Honeymoon in Margaret River, Australia - A guide for newlyweds

Is Margaret River a great honeymoon destination?

Australia has so much to offer when it comes to travel. However, nestled amongst all the popular, famous destinations are a few spots where you can truely escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy an experience like no other. Margaret River is one of these spots, and you’ll fall in love with this beautiful region.

World-renowned for its incredible wineries, you’d be forgiven for embarking on a tasting tour and tantalising your tastebuds along the way. You’ll feel the stress of the wedding lead-up slipping away with each sip as you settle back and relax with good wine and food. It’s the perfect spot to really unwind and begin your newly wedded bliss.

The region is also bursting with stunning landscapes, taking you from sweeping coastal panoramas and towering forests, to ancient caves just waiting to be explored. There is no limit to the abundance of natural beauty that surrounds you. It’s the ideal honeymoon destination, offering up an overload of indulgence alongside an abundance of nature, ready for exploration.

When is the best time to visit?

You can visit Margaret River at any time of the year and over-indulge on fine foods and wine. It’s a gorgeous place no matter the weather. 

If you’re looking to get out and about, Autumn (from March to May) offers up sunny days with calm, mild weather that’s perfect for setting out to explore the surrounding forests and beaches.

Spring brings with it the whale watching season and the stunning wildflowers blossom across the Cape to Cape Track. However, it also comes with stronger winds across the coastline. 

Summer, naturally, is the best time to relax back on the sandy shores and soak up some of that sunshine, bringing with it plenty of humidity too.

Top attractions to visit

With so many amazing natural wonders mixed amongst incredible food and wine experiences, you’ll never find yourself short on things to see, do and taste in the Margaret River region. Here are some of the top attractions to add to your honeymoon to-do list for a memorable holiday that you will dream of for years to come.

Cape to Cape Track

Running 123 kilometres along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, the Cape to Cape Track will take about 7 days to complete. Don’t have that kind of time on your hands? There are also plenty of places where you can access the trail to experience a shorter day walk.

Nothing compares to the spectacular coastal and forest scenery dotted along the track, with cliffs, caves, headlands and rock formations spilling in every direction.

If you’re after an easy walk that won’t take too long, the Cape Naturaliste to Sugar Loaf Rock 3km track is one of the most picturesque you will find. For something a little bit longer, take on the Smith’s Beach to Injidup Beach 6.6km walk, which is a fair bit more difficult and will have you climbing up rocks along the way.

A Maze’n Margaret River

Take a day out for a scenic venture at A Maze’n Margaret River. The giant hedge maze will offer up hours of entertainment, standing over three metres high. It’s one of the largest in Australia!

That’s not all you will find. There’s also an 18-hole mini golf course ready for some friendly competition, along with plenty of outdoor games and puzzles, including giant chess, draughts, Jenga and more.

With around 5 hectares of beautiful gardens, you can lose yourself wandering the grounds and spotting the native birds and butterflies in the area. Make use of one of the barbecues and shaded tables to stop and enjoy a picnic along the way, or head back to the air-conditioned cafe for their award-winning scones.

Wine Tasting Tour

Just in case you haven’t caught on yet, Margaret River is the perfect spot to sample some amazing wines. While you can join one of the many organised tours on offer (which come complete with a designated driver!), you may prefer to escape just to the two of you and take on a few of your favourite wineries alone.

With so many to choose from, it helps to have a loose plan in place for spots you want to visit. Definitely add Voyager, Leeuwin and Vasse Felix Estates to your list. The region is also well-known for its craft beers, so head to Eagle Bay Brewing Co for a paddle of beers, paired with a delicious wood-fired pizza.

Insider tip: if you want to skip the organised tour, but aren’t keen on driving, jump on one of their specialised Turbo Levo bikes, which come with an electric motor. It’s the ideal way to get around the wineries, while still being able to indulge in tastings, and you get the added bonus of making your way through some stunning natural spots as you venture. 

Underwater Observatory

Discover a truely unique experience like no other at this living aquarium in Busselton Jetty. It’s one of only six in the world, where you’ll descend 8 metres below the waves for incredible views of the 300 species of colourful fish, coral and other marine life.

Start off with a train ride on the Stocker Preston Express that takes you along the length of the jetty, where you can soak up views of Geographe Bay. 

