Date of Visit: 9-25 Mar 2021
Margaret River
A 3-hour drive south from Perth or a 45-minute drive southwest of Busselton, Margaret River is an inland town named after the 60 km long Margaret River that flows past the town in the western direction into the Indian Ocean. Margaret River town centre is 9 km inland from the coast.
The Margaret River Region
The Margaret River Region, a famous holiday destination for many, actually refers to the region beyond Margaret River town stretching from Busselton along the coastline down to Augusta. This region is known for its spectacular beaches and surfing spots, exquisite caves, beautiful forests, extensive walking trails, and award-winning wineries.
If you are in Margaret River town centre on Saturday morning, visit the year-round Saturday Margaret River Farmers Market featuring local vendors bringing fresh seasonal food directly from farmers and producers to the community.
Margaret River Waterfalls at Kevill Road
Margaret River Waterfalls at Kevill Road, a 5-minute drive from Margaret River town centre on Kevill Road, is also known as Kevill Road Falls. Water levels at the falls change with the seasons. In the wet winter months, the flow of water can become quite powerful. However, in the drier summer months, the falls is basically non-existent due to low water level.
Margaret River Mouth Beach
Margaret River Mouth, a 10-minute drive west from Margaret River town centre, is where Margaret River meets the Indian Ocean, is distinctly different in the dry summer months and the wet winter months. In the dry summer months, water levels are low and the river mouth is usually blocked. Visitors can cross the river mouth to access the beach. Paddlers are often seen boating in the calm water of the blocked Margaret River.
Margaret River Mouth Beach has a huge carpark, as well as a viewing platform. There are walking trails heading both along the river and along the coastline for visitors to explore.
From the viewing platform or the walking trails, visitors may be able to see surfers in action at Surfers Point to the south of Margaret River mouth. Keen surfers can spend days surfing the waves at Surfers Point. Have a stop at Surfers Point and watch surfers enjoying surfing.
Click to view drone video footage of Margaret River Mouth in the dry summer months and Surfers Point.
Gnarabug Beach
Gnarabug Beach is a 1.6 km long beach just a 5-minute drive south of Margaret River Mouth. Protected by near continuous reefs, Gnarabup Beach is the most popular swimming beach near the Coastal town of Prevelly. There is a huge carpark and a boat ramp. White Elephant Café by the carpark is a popular breakfast, lunch, and coffee break destination for visitors who can enjoy the magnificent views of the Indian Ocean and Gnarabug Beach while enjoying their food and drink.
Take a short walk up Gnarabup Lookout from White Elephant Café to have even spectacular views.
Hamelin Bay Beach
From Gnarabug Beach, taking Caves Road in the southern direction will lead visitors to Hamelin Bay Beach in 40 minutes. You will drive through Boranup Karri Forest before arriving at Hamelin Bay Beach. The beach is a popular beach fishing spot. Boats can be launched at the boat launching ramp here too. Beach walking, swimming, snorkelling, and boating are other popular activities.
There is a lighthouse on Hamlin Island, which is just 1 km off the coast from Hamlin Bay Beach.
Jewel Cave
A short 10-minute drive inland from Hamelin Bay Beach is Jewel Cave on Caves Road, the largest open-to-the-public show cave in Western Australia. The cave is surrounded by Karri forest. The cave has huge chambers of beautiful examples of stalactites, helictites, and stalagmites that took hundreds of years to form.
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, constructed from local limestone in 1895 is the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia.
The 39m tall historic Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, is located at the tip of a spectacular peninsula where the Southern Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet. Remarkedly, this is also the most south-westerly point of Australia.
Today, this automated lighthouse is still a vital working lighthouse for vessels navigating Cape Leeuwin.
Visitors can still see the remains of the waterwheel and wooden flume constructed nearby to bring fresh spring water to the lighthouse.
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is a 20-minute drive south from Jewel Cave, past Augusta Harbour, and Granny’s Pool.
Granny’s Pool
Granny’s Pool is located in Augusta, a short drive back from Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. Shielded within an ocean outcrop of rocks in Flinders Bay, Granny’s Pool’s shallow crystal-clear water is a popular family-friendly swimming and snorkelling destination.
Beneath shade trees by the beach is the best place to take a break or have a picnic lunch while enjoying the beautiful ocean views.
Hardy Inlet
Just a 5-minute drive north of Granny’s Pool is Hardy Inlet, another family-friendly destination for fishing, swimming, boating, canoeing, and picnics. The inlet opens to the Southern Ocean via Flinders Bay. The water in the inlet is calm and shallow, safe for kids to swim in and play water sports. The foreshore area is grassed and has lots of shady trees and picnic tables to sit at and enjoy picnic lunches. This is a perfect spot for a family outing.
The town of Augusta is situated on the southwestern shore of the inlet, so visitors can access shops and food very easily.
Fonty’s Pool
Located in the town of Manjimup between Margaret River and Walpole, Fonty’s Pool is an interesting place to stop to enjoy the freshwater pool and learn about its history. Fonty’s Pool was a freshwater dam with a long history associated with the builder of Fonty’s Pool – Archimede Fontanini, a Manjimup local resident.
Fonty’s Pool was officially opened to the public in 1925.
Today Fonty’s Pool is a large swimming pool with cement sides surrounded by landscaped gardens and trees.
The caravan park outside Fonty’s Pool is named after the pool – Fonty’s Pool Caravan Park and Chalets.
Gloucester Tree
Gloucester Tree, in the town of Pemberton, is a 30-minute drive south of Fonty’s pool. Visitors can test their courage to climb up the 58 m tall tree using the makeshift ladder made of giant steel pegs nailed into the tree trunk.
At the top of the makeshift ladder is a lookout platform, that was once used as a fire lookout. Enjoy the panoramic views at the tree top before heading down the ladder.
Nearby Diamond Tree was permanently closed to climbing in 2019 after experts’ advice of rot at the base of the tree.
Point D’Entrecasteaux
Point D’Entrecasteaux is a 1-hour drive south of Gloucester Tree or a 25-minute drive southwest of the small town of Northcliffe on D’Entrecasteaux Drive.
Why a French name? That is because Point D’Entrecasteaux was named after the French navigator Antoine de Bruni D’Entrecasteaux who sighted the point on his way to Cape Leeuwin in 1792.
Although a bit out of the way for visitors travelling between Margaret River and Walpole, the scenic drive through the Karri forest and the spectacular rugged coastline at Point D’Entrecasteaux are rewarding surprises.
“The Window”
Be sure to visit “The Window”, an amazing rock formation that has an opening in the middle, like a window, with views of the Indian Ocean and the rugged coastline.
Mount Chudalup Summit Walk Trail
You may also want to take a 40-minute (one-way, approximately depending on your pace) hike up Mount Chudalup Summit Walk Trail through karri and marri forest to the summit of Mount Chudalup, a giant granite rock at 187 m above sea level, to enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding forest, and further away, the Indian Ocean, the coastline and Yeagarup Dunes from the summit of the giant rock. Be aware that the granite rock can be slippery in wet weather and there are steep slopes on the summit.
Click to read Western Australia South West Edge Road Trip Part 1 – Perth to Gracetown.
Click to read Western Australia South West Edge Road Trip Part 3 – Rainbow Coast.
Check out “Travel and Destinations Blogs” for more travel blogs on a wide range of destinations from popular, exotic, unique to obscure.
The Margaret River Region, a famous holiday destination for many, actually refers to the region beyond Margaret River town stretching from Busselton along the coastline down to Augusta. This region is known for its spectacular beaches and surfing spots, exquisite caves, beautiful forests, extensive walking trails, and award-winning wineries.