Good to know
Good to Know
- Wooditjup National Park is the main hub for both hiking and mountain biking, just 5 minutes from town centre—ideal for morning or afternoon excursions.
- The iconic Cape to Cape Track (140 km, 5-7 days) spans the region; short day-walk sections with major highlights are easily accessible without committing to the full trek.
- Spring (September-October) is peak season: wildflowers throughout the region, comfortable walking temperatures, and best wildlife viewing.
- Free admission to most trails; dogs on leads permitted on many (but check individual trail rules—some prohibit dogs entirely).
- Boranup Forest Loop sits on dirt Boranup Drive (2WD-suitable compacted limestone); poor phone reception in the area.
- Ten Mile Brook Trail is dual-use for walkers and cyclists; vehicle access at the halfway point (Ten Mile Brook Dam) allows flexible options for timing/energy levels.
- Meelup Reserve (near Dunsborough) combines sand beaches with coastal bushland—good for blending beach and nature activities.
- Margaret River Climbing Co. operates seaside abseiling/rock climbing at Wilyabrup Cliffs with guaranteed ocean views; half-day experiences suit various experience levels.
- Sealed cycling options (Wallcliffe Road, Rails to Trails sections) suit families; mountain bike networks in Wooditjup are well-maintained for mixed skill levels.
- Water sports (surfing, kayaking, snorkelling) are prominent due to coastal location and notably clear ocean water.
- Most trails have no seasonal closures, but after December 2022 fire, some Boranup side trails remain overgrown—stick to main marked paths.
- Rotary Park is the primary trailhead hub and a good base for planning walks (restrooms, picnic facilities, heritage steam engine 'Old Kate').
Parks
Wooditjup (Bramley) National Park
- Location
- 5 minutes drive north of Margaret River town centre, off Swing Road
- Facilities
- Parking, picnic areas, restroom facilities. RAC Margaret River Nature Park offers camping, cabins, safari tents, dorm rooms.
- Description
- Primary hub for walking and mountain biking trails with 16+ km of maintained mountain bike trails (The Pines Network) and multiple hiking loops through karri, marri, jarrah forests. Features heritage sites (old mill chimney), stream crossings, and spring wildflowers.
Rotary Park
- Location
- Northern edge of Margaret River town centre, off Bussell Highway
- Facilities
- Playground, BBQ facilities, picnic tables, public toilets, shaded areas, walking tracks
- Description
- Riverside park with heritage trails, walking paths, picnic areas. Features 'Old Kate' historic steam engine, Margaret River Heritage Trail access, and trailhead for Ten Mile Brook Trail. Family-friendly.
Boranup Forest (Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park)
- Location
- 25 minute drive south of Margaret River town along Caves Road
- Facilities
- Parking, lookout points, small picnic areas, 7-tent small campground. No phone reception. Boranup Drive is 2WD-accessible compacted limestone surface.
- Description
- Ancient karri forest with trees reaching 60+ metres. Walking trails and scenic drive (Boranup Drive, 11 km gravel loop). Lookout points with views of forest and Hamelin Bay.
Margaret River Tracks & Skate Park
- Location
- Central Margaret River
- Facilities
- BBQ facilities, toilets, kiosk, shaded rest areas, undulating trails and varied obstacle challenges
- Description
- Multi-level skate park with BMX track, pump tracks, adventure playground. Suitable for all skill levels (beginner to experienced).
Hiking
Rotary South Bank River Trail
- Difficulty
- easy
- Distance Km
- 2.4
- Permits Or Fees
- Free admission; dogs on leads permitted
- Trailhead Location
- Rotary Park, northern edge of Margaret River town centre
- Seasonal Considerations
- Open year-round; spring wildflowers feature. No seasonal closures documented.
- Trailhead Accessibility
- Located at town entrance off Bussell Highway; immediate access from town centre (under 5 minutes walk)
Ten Mile Brook Trail (Bunnitj Biddi)
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Distance Km
- 15
- Permits Or Fees
- Free admission; dogs on leads permitted
- Elevation Gain M
- 327
- Trailhead Location
- Rotary Park, Margaret River town centre
- Seasonal Considerations
- Open year-round. Creek crossings may be wet during high water. Well-signposted; trail generally suitable year-round.
