If you are looking for things to do in Western Australia, don’t miss the chance to check out the incredible beauty of Margaret River. You've likely heard about the pristine beaches, rugged landscapes, and fantastic wineries of Margaret River — but have you ever wondered what there is to do on a budget?
Turns out there are endless opportunities for exploring and plenty of incredible (and affordable!) things to do in Margaret River. Whether you’re interested in exploring the Margaret River wineries, visiting the famed stingrays at Hamelin Bay or strolling along the 1.8km Busselton Jetty, we have you covered with all the insider budget-friendly tips with this guide to the best things to do in Margaret River on a budget.
But first, what's the best way to travel to Margaret River
Margaret River is a popular seaside town tucked away in the southwest corner of Western Australia, just three hours from Perth. With the town’s proximity to the city and its convenient driving distance to local attractions, motorhome travel is hands-down the best way to travel Margaret River.
After picking up your Mighty camper from our campervan hire Perth branch, you can take the scenic coastal route to arrive at Margaret River. This short drive from Perth to Margaret River is just one of many reasons to travel in a camper to Margaret River. Travelling by camper means exploring this region at your own pace and saving money on things like cooking. For example, instead of buying a meal in an expensive tourist attraction zone, you can simply head back to your camper and cook a meal in your campervan.
Everything you need to know about Margaret River
Here are some essentials to know before setting off on a camper van adventure to Margaret River:
The weather in Margaret River
This region has a Mediterranean climate - making it a perfect area for campervan travel all year long. Here is a little breakdown of the weather you can expect in each season in Margaret River:
Summer - Unlike many places in Australia, the southwest is best known for not getting too hot (typically just under 30°C)
Autumn - Expect warm weather during the day, and cooler mornings and evenings
Winter - This region still enjoys sunny days over winter, even with the highest cumulative rainfall at this time of year. You can expect temperatures to sit around 16-18°C on average during the day and to drop in the evening.
Spring - You can expect warm and sunny weather, around 18°C during the day, closer to 10°C at night
The best time to visit Margaret River
Margaret River is a great place to visit year-round, with each season delivering its own beauty and activities. Autumn is a popular time for visitors due to the comfortable weather (March to May) and is famous for its temperate surfing. Winter is cooler, but there is still plenty to do as the region enjoys plenty of sunshine while springtime showcases stunning wildflower displays. Last but not least, summer days are warm but not too hot – making this the perfect Aussie summer destination to enjoy the great outdoors.
What Margaret River is famous for
Margaret River is best known for its surf, wine and fertile soils. Here are some of the absolute must-do famed things to do in Margaret River:
The Margaret River – And by that, we mean the actual river. You can surf the river mouth, bike along the banks and more.
Wine and Food - The Margaret River wineries are famed for their delicate, premium wines. In fact, they produce 20 percent of Australian premium wine!
Wildlife - This biodiverse oasis is an idyllic spot to see humpback whales in late May on their annual migratory route
Outdoor adventuring - This corner of the world is prime real estate for an outdoor adventure. Whether hiking the Cape to Cape walk, adventuring underground with a cave tour, or surfing, there is plenty on offer for all adventurers.
Budget-friendly campsites in Margaret River
Caravan and holiday parks are the perfect budget-friendly accommodation options while travelling in a campervan. Here are some of the best holiday parks to check out on your upcoming Margaret River campervan trip:
Big4 Taunton Farm Margaret River
BIG4 Taunton Farm Margaret River is a unique stay located on a working beef and sheep property. On-site, you can enjoy their beautiful barn-style camp kitchen, laundry facilities, barbecue area, playgrounds and more. This holiday park is the perfect rural escape to soak up the beauty of the Margaret River bushland.
Cost: Starting at $47 AUD for a drive-through powered campsite
Margaret River Tourist Park
Summer Star Caravan Park is at the heart of the action in Margaret River. With all the amenities like playgrounds, games room, swimming pool, laundry, barbecue area and more, you have everything you need for the perfect budget-friendly Margaret River getaway.
Cost: Starting at $45 AUD for a powered campsite with an ensuite
Busselton Jetty Tourist Park
Busselton Jetty Tourist Park is the perfect base while exploring the Busselton Jetty foreshore. On-site, you have access to laundry facilities, a barbecue area, a dump point, and grassy-shaded areas.
