Perth to Margaret River Three hours south, and where to stop
Perth to Margaret River is about 268 km and about 3 hours 15 minutes by car, via Kwinana Freeway, Forrest Highway and Bussell Highway. Eight stops below, in driving order.
- Distance
- About 268 kmPerth CBD to Margaret River, fast route
- Drive time
- About 3 h 15 minAllow 4 to 5 hours with stops
- By coach
- About 4.5 to 5 hoursTranswa or South West Coach Lines
- Stops
- 8Mandurah to Margaret River, in driving order
Two roads, a train and two coaches
The quick way is Forrest Highway. Kwinana Freeway to Mandurah, Forrest Highway south, the Wilman Wadandi Highway round Bunbury, then Bussell Highway the rest of the way. That's about 268 km and 3 hours 15 minutes, with no stops.
The South Western Highway runs inland through Pinjarra, Waroona and Harvey, and meets the quick route at Bunbury. It's about 287 km and about 40 minutes slower, and Main Roads lists works at Brunswick and Harvey into December and beyond.
No car? The Australind train runs from Perth to Bunbury twice a day and takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. It goes no further south.
Two coach lines go all the way to Margaret River: Transwa's SW1 from East Perth, which meets the train at Bunbury, and South West Coach Lines from Elizabeth Quay, via Busselton. Allow 4.5 to 5 hours. Days and times vary, so check the current timetable.
Eight stops, Perth to Margaret River
In driving order. Six of the eight add a quarter of an hour or less to the trip.
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STOP 1
Mandurah: the Giants and the estuary
Forrest Highway skirts Mandurah, about an hour from the city. The Giants of Mandurah are free: sculptures by Thomas Dambo, spread across the region, that you find by car, bike or on foot.
Turning in adds about 17 minutes. The Eastern Foreshore is the place for a walk by the water, and dolphins swim in the Peel-Harvey Estuary.
From PerthAbout 71 km, 57 minutesAddsAbout 17 minutesSaturdaysPeel Produce Market, Dawesville, free entryDecemberChristmas Lights Trail from Friday 4 December, free -
STOP 2
Lake Clifton: toilets, and a closed boardwalk
The Main Roads rest area near Lake Clifton has four toilets, including accessible ones. Most rest areas on Forrest Highway and Bussell Highway have tables and bins but no toilets, so this is the one to use.
Lake Clifton holds thrombolites, rock-like structures built by microorganisms. Their boardwalk is closed for maintenance (Parks and Wildlife alert, checked 14 October 2026), so check the alert before you turn off.
A new boardwalk is being built, due in early 2027. RAC reported in August that the car park and access to the Lake Clifton Giant stay open.
From PerthAbout 102 km, 75 minutes, to the rest areaLake CliftonAdds about 11 minutesYalgorup National ParkFree entry, no dogs, no bins: take rubbish homeDirections in Google Maps : Lake Clifton (opens in a new tab) To: Main Roads rest area on Forrest Highway near Lake Clifton
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STOP 3
Bunbury: nougat, and the end of the train line
The Wilman Wadandi Highway takes you round Bunbury, and Main Roads says it saves 11 to 18 minutes. Older maps and satnavs may still call it the Bunbury Outer Ring Road.
Turning into town adds about 12 minutes. Bunbury Farmers Market is open every day for fresh food and coffee, and the Australind train ends here.
From PerthAbout 172 km, 2 hours 10 minutesFarmers marketDaily from 7.30am, 8am Sundays and public holidaysMarket closedChristmas Day, Boxing Day, Easter SundayDirections in Google Maps : Bunbury (opens in a new tab) To: Nougat & Nice factory outlet, Mummery Crescent, East Bunbury
Makers just off the road
Nougat & Nice is pastry chef Sarah Sorensen's honey nougat, made by hand in East Bunbury since 2016, in flavours like fig and raspberry. Its factory outlet opens Monday to Friday, 10 to 4, and adds about 9 minutes to the trip.
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STOP 4
Capel and the Tuart Forest
Main Roads listed works near Capel until 31 October 2026, with lower speeds and lane closures around the clock, and temporary traffic holds. Allow extra time through town.
Just south, Tuart Forest National Park protects the largest pure tuart forest left in the world. It's free and adds about 2 minutes, with picnic areas at Membenup and Layman on Tuart Drive.
From PerthAbout 209 km to Tuart DriveEntryFree, no dogsToiletsIn Capel; the highway rest area near town has noneIn CapelCafes and bakeriesDirections in Google Maps : Tuart Forest (opens in a new tab) To: Membenup Picnic Area, Tuart Drive
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STOP 5
Busselton: the jetty and a chocolate tour
Turn off the Busselton Bypass for the foreshore: it adds about 9 minutes. The jetty runs 1.8 km into Geographe Bay, the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere.
On the foreshore, Little Otto's runs a chocolate factory tour at 2pm every day. It lasts 10 to 15 minutes, takes up to 15 people and ends with a tasting, so book ahead.
From PerthAbout 223 km, 2 hours 40 minutesOn to Margaret RiverAbout 50 km, 40 minutesRoadworksSouthbound at Yalyalup, until May 2027MarketOrigins Market, West Street, Thursday to SundayDirections in Google Maps : Busselton (opens in a new tab) To: Little Otto's, on the Busselton foreshore
Makers just off the road
Little Otto's Big Choc Shop makes its chocolate and gelato on site, open from 10am every day. Heading out, Margaret River Roasting Co roasts coffee in Vasse, just off the highway, and has a roastery cafe there. Check its site for hours.
