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Margaret River is one of the most beautiful parts of Western Australia. Although it’s earned a reputation as one of Australia’s top wine regions, you don’t need to be a wine-lover to visit. There’s so much to do here besides wine tasting!
Plus, with a gorgeous maritime climate, Margaret River enjoys comfortable temperatures, and it’s home to a ton of stunning scenery. You can visit caves, beaches, and even the point where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet.
Margaret River is about a 3-hour drive from Perth and makes an excellent day trip from the city. Since Perth is my hometown, Bailey and I try to work in a trip to Margaret River whenever we can!
Truthfully, an organized tour really takes the hassle out of visiting this beautiful region, especially if you want to do some winetasting. We absolutely love spending time in Margaret River, so we’ve rounded up the 7 best Margaret River tours from Perth. Keep reading to find the right one for you!
Don’t have time to read the full article? A tour is the best way to visit Margaret River from Perth. This full-day tour stops at gorgeous beaches, top vineyards, Ngilgi Cave, and takes you to the turquoise waters of Geographe Bay which will make you feel like you’re in the Maldives!
What are the best Margaret River Tours from Perth?
1. Margaret River Impression Day Tour From Perth
If you only have a single day to visit Margaret River, then this full-day tour is a fun and convenient way to do it. You’ll see many of the area’s gorgeous outdoor highlights and sample the best chocolate, wine, and cheese. It’s offered every Saturday and is a small group tour, so you won’t feel herded around like cattle!
Your first stop is the Bunbury Farmer’s Market, so you’ll get to experience the amazing produce that Margaret River is so famous for. Here, you can treat yourself to a cup of coffee and some super fresh fruit to start your day.
Later, you’ll visit Surfer’s Point to learn more about the region’s thriving surfer culture. Of course, you’ll also check out beautiful Karri trees in the Boranup Karri Forest. These trees are around 165 feet (50 meters) tall, so exploring this forest is a pretty humbling experience!
There’s a stop at the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, which is where the Southern and Indian oceans meet. I also enjoyed riding the train along Busselton Jetty, which is actually one of the longest tourist jetties in the world. Honestly, you really do see a lot of attractions in one day!
However, my favorite part of this full-day tour is probably the food. The Margaret River Chocolate Co. is always a treat, and I can never turn down a good chocolate sample. When we went, we also visited a winery and a dairy company, so you’ll get to try lots of local wine and cheese – yum!
This tour costs $225 AUD, which includes round-trip transport from Perth (with Wi-Fi), all activities, and a wine tasting. However, plan to spend extra on souvenirs and food along the way. The company will pick you up directly from Perth hotels if the tour group is small. Otherwise, you’ll arrange a convenient meeting point in the city.
As mentioned, tours are only offered on Saturdays. They begin around 7 am, lasting 10-12 hours. Overall, this is a great way to get a snapshot of Margaret River, especially if you don’t have time for an overnight stay.
Click here to check availability and book this Margaret River day tour!
Related Read: Are you also visiting Sydney? Read about our top picks for tours in Sydney, Australia!
2. 4-Day Tour to Albany, Margaret River, and Valley of the Giants
If you’ve got a bit more time on your hands, then this 4-day sightseeing tour is perfect for seeing all of the best sights! What I love about this tour is that it blends in local treats like sheep-shearing festivals with iconic landmarks like Mammoth Cave and The Gap.
But before all that, this trip starts off with a scenic ride to Albany from Perth, where you’ll visit lots of local gems, which also includes a stop by Mount Clarence. Here you’ll find the National Anzac Centre, a museum and interpretive centre dedicated to the memory of Australian and New Zealand soldiers who served in World War I.
I don’t want to spoil all of the stops on each of the days, but I particularly love the itinerary on the third day, when you get to visit Margaret River! From epic viewpoints to a 500m (1640 ft) long cave (that’s FULL of fossils!), there’s plenty of sights that will delight the whole family.
This tour offers pick-up and drop-off from selected hotels in Perth (you can check them here), as well as the various activities and three nights of accommodation. With tickets at $1,299 AUD, this is an entire holiday’s worth of activities neatly packaged into a seamless and scenic getaway. With glowing reviews, it’s not hard to see why people love this tour so much!
This tour is popular and does sell out, so secure your spot online right here!
