Amazing Things to Do on your Winter Getaway to Margaret River

If you are looking for a winter getaway, The Margaret River Region is one of the best places in Western Australia. While its stunning beaches make the South West a popular tourist destination in the summer, the region has plenty of unforgettable experiences on offer during the cooler months.

We love visiting this area throughout the year, but there is something so special about heading down south during the winter. Usually crowded and busy during the summer holidays, winter in Margaret River really is the best getaway. Even though the weather is colder, there are still so many things to do in the area that the whole family will enjoy!

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This post was originally published in 2019 but has since been updated.

Quick links to start your Margaret River holiday!

Finding the right accommodation for your Margaret River winter getaway can be the hardest part about preparing for your trip! I’ve put together a list of the best accommodation options that includes unique stays, family-friendly accommodation and luxury retreats.

• Stay in a Glamping tent
• Best family-friendly accommodation
• Best affordable accommodation
• Experience a farm stay
• Relax at a 5 star retreat

Simply choose your accommodation based on your preferred style of travel and budget to start planning your winter holiday in Margaret River! If none of these options are to your liking you can browse all accommodation options here.

If you’re looking to book a tour for your winter holiday in Margaret River here are the top tour options, broken into categories:

• Family Friendly Tour in Margaret River
• Best Margaret River Tour for Adventurers
• Best Wine Tasting Experience
• Nature-lovers Tour in Margaret River
• Best Active Tour in Margaret River
• Margaret River Food-lovers Tour

Browse all tours here.

While each of these tours cater toward different types of travellers, there are also plenty of free activities in Margaret River. Read on to find out all there is to experience here during the winter months.

Go to a Margaret River Brewery

There are plenty of breweries located in the Margaret River Region, each with their own distinctive style, making it the ultimate destination for craft beer lovers. With unique blends, ciders, seasonal beers and great food it is the perfect place to sit back and relax. They are also great for escaping the winter rain, with seating areas indoors!

All the breweries are family friendly, making them a great place to take the kids. They have large grassed areas and most have playgrounds.

Some of our favourite breweries to visit with our kids include:

• CBCo Brewing: We love the menu here – especially the buffalo chicken wings! The playground is conveniently located near the grassed seating area but there are seats available inside for rainy days. For golf lovers, there is even a driving range!
• Cowaramup Brewing Company: A quieter brewery that has a relaxed vibe, beautiful views and a playground for the kids!

Relax with a Coffee

Sitting back with a good cup of coffee is the best way to appreciate the cooler weather. There are many cafes scattered throughout the Region, leaving you with plenty of options for your caffeine fix.

Each café has its own unique attributes, from ocean views, quirky character and delicious breakfast options for you to enjoy. The café scene in the Margaret River Region is a must do, it is a beautiful place to grab a cup of coffee, especially during the winter!

Here’s a list of the best cafes to try in Margaret River:

• White Elephant Cafe – Ocean views!
• Drift Cafe – Incredible breakfast
• Margaret River Bakery – Quirky European vibes
• Egberts Cafe – Delicious baked goods

If you’re a real coffee lover you might want to consider taking a Yahava KoffeeWorks Koffee Safari. Yahava coffee is a popular coffee company in the Margaret River region and this tour will show you all the behind the scenes of roasting to brewing and sampling their coffee.

Check out the Coffee Tour Here

Go Walking or Hiking in Margaret River

There are plenty of hiking and walking trails throughout the Region. Winter is a great time of year to hike here as the weather is cooler and the landscape is beautiful and green.

A quick search will bring up plenty of options for hiking in Margaret River. However here are our families top picks to do with kids:

Boranup Forest

Heading into Boranup Forest is worth your time, even if you don’t plan to go on a hike. However, there are plenty of walk trails to experience the beautiful Karri trees that tower above! When we went, we simply drove into the area and chose a small trail to walk up until we were ready to turn around.

Margaret River (town)

We really enjoyed the River Walk trail between our accommodation at RAC Margaret River and the Town of Margaret River. It was short and sweet which was great for with our kids, but full of beautiful nature and things to see along the way! The best part was it brought us right into town where we could stop for a coffee and some baked goods at the Margaret River Bakery!

Cape to Cape

Along the entire coastline from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin is the Cape to Cape Track. Hiking this track takes a couple of days. However, I highly recommend hiking a section of it and taking in the stunning coastal views along the way. 

