Top Things to do in Margaret River

The beautiful Western Australian cities of Perth and Fremantle beg to be explored and there are few better ways to do so than from high above with these city scenic helicopter flights.

Location: 5561 Caves Road, Margaret River WA

While Eagles Heritage Wildlife Centre mentioned above specialises in all-things-avian, this charming animal attraction takes the wildlife experience one step further by offering a large array of creatures from all over the animal kingdom.

The facility scores major bonus points for being particularly hands-on, with a high level of emphasis on interactivity with the creatures of all kinds that both kids and wildlife lovers alike will no doubt appreciate.

Sunflowers Animal Farm offers a slice of authentic Aussie farm life with a dash of additional, more unconventional animals mixed in, you can expect to be able to interact with the likes of pigs, rabbits, lambs, kangaroos, alpacas and much more, many of which are young which adds an extra touch of cuteness to the proceedings.

If you’ve got children, they’ll be in their element here as they’ll be able to pet, feed and play with the majority of the animals which are all situated at various points amongst the layout of the huge farm.

Buckets of food are available for purchase while washing facilities are also on hand for after you’re done – prepare to get a least a little animal saliva on your hands! Other traditionally fun farm activities are also on offer at Sunflowers Animal Farm include pony rides (a favourite amongst little girls in particular!), gathering eggs, tractor rides and plenty of other things to keep the younger ones occupied for hours.

There’s even a playground for them to burn off their energy while you take a breather, which is a nice touch.

Sunflowers Animal Farm also doubles as a rustic farm stay accommodation facility for those looking to spend a night or three, and it’s a truly intimate experience that makes for a refreshing change from the typical cardboard-cutout hotel.

Other traditionally fun farm activities are also on offer at Sunflowers Animal Farm include pony rides (a favourite amongst little girls in particular!), gathering eggs, tractor rides and plenty of other things to keep the younger ones occupied for hours.

While there are no stores or cafes on hand which sell (human) food, guests are welcome to bring their own supplies – and with barbecue facilities on hand, the farm makes for a pleasant location to enjoy cooking up a lunch.

It’s a laid-back, family style atmosphere provided by the farm’s hosts, and cosy units with full kitchens and enough amenities to get by; they even come with log fireplaces that can both add to the charm and be a godsend during colder months of the year.

Plus, as an added bonus, choosing the farmstay as your accommodation means you’ll be able to get UNLIMITED access to the farm and its animals throughout your stay, rather than paying for entry each time.

Located in a quiet and peaceful area that’s conveniently easy to access just outside Margaret River, Sunflowers Animal Farm makes for one of the best wildlife experiences in the region while also serving as perhaps the best place to stay in the area for those travelling here with kids.

Location: From Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, WA

Characteristic of much of the coastline of Western Australia, the areas where land-meets-sea around Margaret River are prime examples of rugged, untamed Aussie beauty at their finest – expect to see the likes of impressive Indian Ocean waves crashing against rocky shores and cliff faces, with many areas conducive to some of the best surf in WA.

The scenic portion of the coastal region surrounding Margaret River stretches around 100 kilometres in total, and throughout its expanse, numerous rock features and pristine, uncrowded beaches can be encountered at regular intervals, with your own quiet slice of seclusion never too far away.

Visitors to the region wanting to soak in the coastal spectacle can thus get a dose of independent sightseeing by simply hiring a car and heading along the coastal roads which provide great outlooks at intervals between one town to the next.

Typically encompassing the “Cape to Cape” stretch from Cape Naturaliste in the north to Cape Leeuwin in the south, a number of coves, beaches, breaks and bays along the way is staggering.

Be sure to bring your camera along for the journey as the various granite rock figures and vivid green-blues of the water are extremely photogenic, and likely to produce some of the best travel memories you’ll want to take away from the region (all for entirely free).

The coastal region surrounding Margaret River stretches around 100 kilometres in total, and numerous rock features and pristine, uncrowded beaches can be encountered with your own quiet slice of seclusion never too far away.

Many of these come equipped with lookout areas – or even car parks in the case of some larger beaches – which provide a great panorama to grab yourself some snapshots, too.

Some specific highlights along the course of the drive include Surfers Point (a great spot for surfing, of course, but also swimming and even some light snorkeling in its sheltered reef areas), Boodjidup Beach (about as pristine a stretch of sand as you’re likely to come across in Australia outside of the Whitsundays), and Cape Leeuwin’s characteristic lighthouse (which stands on the shore of a rocky promontory and makes for some great photo ops in itself) among many, many others.

While the coastal drive can be done in a couple of hours, given that you’ll likely want to get out and explore at multiple points to make the most of the things, it’s best to allocate a full day to fully enjoy its offerings – or even a couple of days if you’re looking to spend the night in such charming coastal towns as Prevelly, Dunsborough or Gracetown which can be found along the route.

Regardless of how much time you’re willing to spend, starting your Margaret River journey off by exploring its coastline is a great way to orientate yourself with the region’s “lay of the land” before exploring its intricacies in greater detail.

Location: 9978 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River WA

Scoring bonus points for uniqueness, the aptly-named Amaze’n' Maze is one of the Margaret River region’s signature man-made attractions that serve as a safe and fun place to visit for those travelling alone and with kids.

The finely-kept conifer hedge mazes are large, with the giant mage being particularly big, are well-manicured and confusing, with the younger ones always enjoying the fun of losing themselves inside the winding outdoor corridors and discovering something new along the way.

There are also built-in challenges – such as finding each of the different-shaped benches dotted throughout the maze – along the way, which keeps it from being just an aimless wander through the different pathways.

