Planning a Trip

Getting There

It's a 3 1/2 hour drive to Margaret River from Perth; take the inland South Western Highway or the more scenic Old Coast Road to Bunbury, and pick up the Bussell Highway to Busselton, the gateway to the region.

Air Australia (tel. 08/9332 5011; www.airaustralia.net) operates charter flights from Perth's Jandakot airport, for about A$600 (US$540/£270) same day return for up to three passengers. Leeuwin Estate winery (tel. 08/9430 4099; www.leeuwinestate.com.au) arranges charter flights from Perth for A$405 (US$364/£182) per person (min. two passengers), including flight, tea, winery tour and tastings, and an a la carte lunch in the restaurant. Prices subject to oil-price rises.

Southwest Coachlines (tel. 08/9324 2333) runs a daily service to Margaret River from Perth for about A$31 (US$28/£14). The Transwa (tel. 1300/602 205 in Western Australia, or 08/9326 2600; www.transwa.wa.gov.au) also runs a coach service from Perth. The services take between 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 hours, so are not recommended. There is no train service to Margaret River, though the twice-daily Australind train does run from Perth to Bunbury, with coach connections onward.

Driving yourself is the best way to get to Margaret, and it gives you the necessary freedom to get around once here.

A Pretty Jetty -- Busselton Jetty (tel. 08/9754 0900; www.busseltonjetty.com.au) is the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, stretching 1,841m (over 1 mile) out into shallow Geographe Bay. An underwater observatory has been built at the end, allowing visitors to go 8m (26 ft.) down and look out at the marine life that congregates around the massive 140-year-old timber supports. The observatory is open daily except December 25, weather permitting, from 8am to 5pm in summer and 9am to 4pm winter. Observatory tours are A$20 (US$18/£9) adults, A$12 (US$11/£5.50) children 3 to 14.

Visitor Information

The award-winning Margaret River Visitor Centre is one of the best and most helpful in the country. It's at 100 Bussell Hwy., Margaret River, WA 6285 (tel. 08/9780 5911; www.margaretriverwa.com). Book accommodations, or pick up a winery guide, a guide to the artisans of the region, and maps here or at the Dunsborough Visitor Centre, Shop 14, Dunsborough Park Shopping Centre, Dunsborough, WA 6281 (tel. 08/9755 3299; www.geographebay.com). Both are open daily from 9am to 5pm; closed December 25.

Getting Around

Two north-south roads service the area, Bussell Highway and the slower, winding Caves Road. Numerous smaller roads connect the two, or loop down to bayside settlements renowned for their surfing opportunities. The Bussell Highway turns south 9km (5 1/2 miles) past Busselton, and runs down the middle of the region, through Margaret River town to Augusta and windswept Cape Leeuwin. Caves Road runs past Dunsborough, and then swirls southward, closer to the coast, past limestone caves and through karri forests toward Augusta.

A car is close to essential. Hertz (tel. 13 30 39 in Australia, or 08/9758 8331) has an office in Margaret River, or call Avis (tel. 1800/679 880 in Australia) for reservations in the Southwest. For a taxi, call Margaret River Taxi Service (tel. 13 10 08 or 08/9757 3444).

Several companies run sightseeing and winery tours from Margaret River or Perth.