3. Margaret River, Caves, Wine, and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
This tour provides a nice balance between sampling Margaret River’s famous wine and enjoying its gorgeous scenery. Plus, as a big craft beer fan, I really like that there’s a stop at a boutique brewery. You’ll be treated to lunch along with samples of local beer and cider.
You’ll also visit the beautiful Busselton Jetty, one of the longest wooden jetties in the world. Then, you’ll stop at the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, where the Indian and Southern oceans collide.
Just as you start to get hungry, you’ll stop for lunch and beer at Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co. If you take the tour on Mondays or Tuesdays, your groups will stop at Black Brewing Co. instead. I can assure you they’re both fantastic and offer a great intro to locally crafted brews.
There’s also a stop at a local winery where you’ll try five of the region’s top vintages. This is a real treat if you’re partial to a glass of wine (like me!).
And if all that wasn’t enough, the tour also includes a guided tour of Mammoth Cave. This is a huge underground cave that makes you feel like you’re in some kind of fantasy movie! You’ll finish off the day with 30 minutes of free time in Margaret River town. Get a feel for the town, pop into some cute local boutiques, or grab a snack before hitting the road.
All in all, we think that this tour has a really well-balanced itinerary that does a great job of showcasing Margaret River’s highlights in just one day.
This tour is offered every day except Sunday and Wednesday. It costs $225 AUD including lunch, beer/cider/wine tastings, and transportation. You can join your group at the Crown Perth Food Court at 7:45 am or request pickup at the time of booking. Expect to be dropped back off around 10 pm.
So if you want to enjoy craft beer AND see Margaret River, book this full-day tour online here!
Related Read: If you only have one full day in the city before taking off to Margaret River, check out our ideal 1-day Perth itinerary to maximize your time!
4. Margaret River Private Tour
As you can probably tell, Margaret River has a lot to offer. That’s why we think taking this private tour is such a good option! You can customize the itinerary and make sure that you don’t miss out on any of your must-see highlights.
The suggested itinerary for this tour includes visits to the stunning Ngilgi Cave, Yallingup Beach, and Busselton Jetty. However, you can adjust it to your liking – Margaret River is your oyster!
One thing that we really like about this full-day tour is that your guide will take you to quiet wineries that the bigger tours tend to miss. This means you can enjoy your tasting in peace and get more personalized attention from the staff.
You’ll also visit Margaret River Chocolate Co. to try some of the area’s delicious artisanal chocolate – trust us, you don’t want to miss out on this! You can also visit a coffee roastery to get your caffeine fix by sampling the best local blends.
This tour costs $550 AUD each for two people or $250 AUD each for a group of 6. If you’re traveling in a big group, then it won’t cost you much more than a group tour. Prices include roundtrip transportation from your Perth hotel, a professional driver-guide, water, and chocolate tasting. However, any other food and drinks are on you.
The Margaret River is such a beautiful part of Australia. If you really want to enjoy it in style, we highly recommend booking this private tour!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
5. Margaret River 3-Day Escape
If you’ve got time, I definitely think that Margaret River warrants a multi-day trip – which is why I like this 3-day escape! You not only get to see much more of the region, but you can also explore in-depth at a more relaxed pace. Trust me, with all the gorgeous scenery and tasty cuisine here, you won’t want to rush.
This tour hits all of the highlights, including the Busselton Jetty, Mammoth Cave, the Boranup Karri Forest, and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. However, it’s also interspersed with lots of visits to local cafes, wineries, restaurants, and chocolate shops. Overall, you can really get a feel for the local culture and flavors of Margaret River.
You’ll also visit some of the area’s top wine estates, including Thompson Estate, an award-winning winery with the friendliest hosts. Chocolate lovers will enjoy indulging at the famous Margaret River Chocolate Co. We absolutely loved it here, especially because we got to eat chocolate quokkas! These also make great souvenirs to take home for friends.
The more laid-back pace of this tour also means that you get some free time to enjoy the Margaret River region by yourself. You can explore the town’s many art galleries and markets or enjoy time in nature.
All in all, this tour is perfect if you’re looking to spend a few days in Margaret River but don’t want to rent a car or worry about logistics.
It costs $1,250 AUD, which includes roundtrip transportation from Perth. You also get lunch every day (with wine!), two nights of 4-star accommodation, and two breakfasts. You really wouldn’t be able to do it that much cheaper by yourself.