- Trailhead Accessibility
- Starts at Rotary Park; 5 minutes walk from town centre. Out-and-back trail; vehicle access available at halfway point (Ten Mile Brook Dam via Rosa Brook Road).
Chimney Trail Loop
- Difficulty
- easy
- Distance Km
- 3.2
- Permits Or Fees
- No permit or fee documented for this trail
- Elevation Gain M
- 149
- Trailhead Location
- Wooditjup (Bramley) National Park
- Seasonal Considerations
- Open year-round. Spring wildflowers present. Heritage site (old Wharncliffe Mill chimney); 1 hour to complete.
- Trailhead Accessibility
- 5 minutes drive from Margaret River town centre; parking off Swing Road (formerly Carters Road Trailhead)
Boranup Forest Loop
- Difficulty
- easy
- Distance Km
- 5.1
- Permits Or Fees
- No permit or fee required. Dogs not permitted on this trail.
- Elevation Gain M
- 149
- Trailhead Location
- Boranup Forest, Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
- Seasonal Considerations
- Best times to visit: July through February. Spring wildflowers abundant. A 2022 fire burned the understory but Karri trees untouched; some side trails remain overgrown.
- Trailhead Accessibility
- 25-minute drive south of Margaret River town along Caves Road; park on Boranup Drive (dirt road, 2WD accessible)
Cape to Cape Track
- Difficulty
- challenging
- Distance Km
- 140
- Permits Or Fees
- No permit or fee documented for the full track or day-walk sections
- Trailhead Location
- Cape Naturaliste (Dunsborough) to Cape Leeuwin (Augusta)
- Seasonal Considerations
- Spring (September-October) ideal for wildflowers and weather. 5-7 day completion typical for full traverse. Coastal ridge and beach walking; stunning ocean views.
- Trailhead Accessibility
- Multi-day trek spanning the region's southern coast. Short day-walk sections accessible from various points; north end ~30 km from Margaret River town, south end ~60 km away.
North Bramley National Park Circuit
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Distance Km
- 8.5
- Permits Or Fees
- No permit or fee documented
- Trailhead Location
- Wooditjup (Bramley) National Park
- Seasonal Considerations
- Forest of karri, marri, jarrah. Spring wildflowers. Open year-round.
- Trailhead Accessibility
- 5 minutes drive from town centre off Swing Road
Meelup Reserve Trail
- Difficulty
- easy
- Permits Or Fees
- No permit or fee documented
- Trailhead Location
- Meelup Reserve, Dunsborough area
- Seasonal Considerations
- Coastal bushland and sandy beaches. Spring wildflowers. Year-round access.
- Trailhead Accessibility
- In Dunsborough, approximately 10 km north-west of Margaret River town (15 minute drive)
Wardanup Trail
- Difficulty
- easy
- Permits Or Fees
- Open to public daily; no fee documented. Restroom facilities and resting areas available.
- Trailhead Location
- Yallingup area, through Yallingup township and Cave House gardens
- Seasonal Considerations
- Spring wildflowers. Year-round access. Circular trail with coastal scenery and shady forest paths.
- Trailhead Accessibility
- 33 km from Margaret River town centre, 32 minute drive. From Margaret River, travel south via Bussell Highway/Caves Road to Yallingup Beach Road; follow signs to Rabbit Hill Carpark.
Cycling
Ten Mile Brook Trail (Dual-use Walk/cycle)
- Type
- Mountain biking & recreational cycling
- Surface
- Compacted earth and coarse gravel, suitable for bikes
- Location
- Wooditjup National Park, starting Rotary Park town centre
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Distance Km
- 15
- Notes
- Out-and-back trail to Ten Mile Brook Dam; vehicle access available at halfway point. Approximately 4 hours round trip.