The disorientation all pays off in the end as, after reaching the elevated middle tower, you’ll have a great view overlooking the rest of the hedges before attempting to make your way out the other side.

The finely-kept conifer hedge mazes are large, with the giant mage being particularly big, are well-manicured and confusing, with the younger ones always enjoying the fun of losing themselves inside the winding outdoor corridors and discovering something new along the way.

While the highlight of the attraction is the maze itself, are also numerous other activities to take part in while at Amaze’n including a range of ground puzzles to amuse and confuse, plenty of beautiful gardens to wander through and enjoy, playgrounds for the kids to burn off some energy while you relax with a coffee, a range of other games, and even a relatively newly opened mini golf course located amongst the picturesque surrounds.

It’s enough on offer to spend several hours here (depending on how adept you are at navigating the maze!) and enough to allow families to both get their value for money and make it worth the short trip out from Margaret River.

A tip of the hat must also be given to the attraction’s excellent cafe, which unlike the standard fare at most similar attractions actually provides some quality dining options (although the overall choice is rather limited).

Barbecue lunches are also an option as there’s a dedicated BBQ facility, with on-site lunches also being catered for as well. Friendly local staff and the chance to grab some decent-quality handmade souvenirs cap off the experience, and only serve to add to the pleasant overall atmosphere.

One of the more individual days out you’re likely to have in a while – after all, not too many people have done a maze before – Amaze’n makes for one of the region’s most enjoyable and family-friendly attractions.

Location: Osmington Road, Margaret River, WA

All that rolling countryside to be found in the Margaret River region doesn’t just look good – it also provides the perfect opportunity for inland exploration as well, and there are few more enjoyable and back-to-basics approaches for sightseeing than on horseback.

Local trail riding facility The Horse Resort offers exactly that, and it’s a satisfying way to deviate from the standard guided tour experience while still seeing some of the best nature that Margaret River has to offer.

Set out over an expansive 500-acre property, The Horse Resort allows visitors of all ability levels – and almost all ages – to participate in some good old-fashioned riding that makes for an ideal family day out, with the horses at the Resort being universally calm, disciplined and well-trained.

The staff at the facility are patient and friendly, and always willing to explain the nuances of horse riding to both the first-timers and children and will highlight all the necessary techniques such as turning, braking, stopping and accelerating before setting off on the ride.

A variety of different trail rides is available to choose from which scale in difficulty, with beginner rides typically starting off in the large enclosed paddock area allowing participants to get their bearings before heading out into the expansive natural forest which surrounds it.

It’s a great way to see the inner part of Margaret River without flocks of fellow tourists maintaining an aura of peace and quiet throughout. You’ll learn all sorts of interesting tidbits about the local area from your friendly horse guides.

The forest is an attraction in itself, home to numerous kinds of native Aussie wildlife – except to see more than a few kangaroos during your ride – as well as all the impressive flora that comes with a bush environment.

It’s truly a great way to see the inner part of Margaret River without being disturbed by flocks of fellow tourists and maintaining an aura of peace and quiet throughout, and during the journey, you’ll learn all sorts of interesting tidbits about the local area from your friendly horse guides.

Rides typically last around 2 hours, which will tend to be just enough before the novice rider starts to get a bit saddle-sore.

Located just a short 10-minute drive to the north-east of Margaret River town, the entrance to the facility sits along Osmington Road and is fairly discrete; plus, rides take place at varying locations throughout the year, so it’s best to get in touch with the staff before making the drive out. With children as young as 5 able to participate in the fun, it’s an experience nearly everyone can – and should – get to enjoy.

Location: 341 Boodjidup Rd, Margaret River, WA

This charming little wildlife facility is home to the country’s largest collection of birds of prey and serves as a haven for both breeding and the rehabilitation of injured birds before they recover and are released back into the wild.

All kinds of these massive birds can be found here, from hawks and falcons to owls and eagles, and seeing the sheer scale of each of them when viewed from up close rather than high in the air can be as intimidating as it is impressive!

Set amongst beautiful natural bushland surrounds, Eagles Heritage Wildlife Centre is a place of both entertainment and education, with a 1-kilometre walking track that takes visitors on a journey to see the enclosures housing the various species firsthand which can be done in around half an hour.

In terms of highlights of a visit to the wildlife centre, the twice-daily flight shows held at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm are absolute musts, as they show Black Kites hitting in flight, providing the chance to see them in action while learning about their diets, habitats and behaviours.

The knowledge and attitudes of the staff here are substantial, and their passion for their work and conservation efforts is obvious and truly shines through during the display. Afterwards, audience members are welcome to have their photo taken with the Kites perched on their arm – definitely a nice touch, and one of the only places in Australia where you’ll get the chance to do so.

This charming little wildlife facility is home to the country’s largest collection of birds of prey and serves as a haven for both breeding and the rehabilitation of injured birds before they recover and are released into the wild. The passion for their work and conservation efforts shines through here.

In addition, if you’ve never seen them in person before, the undoubted stars of the parks’ proverbial show for you will no doubt be the Wedge Tailed Eagles, the world’s largest bird of prey, whose staggering size is hard to believe when seen in close proximity.

While it’s small, quiet and nothing fancy – reflective of its nature as a non-profit rehabilitation-focused facility – Eagles Heritage Wildlife Centre is well worth the visit regardless of if you’re a particular fan of birds or not.

Its moderate $17 entry fee is more than reasonable, with funds going directly towards the maintenance and running of the centre, and with its location, just a 10-minute drive south of the centre of Margaret River, the short trip is a small price to pay.

Time your visit to coincide with the free-flight displays – and temper your expectations of any kind of a big zoo – and you’ll no doubt have a great time here.