Ultimate Margaret River bucket list

There’s never been a better time to tick something off your Margaret River bucket list. And here’s an excellent guide for 30 ways to experience the best of this beautiful region. Naturally, a hike on the Cape to Cape Track with Cape to Cape Explorer Tours makes the bucket list, which was compiled by local writer Lizzy Pepper for tourism group The Margaret River Region.

1. BE CAPTIVATED BY WHALES

Thousands of humpbacks, southern right and blue whales travel the whale superhighway each year, making their annual migration. Right now, through to December, we have about 35,000 humpback whales, 300 blue whales and a few thousand southern right whales travelling through Geographe Bay and the most awesome way to see them is up close from a boat. Book your whale watching experience today. Try a tour with Whale Watch Western Australia, Leeuwin Marine Charters, Jet Adventures, Legend Charters Whale Watching, All Sea Charters or Naturaliste Charters.

2. LISTEN TO THE LAND

Welcome to Wadandi Boodja – land of the Wadandi Saltwater People, the traditional owners of this region. Walk softly, take the time to listen to and care for Boodja (Country). Let Josh ‘Koomal’ Whiteland, Wadandi cultural custodian, share stories and ancient bush food and medicine knowledge on a Koomal Dreaming tour.

3. CAPTURE MEMORIES

Capturing memories requires a delicate blend of right place, right time and the right gear and skills. We’ve sure got plenty of great content to practice on – whether it’s red winged fairy wrens, beautiful wildflowers or stunning beaches. Take your photography practice next-level with a photography tour by Margaret River Exposed.

4. DISCOVER WILDFLOWER COUNTRY

There’s a rainbow of spring wildflowers blooming, but unlike the everlastings up north, you may need to slow down and get out of your car to spot some of our specimens! Take a wander out yonder through karri, marri and jarrah forest and you’ll spy wildflowers of every colour – dozens of types of orchids, hot pink and orange pea vines and abundant kangaroo paws. Dial up the adventure with a wildflower-loving tour guide; Hank from Margaret River Exposed, Gene and the Cape to Cape Explorer Tour team or Sean from Margaret River Discovery Co are all experts when it comes to tracking down an illusive orchid and telling weeds from wildflowers. You could also try: South West Eco Discovery Tours, Edgewalkers, Mcleod Tours, or Eco Adventures Margaret River.

5. SEE THE LIGHT

She’s been keeping sailors safe since 1903, and there’s no better way to experience Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse than to join a guided tour. See the light and the original 12-tonne crystal lens and take in the ripper view of where two oceans kiss. You might even see a passing whale or dolphin, if you’re lucky. The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Precinct picked up a WA Heritage Award, so be sure to check out the Lightkeeper’s Cottage Interpretive Centre while you’re there. Note: Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse will be undergoing an extensive restoration between September 2021 and March 2022, and while not possible to climb the tower it’s a great opportunity to watch the highly specialised work in action. The award-winning interpretive centre and lighthouse café will remain open to visitors during this time.

Boranup Forest Horse Riding Jesters Flat Tour

6. FIND YOUR BEARINGS

You’ll feel on top of the world hiking the Cape to Cape Track, which is considered one of the world’s finest scenic treks by those in the know. 134km north to south, through national park and cute coastal towns and plenty of secret swimming spots along the way, you’ll soon realise that no two bays are the same. Grab a Cape to Cape Track Guidebook, download the app or relax and let someone else look after you on a guided hiking tour. South West Driving Services specialise in Cape To Cape transfers, and can help you get to and from the track with ease. Try a tour with: Cape to Cape Explorer Tours, Margaret River Climbing Co Adventure Tours, Edgewalkers, Margaret River Adventure Co or South West Eco Discoveries.

7. SALT WATER FOR THE SOUL

Nothing feels so lovely as cooling off in the deep blue, or getting an adrenaline buzz on the water. There’s so many ways to enjoy the sapphire blues of Geographe Bay and the Cape to Cape coast; find a secret swimming spot, bay hop on a stand up paddleboard, get barrelled or cruise the Meelup coast. Some salt water experiences: The Dive Shed, Margaret River Kitesurfing, or Margaret River Stand Up Paddleboarding.

8. DISCOVER LUXURY IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

Life’s short so live large with some of the finest experiences right here in the Margaret River Region. Arrive in a helicopter, take a private guided tour along the Cape to Cape and top it all off with rockstar views from your luxury pad. Try: Xplore Eyre Luxury Tours, Tigermoth Adventure Flights, Cape Chauffeurs, Scenic Helicopter Tours, A Touch of Glass, Walk into Luxury, Flying Corkscrew, Supper Road.

