
Exploring the Margaret River Region (Western Australia) – 5 Days 4 Nights Self-Drive Itinerary
14 October, 2017Looking for a luxurious holiday destination to get away from the monotonous city life in Singapore? Look no further as Western Australia offers you and your loved ones a one-of-a-kind luxury voyage in Margaret River!
Located three hours’ drive away from Perth, revel in the expansive landscape of Margaret River set against the backdrop of rugged coastline, unspoiled beaches, pounding surf and towering timbre forests. Stretching from Busselton and Dunsborough in the north of the region, down to Augusta in the south, the Margaret River Region is the epitome of luxury; offering world-class accommodations, award-winning wineries, premium gourmet experiences, state-of-the-art spa retreats, captivating art galleries and much more.
In this five days / four night’s itinerary, we have put together the crème de la crème of Margaret River.
Highlights
Stay:
- Two luxurious nights at 5-star Pullman Resort, Bunker Bay
- Two nights of lakeside glamping at Olio Bello, Cowaramup
Experience:
- Spa treatment in Pullman Resort, Bunker Bay
- Winery lunch with tutored wine tastings at Voyager Estate
- Beer tasting at Eagle Bay Brewing Company
- Cultural tour at the ancient Ngilgi Cave with an enthralling didgeridoo performance
- Luxurious drive to a vineyard
- Gourmet picnic at Hardy Inlet / Flinders Bay
See
- Magnificent Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin from top of the lighthouse
- Sugarloaf Rock
- Boranup karri forest
How to reach
Choose from a myriad of luxurious transportation options to get to Margaret River from Perth. Enjoy a scenic drive down south by hiring a driver and car from the airport. If you wish to have more freedom and control over your journey, opt for a self-drive road trip. Hertz offers a great selection of vehicles for rental.
Alternatively, up the glamorous ante and travel in style with Swan River Seaplanes. With your own private seaplane, soak in beautiful uninterrupted aerial views of the Perth city-scape and the stunning South West coastline. The entire journey takes just 50 minutes!
5 Days 4 Nights in the Margaret River region
DAY 1
Arrive at the Perth Airport, meet your driver or pick up your hired car from the airport or the city. From there, begin your journey to the South and enjoy the beautiful sights as you make your way down to Margaret River.
Make a pit stop at the Busselton Jetty Precinct and choose from numerous lively cafes and restaurants for lunch. Our recommendation? The Goose Bar & Kitchen is ideal for its excellent view and delicious portion of Fish & Chips.
After lunch, walk off your meal by taking a stroll along the 150-year-old jetty that stretches 1.8 kilometres over the protected waters of Geographe Bay. If walking is not for you, hop aboard the Jetty Train, sit back and relax as it takes you to the end of the jetty. Associated with the jetty is the Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory at the end of the pier which descends 8 metres beneath the water’s surface for amazing views of corals and marine life.
When you are done sightseeing for the day, your luxurious accommodation, Pullman Resort, Bunker Bay, awaits you. Overlooking Bunker Bay, the resort offers a world-class experience with all the modern touches that you would expect. Freshen up and spend a relaxing evening at the resort property. You could take a stroll along the beautiful bay, swim in the infinity pool, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment at the resort’s in-house VIE Day spa or soak in the superb view with a drink at the bar. For dinner, explore the nearby beach cafés, winery or dining establishments such as the Other Side of the Moon Restaurant.
Tip: On your way along Cape Naturaliste Road to the resort, take little detours to explore Dunsborough’s renowned north facing beaches, Point Picquet, Meelup, and Eagle Bay.
Overnight stay – Pullman Resort, Bunker Bay, Cape Naturaliste, Dunsborough.
DAY 2
Morning – Start the day early and catch the gorgeous sunrise at Bunker Bay, followed by breakfast in bed. Dress for comfort and prepare yourself to explore some of the amazing coastal experiences in the nearby surrounds. Drive a short distance from the resort to see the beautiful Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and opt for the 30 minute tour of the structure where you can take in the spectacular view from the top as you witness the point where the Southern and Indian oceans meet.
If you enjoy scenic walks, stroll along the boardwalk for views of the Indian Ocean to Sugarloaf Rock. Serving as your cardio for the day, walking time takes approximately 45 minutes and you can soak up the natural scenery right up till the magnificent sea-sculptured rock at Sugar Loaf. You are bound to get some amazing Instagram-worthy shots here!
Afternoon – For lunch, explore Eagle Bay Brewing Company and Wise Winery, both located at an easy driving distance from Sugarloaf Rock.
