Margaret River is rich in both Indigenous and European history, with extensive cave systems, museums, galleries, and cultural sites.
Good to know
Good to Know
- The region's Indigenous heritage is deeply integrated into contemporary experiences—guided cultural tours with Wadandi custodians provide authentic insights beyond museum settings.
- Cave tours operate year-round but underground temperature is cool, so bring a light jacket.
- Most museums and heritage sites have limited hours and operate with volunteer staff; verify opening times before visiting.
- Entry to multiple caves is best managed via the Grand Tour Pass (valid 7 days), which offers value if visiting three or more cave sites.
- Art galleries throughout the region range from free-entry venues to high-end contemporary spaces; nearly all are accessible within or very close to the town.
- The region hosts Margaret River Region Open Studios (over 100 artists open studios) and Emergence Creative Festival seasonally—plan ahead for these events.
- Many galleries are located at or integrated with wineries, combining art viewing with wine tasting.
Art Galleries
Yallingup Aboriginal Art
- Type
- Indigenous contemporary art
- Description
- Region's largest dedicated contemporary Aboriginal art gallery showcasing works by Indigenous artists.
Yallingup Galleries
- Location
- Yallingup (set in bushland)
- Description
- Oldest gallery in the Margaret River Region, 2024 Business Excellence Awards 'Innovative Award' winner. Features works by renowned Australian artists including paintings, sculptures, furniture, jewellery, glassware, and ceramics. Surrounded by sculpture trail.
Margaret River Gallery
- Type
- Contemporary multi-medium gallery
- Description
- Contemporary art space exhibiting local, interstate, and international artists across all mediums including painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture, glass, and jewellery. Prices range from A$40 to A$20,000.
The Studio Gallery
- Type
- Contemporary art
- Description
- Contemporary bright exhibition space showcasing leading Australian artists with special exhibitions.
Vasse Felix Winery Art Gallery
- Type
- Fine art with wine tasting
- Description
- Art gallery featuring seasonal program of curated exhibitions showcasing works from invited artists and the celebrated Janet Holmes à Court Collection.
Phil Hollett Gallery
- Type
- Photography
- Description
- Photography gallery featuring local landscape photography capturing familiar locations in extraordinary light, mood, and drama.
Margaret River HEART
- Type
- Community art exhibitions
- Description
- Public art space showcasing artists throughout the year.
Rivendell Winery Estate
- Type
- Art integrated with winery
- Description
- Fine wine venue displaying works by local artists including Heidi Emma, Tania Daymond, and Mark Teakle alongside striking paintings and sculptures.
Aravina Estate
- Type
- Specialized museum with gallery
- Description
- Home to Western Australia's first official surfing museum.
Must See Sites
Mammoth Cave
- Location
- Part of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
- Admission
- A$20
- Note
- Self-guided with audio guide included
- Description
- One of Western Australia's most significant paleontological sites with fossilised remains of extinct megafauna. Offers self-guided audio tours in multiple languages (English, French, German, Malay, Mandarin).
Jewel Cave
- Location
- 8km north of Augusta on Caves Road
- Admission
- A$20
- Description
- Largest show cave in the Margaret River region featuring dramatic stalactites, helictites, crystals, and the largest straw stalactite in Australia (over 17 feet long). Guided 1-hour tours through three chambers with ranger guides.
Lake Cave
- Location
- Caves Road
- Admission
- A$20
- Description
- 300 steps down an ancient sinkhole containing a tranquil pool reflecting exquisite limestone formations, hanging crystals, and dramatic stalactites.
Ngilgi Cave
- Location
- Part of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
- Cultural Tours Available
- Yes
- Description
- Expansive natural wonder with dramatic underground caves and tunnels filled with stalactites, helictites, shawls, and shimmering calcite crystal deposits. Offers guided cultural tours with Wadandi cultural custodians.