9. EXPLORE SECRET CELLAR DOORS

Here we are in wine paradise, surrounded by some of Australia’s finest drops and most postcard-perfect wineries. Take your love of wine to the next level with a guided wine tasting or specialist tour experience… there’s plenty to choose from. Case in point? Arimia Estate is tucked away off the main road, but venturing out to the property is to be immersed in their ethos of sustainability. All produce is grown in a way that aims to give back to the land, to nourish it for generations to come. Book a tour of their organic farm followed by a 5 course lunch to combine environmental education with epicurean excellence. Try: Grape Escape South West Tours, The Margaret River Experience, Whicher Ridge Wines, Cape Mentelle Vineyard, Bettenay Wines, Arlewood Estate, Brown Hill, Vasse Felix, Voyager Estate, Cheers Winery and Scenic Tours , All About Margaret River, or Margaret River Tours.

10. FIND HAPPINESS ON HORSEBACK

Can you think of a more relaxing way to wander out yonder than a gallop along the beach – or a peaceful ride through a forest? Find happiness on horseback and make your holiday one to remember. Saddle up at Jesters Flat or The Horse Resort.

11. GO UNDERGROUND

Discover crystal wonderlands in million-year-old caves. About 100 limestone caves lie beneath the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge – hence the iconic ‘Caves Road’ – and four of them are open for us to explore. Be prepared for stairs and jaw-dropping sights, these caves are the ultimate underground adventure.

12. RIDE UNBEATEN TRACKS

Make tracks down south for wildflower season. The Margaret River Region’s tracks and trails are hidden gems just waiting to be explored. But you might need a local to show you which ones are best. Hit up Margaret River Adventure Co for a fast paced experience or just see Paul at The Hairy Marron who’ll sort you out with a bike and which tracks to follow. Others to try: Margaret River Mountain Bike Tours, Bike Shed Dunsborough, Bike Swim Hike Dunsborough, Easy Ride Tours

13. GET A LOCAL’S PERSPECTIVE

Nobody knows all the Margaret River Region’s hidden gems quite like the local tour guides. They’ve lived here for yonks and spend their days exploring, unearthing, and love sharing a yarn. See a side of WA you’ve never seen before and support these awesome operators who know the Margaret River Region and all it’s wonderful secret spots and amazing stories.

14. GO WHERE THE WIND BLOWS YOU

Feel the breeze on your skin as you sail through crystalline waters – this is the life! Don’t have a boat? No worries! Call up capt’n Luke from Sailing Charters WA for the most incredible afternoon for you and five friends on his 41ft yacht. Dive off the bow, snorkel the clear waters, then drink champagne in the sun. Bliss.

Also one to try: Margaret River Kite Surfing

15. GET BARRELLED

Paddle-paddle-paddle and you’re UP and the feeling is AMAZING as you ride that wave of exhilaration. There’s a wave here for everyone, from gentle shore breaks for beginners to perfect barrels where local legends Taj Burrows and Jake Patterson honed their styles. Hire a board or let one of the locals give you a lesson. Try: Josh Palmateer Surf Academy, Margaret River Surf School, Yallingup Surf School

16. BECOME A MASTER

Learn a new skill or practice something you love – there’s plenty of awesome workshops to choose from. Get a distilling degree at Giniversity, cook up a storm at Wildwood Valley, make beautiful art prints with one of Europe’s best at Margaret River Printmaking, or blend your own skincare at Vasse Virgin.

17. SEEK ADRENALINE

Imagine it; you’re at the top of a 50-metre cliff with your heart pounding and waves smashing the granite below. Adrenaline surging, it’s time to lean back into your harness and abseil down… then run back up to the top of the Wilyabrup cliffs, ready to do it again. Or picture this – sun beating down, life jacket on, you’re doing donuts in crystal clear water before the skipper brings his jet boat to an abrupt halt, covering you with a wall of water. Or, palms sweating, you climb a swaying ladder that’s suspended 18 metres up in the treetops only to be rewarded with nine consecutive flying foxes. Or give coasteering a whirl – jump into a wettie and leap off rocks into the surging sea for thrills. More for your adrenaline fix: Margaret River Adventure Co, Forest Adventures South West, Next Level Monkey Business, Margaret River Climbing Co.

18. REMEMBER SIMPLE PLEASURES

Sometimes it’s the little things that bring so much joy – listening to birdsong on a forest walk, cuddling a pet lamb or having a ride on a jetty train. Find happiness in the Margaret River Region at Busselton Jetty, Sunflowers Animal Farm or at Glenarty Road farm tour.

19. DISCOVER HIDDEN GEMS

Scratch the surface and you’ll find some fascinating people and places… but where to start? The Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River Visitor Centres are the first to know about new tours and experiences, and the quirky or lesser known attractions. Three new-ish experiences that spring to mind are Passel Estate’s conservation walks through their possum sanctuary and paired chocolate and wine tastings, Augusta River Tours along the Blackwood River, teeming with birdlife and dolphins, or Bike Swim Hike’s adventures along the Dunsborough coastline. Also one to try: All About Margaret River, The Grove Talk and Taste Experience, Busselton Tours and Charters, Gran Via Tours and Transfers

20. TAKE AN ARTISTIC ADVENTURE

Spark creativity with an inspiring visit to local artists, ceramicists, glass blowers and galleries. Pottery meets beekeeping at Happs Pottery + Icon Honey, see molten glass blowing at Melting Pot Studio, and art meets wine with famed galleries at Vasse Felix and Leeuwin Estate. Cruise galleries packed with local art and sculpture such as Studio Gallery, Jahroc and Gunyulgup Galleries.There’s also plenty of street art to check out, like Cowara Dreaming just off the main street of Cowaramup.

