The best ways to get to your Margaret River holiday

The Margaret River region of Australia’s South-West is a beautiful one, well worth the visit. There are several different ways to reach the area. Which one you choose depends on what best suits your needs:

Drive Yourself

Perth International Airport is a hub for flights across Australia, and from several major hubs in Asia, the Middle East, South Africa and New Zealand. There are plenty of hire car options at the airport for you on arrival. From here, it is a beautiful, easy-to-navigate three-hour road trip to the South-West region.

Directions are well signed and the road quality is excellent the entire way. Take Kwinana Freeway to leave the city. When you reach Bunbury (around one and a half hours south of Perth), follow the signs onto Bussell Highway. The benefit of taking a car is that you will have a method of transport for your holiday once you’re there. There are multiple service stations along the way if you need to stop and fill up with fuel.

It’s not just a road trip, however. The drive itself is stunning, particularly as you get further south, with towering trees and wineries dotted on both sides of the road. Immediately after passing Busselton, there are two routes to choose from to reach Margaret River: Bussell Highway, which is quicker, or Caves Road which is a scenic drive through pristine forest and past millennia-old caving systems. If you are driving at night, stop in a rest bay anywhere along the highway for a spectacular starry night view, free from light pollution.

Road rules you need to know

Even though the roads are sealed and signposted, there are precautions you must take in Australia’s South-West.

Wild kangaroos are commonplace and they tend to travel more at dusk than during the day. Keep an eye out for the animals on the side of the road but, as much as you’d like to, try not to swerve if you see one. This could easily cause a traffic accident. Kangaroos are typically found in groups, so if you see one, there will most likely be more close by.

Some sections of the highway are fairly dark, so take extra care driving at night. If possible, try to travel during the day if it’s your first time visiting the area. The road trip is pretty, and you reduce your chance of getting lost. If you are arriving at night, please let Private Properties know so we can leave lights on for you or give you extra information, if need be.

Many sections of the highways have a maximum speed of 110km (70miles) per hour, so keep a safe distance from the car in front of you.  Be aware that Western Australian police hand out stiff penalties for mobile phone usage while driving.

Be alert and aware when using the highways, as there are several changes from single to dual carriageway lanes and vice versa. Also take care when merging or overtaking and allow enough space and time. And most importantly, please remember that you drive on the left-hand side of the road in Australia.

Find out in advance whether you will need to obtain an International Driving Permit. See the Department of Transport for more information.

Shuttle Services

If you don’t want the trouble of driving yourself or you simply may not feel comfortable driving a car in a new country, don’t worry. There are several airport shuttle services that will transport you from Perth airports to your South-West destination, and back again. Find out more at Southwest Airport Transfers or Herbie’s Shuttle for Busselton visitors.

For a luxurious experience, VIP Charter Vehicles is a chauffeured service that transports you in style in a Mercedes E Class or a Holden Caprice, or a Mercedes Viano for small groups.

Coach Travel

Comfortable coaches depart regularly from Perth Airport Domestic Terminal T3 and T4, and Perth Airport International T1, as well as Elizabeth Quay in Perth’s city centre. There are multiple designated stops including Busselton, Dunsborough, Cowaramup and Margaret River. Find out more at South West Coach Lines. TransWA also offers bus services to the South-West as far as Denmark and Albany, from the East Perth Train Station.

Charter an Aircraft

By far the fastest route to your destination is to travel by plane. The Margaret River-Busselton Airport just outside of Busselton receives charter planes and helicopters. Most services depart from Jandakot Airport, 20 minutes south of Perth. Visit Westward Aviation, Ozwest Aviation or Air Australia International for more information.

If you’d like a service to take the planning off your hands, you are welcome to contact our concierge service. They are more than happy to sort the details out for you so you can sit back and have a stress-free break. For the perfect holiday, make sure you get your first choice of luxury accommodation. Browse our South-West homes here.