasmania to Paronella Park near Cairns!)
(Strolling along the jetty offers stunning vistas of the coast—often dubbed the "Gold Coast of Western Australia," though in my opinion, the water here is even clearer and more vibrant blue!)
(Railway tracks run all the way down the jetty. You can take a leisurely walk or ride the Stocker Preston Express electric train—Australia's very first solar-powered train!)
(The Busselton Jetty Visitor Centre also houses a small, well-curated museum showcasing the history of the timber jetty and regional railway development.)
2. Meelup Beach
Southern Western Australia boasts a wealth of breathtaking beaches, and Meelup Beach is arguably among the very finest, frequently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Australia. Facing eastward into Geographe Bay alongside nearby Castle Rock Beach and Eagle Bay Beach, it is one of the rare spots in Western Australia where you can watch the sunrise over the ocean—a special treat in a state famous primarily for its sunsets!
◎ Address: Meelup Beach, Meelup Rd, Naturaliste WA
◎ Transportation: No public transit available; accessible only by car (Car Rental Comparison)
◎ Recommended Tours: Margaret River Day Tour
◎ Official Website: Meelup Beach
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare Rates | Recommended Stays)
(Meelup Beach is truly paradise. If you have extra time in your itinerary, consider stopping by the nearby Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse as well!)
3. Robert Oatley Margaret River
The Margaret River wine region is Western Australia's premier wine-producing paradise. Although it accounts for under 3% of Australia's total wine volume, it remarkably produces more than a fifth of the country's top-tier premium wines. Among over 120 world-class cellar doors, Robert Oatley is an exceptional choice—pairing award-winning vintages with picturesque estate grounds where you can slow down and immerse yourself in relaxed holiday vibes.
◎ Address: Robert Oatley Margaret River, Caves Road, Wilyabrup WA
◎ Transportation: No public transit available; accessible only by car (Car Rental Comparison)
◎ Recommended Tours: Margaret River Day Tour 1 | Margaret River Day Tour 2 | Margaret River 2-Day Wine Tour | Margaret River 2-Day Food & Wine Tour
◎ Official Website: Robert Oatley Margaret River
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare Rates | Recommended Stays)
(The estate architecture and gardens at Robert Oatley are exquisitely styled—practically tailor-made for memorable travel photos and Instagram snaps!)
4. Canal Rocks
Tucked within Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, Canal Rocks is a rugged coastline sculpted from ancient granite boulders. Over millennia, relentless pounding waves from the Indian Ocean have carved dramatic narrow channels and canals through the rock formations. It's a treasured coastal gem beloved by local Aussies and international travelers alike!
◎ Address: Canal Rocks, Canal Rocks Road, Yallingup WA
◎ Transportation: No public transit available; accessible only by car (Car Rental Comparison)
◎ Recommended Tours: Margaret River Day Tour | 4-Day Western Australia Tour
◎ Official Website: Canal Rocks
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare Rates | Recommended Stays)
(A scenic wooden footbridge, the Canal Rocks Bridge, spans across the surge channels, giving you incredible, up-close vantage points over crashing breakers.)
5. Mammoth Cave
Western Australia is home to four renowned show caves: Mammoth Cave, Ngilgi Cave, Lake Cave, and Jewel Cave. Among them, Mammoth Cave is easily the most famous and accessible. Beyond towering stalactites and dramatic limestone chambers, the cave gained international paleontological fame following the discovery of fossilized remains from ancient megafauna dating back over 35,000 years. It is an unmissable stop for anyone fascinated by natural wonders!
◎ Address: Mammoth Cave, Caves Road, Boranup WA
◎ Admission: Adults $22.50; Children (ages 4–16) $12.50; Family (2 Adults + 2 Kids) $58 (Additional child +$8 each); Seniors $20.00
◎ Transportation: No public transit available; accessible only by car (Car Rental Comparison)
◎ Recommended Tours: Margaret River Day Tour | Margaret River 2-Day Wine Tour | Margaret River 2-Day Food & Wine Tour | 4-Day Western Australia Tour
◎ Official Website: Mammoth Cave
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare Rates | Recommended Stays)
(Mammoth Cave features a self-guided audio tour system, allowing you to explore at your own pace with multilingual audio headsets provided at the entrance. [Photo by Tirin via Wikipedia])
These are my top 5 recommended highlights around the Margaret River region south of Perth. Western Australia is filled with diverse and breathtaking natural spectacles perfect for in-depth road trips. I hope this guide helps you curate an unforgettable journey of your own!