Living in Australia we are home to some of the most beautiful landscapes and natural beauty any country has to offer. But it’s not just picturesque sun-kissed surroundings, Australia is also home to some of the finest food, fresh produce and wine compared to anywhere in the world.
And with Australia being such a large country there are many places that get overlooked or seem just too far away to get to but thankfully Jetstar is making it a little easier and opening up new opportunities for travellers from Australia and around the world from March 2020.
The latest arrow in the Jetstar quiver is direct flights to Busselton, opening up the Margaret River region to a wave of eager travellers and foodies alike. But what does that really mean, what it means is that you don’t need to fly into Perth and then make the three-hour trek to this beautiful part of the world. Three hours doesn’t sound like a long time each way but when you only have a weekend to getaway it adds up!
Flying out Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, you can sneak away for a few days and be able to spend as much time in Margaret River as you can and not lose that time travelling to and from Perth to Margaret River.
So, what does region really have to offer…
Food and wine lovers can visit more than 85 cellar doors with many offering restaurants with vineyard and ocean views; taste the artisanal creations of the region’s boutique breweries and distilleries; or tour the local farmers markets and providores.
The region is home to many of WA’s top producers and suppliers of cheese, chocolate, olive oil, craft beer, spirits, seafood and world-class chefs who draw their inspiration from local fresh produce and the stunning landscapes.
Beyond the great food and wine, there’s the picturesque walking trails, ancient caves and pristine beaches, alongside a thriving art scene, ancient stories from traditional owners, kid-friendly attractions and an underwater playground at the longest timber piled jetty in the southern hemisphere – Busselton Jetty.
Accommodation options in the region range from chalets and villas to farm stays and B&Bs; caravan parks and camping to family-friendly hotels and resorts; or luxury retreats and glamping to secluded private property getaways.
Travellers wishing to extend their Margaret River region adventure can head further south to discover the raw, dramatic coastline and historic stories of Albany, tall tingle trees at Walpole; travel a little further inland to find cooler climate wines, fresh local marron and black truffles at Pemberton and Manjimup; or, head north to go swimming with dolphins at Bunbury.
Need even more reasons to head over to Margaret River?
Enjoy a long lunch of fresh local produce prepared by award winning chefs at one of the region’s many vineyard based restaurants such as Vasse Felix, Cullen Wines, Leeuwin Estate, Wills Domain and Amelia Park.
Give surfing or stand up paddle boarding a go. Sheltered beaches, bays and epic swells are dotted along the coast.
Walk or train to the end of the Busselton Jetty, then meet the colourful fish and sea-life at the Underwater Observatory. At 1.8 kilometres, the jetty is the longest timber piled jetty in the southern hemisphere.
Be amazed by over 2,500 species of wildflowers decorating the coastal walking tracks and forests with vivid colour from August to November.
Learn about the Margaret River region on an Aboriginal cultural tour with a traditional owner from Koomal Dreaming and Cape Cultural Tours.
Browse the beautiful boutiques and galleries of Dunsborough and Margaret River. There’s homewares, florists, clothing stores, great cafes and plenty of beautiful souvenirs.
Stock up on local chocolate, cheese, olives, olive oil, nougat, bread and venison at local providores or the weekly farmers market, then picnic or camp amongst thekarri trees in Boranup Forest.
Head underground and explore the ancient limestone cave formations. Join an underground tour at Lake, Jewel, Mammoth or Ngilgi Caves.
Walk a section or all of the Cape to Cape track. The track runs 135 kilometres from Cape Naturaliste near Dunsborough, to Cape Leeuwin near Augusta, with companies such as Cape to Cape Explorer Tours and Walk into Luxury offering guided walking tours.
Climb the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Australia’s tallest mainland lighthouse, and see where the Southern Ocean and Indian Ocean meet. There’s also the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, which has undergone a major upgrade and offers panoramic ocean views from a new observation platform, landscaped lawns, a nautical-themed playground and Lightkeeper’s Inn Café.
Jump on a charter boat and watch the whales frolic in Geographe Bay between June and November. There are several whale watching tours operating in the Margaret River region, departing from Dunsborough and Augusta.
Go rock climbing, abseiling, mountain biking, eco quad biking, fat biking, horse riding and canoeing.
Enjoy a dip with a difference at the Injidup Natural Spa, before taking an Insta-worthy shot of Sugarloaf Rock.
Sample some of the best local brews, spirits and ciders such as Black Brewing Co, The Beer Farm, Cheeky Monkey, Eagle Bay Brewery and Wild Hop Brewing Co. Or, make your own gin at Margaret River Distilling Co’s Giniversity.
Oh, and since the region is famous for its wine, taste the region’s premium drops on a winery tour. The region produces around 20 per cent of Australia’s premium wine, and there’s more than 80 cellar doors. Make sure you elect a designated driver, or better yet, join one of the many tours available.
Additional Travel Information sourced from Tourism Western Australia
Having sampled just a few of the delightful treats that the region has to offer from Chef Tony Howell, wines from Vasse Felix, local cheeses to the region and a select few chocolates as well, we can’t wait to head over and explore this amazing part of Australia for ourselves.
Start planning your visit with Jetstar