Picnicking at wineries is an art form in Margaret River. - WSL / Tourism WA
Only in Margaret River can you find people whose passion for surfing matches their passion for wine. You'll find yourself just a short drive from over 40 surf breaks and more than a hundred wineries. Keep track of the weather and swell forecasts during your visit and swap the days around to catch the optimum conditions at each break. When you have some down time, visit some of the many cellar doors on offer.
Best time: September to April (to coincide with spring swells, summer beach weather and the Margaret River Pro)
Here's a snapshot of what a five-day Margies adventure could look like:
Day 1
Dolphins make frequent appearances at Margaret's.
Morning: Perth to Mandurah
Take an hour's drive south of Perth on the Kwinana Freeway to Mandurah. Here, the blue-green waters of Manjar Bay and waterways of the Mandurah estuary offer the first opportunity to indulge your passion for watersports.
Hit the water on a kayak, canoe, jet ski or boat for a morning of cruising, fishing, crabbing or even a little dolphin spotting.
Afternoon: Mandurah to Injidup
Grab some lunch at one of Mandurah's waterfront cafes before making the two-and-a-half-hour journey to Injidup.
Head out to the breaks in the late afternoon. In a south westerly wind the conditions are particularly good, with right-hand barrels at the Car Park. To the north, you'll find long lefts at Pea Break and Michells, and at the south end of the bay Injidup point offers a mellow left break.
Evening: Yallingup/Smiths Beach
Head up to Canal Rocks at Smiths Beach, or Sugarloaf Rock near Yallingup, to catch an Indian Ocean sunset before dinner at a local pub or restaurant.
Day 2
Sunrise at Margaret River. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Morning: Injidup to Surfers Point and Margaret River
Take the 45-minute drive south on Caves Road to the Mainbreak at Surfers Point - world-famous for its consistent barrels and big peaks that can reach over 12 feet.
Grab a well-earned brunch or lunch at one of the region's 100-plus premium wineries or a boutique brewery and taste the award-winning flavors of Margaret River.
Afternoon: Margaret River to Cowaramup Bay
Heading back up Caves Road to Cowaramup Bay in Gracetown, spend your afternoon on the famous left-hand reef breaks at the back of the bay, the protected waves at South Point, or the mellower reef break at Huzza's.
Evening: Margaret River
Cowaramup Bay is also a top spot for fishing. Cast off from the rocks as the sun sets, or head back to Margaret River town for dinner.
Day 3
Sugarloaf Rock is among the region's most dramatic sights. - WSL / Tourism WA
Morning: Margaret River to Boranup
Breakfast at a café on Margaret River's main street, before heading south on Caves Road to Boranup Drive for a mini off-road adventure in the karri forest -- the world's tallest hardwood trees.
Or plunge into Margaret River's caves, exploring the wild depths of Mammoth Cave, or Jewel Cave - home to the longest straw stalactite on show in the world.
Afternoon: Boranup Beaches
Nearby, Boranup's long white sandy beaches provide a good range of A-frame peaks in onshore winds. Pick one to suit your style.
Evening: Margaret River
The region plays host to many events, particularly during the summer months, so be sure to check out the events calendar for live music, festivals and outdoor cinema screenings.
Day 4:
The 2016 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro winner handled the unruly wave with expert finesse and power.
Morning: Margaret River to Surfers Point/Gracetown
Take your pick from the toughest big-wave surf Margaret River has to offer. Try the powerful lefts and rights at Mainbreak's Southsides, or the powerful right-handers and big open barrels of Northpoint, fifteen minutes' drive north of Gracetown.
Afternoon: Surfers Point/Gracetown to Dunsborough
Beyond the breaks, there are some great dive spots too. Local dive charters in Dunsborough will take you out to dive the reef, explore the huge HMAS Swan, or experience Australia's best artificial reef at Busselton Jetty. Afternoon dives are available during the peak holiday season, from December.
Day 5
The Box is not for the faint of heart (or beginners). - WSL
Morning: Margaret River to Surfers Point
Make one last trip out to Surfers Point to try The Box -- a thick, hollow wave to the right of Mainbreak. Or head a few hundred meters to the south to catch the big tow-in wave known as Bombie.
Afternoon: Surfers Point to Dunsborough
A 50-minute drive north on Caves Road will bring you to Yallingup and Dunsborough for lunch and an afternoon surf. Try Yallingup's left or right-handers or the smaller surf at The Farm, near Dunsborough.
From Dunsborough, it's a three-hour drive north on the Bussell and Forrest Highway and the Kwinana Freeway to return to Perth.