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
- Location
- Just south of Augusta
- Admission
- A$15
- Note
- Precinct entry A$5 adults / A$3 children if not taking guided tour
- Description
- The tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia, located where two oceans meet. Features interpretive centre with interactive storytelling about hardship endured by lightkeepers. Guided tours available throughout the day.
Margaret River and District Historical Society (Old Settlement Museum)
- Hours
- Tuesday 10:00am-12:30pm, Thursday 1:30pm-4:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm
- Location
- 69 Bussell Highway, Margaret River (near river, accessible via Higgins Street)
- Admission
- Small entrance fee applies
- Note
- Hours subject to volunteer availability
- Description
- Heritage buildings including the restored Bramley School with local school memorabilia and photographs, the original Group Settlement 'Groupie' house, blacksmith's workshop, and heritage displays. Features a small theatre showing film about group settlement and early regional life.
Ellensbrook Homestead (Mokidup)
- Location
- Near Margaret River
- Cultural Significance
- Traditional Noongar camping ground
- Description
- Historic homestead originally settled in 1857 as summer camping area for Wadandi people. Features Noongar artist Sandra Hill's drawings depicting plants and animals that sustained the Wadandi across the six seasons. Trail leads to Meekadariby waterfall legend site.
Caves House Hotel
- Location
- Near Ngilgi Cave
- Description
- Iconic hotel originally built in 1901 to host early cave visitors. Heritage-listed gardens, carefully restored. Historic landmark with architectural significance.
WOW Illusions
- Admission
- A$40
- Note
- Family admission for four people; has cafeteria
- Description
- Interactive museum featuring optical illusions and mind-bending exhibits for families.
Indigenous History
- Overview
- The Noongar people, specifically the Wadandi (Saltwater People), have a documented connection to this area spanning approximately 48,000 years, with evidence of human occupation at Devil's Lair cave south of Margaret River.
- Contemporary Art
- Yallingup Aboriginal Art is the region's largest dedicated contemporary Aboriginal art gallery, and work by Indigenous artists appears in visitor centres throughout the area.
- Cultural Custody
- Wadandi cultural custodians offer guided experiences including tours at Ngilgi Cave and Koomal Dreaming experiences that cover Dreamtime stories, traditional knowledge, bush food tasting, and didgeridoo performances.
Free And Low Cost Options
Free And Low Cost Options
- Many winery cellar doors offer free daily tastings
- Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse: gold coin donation (A$1-2)
- Margaret River Heritage Trail: easy riverside walk, free
- Cape to Cape Walking Trail: sections available for free day walks
- Multiple art galleries feature free entry
European Settlement History
- Timeline
- Margaret River was named in 1839 by early settler John Bussell in honour of Margaret Wyche, a friend in England. European settlement began in 1850, with the first homestead built at Ellensbrook in 1857. The town of Margaret River was formally established in 1912, with the Group Settlement Scheme of the early 1920s bringing rapid growth.
- Key Event
- In 1876, Aboriginal stockman Sam Isaacs and settler Grace Bussell rescued passengers from the shipwrecked vessel Georgette in rough seas.
Practical Passes And Discounts
Cave Grand Tour Pass
- Validity
- 7 days
- Admission
- A$48
- Note
- Valid for families of four at A$135
- Description
- Includes entry to Lake Cave (guided tour), Jewel Cave (guided tour), and Mammoth Cave (self-guided audio tour).
South West Wanderer Pass
- Note
- Applies to new bookings through specific travel channels
- Description
- Offers A$100 credit towards participating tours, experiences, and attractions around the Margaret River region for visitors arriving via certain routes.
Winery Gallery Brewery Tour
- Admission
- A$95
- Note
- A$65 children; departs daily from Margaret River Visitor Centre or accommodations within 10km of town
- Description
- Full-day tour including winery, gallery, and brewery visits with lunch.
Caveorks Eco Interpretive Center
- Location
- Lake Cave, Caves Road
- Description
- Free entry if visiting Lake, Jewel, or Mammoth caves; otherwise A$2 per person. Open daily except December 25, 9am to 5pm.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this history, museums & sightseeing research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.