Isaacs Rock on the coast near Margaret River

Margaret River
Fashionable and chic town known for the excellent wines produced in the region.
It is interesting how towns impose themselves on the consciousness of travellers and tourists. In theory Margaret River is nothing very special. It does have an excellent privately run museum, it is a pleasant little town with an attractive upmarket feel, and it is in the heart of an area of limestone caves (see Prevelly Park), vineyards, forests of hardwood and attractive coastlines. Its major industries include tourism, dairy cattle and timber. But is this really enough to make it one of the premier destinations on the south coast of Western Australia. It does not compare for beauty with Busselton or for historic interest with Albany yet it has managed to establish itself as one of the 'must see' places in the region.

Located 280 km south of Perth Margaret River has developed into a settlement of some substance with a number of quality motels and craft shops.

The first Europeans into the area were settlers from Augusta moving north trying to find land which was productive. It is likely that the river was named after Margaret Wyche, a cousin of John Garrett Bussell family who moved from Augusta to Busselton (named after the family) in 1831.

There was some settlement as early as the 1850s and the area was used for timber cutting from the 1870s. Certainly by 1894 Thomas Higgins and his family had set up a livery stables to change coach horses on the track from Busselton to Karridale. At the time the area was known as 'Upper Margaret'. By 1910 Higgins had set up a hostel which was also operating as a Post Office.

In spite of this small settlement it wasn't until after World War I that the town of Margaret River really became established. The Group Settlement Scheme, an attempt to attract migrants to Western Australia and open up the good rural land, attracted settlers to Margaret River and in the winter of 1922 (hardly an ideal time to arrive in the area) over 100 settlers moved into the district. The experience of moving from Europe (mostly from Britain) to the Western Australian bush must have been extremely difficult. To this must be added the fact that the area around Margaret River was undeveloped at this time. The railway line from Perth arrived in 1927 but closed down in 1956.

Today Margaret River is a successful tourist town.

Things to see:  

Rotary Park
As the visitor enters from the north they are immediately presented with the Rotary Park where a steam engine and other historic memorabilia stand. A notice on the steam engine declares ''Kate' a locomotive built in England in 1889 and shipped to Margaret River in 1890. It was used for log hauling until 1909. Eventually in 1917 it was sent to Wyndham where it was used until the early 1950s. It was transported back to the area in 1964 as a memorial to the pioneers of the timber industry in this district, Margaret River '.

The Photographic Museum and Pottery at the Old Settlement Historical Museum

Old Settlement Historical Museum
Walk through the park and across a bridge and you reach the superb 'Old Settlement Historical Museum'. Privately owned it is a kind of monument to the Group Settlement farms of the area with its Group House, dating from 1924, it farm buildings and farm machinery. This is a model of how an historic village can be run. Visitors are introduced to the area by a brief tape on the history of Group Settlement then a guide takes people through explaining the various buildings. There are also displays of wood turning and the blacksmith's art. Of particular interest is the photographic museum which may well have the finest collection of old cameras in Australia. It is open from 9.00 am - 5.00 pm daily. Contact (08) 9757 2775 for more details.

Margaret River Heritage Trail
The Margaret River Heritage Trails brochure suggests three walks along the river all of which start at the Rotary Park. The River Walk heads south from the bridge and does a 2 km circuit. The Karri Walk is a 1.5 km walk through bushland and the Bridge Walk is a 3 km trail. The walks offer visitors an excellent opportunity to inspect the fauna and flora of the area.

Vineyards in the Area
One of the great attractions of Margaret River are the vineyards and wineries which lie between Busselton and Witchcliffe. The climate in the area is perfect for wine growing. It is classically Mediterranean with cool frost-free winters, good soils which retain the moisture, low summer rainfall and a long, slow ripening period.

This is a new industry in the area. The first grape vines were planted as recently as 1967 but already the region is producing Rhine Riesling, Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. There are now over 40 wineries in the area. People wanting to do a little tasting should contact the Margaret River Tourist Association which has maps and details of opening times. Contact (08) 9757 2911.

Berry Farm
Another popular tourist attraction is the Berry Farm, 14 km south of Margaret River, where, in season, travellers can gorge themselves on a range of berries including strawberries, raspberries and boysenberries. It is open from 10.00 am - 5.00 pm. Contact (08) 9757 5054 for further information.

National Trust Homes
There are three National Trust listed homes in the area. Wallcliffe (see Prevelly Park), Basildene and Ellens Brook. Unfortunately each on presents the visitor with difficulties.

Basildene, a huge two storey granite dwelling built in 1912, is privately owned and not open to the public while Ellens Brook, built in the 1850s by Alfred Bussell for his wife Ellen, is now owned by the National Trust but is a half hour walk from the road. The tenacious visitor is rewarded because, as the entry in the National Estate notes, it is 'constructed partly of wattle-and-daub, and partly of vertical laths and battens, it contains driftwood spars in the roof structure.'

St Thomas More Catholic Church
In Mitchell Street is the interesting modern church, the St Thomas More Catholic Church, which has been built of rammed earth. It is a fine example of contemporary church architecture with some excellent joinery and interesting leadlight and stained glass windows.

