Where is it?

Margaret River is situated about 3 hours drive South of Perth in Western Australia. This is wine country and a fairly traditional playground for West Aussies. It is filled with natural beauty, access to water sports and a ton of wineries. We try to get there about once a year, so in this post I thought that I’d check out the hotels near Margaret River.

Why go there?

Margaret River is ideally located in the south west of Western Australia and makes a great base camp for you to explore the region. There are tours that run daily from the town but generally most people take a car. You are within an hour or so of most of the big highlights of the region. And the driving through here is glorious.

Attractions

Everyone has there own reason for going, and the area itself is evolving. I first went to Margaret River about 40 years ago, and it was just a sleepy little town that provided some basic accommodation for surfers who were there to tackle the famous surf breaks at the mouth of the river. Over the years a lot of artisans have moved to the area and set up shop, so the town itself has become a drawcard for visitors who are looking for handmade craft items as well as fine art.

The are so many wineries here it would take you months to sample them. Most of them have cellar door operations and a also a restaurant, so a lot of folks come to the area just for the gastronomic delights, and to be honest I’ve never had a bad meal here. They cater well for most dietary types, so everyone will go home full and happy.

While you’re down this way, why not check out Busselton. Click here to check it out.

The History

There is some history in the area to soak up as well in the form of lighthouse tours and historic homesteads, however white settlement in Western Australia only started in 1829 so history is a relative term. Click here to check the details of the lighthouses. Where our real history lies however is with the indigenous culture which is one of the oldest in the world. The problem at the moment is being able to access this. It would be nice to see more indigenous tour groups created to showcase the area and help to build understanding of this rich culture.

The Caves

The Margaret River area has some spectacular cave systems, and you could spend days exploring them. Click here for the latest information and entry requirements.

Natural beauty is abundant around here as well. From rich farmland, towering forests to some of the most spectacular beaches anywhere in the world. Grab some artisan cheese and crackers, a little wine, (not too much for the driver) and find yourself a picnic spot to unwind and let the worlds problems float away.

Getting around

There are a number of tour companies that work this area and Margaret River is well catered for in this regard. Especially popular are the wine tours. You can sample a wide array of world class wines while not have to worry about the driving. Most also include lunch as well, and you wont be disappointed.

The vast majority of people however choose to use a car. It provides the most amount of freedom and the area is designed with cars in mind. Western Australia took to cars as its dominant mode of transport from the start, and although public transport is constantly expanding, you will need a car to get the most out of Australia, unless you confine yourself to the major cities.

Hotels

Here is a list of hotels that tick my boxes. The things I look for are a breakfast, or at least kitchen facilities, so that I don’t have to start the day as a hunter/gatherer. A laundry, because I like to travel reasonably light and not bring all my clothes. And parking which is easily accessible to my room. So here’s my pick of hotels that would suit me. If you click on the hotel name the link will open up a new window and take you to Booking.com so that you can check them out.

Cheers and happy travels

Margaret River Resort

40 Wallcliffe Road, 6285 Margaret River, Australia

ust an 8-minute walk from the river, the Margaret River Resort offers air-conditioned rooms with TV, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and an on site pub serving meals and local wines. Free car parking is available.

Margaret River Resort is located less than than 10 minutes’ walk from the vibrant town center. It is a 10-minute drive to Margaret River Airport.

All rooms at Margaret River Resort feature a private bathroom and tea and coffee making facilities. Some rooms also feature cooking facilities.

Facilities include a seasonal swimming pool, and tennis court. A guest laundry is also available

The River Bar and Restaurant is constructed in a traditional English style. Guests can relax with an ale or a glass of wine from the famous Margaret River region.

Guests are welcome to dine in the River Bar and Restaurant.

Prideau’s of Margaret River

31 Fearn Avenue, 6285 Margaret River, Australia

Prideau’s offers stylish modern accommodations in the heart of Margaret River town center. Free car parking is included. Some apartments have a spa bath in the bathroom.

Each room and apartment at Prideau’s of Margaret River features a TV, heating and air conditioning. Some accommodations types include a private balcony or courtyard, plus a kitchen or kitchenette.

Prideau’s Margaret River is just a 2-minute walk from local cafes and restaurants. It is a 5-minute drive to Margaret River Golf Course, 10 minutes’ drive to Prevelly Beach and 35 minutes’ drive to Busselton Airport.

Forte Leeuwin Apartments

46 Wallcliffe Road, 6285 Margaret River, Australia

n the heart of Margaret River, the Forte Leeuwin provides self-contained accommodations with a private balcony or patio. It features an outdoor swimming pool, 2 hot bathtubs and a fitness center.

All apartments have laundry facilities and a full kitchen with a dishwasher and microwave. Each apartment has a spacious living area with cable TV, a DVD player and a CD player. There is air conditioning in the lounge and master bedroom, and ceiling fans in all other rooms.

Forte Leeuwin Apartments are located across from Gloucester Park, less than a 15-minute drive from many Margaret River wineries. Prevelly Beach is a 10-minute drive away.

Guests can relax in the sauna, or indulge in a soothing massage. Forte Leeuwin Margaret River also features a tennis court, barbecue facilities and a children’s playground.

Margaret River Bed & Breakfast

15 Loaring Place, 6285 Margaret River, Australia

The Margaret River Bed & Breakfast is located on 9 acres of pristine forest, between the town center and the beach and within 10 minutes’ drive to a range of Margaret River wineries and other tourist attractions. It features beautiful gardens, barbecue facilities, free WiFi internet and free gourmet continental breakfast. Hot breakfasts are available on request.

The luxurious suites at Margaret River Bed & Breakfast Guest house each have a double spa bath and a private terrace overlooking the gardens and the forest. A 52-inch flat-screen satellite TV and DVD player are provided for guest entertainment. A refrigerator, tea/coffee making facilities and reverse cycle air-conditioning are also included.

Guests can relax by the log fire in the cozy lounge, or request an in-room massage. Margaret River Bed & Breakfast also features a tour desk where guests can get travel advice. Bicycle rental is available in the town center.The property also offers full-day scenic nature and wine tours.

Tea and coffee are offered all day in the lounge. Guests can also enjoy free baked treats in the afternoon and free port wine in the evening. Lunch, dinner and picnic hampers can be arranged upon request. A cooked á la carte breakfast can be ordered in the mornings.

The Margaret River Bed & Breakfast Guest house is located within a 10-minute drive of Cape Mentelle Estate, Voyager Estate and Leeuwin Estate wineries and only 5 minutes’ drive from the center of town where you will find shops and restaurants. Prevelly Beach, which is great for swimming and surfing is 5 minutes away by car. The Eagles Heritage Raptor Wildlife Center is a 15-minute drive.

Stay Margaret River

78 Wallcliffe Road, 6285 Margaret River, Australia

Stay Margaret River offers spacious guest rooms in a quiet garden setting. This 4-star hotel is an ideal base for exploring the Margaret River region.

The hotel offers a range of guest rooms including family suites, all of which are air conditioned and have private bathrooms. All of the guest rooms have a spacious veranda, many of which overlook the gardens.

Leisure facilities at the hotel include an outdoor swimming pool, mini golf and children’s playground. There is also a barbecue area and barbecue packs are available from the hotel on request.

The restaurant at Stay Margaret River is open daily for breakfast. Dinner is available Monday to Saturday and the seasonal food can be enjoyed on the outdoor deck overlooking the lake.