The Best 10 Things To Do In Margaret River
Three hours south of Perth, Western Australia’s Margaret River region is most well-known for its robust wine industry. Margaret River wineries have an international reputation for quality, making the region the perfect destination for anyone who loves a decent drop.
While excellent wine is enough reason for a trip, there’s a lot more on offer too. The area is also home to some spectacular beaches, sparkling caves and beautiful hikes, all of which make Margaret River an appealing holiday spot.
[related_articles]70153,49894,72150[/related_articles]Here are some of the best things to do in the Margaret River region.
#1 Bunkers Beach House
Overlooking the clear waters of Bunker Bay, Bunkers Beach House offers a relaxing view of the white beach while eating your meal on the large outdoor deck. Have a morning coffee or investigate the restaurant’s extensive wine list, offering primarily local Margaret River wineries to compliment the restaurant’s seasonal menu.
Bunkers Beach House also has boardwalk access to the beach, so you can easily dip your toes in the water too. The pull of the water is irresistible, just remember to take it easy if it’s after your meal.
Bunkers Beach House is open Thursday to Monday, serving breakfast from 8.30am to 11am and lunch from 12pm to 3pm.
#2 Cape to Cape Track
The 135km Cape to Cape Track takes hikers past stunning beaches, delightful greenery, and majestic cliffs and rock formations. The mostly coastal hike follows the Leeuwin-
The whole Cape to Cape hike takes around a week to complete (depending on your pace). Shorter sections are also accessible for every ability level, whether you’re after easy constructed pathways or more rugged trails.
#3 Watershed Wines
With over 130 winieries in MArgaret River, you’re spoilt for choice. No matter what your preference though, you should make some time to check out family-friendly Watershed Wines.
Located only five minutes to the south of Margaret River, Watershed Wines offers spectacular views, wine and food. They run one-hour winery tours from Monday to Thursday, which includes a guided wine tasting featuring their current offerings.
[related_articles]70153[/related_articles]If you choose to dine in the restaurant, you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping view of the vineyard along with homemade tagliatelle, and a red wine poached pear.
Watershed Wines is open every day from 10am to 5pm.
#4 Hamelin Bay
The Cape to Cape track runs through Hamelin Bay, but you should make a special trip to see it even if you have no intention of hiking. Hamelin Bay’s white beach is famous for its wild stingrays and gentle fish which will come right up and swim alongside you.
Stretching up to a metre wide, the stingrays are remarkably friendly, happily swimming over people’s feet. They can be found around the boat ramp and old jetty all year, but your best chance at seeing them would be in summer, when the water is calmest and clearest.
Hamelin Bay is also a popular fishing spot and a beautiful beach all on its own. Even if the stingrays are shy, it won’t be a visit wasted.
#5 Jewel Cave
There are a number Margaret River caves open for exploration, but if you can only visit one, make it Jewel Cave — the biggest cave in Western Australia that’s open to the public. Other Margaret River caves such as Lake Cave and Ngilgi Cave are worth a visit if you have the time, but Jewel Cave contains one of the longest hollow stalactites in Australia, measuring 5.43m long.
Jewel Cave has some excellent examples of flowstone as well. Its three large limestone chambers are encrusted with spectacular glittering crystals, illuminated by the golden glow of spotlights.
Jewel Cave is located around half an hour south of Margaret River along the Leeuwin-
#6 Eagle Bay Brewing Co
The Margaret River wineries may get most of the attention, but Eagle Bay Brewing Co is the place to go if you prefer beer. Eagle Bay Brewery Co’s brew and bottle on site, while wine lovers are also catered for with a selection available.
This Margaret River brewery states that it bases its beer production on the Reinheitsgebot, known in English as the “German Beer Purity Law”. Dating back to the early 1500s, this law stated that the only ingredients allowed in beer were water, barley and hops.
Eagle Bay Brewing Co bends the rules a bit, adding yeast (which Germans didn’t yet know about at the time of the law), and sometimes other local ingredients for special brews. The Margaret River brewery also has a restaurant, serving a seasonal menu with produce from their on site kitchen garden.
Eagle Bay Brewing Co is open every day from 11am to 5pm.
[related_articles]45882[/related_articles]#7 Surfer’s Point
It’s all in the name for this popular Margaret River beach. Surfer’s Point is internationally recognised as a terrific surf spot, serving up consistent, reliable waves and attracting surfers from all over the globe.
Whether you’re a surfer yourself or just want to watch some top athletes in action, Surfer’s Point is a great place to spend the day. Depending on when you visit, you may even see some of the world’s best surfers competing in the Margaret River Pro.
Surfer’s Point also offers up a magnificent sunset over heaving waves. There’s a public barbecue and picnic table perfect for serving up lunch, as well as grassy areas to lay a blanket and enjoy the view.
#8 Margaret River Chocolate Factory
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Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory may be fictional, but you can experience the next best thing at Margaret River Chocolate Factory Co. They offer free entry and chocolate tastings, with viewing windows of the fascinating chocolate making process.
You’ll definitely want to pick up a few sweet treats to take away with you, but you can also sit down at the Margaret River Chocolate Company’s Chocolate Cafe for a chocolate brownie (or seven) while you’re there. The cafe also serves non-chocolate food like burgers and chips, so you don’t have to cut your outing short if you get a bit peckish.
The Margaret River Chocolate Company is open daily from 9am to 5pm.
#9 Margaret River Dairy Company
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What’s the point of having some of the best wine in Australia if there isn’t any cheese to go with it? The Margaret River Dairy Company produces both cheese and yoghurt, but it’s obvious what the star attraction is by the fact it is also known as the Margaret River Cheese Factory.
A very popular tourist stop, The Margaret River Dairy Company offers free tastings of their cheeses and pot-set yoghurts. Some of their award winning cheeses include their Double Cream Brie & Washed Rind Camembert. It’s the perfect place to pick up something to accompany your Margaret River wine tour haul.
The Margaret River Dairy Company is open from 9.30am to 5pm every day.
#10 Margaret River Farmers’ Market
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The weekly Margaret River Farmers’ Market has been running since 2002, gathering farmers from across the region to sell their fresh produce straight to the community. The focus is strictly on food, so you won’t see any folk art or jewellery here. It’s all about fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables, as well cheese, meat and the obligatory wine.
[related_articles]69745,68018,59954[/related_articles]It’s a good opportunity to stock your Airbnb with delicious, organic food for the rest of your holiday, or to grab some handmade chocolate. If you aren’t keen on cooking, the Margaret River Farmers’ market has a breakfast bar where you can grab a bite, and live music for entertainment while you eat.
The Margaret River Farmers’ Market is held on Saturday morning all year round.
Related Video: Undiscovered – Margaret River
[video_embed]https://youtu.be/vxFR5hKzSAE[/video_embed](Lead Image: Watershed Wines)