Wooditjup (Bramley) National Park Mountain Bike Network
- Type
- Mountain biking
- Location
- 5 minutes north of town centre off Swing Road
- Difficulty
- mixed (green easy to blue intermediate)
- Distance Km
- 16
- Notes
- Network of well-maintained trails for all skill levels. Also called The Pines Mountain Bike Network (~16 km total).
Named Trails
- Chimney Trail
- High Horse
- Big Pine
Rails to Trails
- Type
- Recreational cycling
- Surface
- Sealed dual-use walking and cycling track
- Sections
- Busselton to Vasse, Cowaramup to south of Margaret River
- Notes
- Regional recreational cycling pathway with multiple open sections
Wallcliffe Road Sealed Cycle Track
- Type
- Recreational cycling
- Surface
- Sealed, safe for cycling with children
- Location
- From Margaret River town to beach
- Notes
- Family-friendly option with mellow ride experience
Water Sports
Coastal Areas Accessible From Town
- Type
- Surfing
- Notes
- Margaret River is famous for world-class surf spots. Guided lessons available through local schools.
Margaret River and Surrounding Waterways
- Type
- Kayaking & Canoeing
- Notes
- Options range from calm water paddling to gentle rapids
Coastal Waters, Indian Ocean
- Type
- Snorkelling & Scuba Diving
- Notes
- Clear water conditions documented as some of the cleanest in Australia
Calm Water Areas in Margaret River
- Type
- Stand-up Paddleboarding (SUP)
Indian Ocean / Geographe Bay Area
- Type
- Boat Tours & Dolphin/Whale Watching
Adventure Sports
Eco Adventures - Electric Quad Biking
- Access
- Organized tours through Eco Adventures
- Location
- Boranup Forest trails and national park areas
- Description
- Eco-engineered electric quad bikes (not petrol) with low-inflation tyres, designed to minimize impact on sensitive national park tracks.
Helicopter Winery Tours
- Operator
- Flying Corkscrew
- Description
- Helicopter tours to wineries for lunch experience
Climbing And Abseiling
Margaret River Climbing Co. - Wilyabrup Cliffs
- Access
- Taxi/rideshare or 15-20 minute drive from town centre
- Location
- Wilyabrup area between Margaret River and Yallingup, approximately 15-20 km from town
- Difficulty
- Suitable for beginners to experienced; 10-40m drops available
- Description
- Seaside cliffs with dramatic rock faces and Indian Ocean views. Expert-led half-day abseiling and rock climbing experiences with safety equipment provided.
Activities
- Rock climbing
- Abseiling
- Half-day guided experiences
Forest Adventures South West - High Ropes Course
- Access
- Organized tours; likely within 10-15 minutes of town centre
- Location
- Margaret River region (exact location not specified in sources)
- Description
- Multi-level courses for all family members. Ziplines 150m+, 13m base jump option, bike-on-wire, rope spider webs.
Activities
- Tree canopy zipline
- Flying fox
- Suspended bridges
- Tarzan ropes
Winter Sports
- Note
- Margaret River is in South-West Australia with temperate climate; no documented ski/snowboard infrastructure or winter sports facilities
AI-generated estimateData refreshed September 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this nature, parks & outdoor activities research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.margaretriver.com
- 2.margaretriver.com
- 3.alltrails.com
- 4.alltrails.com
- 5.forestrise.com.au
- 6.firstlighttravel.com.au
- 7.westernaustraliantravel.com
- 8.alltrails.com
- 9.alltrails.com
- 10.alltrails.com
- 11.margaretriver.com
- 12.australiassouthwest.com
- 13.tripadvisor.com.au
- 14.roamingdownunder.com
- 15.margaretrivertrails.com
- 16.australia.com
- 17.amrshire.wa.gov.au
- 18.waholidayguide.com.au
- 19.margaretriverguide.com.au
- 20.beachhouseholidays.com.au
- 21.australiassouthwest.com
- 22.getyourguide.com
- 23.margaretriver.com
- 24.exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au
- 25.alltrails.com
- 26.margaretriver.com
- 27.aussiebushwalking.com
- 28.margaretriverwesternaustralia.com.au
More About Margaret River
Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.