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Regional overview

 

Short Form

The spectacular Margaret River Region welcomes travelers from around the world like no other destination in Australia. A pleasant three-hour drive south of Perth, Western Australia’s premier holiday region offers a unique range of pristine natural attractions, premium wineries and craft breweries, fine restaurants, handmade arts & crafts, unspoiled beaches, towering karri forests, ancient limestone caves and friendly locals.

Long Form

The spectacular Margaret River Region welcomes travelers from around the world like no other destination in Australia. A pleasant three-hour drive south of Perth, Western Australia’s premier holiday region offers a unique range of pristine natural attractions, premium wineries and craft breweries, fine restaurants, handmade arts & crafts, unspoiled beaches, towering karri forests and friendly locals. Blessed with a mild Mediterranean maritime climate, the four seasons are gently defined in this relaxed and soulful corner of the country.

Margaret River is the name of a river, a town and a region. The Margaret River flows to the ocean at Prevelly while the Blackwood River flows to Augusta in the south. The region has an extensive coastline with over 130 kilometres of beaches, bays and rocky points. The region comprises rural countryside, sandy beaches, native forests and national parks. From the tranquil waters of Geographe Bay in the north, to the ancient cave-carved Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, through the picturesque vineyards and karri forest, to the rugged beauty of Cape Leeuwin in the south, this is a place of stunning natural contrasts. It’s this diversity which has put the Margaret River Region on the map.

Facts and stats

Location

The Margaret River Region is located in Australia’s South West corner, 221 kilometres south of the Western Australian capital city of Perth. The region spans from Busselton in the north to Augusta in the south, and is defined from east to west by the Gladstone line.

Annual visitation

Over 1 million

Size

  • 4,255 square kilometres
  • North to south: Approx 130 kilometres
  • West to east: Approx 27 kilometres

Estimated population

  • Shire of Augusta Margaret River – 13,000 (2013. Source: Shire of Augusta Margaret River)
  • City of Busselton – 34,000 (2013. Source: City of Busselton)

Townships

  • Busselton (City) – 23,500 (2011)
  • Augusta – population 1,400 (2013)
  • Dunsborough – population 4,500 (2011)
  • Yallingup – population 970 (2011)
  • Cowaramup – population 950 (2013)
  • Margaret River – population 6,550 (2013)

Smaller towns/localities

  • Witchcliffe
  • Karridale
  • Rosa Brook
  • Wilyabrup
  • Metricup
  • Hamelin Bay
  • Gracetown
  • Prevelly
  • Gnarabup

Climate

The climate of the Margaret River Region is typically Mediterranean, with warm to hot dry summers and mild, wet winters. The majority of rainfall occurs between May and September, with heaviest falls during the winter months from June to August. Rainfall is generally higher and more reliable than other areas of the South West, with between 850 and 1,200 mm annually. Summers are very dry, with December, January, and February receiving a monthly average of less than 25mm of rain. Summers are typically very warm and cloudless although cooling afternoon sea breezes are common. The Indian and Southern Oceans moderate the effect of temperature in the region providing smaller diurnal and seasonal variations and a milder climate than inland areas. Mean daily temperatures vary from around 10 degrees in August to 26 degrees in February.

Major industries

  • Tourism
  • Viticulture
  • Sheep
  • Beef cattle
  • Dairy cattle
  • Fishing
  • Horticulture

Transport to and around the region