Why Margaret River is Worth the Drive for Groups
The Swan Valley is great for a quick winery day, but if your group has a full day free and wants to go somewhere that feels like a proper escape, Margaret River is in a different league. World-class wineries, ancient limestone caves, dramatic surf beaches and one of the best food regions in Australia — all within three hours of Perth.
The only catch? Getting eight people there without turning it into a convoy nightmare. That's where hiring a people mover makes the whole thing effortless — everyone travels together, someone takes a turn at the wheel, and nobody has to stress about parking three separate cars.
Distance from Perth: ~270km each way (about 3 hours). Total round trip: ~540km — well within our weekly hire allowance of 1,400km, or manageable on a full-day hire with a reasonable excess km arrangement. Check availability and pricing →
When to Go
Margaret River is genuinely good year-round, but each season has a personality:
- Winter (Jun–Aug): Dramatic surf, cosy winery fireplaces, smaller crowds. Great for foodies and wine lovers.
- Spring (Sep–Nov): Wildflowers along the way, perfect temperatures, the region starts buzzing.
- Summer (Dec–Feb): Beach weather, the busiest season — book your van well in advance.
- Autumn (Mar–May): Harvest season. The best time for wine lovers — tastings during vintage.
Best Wineries for Groups
The Margaret River wine region has over 200 cellar doors. For groups, you want places with space, great vibes, and food to soak up the tastings. These are the standouts:
Vasse Felix
The original Margaret River winery, established 1967. Their cellar door is stunning — architecturally impressive with a gallery on site. The food at the restaurant is exceptional if you're doing a sit-down lunch. Book ahead for the restaurant, but walk-in tastings are usually fine.
Leeuwin Estate
Famous for their Concert Series (think international artists performing in the vineyard), Leeuwin is also one of the most beautiful properties in the region. The Art Series Chardonnay is legendary. Great for a long, leisurely lunch.
Cullen Wines
Biodynamic, award-winning, and genuinely special. Smaller and more intimate than some of the bigger estates — great if your group appreciates quality over quantity.
Cape Mentelle
One of the region's greats, with a relaxed atmosphere perfect for groups. Their tasting room is welcoming and the wines are consistently excellent.
The Caves — Don't Skip These
Within 20 minutes of the Margaret River township are three world-class limestone caves. They're genuinely spectacular and unlike anything else in WA.
- Mammoth Cave: Self-guided with an audio tour. Huge ancient fossil display including a Zygomaturus (think giant wombat). Good for groups — no waiting for guided tours.
- Lake Cave: The most beautiful — features a hanging stalactite table suspended over an underground lake. Guided tours only, so book ahead.
- Jewel Cave: The largest of the three. Enormous formations and the longest straw stalactite in any tourist cave in the world.
You won't have time to do all three in one day trip — pick one or two and pair with the wineries.
Beaches Worth the Stop
The Margaret River coastline is wild and spectacular. These are worth building into your route:
- Prevelly Beach: Where the Margaret River meets the Indian Ocean. Surfing beach with a great lookout. Dramatic in any season.
- Gnarabup Beach: Right next to Prevelly, calmer and better for swimming. Has a café and facilities.
- Redgate Beach: A bit further south, usually quieter. Stunning scenery.
Food Stops You Shouldn't Miss
Margaret River has built a serious food reputation. Beyond the winery restaurants:
- Margaret River Chocolate Company: Free tastings of handmade chocolates. Groups love it — allow 30 minutes.
- Margaret River Dairy Company: Locally made cheeses, great with the wine you've just picked up at the cellar doors.
- Bootleg Brewery: If your group wants a craft beer stop, this is the one. Great food, relaxed outdoor setting.
- Morries Anytime: A casual bar and restaurant in the town centre — perfect for a group dinner if you're staying late.
Suggested Day Itinerary
Getting Everyone There Together
A 270km each-way trip in multiple cars creates real problems: convoy coordination, different music, people wanting different stops, and at least one car with someone who can't have wine because they're driving back.
Hiring a self-drive 8-seater solves all of it. Rotate the driving every hour or two, everyone gets to enjoy the wineries, and nobody has to navigate separately. At $16 per person for a full-day hire split eight ways, it's also significantly cheaper than the fuel for three cars.
Important for a Margaret River day trip: Our standard full-day hire includes 200km. Margaret River is ~270km each way (540km return), so you'll use your excess km allowance. Add $0.30/km for every km over — a 540km trip at $0.30 excess is $51 extra on top of the hire. Factor this in when planning, or ask us about our weekly rate which includes 1,400km.
Ready to plan your group trip? Check availability and book your van online →