There is even a wheelchair and pram friendly section of the Cape to Cape Track between Cape Naturaliste and Sugarloaf Rock. This is a great option for families who want to experience the coastline with young kids in a pram!

Explore the Natural Scenery

Even though the weather may be cooler and overcast, Australian winters have plenty of days where the rain stays away. If you are prepared to brave the cold, make sure you get outside and explore the natural scenery of Margaret River!

The best natural attractions in Margaret River to explore during the Winter are:

• Sugarloaf Rock: Located on Cape Naturaliste, Sugarloaf Rock is one of the most photographed landmarks in the region. It is an incredible spot to watch the sunset over the ocean.
• Canal Rocks: Canal Rocks comes with its very own viewing bridge that takes you over to a rock island. You can watch the waves roll in and you may even get splashed!
• Injidup Beach: Injidup Beach, or the “natural spa” is a popular place to swim during the summer months. However, the cooler weather doesn’t stop it from displaying its spectacular views as waves crash over the rocks and into the rock pools.
• Quinninup Falls: Just a short detour from the Cape-to-Cape Track is Quinninup Falls. Water only flows here a couple of weeks out of the year, so if you are visiting the Margaret River Region during winter it is worth a visit.
• Boranup Karri Forest: The Boranup Forest is full of magnificent karri trees, a unique change of scenery for this region. With lush greenery in contrast to the striking red dirt, it is a beautiful place to visit. There are plenty of easy walk trails to follow through the forest, making it a great place to explore with kids.

If you’re interested in experiencing the best nature Margaret River has the offer, this Margaret River Coastal and Wildlife Eco Trip is perfect for all ages! You’ll be taken to the best nature attractions inland and along the coastline. You might even get to see Kangaroos up close!

Check out Margaret River Nature Tour

Look for Whales

Whale watching is a popular activity to do in Margaret River during the winter months. From June until early December, whales from the Antartic migrate through the region, a sight that can be seen from shore. Your kids will love trying to find splashes out in the ocean to see if there are any whales in the area!

We loved looking out for whales on our walk near Sugarloaf Rock!

You can also book a locally run Whale Watching Charter. This is a great option to see the gigantic whales up close while you cruise. This particular tour runs out of Dunsborough, one of the towns in the Margaret River Region.

Book to see Whales in Margaret River!

Go Wine, Gin & Liquor Tasting

The Margaret River Region is famous for its quality wines. Pass the wintery days visiting the wineries by a self-guided tour or booking in with a local wine tour company.

Besides wine, you can also find places to sample local gin, whiskey and liquor. Visit the Margaret River Distilling Company, where you can taste award-winning whiskey and gin. At The Grove Distillery, you can sample a range of liquors that they mix into mini cocktails for you to try!

Just note: tastings at these companies do come at a small cost.

Wine tasting in Margaret River is the most popular thing to do in this famous wine region. Here’s a list to the best wine tours along with what they offer to make sure you don’t miss out on this incredible experience:

• 7 hour Wine Tour – Offers pickup & drop-off & includes tastings as well as lunch at a local brewery!
• Private Wine Tasting – Build your own unique tour of the Margaret River wine region.
• Vintage Wine Tasting – Dive into the history of Cape Mentelle wines and compare old & new bottles.
• Behind-the-scenes Food & Wine – Enjoy both food & wine in this 2 hour experience!
• Wine & Chocolate Tasting – Head to Passel Estate to enjoy chocolate bonbons paired with wine.
• Ultimate Tasting Experience ($$$) – Enjoy a 7-course meal with wine to match along with a private winery tour.

Sample Margaret River Produce

While you are driving around to various wineries, be sure to sample some of the local produce along the way. What better way to warm up your body from the winter cold, than with some delicious comfort food such as chocolate and cheese? Here are some of the best places to discover local produce:

• Margaret River Chocolate Factory: If you are travelling with kids, they will love The Chocolate Factory. They have FREE chocolate tastings, as well as a viewing window where you can watch the product be made.
• Margaret River Farmers Market: The Farmers Market is held at the Margaret River Education Campus every Saturday from 7:30am – 11:30am. The stalls are operated by the locals who produce and sell everything from fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, wine, honey, nougat and jams.
• Providore: This company sells an array of products, including jams, preserves, olive oils, dressings and desserts. It is a great place to taste test some local produce.
• The Margaret River Dairy Company: Enjoy free tastings of award-winning cheeses and yoghurts!
• Vasse Virgin: An olive oil company, that produces a variety of flavor infused olive oils. They also have a Soap Factory, that develops natural and organic body products using the finest extra virgin olive oil.
• Simmo’s Ice Creamery: Made from locally sourced full-cream milk, Simmo’s is a great place to sample local produce and a family friendly thing to do in Margaret River!

