Margaret
River is 300km south of Perth and is accessible in a variety of ways, including
by car, bus, and train.
Here are some maps that may help.
Perth map(pdf480k)
South-west Western Australia map (pdf1.7mb)
By car:
There are two main highways that can be taken to arrive at Margaret River,
one called The Coast Road and the other the South Western Highway,
or inland route. (Both are marked on the Perth map.)
The Coast Road is the more popular and heads south from
Fremantle as the Rockingham Road and is part of the major national
route known as Highway 1. It initially heads for the coastal town
of Rockingham, but veers south toward Mandurah. A quicker route
out of Perth if via the southern freeway system which links in
with the road to Mandurah.
Mandurah is an attractive estuary town and is a good stopping off place for
morning tea or lunch. Restaurants and takeaway places line the banks of the
river that are shaded by huge Morton Bay fig trees. You can bypass the town
by staying on the highway, or follow the signs right that take you to the
town centre.
The highway south is generally a divided two-lane road, but there is one
section that remains a single-lane two-way road just south of Mandurah and
needs to be treated with respect.
The next major town is Bunbury, which is the capital city of the South West.
It is a small, constantly evolving city, with an interesting central area
that contains many fine old buildings and a great Victorian hotel, The Rose,
that serves a good old fashioned lunch. I dined there recently and there
was not a trace of rocket or balsamic on the menu ;-). You can still get
meals such as dhufish mornay and even a mixed grill, or if you are lucky,
lamb's fry with mashed potato! There are many takeaway places just off the
ring road for those in a hurry.
Vat 2, down by the water at the end of the main drag, is the younger sister
of a popular Margaret River restaurant, Vat 107, and is the place in Mandurah for
more contemporary fare.
It takes about two hours to reach Bunbury from Perth. The next town is
Busselton, about half an hour away. It is a busy coastal
town with a beautiful waterfront and some very special cafes and restaurants.
You can take the new Busselton bypass, but Busselton is a pretty town and
if you are not in a hurry it is worth a visit. The bypass cuts off Busselton
altogether and you end up at Vasse, which is a settlement that is earmarked
for major expansion.
You are now half an hour away from your destination of Margaret
River.
If you decide to visit Busselton you can either find your way back to the
bypass road, or take Bussell Highway. Keep
an eye out for the turn-off south (left) to Margaret River after you leave
Busselton. It's about 10km from Busselton and is well marked. A mistake
here will result in you ending up at Dunsborough or Yallingup, way out of
your way.
The South Western Highway heads south from Armadale and
is known as Highway 20. It passes through some interesting
old towns such as Pinjarra, Harvey and Brunswick and meets with the
Coast Road in Bunbury.
If you intend driving back to Perth from Margaret River returning
by the South Western Highway makes for an interesting diversion
and the scenery is more rural than the Coast Road.
By Bus:
South West Coach Lines conducts a daily service between Perth and Margaret
River.
Coaches leave Perth on week days at 1.15pm and arrive in Margaret River
at 6.08pm. On Saturday and Sunday coaches leave at 1.15pm and arrive at
5.45pm. Also on Saturdays and Sundays, school and public holidays an additional
service leaves at 8.45am and arrive in Margaret River at 1.18pm.
Returning to Perth coaches leave Margaret River twice daily at 7am, arriving
Perth at 11.20am and 5pm arriving Perth at 9.20pm.
The adult fare is $31 Australian one way. Bookings are essential through
the company or tourist bureaux. Check as timetables and fare may have changed.
TIMETABLES & RESERVATIONS
39 Albert St Busselton 6280
(08) 9754 1666
BUNBURY OFFICE DEPARTURES & ARRIVALS
Central Bus Station Bicentennial Square Carmody Pl Bunbury 6230
(08) 9791 1955
TIMETABLES & RESERVATIONS
Perth City Bus Port
(08) 9324 2333
By train:
The Australind train makes daily trips to Bunbury from
Perth. It connects with the Westrail bus service that takes passengers
south through Margaret River.
Details of timetables can be found at:
http://www.transwa.wa.gov.au
Car Hire:
You may hire small cars and 4wd vehicles in Margaret River at Escape
Car Rentals.