Margaret River and the Capes
Dolphins at Bunbury, the long Busselton Jetty, then Caves Road between two lighthouses: wineries, surf, caves, karri forest and a coast of rocky headlands.
- Distance
- 268 km (166 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 55 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 12
- States
- Western Australia
- Updated
- April 29, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 268 km (166 mi) with 12 stops, from Bunbury to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. About 2 h 55 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Western Australia
Route description
Perth to Bunbury is about 175 km (roughly two hours) on freeway and highway. Stop at the Dolphin Discovery Centre on Koombana Bay, where wild dolphins often visit the beach on summer mornings. Then drive about 55 km to Busselton. Its jetty, almost 1.8 km long, can be walked or ridden by train, with an Underwater Observatory at the end.
From Busselton, drive about 35 km to Cape Naturaliste and its 1904 lighthouse, then follow Caves Road south. Canal Rocks at Injidup is a short detour, with rock channels and a footbridge. Keep to the path in big swell. The distance from Cape Naturaliste to Margaret River along Caves Road is about 50 km, but you will want a full day with stops.
Make Margaret River town your base. Cellar doors cluster around Wilyabrup and along Caves Road, so arrange a designated driver or a tour, and book lunch ahead at weekends. West of town, Surfers Point at Prevelly shows serious reef waves. In the evening, return to town before dark: kangaroos and other wildlife are active on the forest roads.
Drive south to Hamelin Bay, where rays glide into the shallows, then through Boranup Karri Forest on a slow gravel loop; allow extra time. End at Cape Leeuwin, about 45 km from Margaret River, where Australia's tallest mainland lighthouse overlooks the meeting of two oceans. In winter and spring, whales pass offshore. The wind at the headland can be strong.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Bunbury
Western Australia - 22 km
Dolphin Discovery Centre, Bunbury
NatureBunbury, Western AustraliaA beach centre on Koombana Bay where wild bottlenose dolphins often visit the shallows, mainly on summer mornings. There is a viewing beach, a museum and boat trips. Visits are not guaranteed, so allow time.
- 355 km
Busselton
Western Australia - 40 km
Busselton Jetty
HistoryBusselton, Western AustraliaAt almost 1.8 km, this is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Walk it, ride the small train, or descend to the Underwater Observatory at the end to see reef life through windows.
- 539 km
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
ViewsDunsborough, Western AustraliaA lighthouse from 1904 on the northern tip of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge, with a headland walk to whale-watching lookouts. Humpbacks pass in late winter and spring; the wind off the Indian Ocean can be strong.
- 615 km
Canal Rocks, Injidup
NatureYallingup, Western AustraliaA rocky headland at Injidup where ocean swells surge through narrow channels, crossed by a footbridge. Best viewed in moderate conditions; heavy swell makes the rocks dangerous, so keep to the path.
- 741 km
Margaret River
Western Australia - 821 km
Wilyabrup wine district
FoodMargaret River, Western AustraliaThe heart of the Margaret River wine region, where cellar doors cluster along Caves Road among vineyards and forest. Cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay are the specialities. Choose a designated driver, and book restaurants early at weekends.
- 926 km
Surfers Point, Prevelly
NatureMargaret River, Western AustraliaThe main break at Prevelly, where Margaret River's powerful reef waves host international surf competitions. Even without a board, watching surfers from the clifftop is worth a stop. The waves suit experienced surfers; beginners should look elsewhere.
- 1033 km
Hamelin Bay
NatureAugusta, Western AustraliaA curved beach on the Margaret River coast where rays glide into the shallows beside the old jetty ruins. Watch them from a distance and do not touch or feed them. Whales can be seen offshore in season.
- 118 km
Boranup Karri Forest
NatureMargaret River, Western AustraliaA forest of tall karri trees growing back after 19th-century logging, with a scenic drive winding through the pale-trunked giants between Margaret River and Augusta. Wildflowers bloom in spring; the gravel road is slow.
- 1228 km
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
HistoryAugusta, Western AustraliaAustralia's tallest mainland lighthouse, completed in 1896, stands where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet at the continent's south-western tip. Walk the headland for sea views, and watch for whales in winter and spring.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Bunbury → Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse · 96 km · 1 h 03 minOn the way: Dolphin Discovery Centre, Bunbury, Busselton, Busselton Jetty.
- Day 2: Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse → Wilyabrup wine district · 78 km · 0 h 51 minOn the way: Canal Rocks, Injidup, Margaret River.
- Day 3: Wilyabrup wine district → Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse · 94 km · 1 h 02 minOn the way: Surfers Point, Prevelly, Hamelin Bay, Boranup Karri Forest.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–June and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Themes
FAQs
How long is Margaret River and the Capes?
3-day road trip of about 268 km (166 mi) with 12 stops, from Bunbury to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. About 2 h 55 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Margaret River and the Capes?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 55 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Margaret River and the Capes start and end?
It starts in Bunbury and ends in Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
Which states does Margaret River and the Capes pass through?
Western Australia.
When is the best time for Margaret River and the Capes?
The most pleasant months are usually March–June and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
