Dunsborough to Margaret River drive: Distance, time & best stops

The best stops on the Dunsborough to Margaret River drive include Quindalup Beach, Discover Deadly, several wineries and the Margaret River Dairy Company. The Dunsborough to Margaret River drive covers a 46km distance in a driving time of around 35 minutes.

The drive from Dunsborough to Margaret River takes you from a popular holiday town on Geographe Bay to the centre of Western Australia’s most revered wine region.

Dunsborough offers whale-watching cruises, stand-up paddleboarding at Meelup Beach and coastal nature tours. For Dunsborough accommodation options, investigate the choices here.

Margaret River is wine tourism central. But along with the wine tours you can also enjoy canoe adventures, surfing lessons and coffee safaris. For accommodation in the town, hunt here. For a diverse range of tours to choose from, go here.

Dunsborough to Margaret River distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Dunsborough to Margaret River is 46km. That makes for a 35 minute drive.

Before taking on the Dunsborough to Margaret River drive, bear in mind that you can do Margaret River wine tours from Dunsborough. The Margaret River wine region might share a name with the town, but it is a fairly wide region, with Dunsborough at the north-eastern end of it.

The town of Margaret River is small and loveable, but not all of the wineries are there.

Dunsborough to Margaret River drive attractions

The quickest route from Dunsborough to Margaret River leaves Dunsborough to the east along Caves Road.

You’ll go past Quindalup Beach, the Dunsborough Bay Yacht Club and the Xcape at the Cape water park before turning right down Chain Avenue. Flametree Wines is at the junction, should you fancy a cellar door tasting.

Once you reach Wildwood Road, take a left and you’ll find Discover Deadly, a wildlife park focused on snakes, crocs and other less terrifying reptiles. Shortly afterwards, you need to turn right down the Bussell Highway.

9 Margaret River experiences worth booking

1. Wine tours. 2. Wine & chocolate tasting. 3. Whale-watching. 4. River canoeing. 5. Cave tours to Lake Cave, Ngilgi Cave, Jewel Cave and Mammoth Caves. 6. Nature and culture tour. 7. Surfing lesson. 8. Stand-up paddleboarding. 9. Coffee discovery experience.

The wineries start appearing around Metricup, with Churchview Estate, Karasek and 3 Oceans all next to the highway. You’ll also pass the Margaret River Dairy Company on the way into Cowaramup, should you feel like tasting cheeses and yoghurts.

On the way into Margaret River itself, the Bussell Highway passes between the Keenan State Forest and Wooditjup National Park. You can walk a section of the 31km Wadandi Track in the latter.

Why you should stay in the town of Margaret River

There are plenty of great places to stay in the Margaret River region. But stay in the town itself has one massive advantage – you can walk to the bars and restaurants in the evening after a day’s wine-tasting.

If you’d like to avoid driving in the evening, these are the best accommodation options in the town of Margaret River.

For apartments with a pool (honestly, this is the best choice): Margarets In Town.
For chalets by the river: Riverview Tourist Park.
For a centrally-located motel: Margaret River Motel.
For a bit more style: Prideau’s of Margaret River.

Why you should stay in the town of Margaret River

If you’d like to avoid driving in the evening, these are the best accommodation options in the town of Margaret River.

For apartments with a pool (honestly, this is the best choice): Margarets In Town.
For chalets by the river: Riverview Tourist Park.
For a centrally-located motel: Margaret River Motel.
For a bit more style: Prideau’s of Margaret River.