Margaret River Suburb Profile

One of the state’s most cherished tourist regions, Margaret River burgeons with year-round visitors, particularly during school holidays and long weekends. The influx of holiday-makers is well catered for with a range of accommodation options, and the compact population of around 8,000 has adapted accordingly, many of whom have invested in or work for the hospitality industry. Living in Margaret River offers a lifestyle that blends the charm of a small town with the vibrancy of a world-renowned tourist destination. Margaret River’s wine region is revered worldwide, accompanied by a range of breweries, distilleries, fresh produce and restaurants often nestled down country lanes or overlooking sprawling landscapes too beautiful to seem real. No wonder this part of the world is a magnet for artists, many of whom arrived with little more than their paints decades ago along with the surfers, long before tourism came to town. 

Living in Margaret River means enjoying an easy connection to both nature and culture, with many arriving in Margaret River town via the Bussell Highway from Perth automatically feeling relaxed once they cross the bridge over the river just past Rotary Park. Heading into Margaret River’s main street, it’s easy to lose a day browsing the many boutiques, specialty shops, galleries and eateries lining the street. Make a pitstop at the Margaret River Visitor Centre for maps, brochures and advice on how to make the most of your precious time in this world-class region. 

Year-round events range from live music, food, wine, comedy, film and sporting events. Big ticket events attracting international notoriety include the Margaret River Region Open Studios, CinefestOZ, Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival, Cabin Fever and the Margaret River Pro surfing competition. 

Wine, food and culture aside, there is an abundance of outdoor activities connecting you to nature, including caving, whale-watching, aquatic adventures, surfing, cycling and trekking. Guided tours follow the Cape to Cape trek sprawling for 135km along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, or tackle it independently in sections or its entirety. 

Area Features

Margaret River Farmer’s Market

Every Saturday morning at the Margaret River Educational Campus, start your visit with a coffee, egg and bacon roll and freshly-squeezed juice – after all, it’s never wise to shop while hungry. Then turn your attention to the week ahead with some of the best produce on the planet, including truffles, seafood, dairy, woodfired bread, cheese, meat, preserves, mushrooms and eggs, to name a few gourmet treats.

Margaret River Mouth

As Margaret River twists for almost 60 kilometres towards the coast, the river expands, contracts, rises and falls in time to the seasons. Once it reaches its destination, calm pools form, inviting youngsters and stand-up paddle-boarders to explore its serene charm before feeding into the pounding waves of the Indian Ocean. Since you’re in Margaret River, visiting this region’s namesake is worth a visit, if only from the Margaret River Mouth Viewpoint.

Margaret River Wine Region

With over 100 cellar doors to choose from, you’re never far from a winery in Margaret River. Embodying Western Australia’s casual nature, most wineries don’t require a booking, inviting you to revel in the scenic drive without a plan or grab a map from the Margaret River Visitor Centre and follow one of the many tried and tested trails. The region is renowned for many varietals, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz stealing the show. Wineries in picturesque settings, often with outstanding restaurants, include Voyager Estate, Xanadu Wines, Cape Mentelle Vineyards, Stella Bella Wines, Redgate Wines and Leeuwin Estate.

Margaret River Open Studios

Since its inception in 2013, Margaret River Region Open Studios has become one of Australia’s largest annual open art studio events. Running for a fortnight in September 2022, over 168 artists open their private studios up to the public showcasing their paintings, sculptures, bespoke furniture, sketches, pottery, collages, millinery and photography from Busselton as far south as Hamelin Bay. Go to www.mrropenstudios.com.au to download your event guide, but if you can’t make the event, don’t despair, as local galleries representing many artists are open to the public.  

Cinefestoz

As Australia’s largest destination film festival, CinefestOZ 2022 features 270 film screenings and events. The six-day festival celebrates its 15th year in August 2022, with award-winning actor, writer, producer and director Richard Roxburgh awarding the prestigious $100,000 film prize. Festival-goers have the opportunity to watch the films and connect with the filmmakers and talent. Go to www.cinefestoz.com to download your program and book tickets.