Margaret River with Wine, Beer, Busselton Jetty Visit Guided Tour

The star of this long day is Busselton Jetty, where you get time to ride the little train, take in the sea views and choose your own lunch. The schedule also reaches the rugged coast at Canal Rocks and the ancient-looking thrombolites at Lake Clifton, so it is more than a string of tasting stops.

I like two things in particular: the generous 2-hour-15-minute stay at the jetty, and the small-group minibus, which can carry up to 11 passengers and makes central Perth hotel pickups more practical. You also get room to choose your food rather than being locked into a set meal.

The trade-off is the distance. With a start around 7am and a return around 8pm, expect a very full day and several long stretches on the road. Minibus comfort has been mixed, so this is not the tour to choose if you need a spacious coach seat.

• Busselton gets the longest stop: 2 hours 15 minutes includes the return jetty train, time to explore and a chance to buy lunch.
• The coast is a major draw: Canal Rocks offers wave-battered rock formations and a wooden footbridge for close-up views.
• Tastings are part of the day, not the whole day: Expect chocolate and wine tasting, plus an opportunity to sample local beer and produce.
• Lake Clifton adds an unusual natural stop: A short boardwalk visit gives you a look at thrombolites, rocklike living organisms.
• This is a small-van tour: Capacity is 11 passengers, but seat comfort can vary, and the drive is long.
• Plan around weather and daylight: The jetty train can be affected by bad weather, and the order of stops changes seasonally.

A South West day that balances coast and tastings

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This Perth-to-Margaret-River day trip covers a broad stretch of Western Australia in roughly 13 hours. It links Busselton’s famous timber jetty with chocolate and wine stops, a lavender-themed break, the exposed coast at Canal Rocks and a brief look at Lake Clifton’s thrombolites.

That combination suits you if you want variety without hiring a car or planning the route yourself. The region’s attractions sit far apart, so a guided drive can make a busy day easier to manage. The compromise is familiar: more time in the vehicle means less time to linger at any one place.

The emphasis is on sightseeing, with tasting opportunities along the way. You can choose your own lunch in Busselton, and there is no set meal forcing you into a dish you may not want. Budget separately for food, drinks, tasting purchases and other personal expenses, since those are not included in the tour price.

👉 See our pick of the 4 Best Whale Watching Experiences In Busselton

Busselton Jetty: train ride, sea air and lunch

The day begins early in Perth, with pickup at selected central hotels or at Rydges Kings Square for those outside the pickup zone. The listed departure time is 7:01am, but your exact pickup time is assigned in advance and may be earlier or later. Check the operator’s pickup email carefully before setting off.

Busselton Jetty is the first major stop in the usual schedule, and it receives the day’s longest allocation: 2 hours and 15 minutes. A return train ticket is included, offering an easy way to travel along the jetty and enjoy the view over the water. The train is a simple pleasure, but a memorable one; the old-fashioned ride has been likened to a scene from an animated film.

The time here is valuable because it is not just a quick photo stop. You can take the train, walk around the foreshore and choose a nearby restaurant for lunch. Food is at your own expense, so you have control over both the menu and the bill. There is also an opportunity to sample local beer.

Two hours and 15 minutes sounds generous, but it includes several activities. If the train ride and a sit-down meal are both priorities, keep an eye on the time. Some days may feel a little tight, particularly when the foreshore is busy or the weather slows things down.

Bad weather can affect train operations. If the train cannot run, the experience changes, and you should ask the guide or operator about any refund or replacement arrangement. The schedule may also change with traffic and weather, so allow some flexibility rather than expecting every stop to happen at the exact same time.

Chocolate, wine and a short lavender stop

The Margaret River Chocolate Company is scheduled for about 35 minutes. You can taste chocolate made from freshly roasted cacao beans, then take part in a wine tasting. The tasting venue may change depending on arrangements for the day, so treat the chocolate and wine stops as part of the broader regional visit rather than a guaranteed tour of a particular winery.

This stop offers a welcome change of pace after the drive and coastal sightseeing. It is also a good place to buy a small treat, though purchases are personal expenses. If you are hoping for a long winery visit or a deep look at wine production, this schedule is not built for that. The wine tasting is one element in a packed day, not the main event.

Cape Lavender is a much shorter stop, at around 15 minutes. It is best understood as a lavender-themed shop or house where you may be able to try lavender ice cream. Do not book this expecting fields of lavender: the stop is about lavender products, not a walk through flowering rows.