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STOP 6
Dunsborough, if you've time
Straight down Bussell Highway, Busselton to Margaret River takes about 40 minutes. Going via Dunsborough adds about 25 minutes and 27 km, and lets you take Caves Road, the scenic road, south.
Meelup Beach is the calm-water picnic spot, and Cape Naturaliste is where the Cape to Cape Track begins. Our Dunsborough and Yallingup guide covers the rest.
From PerthAbout 247 km, about 3 hoursAddsAbout 27 km, 25 minutesCoachesBoth coach lines stop hereMakers just off the road
Corrynne's Natural Skincare makes soap, skincare and candles, with a shop on Dunn Bay Road in town. Check its site for hours.
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STOP 7
Metricup and Cowaramup: chocolate and honeycrunch
Free entry and free tastings at the Margaret River Chocolate Company on Harmans Mill Road, Metricup. No booking needed, and it's open 9 to 5 every day but Christmas Day. It adds about 14 minutes.
The viewing window looks onto a production area that doubled in size in 2025. Production doesn't always run, so count on the tastings, not the show. Our chocolate trail has the other makers nearby.
From PerthAbout 256 km to CowaramupDogsOn the grounds only, not the showroom or cafeGood forKids, a rainy hourDirections in Google Maps : Metricup (opens in a new tab) To: The Margaret River Chocolate Company, Harmans Mill Road
- The Margaret River Chocolate Company Visit The Margaret River Chocolate Company (opens the maker's own site in a new tab)
Makers just off the road
Taste at The Margaret River Chocolate Company, then rejoin the highway at Cowaramup, where Candy Cow makes honeycrunch with WA honey in the shop. It opens 10 to 4 every day.
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STOP 8
Margaret River: fudge on the main street
About 268 km from Perth, Bussell Highway becomes Margaret River's main street. The Fudge Factory has a window onto its kitchen, where the fudge is made.
Parking is free in the Shire's towns. For what to do next, start with our Margaret River guide or the free things to do.
From BusseltonAbout 50 km, 40 minutesFudge FactoryMonday to Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday 10 to 2ParkingFree in townDirections in Google Maps : Margaret River (opens in a new tab) To: Margaret River Fudge Factory, 152 Bussell Highway
- Margaret River Fudge Factory Visit Margaret River Fudge Factory (opens the maker's own site in a new tab)
Makers just off the road
Margaret River Fudge Factory is at 152 Bussell Highway. Also on the main street, Temper Temper had a soft-serve counter and a chocolate fountain when RAC visited in late 2025, and opens 9 to 5 every day.
Before you go
- Check the Main Roads Travel Map, or call 138 138, for roadworks on the day you leave.
- Stopping at Lake Clifton? Check the Parks and Wildlife alert for the thrombolites boardwalk first.
- Toilets are scarce on Forrest Highway: use the Lake Clifton rest area, the roadhouses or the towns.
- Take extra care at dawn and dusk, when RAC says kangaroos are most active.
- WA school holidays start after Thursday 17 December. Main Roads has suggested avoiding peak hours and busy days.
- Nougat & Nice opens weekdays only, and Little Otto's 2pm tour takes 15 people, so book.
- Driving electric? The RAC Electric Highway runs from Perth to Augusta.
Perth to Margaret River questions
How far is Perth to Margaret River?
About 268 km from Perth CBD, the fast way. That's Kwinana Freeway, Forrest Highway, the Wilman Wadandi Highway round Bunbury, then Bussell Highway. The inland South Western Highway way is about 287 km.
How long is the drive from Perth to Margaret River?
About 3 hours 15 minutes, with no stops. With a couple of breaks, allow four to five hours. The South Western Highway way takes about 40 minutes longer.
Is there a bus from Perth to Margaret River?
Yes. Transwa's SW1 coach and South West Coach Lines both go there. Each takes about 4.5 to 5 hours. Days and times vary, so check the current timetable with Transwa or South West Coach Lines.
Is there a train from Perth to Margaret River?
No. The Australind train only goes as far as Bunbury. It runs twice a day, takes about 2 hours 30 minutes, and connects at Bunbury with Transwa's SW1 coach south. Holiday times can change, so check the current timetable.
What are the best stops between Perth and Margaret River?
Bunbury, the Tuart Forest near Capel, and Busselton's foreshore. None of them adds more than about 12 minutes to the drive. The Lake Clifton thrombolites boardwalk is closed for maintenance, so check the Parks and Wildlife alert before you plan on it.
How far is Perth to Busselton?
About 223 km, or about 2 hours 40 minutes by car. By coach it's about 3.5 to 4 hours with South West Coach Lines or Transwa's SW1. Busselton to Margaret River is another 50 km, about 40 minutes.
Is it safe to drive from Perth to Margaret River at night?
Take extra care at dawn and dusk, when kangaroos are most active. RAC says kangaroos featured in 85 per cent of its animal-collision claims in 2025. If one is on the road, slow down, but don't swerve.
Where can you stop with kids between Perth and Margaret River?
Busselton's foreshore, for Little Otto's 2pm chocolate tour. Earlier on, the Giants of Mandurah are free to find, and the Tuart Forest near Capel has picnic areas off Tuart Drive. More ideas in Margaret River with kids.
Are there roadworks between Perth and Margaret River?
Main Roads listed works near Capel until 31 October 2026. There are also works southbound at Yalyalup, just before Busselton, until May 2027. Check the Main Roads Travel Map on the day you leave.