We highly recommend booking yourself for a twilight evening with Koomal Dream tour. Go back in time with Wadandi guide Josh Whiteland as he shares stories about aboriginal folklore and learn survival skills as he identifies traditional medicine plants during the bushwalk. The highlight of this tour is Josh’s unique way of storytelling inside the Niglgi Cave, followed by a spellbinding didgeridoo recital in the beautiful cave ambiance.
Evening – After the extraordinary experience with Josh, enjoy dinner at one of Dunsborough’s many local restaurants, wine bars, breweries, pubs and cafes or back at the hotel.
Overnight stay – Pullman Resort, Bunker Bay, Cape Naturaliste, Dunsborough.
DAY 3
Morning – Spend a relaxing morning at the resort, check out, and drive to your next accommodation, Olio Bello for a luxurious glamping experience. Your safari-style bungalow for the next two days is nestled around the lake on an award-winning and organic olive farm. Check-in and take a quick tour of the expansive property. Arrange for a driver or request for a cab to visit Voyager Estate for a blissful winery experience. To reach the Estate, we recommend booking through Esquire Classic Charters to select from their fleet of shiny Rolls-Royce cars.
The experience at Voyager’s estate will take approximately five hours, so be prepared to be ‘wined’ away! The tour will begin with a behind-the-scenes Estate tour where you’ll visit the vineyard, underground cellar and sample wine straight from the barrel placed in the barrel hall. This will be followed by a guided tasting in the beautiful cellar door. Once the tasting is over, you will be taken for a six-course dining experience, each dish is paired with a limited release or an aged wine.
Early evening – Spend the rest of your day partaking in touristy activities such as exploring the unique boutiques, galleries, and cafes on the main street of Margaret River. For the next day’s itinerary, pre-order a ‘Glamper Hamper’ gourmet lunch basket from Olio Bello as your holiday in Margaret River is incomplete without an outdoor picnic experience!
Overnight stay – Olio Bello, Cowaramup
DAY 4
Morning – Wake up early morning to enjoy the beautiful lakeside sun rise from your room’s rear deck, soak in the landscape and natural beauty of the property at Olio Bello. You can also witness the process of organic olive oil making and buy farm fresh products and condiments from their in-house store. Leave the property to enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking the waves at the popular White Elephant Beach Café (Don’t forget to carry along your gourmet lunch basket before you leave the accommodation). From here, you have different options to choose from to spend the rest of your morning: take a romantic stroll at the Gnarabup beach, visit Margaret River’s most famous surf break Surfer’s Point for a quick surf or explore the enchanting Boranup karri forest lined with magnificent pale barked trees irradiated by sunbeams.
Afternoon – Soak in the bewitching world of forests as you journey through Boranup Drive. Along the way, visit the Boranup Lookout to catch spectacular views across the picturesque forest and the beautiful turquoise waters of nearby Hamelin Bay.
Continue your journey to Hamelin Bay and have a rendezvous with the gentle and friendly stingrays that may potentially come into shore. Drive a short distance to Augusta and scout for a picnic spot along Hardy Inlet and Flinders Bay. This is the best place to stop for lunch and unpack your gourmet lunch basket from Olio Bello.
If exploring maze gardens is your thing, return to Margaret River via the highway and you’ll find the amazing maze and gardens on the left. You can also stop by Karridale and Witchcliffe towns to explore quaint little shops.
If you prefer a taste of nature and adventure, skip the above afternoon plan and go on a scenic hike at Cape to Cape Walk Track that runs for 135 kilometres along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge. Located between the lighthouse of Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin in the far south-west part of the state, opt for the Top Trail and experience spectacular coastal and forest scenery.
Evening – End the day with dinner at any of Margaret River’s popular restaurants, cafes or wine bars before retiring for the night. Our recommendation would be to share small plates for dinner at Swings Taphouse & Kitchen.
Overnight stay – Olio Bello, Cowaramup
DAY 5
Morning – Your last day in Margaret River is here! Take the day easy by enjoying a sumptuous breakfast at one of the many cafes on the main street and spend time exploring local shops and galleries. You can also visit the actual Margaret River for a peaceful walk.
If you are visiting Margaret River during the weekend, stop by a farmer’s market to take home some of Western Australia’s world-class fresh produce.
Afternoon – On the drive back to Perth, stop by farm gates, brewing houses, providores, olive oil producers and galleries, great for last minute souvenir shopping.
Evening – Arrive in Perth, head to the airport to board your flight.
The itinerary above is based on our top picks for the region. If you wish to explore more, mentioned below are few other experiences you can consider –
- Visit the Margaret River Chocolate Company
- Snorkelling at the Yallingup Reef
- Swim and interact with wild Dolphins at Dolphin Discovery Centre
- Vineyard experience at Aravina Estate
Comment (1)
Duba
17 January, 2018 at 9:57 pmAwesome pictures, maybe I’ll plan a trip to the place.