Things to do in Augusta-Margaret River Shire

Things to do in Margaret River

It’s not just about wine. (Though it is lip-smackingly good.) Margaret River is one of Western Australia’s most-loved getaways, blending wild nature with gourmet indulgence. You’ve got ancient limestone caves, clifftop hikes, humpback whales cruising past and forests thick with towering karri trees. 

Margaret River serves it up slow and scenic, with surf, sunsets, and very long lunches overlooking vineyards. And when you’re ready to splash out? Spa days and heli-drops straight into wineries are on the menu.

Unique Margaret River things you can’t do anywhere else

• Helicopter wine drop experience: Fly over forest and coast before landing at a cellar door for a long lunch and cab sav tasting. Pure brag rights.
• Karri forest bike ride: Cruise through Boranup Forest where the karri trees tower overhead, the light filters like a dream, and kookaburras handle the playlist.
• Crystal cave adventure: Duck into ancient caves like Jewel and Mammoth, where the air’s cool, the rocks drip and the fossils are older than your group chat.
• Cape to Cape coastal trail (DIY or guided): Hike through salty wind and wow-factor views, with bluffs, beach breaks and kangaroos pretending not to notice you.
• Coasteering and cliff abseiling – Scramble, splash and rappel your way around the coastline. You’ll get wet, you’ll get muddy, and you’ll feel very alive.

Best Margaret River attractions to see

• Busselton Jetty walk or sea train ride: At 1.8 km, it’s the longest timber jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Walk or ride across Geographe Bay.
• Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse climb: Head to the spot where two oceans meet and take in epic views from Australia’s tallest mainland lighthouse.
• Wine tasting at boutique cellar doors: Margaret River punches well above its weight when it comes to premium reds, whites and gourmet cheese pairings.
• Sugarloaf Rock lookout: Snap pics of this jagged offshore formation with waves crashing all around and the sky turning gold behind it.
• Spa day at Bodhi Wellness: Zen out by a lake with natural spa treatments and local botanicals in an eco-luxe setting you won’t find elsewhere.

Best Margaret River day trips and tours

• Margaret River Day Tour: Let someone else drive. Sip wine, nibble lavender scones, hop the Busselton Jetty train and coast through the region’s greatest hits.
• Margaret River Region Busselton Jetty & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Tour – 13.5 Hours: Big day. Big views. This one’s got caves, lighthouses, wine stops and salty sea air from start to finish.
• Scenic helicopter flight: Strap in for a bird’s-eye view over vines, forest and wild coastline. The South West puts on a show and you’ve got the best seat.
• Waterfall hike to Meelup or Quinninup Falls: Short, sweet and off the grid. These seasonal falls pop after rain and come with red dirt trails and rock-hopping rewards.
• Gourmet glamping stay: Waking up in nature with a firepit, fresh bread, and bush silence feels like the ultimate retreat.

Free things to do in Margaret River

• Snorkel at Yallingup Lagoon: Calm, clear and full of little fish, this reefy lagoon is ideal for families and zero-cost swimming days.
• Visit local artists and studios: Drop in to view ceramics, sculpture and surf-inspired art. Some spots offer free chats with the makers.
• Catch a CinefestOZ community screening: Held each winter, this festival gives out Australia’s biggest film prize and includes free screenings of local and First Nations stories.
• Whale watching from Point Piquet (June to October): Spot humpbacks, southern rights and the odd blue whale breaching offshore. Pack a thermos and scan the sea from the clifftops.
• Surf session at Surfers Point: One of the best surf breaks in the world, and a killer sunset spot even if you’re not getting in.

Budgeting for things to do in Margaret River

Margaret River’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of place. You can stroll Boranup Forest, swim at Yallingup Lagoon or catch a free CinefestOZ screening without dropping a cent. Tasting fees at cellar doors start around AU$10 (often waived if you buy a bottle), while cave tours and lighthouse climbs sit in the AU$25–40 range. Guided day tours, scenic flights and spa packages are splurges at AU$150 or more, but they bundle big views, local bites and zero stress. Whether you’re here for nature, wine or wide-open luxury, Margaret River suits most wallets.