thepinkginpassportMargaret River is one of Western Australia’s most treasured holiday destinations. As it’s only a 3 hour drive from Perth it is the perfect weekend trip.
What to do in Margaret River
If driving from Perth it makes sense to stop at Busselton first. This beautiful spot hosts the Southern Hemisphere’s longest pleasure pier, crystal clear water and on the Sunday I visited there was a weekend market on. While you might be able to drive straight to Busselton I stopped along the way at the Crooked Carrot, which has a range of coffees, cakes and meals as well as a shop and excellent toilet facilities.
After this I drove to Injidup Natural Spa. Parking is very close by but be mindful you have to climb over quite a few rocks to get to the spa itself. I’d recommend wearing Teva’s or waterproof shoes to make it a but easier to get down there. The spa was brilliant, with waves spilling over into the little pools where there was also a few fish to spot.
From here I stopped at Smith’s Beach. This was absolutely beautiful but after having a dip in the sea I couldn’t lay out on the beach as it was so windy.
Before heading to my last beach of the day I stopped at the Lavender Tea House and grabbed some Lavender Ice Cream which was very refreshing after a long day on the road/at the beach.
My final stop was definitely saving best until last- Yallingup Lagoon.
While Yallingup is known for its great surfing beaches, the lagoon is the perfect spot for a swim as you avoid big waves and it is more sheltered from the wind. After enjoying a swim here I headed back to Perth which took less than 3 hours now there is the new highway that recently opened at the end of 2024.
Where to eat
Between Busselton and Injidup I stopped at Claudio Bakehouse. When there is a queue out of the door you know it’s going to be a good bakery. I got one of their fresh sandwiches which was humungous and took me the whole day to eat.
If I was staying for the whole weekend I would have loved to try Margaret River Bakery right in the town as this also looks fantastic.
Bakeries are good options as Australia has excellent cafe culture and also it means you can take the food away to enjoy on one of the many beautiful beaches. Or if you prefer a sit down option the many wineries will offer great menus to enjoy with a local glass of wine (or even after a tasting at the cellar door).
Where to stay
As I couldn’t get a whole weekend off from work, I visited Margaret River over just 1 day (leaving at 6am and being back by 5pm). However if I was staying longer I would love to camp or get a cosy bed and breakfast through Booking.Com
How to get to Margaret River
The best way to make the most of this area is to have your own car. However, if you are visiting Perth and are short on time there are a few day tours that go to Busselton and some of the wineries as a day tour.
