4-Day Margaret River Itinerary From Perth

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Planning a short road trip from Perth? This 4-day Margaret River itinerary includes Busselton and covers the best places to visit, including beaches, wineries, and family-friendly Margaret River attractions, to help you plan your trip. Perfect for a long weekend from Perth or a short getaway.

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Margaret River & Busselton Itinerary – Quick Guide

• Ideal length: 4-5 days
• Getting around: Car required
• Best base: Busselton or Margaret River
• Family-friendly? Yes
• Highlights: Busselton Jetty, beaches, caves, wineries

Busselton & Margaret River Itinerary From Perth

If you are looking for a short break from Perth, Margaret River and Busselton is a fantastic choice, whether you are looking to get out of the city for a couple of days or exploring more of Western Australia as part of a longer trip, you can’t go wrong!

From breathtaking beaches and renowned wineries to a world-famous jetty, it can be hard to know what to see when you only have a few days.

This itinerary is how we spent our 4 days visiting Busselton and Margaret River region with kids so you can find inspiration for planning your own perfect Margaret River itinerary.

Western Australia is one of the best road trips to take in Australia, with a scenic drive right along the coastal road.

But if you don’t have much time to commit to a full WA road trip, this short road trip through the Margaret River wine region is a great option!

Is Margaret River Worth Visiting?

Yes — Margaret River is one of the best regions in Western Australia for a short getaway.

While it’s known for wineries, there are plenty of family-friendly activities, including beaches, caves, wildlife experiences, and relaxed outdoor spots.

How Many Days Do You Need in Margaret River?

We recommend spending 3–5 days in the region.

This gives you time to explore the main highlights at a relaxed pace, including beaches, wineries, and day trips like Busselton.

You can see the highlights in less time, but a few days is ideal.

Margaret River 4 Day Itinerary

We wanted to experience the region but also have plenty of flexibility, since we were travelling with kids and heading north on a Perth-to-Kalbarri road trip the day after we got back to Perth.

Here is our exact itinerary for Margaret River and Busselton:

Day 1: Perth → Bunbury → Busselton

Start your road trip by heading south from Perth, with your first stop in Bunbury — around 1 hour and 50 minutes away.

Bunbury is a great place to stretch your legs with kids. The foreshore has a large playground, beach access, and plenty of space to run around. If you have time, the Dolphin Discovery Centre is worth a visit, with interactive exhibits, aquariums, and daily feeding sessions.

We visited the aquarium and it was a great experience!

After a lunch stop (we grabbed something from Hello Summer Beach Kiosk near the beach in Bunbury), continue on to Busselton — just a 45-minute drive.

Spend the afternoon at the Busselton Foreshore, where there’s a fantastic nature playground and calm, shallow water that’s perfect for kids.

It’s also your first chance to see the iconic Busselton Jetty, the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. If you’re visiting in the Summer months, it’s a great chance for a swim.

For dinner, we grabbed BBQ items and stayed in for dinner. Alternatively, Shelter Brewing Co at Busselton Foreshore is a good option for dinner.

Day 2: Margaret River Wineries & Family-Friendly Stops

Head into the Margaret River region mid-morning, which is around a 30–40 minute drive from Busselton.

Start at Happs Winery, one of our favourite stops. The outdoor tasting area is self-serve, and the spacious gardens, playground, and open space make it especially good for families.

From here, continue to a couple of other relaxed, kid-friendly stops such as Wild Hop Brewing Co or Swings & Roundabouts, both of which have playgrounds and plenty of room for kids to run around while you enjoy a tasting or meal.

There is a massive nature playground and a second one was in construction while we were there. A perfect place for the kids to run around and have fun while you picnic on the lawn or dine at the restaurant.

Make a quick stop at the Margaret River Chocolate Factory — it’s always a hit with kids, with free samples and a viewing window to see the chocolate being made. This is one of our favourite Australian chocolate factories!

For lunch, head to somewhere like The Beer Farm, which has a great casual menu and a large outdoor area. They even have platters for kids with fruit, veggie sticks and popcorn.

During summer, there are often extra activities for kids, including an inflatable waterslide.

On your way back, drive through Cowaramup, a quirky little town known for its cow statues.

We also had a quick stop at Eagle Bay Brewing Co for some takeaway brews for Simon. Then make your way back to Busselton (or near your accommodation in Margaret River) for dinner.

Day 3: Caves, Beaches & Coastal Highlights

Start your day early and head towards the Yallingup area, beginning with a visit to Ngilgi Cave. This semi-guided experience is a great option with kids, as you can explore at your own pace after a short introduction.

Some of the other limestone caves in the area include Jewel Cave, Mammoth Cave, and Lakes Cave.

After the caves, continue on to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, where you can take in panoramic coastal views. There are also walking trails, a playground, and a café nearby if you want to take your time here.

From there, spend the rest of the day exploring some of the region’s best beaches. Bunker Bay is a great first stop, followed by Meelup Beach and Eagle Bay — all known for their calm, clear water and family-friendly conditions.

Stop in Dunsborough for lunch, then treat the kids to a visit to Simmo’s Ice Creamery, where there’s a playground and mini-golf alongside plenty of ice cream flavours.

Not only are there 60 delicious flavours of ice cream to enjoy, but there is also a fun park with mini-golf, a playground and rides for the kids.

Back in Busselton, you can walk the Busselton Jetty or take the train if you prefer an easier option with younger kids. There’s also an underwater observatory at the end if you want to add something a little different.

Then head to Rocky Ridge Brewery for dinner. This is a pet-friendly option in case you have a furry friend with you.

Day 4 – Busselton To Perth

We headed back to Perth relatively early on our final day, knowing we had our Kalbarri road trip the following day with a big drive ahead of us.

However, if you aren’t in any rush, this is a great time to fit in any of the other Margaret River attractions or Busselton attractions you haven’t yet had the chance to visit.

Other Things To Do In Margaret River Region

There are so many fun things to do in Margaret River with kids, from mazes and fun parks to wildlife encounters and of course, plenty more wineries and breweries to visit if you want to sample more.

• Take a winery tour
• Hamelin Bay for fishing, swimming and a chance to see the stingrays
• A Maze’n Hedge Maze
• Yallingup Maze and Puzzle Cafe
• Sunflowers Animal Farm
• Learn how to surf or paddleboard
• Go on a whale-watching cruise during whale season
• Visit The Berry Farm for wine, liqueurs and more (there are playgrounds for the kids)
• Yallingup Foreshore Park
• Birds of Prey wildlife experience
• Enjoy local produce at the Farmers Market
• Head to Koombana Bay for dolphin spotting
• Visit Sugarloaf Rock for wildlife spotting & bird watching
• Take in the view at Canal Rocks
• Stroll through Margaret River town

A Perth to Margaret River 4 day itinerary that includes Busselton is the perfect way to explore this region when you don’t have a lot of time. It’s easy to adapt depending on how long you have and what you want to see.

What are you adding to your Perth Margaret River itinerary?