Looking for a little more adventure? Head on an underwater helmet walk, where you can actually walk along the seafloor! You don’t need any previous diving experience - just your swimmers and a towel. The Busselton Jetty Undersea Walk is the first of its kind in Australia, and well worth the experience.

Day Trips

Surrounded by so much natural beauty, it pays to get out and about and plan a few day trips during your honeymoon in Margaret River. Here are some of our top picks that are worth the travel time.

Lake Cave

If you’re looking to take a (brief) break from wine tasting, you can’t beat the unique experience of exploring the surrounding caves and forests. Lake Cave is one of the biggest drawcards, showcasing an incredible crystal chamber of underground caves that can be accessed from the equally stunning forests. You can explore this cave by guided tour only, which generally takes about one hour. Always best to book in advance!

Just 20 minutes down the road from Margaret River, it’s a great day trip where you can lose yourselves for hours on end. Descend the steps and you will be instantly mesmerised by the mirror-like reflections created by the crystal formations as you make your way through an incredible sinkhole. It’s one of the deepest, open caves offering up a magical experience.

Once you’re done exploring underground, you can head back up and take a hike through the forest. Make your way to Lake Cave Deck, where you can take in some spectacular views of the treetops.

Black Diamond Lake

With a name like this, how can you not be intrigued to make the almost 2-hour day trip and check it out. This abandoned mine site filled with water after it was decommissioned in the 1950s, and glows an incredible blue colour when the sun hits it. This is thanks to the limestone base beneath the surface.

While you might be tempted to dive beneath the glistening surface, this is not advised. You can bring floating rings and hit the top of the water, but there is risk of contamination throughout the year, so you want to keep your head above at all times.

It’s the perfect romantic spot to bring a picnic and settle in for a breathtaking afternoon of sunshine and gorgeous views.

Nannup

If you feel like stepping into a little culture and history, then head to the quaint town of Nannup, just 45 minutes down the road.

Meander down their one main street and check out the historical buildings, colourful cottages and explore their vibrant arts and music scene. There’s plenty of art galleries to wander through, along with stores packed full of trinkets made by local makers. You will also discover more award-winning food and wine, with plenty of fresh produce direct from the farms.

Plan a trip to Barrabup Pool or Workman’s Pool, two fresh water pools in the area surrounded by bushland. You can ride or trek out to them and enjoy a picnic while you’re there.

If your timing is right, you can even check out the Nannup Flower and Garden Festival in August, where you have a rare opportunity to experience the beauty of 10 gardens open to the public. 

Yeagarup Dunes, Pemberton

Just under two hours away from Margaret River you can discover the magical Yeagarup Dunes, which rise 40 metres above the Karri Forest and are quite the sight to behold. They are the largest land-locaked dune system in the Southern Hemisphere.

You can rent a 4WD for the day to get you from Margaret Valley, right onto the sand dunes for a unique adventure. You do need to be confident when it comes to driving through deep sand and steep slopes. If you’re unsure, you can always take an organised tour and let the experts guide you.

You can even take a walking tour through these dunes. It’s sweaty work, but a great way to soak up your surroundings. You will also find Yeagarup Lake, which acts as the gateway to these magnificent dunes, where you can enjoy a picnic before or after your adventure and take a walk along the boardwalk.

How long do you need to spend in Margaret River on Honeymoon?

In order to make the most of a leisurely stay in the region, you want to allow at least 5 to 7 days to explore, feast and indulge your way through. 

Margaret River is the perfect spot to unwind away from the hustle and bustle of the city, so you want to ensure you allow enough time to achieve this state of relaxation. 

With numerous day trips, treks, attractions and restaurants and wineries, you won’t be short on adventures to fill your days and create some lasting memories.

Saving for your Honeymoon trip

That all comes down to how many bottles of wine you stow away to bring back home with you!

On average, you’re looking at about $3,500 per couple to cover food, wine, accommodation and tours in the region during your stay. You then need to factor in flights on top of this. 

You can save yourself a few pennies by travelling in the off peak season, which has the added benefit of avoiding the crowds as well.

Have we given you the Aussie travel bug? We can help with that!

Our Australia Honeymoon Packages and Itineraries are a great place to start or Contact Us to discuss a bespoke honeymoon itinerary developed with our expert travel consultants.