Winter is that time of the year when it’s tempting to either hide out at home or migrate somewhere warm. We disagree, however – there are plenty of cool things to do in Your Margaret River Region in winter, and to prove our point, here are eight recommendations straight from the horse’s mouth:
1. Watch whales
Every year in winter 35,000 southern right and humpback pass the coastline of Your Margaret River Region. Get up close and personal on a charter boat tour, departing daily from the spectacular new $36 million Augusta Boat Harbour.
(Image: Whale Watching with Legend Charters)
Go Whale Watching
2. Go truffle hunting
Our neighbouring area of Manjimup is home to some of the world’s best truffles – so head over for a day trip or jump aboard a guided truffle tour with Go In Style (including truffle hunting with real truffle dogs, and a delicious truffle themed lunch at Watershed Premium Wines!)
(Image: Truffle hunting tour with Go In Style)
See all Winter Tours
3. Get into the Galleries
Delve into the thriving art scene of Your Margaret River Region. Spend your time meandering along country roads and visit solitary art studios, galleries, furniture galleries, impromptu arts precincts and collaborative workshops. Many have impressive settings surrounded by remote forest and bushland or are embedded at wineries and resorts.
More about Galleries & Artisans
4. Taste red wine
Everybody knows that red wine warms the bones – so appoint a skipper (that means driver in WA lingo) and head out to sample some of the region’s best. Tip: Cabernet Sauvignon is what the Margaret River Region is best known for, but keep an eye out for other interesting varieties including tempranillo, sangiovese and malbec.
(Image: Wine tasting at Windows Estate, Yallingup)
Search Wineries Find a Wine Tour
5. Explore a cave
Caving in winter, who would’ve thought? We kid you not – if it’s pouring with rain, a cave is the perfect place to explore and hide out from the weather. Lake, Jewel, Mammoth, Ngilgi and Calgardup Caves are all different, and open to the public every day – take your pick!
(Image: Lake Cave)
Explore the Caves
6. Take a hike
The Cape to Cape Track offers 135km of coastal hiking bliss, and although we probably don’t recommend doing the whole track in winter, it’s certainly a great time of year to do some short day walks – weather permitting. Get in touch with local experts Cape to Cape Explorer Tours to find out which section of the track suits your requirements.
Explore our Tracks and Trails
7. Do CinéfestOZ
Get some culture into you and head to CinéfestOZ in August – an unforgettable five-day getaway premiering feature films and events in the region’s cinemas, wineries, small bars and galleries. It also boasts the richest film prize in Australia (= really good films!)
More About Cinefest OZ
8. Climb a lighthouse
Mainland Australia’s tallest lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse at the northern end of the region, both offer spectacularly rugged views in winter.
Fun fact: Cape Leeuwin was recently named in National Geographic’s top three ocean views in the world, where “in winter, you feel the full force of the oceans crashing against the cape.”
Climb a Lighthouse
