Beaches? Check.

Hiking? Check.

Wineries? Check.

Art galleries? Check.

Local food? Check.

Wildlife? Check.

History? Check.

The southwest corner of Australia really does have something for everyone.
After four days there I only scratched the surface.

The Margaret River Region is an easy drive south from Perth, and you can enjoy some scenic stops along the way. Definitely stop at Lake Clifton and see the thrombolites, then head to the Busselton Jetty. 

When you get to Caves Road, you’ve arrived in the region. This main road goes from the North Cape to the the town of Augusta, near the South Cape. This road is winding and narrow, so drive carefully. One day we drove north to the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. The next day we drove south to the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. We took the side roads that led to rugged beaches, and the small roads that wound through forests and pastureland. The scenery was always changing and dramatic.

We stayed at Cape Lodge- a beautiful oasis with lovely accommodations, excellent service, and great food. It makes a good base for exploring the region. We loved the buffet and cooked to order breakfasts, and enjoyed dinners in the restaurant (more formal) and in the bar (casual).  Waking up to raucous bird song was wonderful.

Four days was enough to get the flavor of the place but there is much more to explore in this region.

Good To Know:

This region is best explored by rental car, but there are companies that do multi-day trips from Perth.

There are numerous festivals in the area throughout the year. That can make the area very crowded and busy so plan ahead.

When you are in the region, there are also day tours that include hiking, foodie and wine lunches, even kayaking.

The region is also famous for limestone caverns, so if you like going underground there are several spectacular caves to see.