For a relaxing and fun-filled tour, book this 3-day experience in Margaret River!
6. 6-Day Esperance and Margaret River Adventure Tour
Camping is an amazing way to experience the beauty of Western Australia. However, planning a camping trip by yourself can be a lot of hassle. If you don’t feel like spending a lot of time on research and logistics, then we highly recommend this 6-day camping adventure in Esperance and Margaret River. It truly is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, with amazing hikes and insanely beautiful sights!
During this tour, you’ll explore some of Western Australia’s most stunning landscapes, from lush forests to pristine beaches. You’ll visit lots of the typical Margaret River highlights, including the Busselton Jetty, the limestone caves, and wineries. But unlike the other tours listed, the main focus of this tour is on hiking, learning about Indigenous culture, and assisting with wildlife conservation.
On this 6-day tour, you’ll feel fully immersed in the natural beauty and wildlife of Western Australia. You’ll do everything from participating in wildlife rehabilitation projects to saying hi to kangaroos in Cape Le Grand National Park.
There are also so many beautiful hikes involved on this tour, including bush walks in Cape Le Grand. You can also discover ancient Aboriginal medicine on a guided hike in Dempster Head. Plus, you’ll get to visit the jaw-dropping beaches of Esperance, swim at secluded spots along the coast, and drive through gorgeous mountain scenery.
This adventurous tour really is the ultimate way to experience Western Australia’s wilderness. If you want to dive deep into the wonders of Western Australia without the hassle of planning, this is the perfect option. It’s also a great choice if you don’t have anyone to go camping with but are nervous about going alone!
It costs $1,395 AUD per person, which includes 5 nights of swag camping (basic facilities), all transport, all activities, and all of your meals. Trips take off every Monday at 6:15 am from the Beaufort Bus Stop in Perth.
This tour often has special deals where you can save hundreds. So, check current prices and book your 6-day adventure online here!
Related Read: If you love exploring nature, check out Litchfield National Park. This Australian gem is full of waterfalls, swimming holes, towering sandstones, and epic camping spots.
7. 3-Day Margaret River Yoga Wellness Glamping Adventure from Perth
Given its gorgeous scenery, amazing produce, and laid-back pace of life, it’s no surprise that Margaret River is a popular place for wellness retreats. If you’re looking for a chance to relax and reset, this 3-day yoga and wellness tour is ideal.
You’ll be glamping at a gorgeous farm and enjoying daily yoga and meditation workshops. There are also guided hikes to explore the region’s natural beauty, and you’ll be enjoying delicious food made with fresh local produce. This is a chance to nourish both your body and your mind!
But don’t worry; there are a few wine tastings along the way, too! After all, we wouldn’t want you to miss out on the region’s fantastic wine. You’ll also get to enjoy a cooking class and even visit some nearby markets to choose your ingredients.
You’ll be staying at Fair Harvest Permaculture Farm in glamped-out tents for three. However, if you’d like to upgrade your tent, just ask your tour operators at the time of booking.
This retreat costs $1,450 AUD per person, which includes return transport from Perth, two nights of glamping, all yoga and meditation classes, and meals. It starts on Fridays, making it the perfect way to spend a long weekend! It’s also a fantastic chance to relax and reset.
Are you looking for a positive experience for your body and your mind? Book this 3-day wellness retreat before it sells out!
About Margaret River
There’s a lot to love about Margaret River. This small town is located on the Western Australian coast and boasts a Mediterranean climate, an abundance of high-quality produce, a thriving artistic scene, and beautiful scenery. Ultimately, this is the kind of place where people go to live the good life.
Margaret River was first settled in the early 1800s, and currently, only around 10,000 people live in the region permanently. Despite this, Margaret River receives around 500,000 visitors each year! It’s easily one of the most popular day trips from Perth.
As a Perth local, I’ve been visiting Margaret River for years, and I never get tired of coming here. As well as the gorgeous beaches, vineyards, and amazing food, I just love the atmosphere here.
There’s also some great surfing in the area, as well as incredible underground caves to explore. You can also visit the Boranup Karri Forest to see Karri trees, which can only be found in Western Australia.
Basically, this is a very beautiful and plentiful region. If you’re looking to get out of the city and enjoy a Western Australian adventure, then Margaret River is the place to go. I always recommend it to friends visiting Perth because I absolutely love coming here!