21. APPRECIATE SEASONAL PRODUCE

There’s nothing as tasty as crayfish fresh from the reef or fruit plucked straight from the tree, and where better to enjoy fresh food than right where it’s grown in the Margaret River Region. The Margaret River Farmers Market is an awesome place to start, buying direct from the baker, fisherman and cheesemaker on a Saturday morning, but you could also hop on a Walk Talk Taste or Bushtucker tour, dine with Fervor or learn about native ingredients with Koomal Dreaming. Also try: Taste the South Tours, Margaret River Brewery Tours, Harvest Tours and Charters, Cowaramup Brewing Co, Cullen Wines.

22. RECONNECT WITH THE FAMILY

What a joy to spend time as a family without all the ‘life admin’ of remembering library books and fundraiser bake sales! Take the groms for a surf lesson, hop aboard the Busselton Jetty Train, go zip lining as a family or explore a crystal cave. These are adventures the whole family will love. Also try: Taste the South Tours, Mammoth Cave, Forest Adventures South West

23. GO OFF THE BEATEN PATH AND BEYOND

Sure, you can snap a quick selfie at the Boranup Forest lookout before whizzing onto the next winery, but you’d miss out on all the best stuff. Tiny wildflowers on the forest floor, the distant screech of cockatoos and stories of megafauna fossils found in caves. This is why we’d always recommend searching out the incredible nature tours and really getting to experience the Margaret River Region’s amazing wildlife, geology and stories. Try: Nullabor Traveller, Margaret River Exposed, Bushtucker Tours, Margaret River Eco Adventures

24. ASK IN BUSSELTON’S HISTORIC HEART AND SOUL

The beautiful Busselton Jetty was built 153 years ago when timber exports were booming and extended a bunch of times as the boats got bigger! There’s more than one way to experience the jetty; stroll the entire 1.81km out to sea, reel in a fish or squid, take a ride on the famous jetty train and underwater observatory tour, or dive with the fishes on an underwater helmet tour. Book your jetty experience today.

25. REEL IN A RIPPER

Check out the size of that dhuie! Whether you’re catching prize dhu fish fit for a king, or just stoked to catch dinner, reeling in a ripper on a fishing charter is sure to put a smile on your dial. Pretty much anything you catch off our aquamarine shores is going to be delicious, so check out some of the guided fishing tours where they’ll take care of everything from rods and bait to keeping the beers cold.

26. TRAVEL IN STYLE

Road trip! There’s no better way to travel from A to B than with a local to guide the way. And if you’re doing your holiday right – there may also be a tiny bit of alcohol consumption involved, so play it safe and book a driver. Tours in the Margaret River Region range from full day winery tours, to charter services in luxury vehicles. Try: Margaret River Vintage Wine Tours, Wine for Dudes, Esquire Classic Charters, Cape to Cape Wine Tours and Charters, Margaret River Unplugged, Cellar dOr Winery Tours, Margaret River Tours, Cheers Winery and Scenic Tours, Cape Chauffeurs, Gold Star Charter, MYDRIVER or South West Luxury Transport.

27. SEARCH FOR SANCTITY

Sometimes a holiday is really all about getting off the treadmill, taking a breather and allowing the mind and body to relax. Experiences like canoeing up the Margaret River, stand up paddle boarding in a calm bay, or walking through the subterranean landscape of one of the region’s caves all create some form of zen. Join one of the many yoga classes available throughout the region, or invite Mandy from Devahiti Yoga to take you through a private session at your accommodation. If you’re chasing some time to reflect and rejuvenate, try some of these experiences: Stand Up Surfing, Margaret River Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Margaret River Discovery Co

28. LOSE YOUR BEARINGS

Put down the map for a while and just enjoy the ride, because sometimes you find the coolest places when you’re lost! There are three epic mazes in the region – A Maze’n Margaret River, Yallingup Maze and Boranup Maze.

29. KEEP KIDS HAPPY

Happy kids pretty much spells happy adults so finding entertainment for toddlers, tweens and teens is an essential task when you’re holidaying in the region. Luckily, there are a plethora of options to choose from. Hold a snake and meet cool reptiles at Discover Deadly, zip line through the trees at Next Level Monkey Business or Forest Adventures South West, or get lost at Wow Illusions. Also try: All About Margaret River tours, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, The Colony Concept, Eagles Heritage

30. HAPPEN UPON ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS

The Margaret River Region is bursting with animal life. You can happen upon kangaroos, bird life, woylies and possums on tours along the Cape to Cape. Or you can visit an animal farm and find chickens, cows, pigs and emus. Try: Sunflowers Animal Farm, Eagles Heritage, Country Life Farm, South West Eco – Meet the Woylies, Discover Deadly

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