Cost: Starting at $34 AUD for a powered campsite
The best things to do in Margaret River on a budget
To help you get the most out of your upcoming campervan trip, we have put together this list of the best things to do in Margaret River on a budget:
Enjoy the impressive display of wildflowers
In the southwest of Western Australia, there are wildflowers year-round, but they are at their most spectacular bloom in spring. Some of the best campervan-accessible wildflower hotspots in the Margaret River Region include:
Captain Baudin Reserve – Busselton
Boranup Forest – Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Cape Leeuwin – (park near the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse)
Take a self-guided tour through Mammoth Cave
Mammoth Cave is described as a natural time capsule, and it's not hard to see why. This cave is home to long-extinct megafauna (giant animals), including the jawbone of a 50,000-year-old ‘zygomaturus’ embedded in the cave wall. In addition to the ancient remains, tours include a walk through the Marri Forest – one of Australia's tallest species of tree. For around $24 AUD per adult, this is a budget experience you won’t want to miss.
Drive out to the famous Margaret River wineries
There are over 90 cellar doors to choose from in the Margaret River region. One of the best ways to experience the Margaret River wineries the budget-friendly way is with a tasting. Many of the cellar doors will offer a tasting menu for a flat fee of between $10-20 per tasting. This is a great way to sample some of these fine wines without having to buy the full bottle – so you can have the best of both worlds.
Image Source: Tourism Western Australia Image Library
Wander the Cape to Cape track
The Cape to Cape Track runs an impressive 123 km between the lighthouses of Cape Naturaliste in the north and Cape Leeuwin in the south. While some travellers challenge themselves to complete the entire span, many simply enjoy the fascinating caves, headlands and rock formations on sections along the coast.
Explore Hamelin Bay Beach
Hamelin Bay Beach is best known for its sparkling white sand, turquoise water, swimming, fishing, snorkelling, and bird watching. However, the biggest drawcard for this area is the local stingrays. Along this foreshore, these playful stingrays swim in the shallows – giving the perfect opportunity to view these creatures in the wild.
Top tip: Just remember that these animals are wild, so it’s important to give them space and admire them from a safe distance.
Image Source: Tourism Western Australia Image Library
Bike the Big Pine trail
The Big Pine, The Pines is an iconic trail in the Wooditjup Mountain Bike Trails Network. This network of trails is known for having some of the best mountain biking in Western Australia with their easy fire road climbs and fast, flowing descents. This trail is perfect for intermediate riders, but there are several tracks in the area to cater to all abilities. Be sure to hitch your bikes on the campervan, as you don’t want to miss out on riding this trail!
Take in the views from the local Lighthouses
There are two major lighthouses to check out in the Margaret River region:
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia and is uniquely also located at its most south-westerly point where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet. Here you can take a trip through maritime history and grab the best seat in the house (in this region) to watch the whales migrate.
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse is another lighthouse north of Margaret River famous for its whale-watching opportunities.
Adventure through Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park is a perfect snapshot of this region’s incredible biodiversity. Here you can wander through tall green forests, along the turquoise waters of the coastline, watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean and more. Some of the best things to do include:
Visit Canal Rocks
Enjoy a sunset picnic
Soak up the views with a bush walk.
Image Source: Tourism Western Australia Image Library
Wander along Busselton Jetty
Busselton Jetty is one of Australia’s national treasures. This stunning jetty is the longest wooden-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and traverses an impressive 1.8 km out into the ocean. You can choose to walk the length of the jetty or simply ride the Jetty Train! At the end of the jetty, you can visit the Underwater Observatory, where you can admire the local sea life that lives beneath the jetty.
Shop the Margaret River Farmers Market
When exploring in a campervan, there is no better way to save some money than by buying your produce at the local markets. Margaret River Farmers' Market is the ultimate market experience. This fertile region delivers these markets with an array of fresh, seasonal produce, as well as freshly baked artisan breads, honeys, jams, and other delicious local creations.
Explore Margaret River with Mighty
Ready to explore the very best budget-friendly attractions and things to do in Margaret River? Hire a Mighty camper online today and access the freedom to experience the Margaret River region at your own pace. For more ideas on things to do in Perth and the surrounding southwest region, check out our guide to the 25 fun and free things to do in Perth as well our other Western Australia itineraries on the Mighty blog.
Image Source: Tourism Western Australia Image Library
Image Source: Tourism Western Australia Image Library
Image Source: Tourism Western Australia Image Library