Is visiting Margaret River worth it?
Yes! Margaret River is one of the best destinations south of Perth, and it’s a true local favorite. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, but I always leap at the chance to come back!
Personally, my advice would be to visit for more than a day, either by choosing a multi-day tour or renting a car and booking accommodation for a few nights. Day trips are great if you don’t have time to stay for longer, but if you’ve got the time, I recommend staying for longer because there’s just so much to explore.
Related Read: Rottnest Island is another amazing day trip from Perth. Click here to read my guide on booking a Rottnest Island tour.
Other Activities to do While You’re in Perth
When we’re staying in Perth, we absolutely love visiting Margaret River. However, this is just one of many fun things we like doing in Perth! This city is actually Daniel’s hometown, so we know it well! As such, we’ve compiled this list of our top activities.
- Visit Penguin Island – Penguin Island is just a 45-minute drive from Perth and is home to around 1,200 wild penguins along with nature trails, beaches, and places to swim and snorkel. You’ll need to take a ferry to the island – unless you want to kayak there instead!
- Go whale watching – Perth is home to the largest humpback whale migration in the world! If you’re here anytime from September to November, this whale watching tour is our pick. We even saw a mom and baby whale! If you need more info read our tips on whale watching in Perth.
- Drink craft beer – Craft beer fans are in luck because Perth has excellent local breweries! Our favorite is Gage Roads in Freo, where I recommend the Sleepy Giant IPA. East Perth’s Bright Tank Brewing Co has super cool decor and creative beers. To sample an even wider variety, join this Swan Valley brewing tour for a full day of beer-tasting fun!
- Go museum hopping – Perth has a variety of super interesting museums, from the Art Gallery of WA to the Perth Cultural Center. Gamers won’t want to miss The Nostalgia Box Museum, and to learn all about gold and see the world’s largest coin, take a tour of the Mint!
- Learn to surf – Perth is the ideal place for beginner surfers! We recommend Go Surf Perth for classes. If you’re a novice surfer heading out on your own, our favorite beach is Cottesloe. For a bit more of a challenge, one of the most reliable surf breaks is Trigg Beach.
Where to Stay in Perth, WA
Many people use Perth as a base to visit Margaret River. If that sounds like you, you’ll need a place to stay. Because there are so many activities in Perth within the CBD (Central Business District), I recommend staying in the heart of the city if you can. If you need some help narrowing down your options, these are our top picks for each budget range!
The Westin Perth – $$$
A mix of classy and contemporary, The Westin Perth is the place to stay when you’re looking for a touch of luxury. The prime location in the heart of Perth puts you within walking distance of the trendy Elizabeth Quay area as well as lots of restaurants and cafes. You can also use the hotel’s infinity pool or its signature restaurant run by iconic Australian Chef Guy Grossi.
Rooms at the Westin Perth start at around $400 AUD per night and can be booked online.
Pensione Hotel Perth – $$
A nice mid-range option, the Pensione Hotel Perth is a refurbished boutique hotel with 98 rooms. It’s close to Elizabeth Quay, major shopping centers, the Swan River, and Northbridge. You’ll feel like you’re stepping into the 1960s with restored furniture and décor from the time filling the lobby.
The staff members are really friendly, and rooms are reasonable at under $150 AUD a night. To snag this deal, reserve your stay at Pensione Hotel Perth in advance.
Hostel G Perth – $
You don’t need to pay big bucks to stay in Perth’s CBD. Hostel G Perth has dorm rooms for around $40 AUD or private rooms for around $100 AUD. You’ll have a huge common area with movies on TV, a kitchen, and a great atmosphere with travelers of all ages.
We really like hostels because they are affordable so you can travel longer and you might even meet some new friends to hang out with! Grab a room using Booking.com or HostelWorld.com.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Margaret River is where you go to feel good. It has everything from caves and beaches to wineries and cute eateries. With so much to do here, tours are a natural choice! They take the stress out of planning so you can fully enjoy your time in Margaret River – which is why we hope you found a tour from our list!
If you enjoyed reading this article, check out our other blogs about Australia. This is my home country, and Bailey and I love exploring it as much as we can. We’ve also traveled all over the world, and you can read about other destinations here.
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