Cape Naturaliste Drive. Credit Ryan Murphy
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Getting Here & Local Transport

Essential transport information for travelling here and getting around the region.

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Flights are now available directly from Melbourne to Busselton Margaret River Airport with Jetstar Airways. If driving from Perth to Margaret River it is an easy three-hour drive.

If you want to take a journey of a lifetime, or just get from A to B, we’ve got the transport for you including taxi’s, charters, car hire & flights in Margaret River, Busselton & beyond.

Flights

International Arrivals

Perth Airport is one of Australia’s closest airports to South East Asia, Europe and Africa and is serviced by over 20 international, domestic and regional airlines. From Perth Airport, the Margaret River Region is just a three hour drive.

Fly Direct from Melbourne to Busselton

Jetstar now flies direct between Melbourne and the world-famous travel destination that is the Margaret River Region, giving you access to pristine beaches, premium food and wine and incredible natural encounters.

Jetstar flights from Melbourne arrive in the family-friendly seaside town of Busselton three times a week, landing at Busselton-Margaret River Airport on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 6 April 2022. Flight time is 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Please check with Jetstar for the latest flight schedule.

Travel Tip: Choose an airline which has a carbon offsetting scheme. Learn about the sustainability commitments of Qantas | Jetstar | Virgin Australia | Singapore Airlines

4WD car parked next to the ocean in Margaret River. Credit Ryan Murphy.

Car Hire

The Margaret River Region is a popular self-drive destination and car hire is an excellent choice for visitors who arrive by plane.

For passengers using the Jetstar Melbourne-Busselton direct air service, Hertz Busselton, Busselton & South West Car Hire , Avis and Northside Rentals currently operate in the City of Busselton. A wide range of car hire options are also available at the airport itself, with key drop facilities. Prior arrangements need to be made with the relevant car hire operator. Details are available via the Busselton Margaret River Airport website.

Further south, Margaret River Rent a Car is available just outside the township of Margaret River.

 

Busselton-Margaret River Airport Transfers

Taxis

South West Taxis operate throughout the region, servicing all towns from the airport. Please call 1300 68 1616 for bookings. The taxi rank is located between the arrivals and departure buildings.

Private Transfers

A number of limousine and private car hire companies in the region offer transfers to and from the airport. We recommend pre-booking your transport before you arrive, below are some of the operators who offer airport transfers.

Travel by Car from Perth

Take the Kwinana Freeway out of Perth city, and this will become Forrest Highway. Follow the signs to Bunbury and then to Busselton, travelling via the Bussell Highway.

You can also try the more scenic inland route from Perth. Adding an extra half an hour or so onto your trip, the South Western Highway guides you inland from the suburb of Armadale, Pinjarra, Waroona, Harvey, Brunswick Junction, Bunbury then Busselton.

Once arrived at Busselton you are at the gateway to the rest of the Margaret River Region, which includes the towns of Dunsborough, Yallingup, Cowaramup, Margaret River and Augusta.

To drive from Busselton to Dunsborough, the quickest route follows the Busselton Bypass, turning right at the end of the Bypass and then immediately left onto Caves Road.

Alternatively, you can take a drive through Busselton by following the Bussell Highway through the town centre, which leads straight onto Caves Road and continues to Dunsborough. Yallingup is a short drive from Dunsborough along Caves Road.

To drive from Busselton to Cowaramup, Margaret River and Augusta there are two main options. The speedier route is via Bussell Highway, which travels through the heart of each of these towns. The more scenic route follows Caves Road, which travels through the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. For four wheel drive vehicles, it is also highly recommended to take a detour from Caves Road onto Boranup Drive, through the beautiful Boranup Karri Forest.

Travel Tip: Carbon offset your car journey. Australian initiatives such as Go Neutral fund projects that are avoiding emissions or capturing emissions from the atmosphere. These carbon offsets can be used to balance the emissions that are produced from driving cars. Learn more.

 

RAC Electric Highway

The RAC Electric Highway® is a network of publicly accessible electric vehicle fast-charging DC and AC stations located between Perth and Augusta in Western Australia. Within the Margaret River Region, stations are currently in place at Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River and Augusta.The charging stations allow drivers to charge their eco-friendly vehicles in only 20-30 minutes. The RAC Electric Highway® is the first of its kind in Australia and making use of this great travel tool will allow you to navigate the Margaret River Region in the safest, most sustainable and efficient way possible. We encourage you to take advantage and help reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the region.

LEARN MORE

Getting Around

Tours and Transfers

A variety of organised and custom-built tours are available, catering to different interests and needs. Most include pick up and drop off at your accommodation. From behind-the-scenes tours to build-your-own itineraries, the options are endless.

Ensure you make the best possible memories by travelling with a fully-licensed, accredited tour operator. Visitors travelling with uninsured drivers are at risk, and all tour operators featured on this website have the appropriate Department of Transport authorisations to ensure your safety.

Public Transport

As is typical in regional Western Australia, public transport is limited to main routes only and we would not recommend relying on public transport to make your way around the region for the duration of your holiday. For private touring, charters are a great option offered by many local companies.

For information on train and bus services within the region we recommend you get in touch with your local visitor centre or the following transport companies:

  • For express coach services between Busselton and Margaret River, contact South West Coachlines via (08) 9753 7700.
  • For rail and coach services between regional localities, contact Transwa.
  • For information on the regional public bus service, contact Western Australia’s Public Transport Authority.
  • For bus services between Busselton and Dunsborough, contact Swan Transit via (08) 9753 7500.

Drive times

It takes just 1.5 hours to drive the length of the Margaret River Region from Busselton in the north all the way to Augusta in the south. Use the drive times table below to plan your journey.

Download a PDF copy of drive times here.

Charter Flights

There are a range of charter flight services available, to transfer you to and from the region or get around while you are here. Arrive in style at your accommodation, winery or favourite beach, or let the operators curate a special day just for you.

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