Perth to Margaret River drive
Margaret River is about three hours from Perth by the most direct route, the Forrest Highway to Bunbury, then on to Busselton and Margaret River. The common mistake is treating Margaret River as one stop: the region takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Busselton in the north to Augusta in the south, so the drive between Busselton, Yallingup and the town adds real time.
Updated
Key facts
- Drive time
- About three hours from Perth to the Margaret River region
- Perth to Busselton
- 225 km, about 2 hours 30 minutes via the Forrest Highway
- Region length
- About 1.5 hours to drive from Busselton in the north to Augusta in the south
- Scenic alternative
- The South Western Highway adds about half an hour
- Halfway rest stop
- John Tognela Rest Area, about halfway between Perth and Busselton
- Busselton to Margaret River
- About 35 km and 30 minutes non-stop along Caves Road
- EV charging
- The RAC Electric Highway has DC and AC fast chargers between Perth and Augusta
- Wildlife
- Main Roads WA advises slowing down from dusk till dawn
Perth Airport to Margaret River
Direct via the Forrest Highway ยท About 3 hours from Perth
Forrest Highway
south of Perth
The most direct route to the South West. The Wilman Wadandi Highway now bypasses Bunbury traffic and saves time.
John Tognela Rest Area
about halfway to Busselton
The stop the South West tourism itinerary names for a break on the way down.
Busselton
225 km
Busselton Jetty is 1.841 km long and has a train along it; it is a good place for a walk before the last stretch.
Dunsborough
23.5 km and about 25 minutes from Busselton.
Yallingup
11 km on from Dunsborough, then 35 km down Caves Road to Margaret River.
Margaret River
Roughly 30 minutes from Yallingup on Caves Road.
How long is the drive from Perth to Margaret River?
The regional tourism site puts the drive from Perth at about three hours by the most direct route. The South West itinerary breaks it into 225 km and 2 hours 30 minutes to Busselton, then a further 35 km and about 30 minutes to the town.
Which route is best: Forrest Highway or the scenic way?
The Forrest Highway is the most direct route to the South West, and the Wilman Wadandi Highway bypasses Bunbury traffic. Taking the South Western Highway past Armadale, Pinjarra, Waroona, Harvey and Bunbury instead adds about half an hour.
Once you are in the region, Caves Road is the scenic option, and Boranup Drive through the karri forest suits the run to Augusta.
- Fast: Forrest Highway, then on to Busselton
- Scenic: South Western Highway, then Caves Road inside the region
- Forest detour: Boranup Drive through the karri forest, on the way to Augusta
Best stops between Perth and Margaret River
Plan one break at the John Tognela Rest Area and one at Busselton. The jetty is 1.841 km long, the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, and a train runs along it daily.
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park runs along the ridge between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin, with Lake Cave, Jewel Cave and Mammoth Cave open to visitors.
Hiring a car at Perth Airport for Margaret River
Perth Airport lists Hertz, Europcar, Thrifty, Avis, Budget, SIXT and Redspot. At T1 International the counters are in the public arrivals hall after customs; at T1 Domestic, T3 and T4 they are in the baggage reclaim area.
The drive is close to three hours each way, so collect the car in the arrivals hall and head straight out.
Can you drop the car at Margaret River or Busselton instead?
A one-way hire from Perth to the South West depends on the company, the depot and the season, and any one-way fee is set in the rental agreement. Hire depots operate in Busselton and near Margaret River, so ask about a different drop-off point when you book.
Driving conditions and what the rental agreement should allow
Main Roads WA says to slow down from dusk till dawn because of animals, and lists unsealed roads, wildlife, bushfires and flooding among the hazards of long-distance driving in WA.
Whether a hire car may be driven on gravel side roads or forest tracks varies by company and should be in the rental agreement. For electric cars, the RAC Electric Highway has fast chargers between Perth and Augusta.
Compare cars at Perth Airport
Prices are shown in Australian dollars. Check the pickup point and what the agreement allows on the roads in this guide before you book.
Preparing live car hire search
Where to pick up for this trip
Questions people ask
How far is it from Perth to Margaret River?
The regional tourism body describes the drive from Perth as about three hours. Busselton is 225 km from Perth, and the town is a further 35 km on.
How many hours is the drive from Perth to Margaret River?
About three hours without long stops. Busselton is 2 hours 30 minutes from Perth, then the town is about 30 minutes further on.
What is the scenic drive from Perth to Margaret River?
Take the South Western Highway rather than the Forrest Highway, which adds about half an hour, then use Caves Road inside the region.
How do I drive from Perth Airport to Margaret River?
Pick up at the terminal, then take the Forrest Highway south towards Bunbury and carry on to Busselton and Margaret River.
Can I do Perth to Margaret River as a day trip?
It is possible at around three hours each way, but the region takes 1.5 hours to drive from Busselton to Augusta, so allow for a long day.
Are there EV chargers on the way?
Yes. The RAC Electric Highway is a network of public fast-charging stations between Perth and Augusta.