Wildflowers at Sarge Bay in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, near Margaret River

Tourist Radio
Additional information - particularly very good up-to-the-minute information - about this town can be accessed by checking out Western Tourist Radio at www.touristradio.com.au . Not only does it provide excellent information for people planning to visit Margaret River but it also provides access to information for people while they are actually travelling through the area. Check it out. It is very useful information.

	Tourist Information
	Margaret River Visitor Centre 100 Bussell Hwy Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9780 5911 Facsimile: (08) 9757 3287 Email: welcome@margaretriver.com
	Motels
	Comfort Inn Grange on Farrelly Farrelly St Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 3177 Facsimile: (08) 9757 3076 Rating: ****
	Edge of the Forest Motel 25 Bussell Hwy Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2351 Facsimile: (08) 9757 2351 Rating: ***
	Margaret River Motel/Hotel 139 Bussell Hwy Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2655 Rating: ***
	Margaret River Resort 40 Wallcliffe Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 0000 Facsimile: (08) 9757 0099 Rating: ****1/2
	Margaret River Resort (Villa Section) 40 Wallcliffe Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 0000 Facsimile: (08) 9757 0099 Rating: ****1/2
	Hotels
	Margaret River Resort Hotel Wallcliffe Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 0000
	Settlers Tavern Bussell Hwy Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2398
	The Stationhouse Hotel Railway Tce Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 3175
	Resorts
	Margarets Beach Resort Wallcliffe Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 1227 Facsimile: (08) 9757 1226
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Basildene Homestead Bed & Breakfast Lot 100 Wallcliffe Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 3140 Facsimile: (08) 9757 3383 Rating: ****
	Kangaridge Guesthouse Lot 2 Devon Dve Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 3939
	Margaret House Bed & Breakfast Devon Dve Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2692 Rating: **
	Margaret River Bed & Breakfast 28 Fearn Ave Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2118 Rating: **
	The Croft Bed & Breakfast 54 Wallcliffe Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2845 Rating: **
	Valley Views Bed & Breakfast Lot 2 Jindon Treeton Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 4573
	Willow Wood Bed & Breakfast Cottage RMB 207 Rosa Brook Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 5080
	Gilgara Homestead Guesthouse Cnr Caves & Carter Rds Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2349 Rating: ****
	Margaret River Waterfall Bed & Breakfast Lot 1 Kevill Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 3228 Rating: ***
	Apartments
	Margarets Forest 98 Bussell Hwy Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9758 7188 Facsimile: (08) 9758 8507 Email: forest@assuredhospitality.com.au Rating: ****1/2
	Holiday Homes & Units
	Casa del Mar Holiday Units Lot 23 Georgette Way Prevelly Park Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2042 Rating: ***
	Cottages & Cabins
	Bramley Wood Cottages Rosa Brook Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2427
	Harmonyforest Sebbes Rd Witchcliffe 6286 Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 7516 Rating: ****
	Margaret River Holiday Cottages Boodjidup Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2185 Rating: ***
	Peppermint Brook Cottages 1 Mann St Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2485 Rating: **
	Redgate Farmstay Redgate Rd Witchcliffe 6286 Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 6400 Facsimile: (08) 9757 6402 Rating: ****
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Margaret River Chalets Lot 106 Bussell Hwy Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2905 Rating: ****
	Redgate Farmstay Redgate Rd Witchcliffe 6286 Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 6400 Facsimile: (08) 9757 6402 Rating: ****
	Taunton Farm P.O. Box 33 Cowaramup 6284 Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9755 5334 or 1800 248 777 Facsimile: (08) 9755 5597
	Lodges & Chalets
	Caves Road Chalets Lot 3 Caves Rd Cowaramup Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9755 5266 Facsimile: (08) 9755 5432 Rating: ***1/2
	Caves Road Chalets Lot 3 Caves Rd Cowaramup Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9755 5266 Facsimile: (08) 9755 5432 Rating: ***1/2
	Glenbrook Lodge Darch Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2791
	Margaret River Lodge 220 Railway Tce Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2532
	Prevelly Villas Vattos Way Prevelly Park Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2277 Rating: ****
	Riverglen Chalets Lot 321 Carters Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2101 Rating: ***
	Wallcliffe Lodge Lot 5 Wilderness Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2699 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Prevelly Park Beach Resort Caravan Park Mitchell Dve Prevelly Park Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2374 Rating: **
	Riverview Caravan Park 8 Willmott Ave Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2270 Rating: **
	Margaret River Caravan Park Station Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2180 Rating: ***
	Camping & Other
	Adamsons Riverside Accommodation 71 Bussell Hwy Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2013
	Restaurants
	Leeuwin Estate Winery & Restaurant Stevens Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 6253
	Margaret Restaurant & Function Centre Wallcliffe Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 9336
	Margaret River 1885 Motel & Restaurant Farrelly St Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 3177
	Margaret River Chinese Restaurant Bussell Hwy Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2788
	Margaret River Hotel Motel Bussell Hwy Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2655
	Margaret River Restaurant Farrelly St Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 3177
	Settlers Tavern Restaurant Bussell Hwy Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2398
	Shell Roadhouse Restaurant Bussell Hwy Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2327
	The Knight's Inn Restaurant Wallcliffe Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 0000
	The Spaghetti Bowl Restaurant Bussell Hwy Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 2999
	Cafés
	Southern Belle Fish Shop Cafe Shop 8 Bussell Hwy Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 3808
	The Old Settlement Heritage Tea Rooms Town View Tce Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 9335
	Valley Tearooms Carter Rd Margaret River WA 6285 Telephone: (08) 9757 3225