If you’re not sure where to start, why not jump on a full day hidden gems tour of Margaret River, where you’ll get to taste the best of the local produce!

Read the 5 Star Reviews here!

Go Caving

The Margaret River region is home to many cave systems. Caving is great for both adults and children alike, though you’ll likely have to book a tour to go on an adventure through them! Prices are pretty reasonable and children are often able to book at a lower rate.

Some caves even allow you to take your baby, though you may just want to put them in a carrier for the experience – always check before booking to make sure your baby will be allowed to enter.

Caving is a great winter activity for families visiting the Region. It’s a great way to escape the rain but still provide the opportunity to explore some of the local sights.

We’ve found that the best caves for families in the Margaret River region are:

• Mammoth Cave, Boranup
• Ngilgi Cave, Yallingup
• Jewel Cave, Augusta
• Lake Cave, Boranup

Try Mountain Biking

Many people (especially families) come out to the Margaret River Region for its many mountain bike trails! This is particularly a popular activity in Margaret River during the winter months as it’s much cooler and more beautiful experience.

If you’re a local and own your own mountain bike you can easily do this experience on your own. Entry to the trails is free and tracks range in length from 8km to 40km. Check out the details and trail maps here.

Alternatively, if you don’t have access to a mountain bike or have little mountain biking experience you may want to consider joining a mountain biking tour with a local guide!

Go Kayaking on Margaret River

One of the best ways to experience Margaret River is from the river itself. You can enjoy this experience from the Rivermouth and hire kayaks and paddle boards for this experience.

There are also several tours available that will take you on a guided journey along the river, offering lunch and stops along the way. My two top picks for this are:

• Margaret River Kayak & Wine Tour – dubbed the tour for those who don’t do tours, you’ll get to paddle up the river & enjoy wine tastings along the way!
• Kayak & Lunch Tour – A beautiful half day tour enjoying the natural wildlife with a stop for lunch of native Australian foods.

Explore the Surrounding Towns

Winter is a great time to explore the towns of The Margaret River Region. During this time of year the crowds are much smaller than during the summer months. Your family can stop over at most of these town while driving to other attractions in Margaret River.

Here are the top things to do in each town around Margaret River:

• Margaret River: This rural town has some of the best boutique shops in the region. Browse the shops as you walk through the one street town centre. Be sure to stop for a coffee at the eclectic Margaret River Bakery.
• Busselton: Famous for its iconic 1.8km long Busselton Jetty, the waterfront is a great place to eat fish and chips. Let the kids play on the ship-themed playground or enjoy a family walk on the jetty.
• Dunsborough: Dunsborough is a great place to do some shopping, with plenty of boutique clothing and homewares stores to browse. Make sure you stop for a sausage roll at one of the local bakeries.
• Augusta: A popular place for fishing, it is a great town for a family holiday. You can also visit the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse or grab a bite to eat at the local bakery.
• Cowaramup: Often referred to as “cow town,” be sure to count how many life size fiberglass cows are scattered around town. Visit the Candy Cow and try some of their delicious fudge and other treats!
• Yallingup: Yallingup is a small coastal town, with a beautiful beach that is popular for surfing. It is a great place for a beach walk or let the kids play at the creative nature playground.
• Gracetown: A popular little surf town, it is a great place to watch the waves roll in. It is also one of the few towns along the Cape-to-Cape Track, so there are plenty of walking trails nearby.

If you’d like to experience all that the Margaret River Region has to offer on a day trip from Perth, then check out this private tour!

Overall

Whether you are travelling with kids or on a romantic getaway, The Margaret River Region is a great place to relax. Cosy up by the fire with a nice cup of coffee or brave the chance of rain with your family. The cooler weather offers smaller crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere for you to enjoy. This makes it a great destination for an Australian winter getaway!

If you’re looking for more to do in Australia’s South West then read this post for FREE things to do down south!