Trip Distances
Perth to Mandurah 70 km
Mandurah to Injidup 195 km
Injidup to Prevelly (Surfers Point) 40 km
Surfers Point to Margaret River 9 km (one way)
Margaret River to Gracetown 21.5 km (one way)
Margaret River to Boranup 27.5 km (one way)
Surfers Point to Dunsborough 50 km (one way)
Dunsborough to Perth 247 km
More
Visit the Margaret River Visitor Centre
Margaret River: Where Surfing Meets Natural Splendor
WSL
Only in Margaret River can you find people whose passion for surfing matches their passion for wine. You'll find yourself just a short drive from over 40 surf breaks and more than a hundred wineries. Keep track of the weather and swell forecasts during your visit and swap the days around to catch the optimum conditions at each break. When you have some down time, visit some of the many cellar doors on offer.
Best time: September to April (to coincide with spring swells, summer beach weather and the Margaret River Pro)
Here's a snapshot of what a five-day Margies adventure could look like:
Day 1
Morning: Perth to Mandurah
Take an hour's drive south of Perth on the Kwinana Freeway to Mandurah. Here, the blue-green waters of Manjar Bay and waterways of the Mandurah estuary offer the first opportunity to indulge your passion for watersports.
Hit the water on a kayak, canoe, jet ski or boat for a morning of cruising, fishing, crabbing or even a little dolphin spotting.
Afternoon: Mandurah to Injidup
Grab some lunch at one of Mandurah's waterfront cafes before making the two-and-a-half-hour journey to Injidup.
Head out to the breaks in the late afternoon. In a south westerly wind the conditions are particularly good, with right-hand barrels at the Car Park. To the north, you'll find long lefts at Pea Break and Michells, and at the south end of the bay Injidup point offers a mellow left break.
Evening: Yallingup/Smiths Beach
Head up to Canal Rocks at Smiths Beach, or Sugarloaf Rock near Yallingup, to catch an Indian Ocean sunset before dinner at a local pub or restaurant.
Day 2
Morning: Injidup to Surfers Point and Margaret River
Take the 45-minute drive south on Caves Road to the Mainbreak at Surfers Point - world-famous for its consistent barrels and big peaks that can reach over 12 feet.
Grab a well-earned brunch or lunch at one of the region's 100-plus premium wineries or a boutique brewery and taste the award-winning flavors of Margaret River.
Afternoon: Margaret River to Cowaramup Bay
Heading back up Caves Road to Cowaramup Bay in Gracetown, spend your afternoon on the famous left-hand reef breaks at the back of the bay, the protected waves at South Point, or the mellower reef break at Huzza's.
Evening: Margaret River
Cowaramup Bay is also a top spot for fishing. Cast off from the rocks as the sun sets, or head back to Margaret River town for dinner.
Day 3
Morning: Margaret River to Boranup
Breakfast at a café on Margaret River's main street, before heading south on Caves Road to Boranup Drive for a mini off-road adventure in the karri forest -- the world's tallest hardwood trees.
Or plunge into Margaret River's caves, exploring the wild depths of Mammoth Cave, or Jewel Cave - home to the longest straw stalactite on show in the world.
Afternoon: Boranup Beaches
Nearby, Boranup's long white sandy beaches provide a good range of A-frame peaks in onshore winds. Pick one to suit your style.
Evening: Margaret River
The region plays host to many events, particularly during the summer months, so be sure to check out the events calendar for live music, festivals and outdoor cinema screenings.
Day 4:
Morning: Margaret River to Surfers Point/Gracetown
Take your pick from the toughest big-wave surf Margaret River has to offer. Try the powerful lefts and rights at Mainbreak's Southsides, or the powerful right-handers and big open barrels of Northpoint, fifteen minutes' drive north of Gracetown.
Afternoon: Surfers Point/Gracetown to Dunsborough
Beyond the breaks, there are some great dive spots too. Local dive charters in Dunsborough will take you out to dive the reef, explore the huge HMAS Swan, or experience Australia's best artificial reef at Busselton Jetty. Afternoon dives are available during the peak holiday season, from December.
Day 5
Morning: Margaret River to Surfers Point
Make one last trip out to Surfers Point to try The Box -- a thick, hollow wave to the right of Mainbreak. Or head a few hundred meters to the south to catch the big tow-in wave known as Bombie.
Afternoon: Surfers Point to Dunsborough
A 50-minute drive north on Caves Road will bring you to Yallingup and Dunsborough for lunch and an afternoon surf. Try Yallingup's left or right-handers or the smaller surf at The Farm, near Dunsborough. From Dunsborough, it's a three-hour drive north on the Bussell and Forrest Highway and the Kwinana Freeway to return to Perth.
Trip Distances
Perth to Mandurah 70 km
Mandurah to Injidup 195 km
Injidup to Prevelly (Surfers Point) 40 km
Surfers Point to Margaret River 9 km (one way)
Margaret River to Gracetown 21.5 km (one way)
Margaret River to Boranup 27.5 km (one way)
Surfers Point to Dunsborough 50 km (one way)
Dunsborough to Perth 247 km
More
Visit the Margaret River Visitor Centre
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