Planning a trip to Margaret River and the Southwest
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). You can book accommodations and pick up maps and guides to the wineries and artisans of the region. The Dunsborough Visitor Centre, Shop 14, Dunsborough Park Shopping Centre, Dunsborough, WA 6281 (tel. 08/9755 3299; www.geographebay.com), provides similar information. 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 seaside 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 almost essential. Hertz (tel. 13 30 39 in Australia) has an office in Bunbury, or call Avis (tel. 13 63 33 in Australia) for reservations in the Southwest. For a taxi, call Margaret River Taxi Service (tel. 08/9757 3444).
Several companies run sightseeing and winery tours from Margaret River or Perth, including Margaret River with Neil McLeod.
Getting There
It's a 3 1/2-hour drive to Margaret River from Perth; take the Kwinana Freeway, which becomes the Forrest Highway, to Bunbury and pick up the Bussell Highway to Busselton. Beyond Busselton you turn left for Margaret River town and Augusta, or go straight on for Dunsborough and Caves Road.
Air Australia (tel. 08/9332 5011; www.airaustralia.net) operates charter flights from Perth's Jandakot airport, from about A$660 same day return for up to three passengers. Leeuwin Estate winery (tel. 08/9759 0000; www.leeuwinestate.com.au) arranges charter flights from Perth for A$550 per person (minimum two passengers), including return flights, tea, winery tour and tastings, and full a la carte lunch (excluding drinks) in the restaurant.
Southwest Coachlines (tel. 08/9324 2333; www.southwestcoachlines.com.au) runs a daily service to Margaret River from Perth for about A$34. Transwa (tel. 1300/602 205 in Western Australia; www.transwa.wa.gov.au) also runs a much slower coach service from Perth so is not recommended. The twice-daily Australind train runs from Perth to Bunbury, with coach connections onward.
Driving yourself is the best way to get to Margaret River, and it gives you the necessary freedom to get around the region.