That distinction matters when you are choosing among day tours. If your priority is scenery, the coast and Busselton are likely to hold your attention more than the shop visits. If you enjoy browsing regional products and trying unusual flavors, the brief stops add a pleasant change from the road.

Canal Rocks: the strongest coastal walk

Canal Rocks gets about 40 minutes, and it is one of the most compelling stops for dramatic scenery. Ocean water has carved channels through the rock, and a wooden footbridge lets you walk out for close views of waves striking the formations.

This is not a long hike, but it is a place to slow down, watch the water and take photographs. The setting can feel very different depending on the weather: wind and waves make the coast more dramatic, while rain can make the walk less comfortable. Wear shoes you can walk in and bring a light coat or rain gear.

Forty minutes gives you time to take in the main views, but not to wander indefinitely. If this is the stop you are most excited about, move directly to the footbridge and allow time for photos before browsing the surrounding area. A few people have wished for more time here, which is understandable on a day with several widely spaced stops.

Lake Clifton and its ancient living structures

Lake Clifton’s 20-minute stop is short, but unusual. From an observation boardwalk, you can look over thrombolites, rocklike structures formed by living organisms. They are described as among Earth’s earliest life forms, making this a striking contrast to the jetty and coastal rocks.

The site is not a grand, sweeping attraction in the usual sense. Its appeal is the chance to see an uncommon natural formation from a boardwalk, then hear an explanation from your guide. If you prefer dramatic scenery, Canal Rocks may make a stronger impression. If you enjoy oddities of nature, Lake Clifton is one of the day’s most distinctive stops.

The order can change with the season. From late April to late August, Lake Clifton is visited first in the morning, with the Busselton Jetty train arranged for noon. If you are on that schedule, eat before boarding the train rather than counting on a meal immediately beforehand. Lake Clifton has sometimes been closed or replaced, so be prepared for an adjustment if access or conditions change.

What the long drive and small group mean

The tour starts around 7:01am and is scheduled to return around 8pm. That is a long day, and the driving is a real part of the experience. The stops break up the trip, but the attractions are spread out, so you should expect stretches of road between them.

Transport is by minibus, with capacity for up to 11 passengers, not a large touring coach. A small vehicle can make it easier to collect people at city hotels and can give the day a more personal feel. The trade-off is that space and seat comfort may be limited. Reports of the ride vary: some people found their van comfortable, while others found seats cramped, especially on longer stretches.

You may be assigned a capable guide who adds stories and useful context as you travel. Guides named Robert, Michael, Jon and Lei have been praised for keeping the day organized, sharing local facts and helping the group feel at ease. The guide is not guaranteed to be one of them, and the amount of commentary can vary. The tour is mainly conducted in English; Chinese may be offered at the operator’s discretion.

The minimum group size is six passengers. Since pickup times can vary, be ready at the assigned location five minutes before the confirmed time. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable. Leave a contactable phone number when booking, and do not bring large luggage: the operator says it must be stored at your hotel, while a backpack or carry-on suitcase is acceptable.

Is the price good value?

The displayed starting prices differ: the tour summary lists a price from US$150.85, while the English and Chinese package options are shown from US$131.15. Check the price for your selected date and package before booking, and note that a starting price may not be the price available for your trip.

For the fare, you get round-trip transport, an English-speaking driver-guide, live commentary, bottled water and the return Busselton Jetty train ticket. You also avoid the work of driving a long route and fitting several distant stops into one day. That convenience is the main value, especially if you are staying in Perth and do not have a car.

It is less compelling if you want a slow wine-country day, extended time at one winery or a long coastal walk. Tastings and food purchases are not all covered, and the vehicle is not a spacious coach. Think of the price as payment for transport, a guided route and a broad sampler of the region, rather than an all-inclusive food and wine package.

Who should book this day trip?

I would consider this tour if you have one day to see several South West highlights, do not plan to drive, and enjoy a mix of coast, regional products and unusual natural features. The Busselton Jetty train and Canal Rocks are strong reasons to go, while the chocolate and wine stops provide pleasant variety.

Families can consider it for children aged eight and older, provided everyone is comfortable with a full day in a minibus. It is a poor fit if you need a spacious seat, dislike long drives or want a relaxed wine tour with more time at each venue. For school and public holidays, expect more people at the stops and possible pressure on the schedule.

Pack comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, a thin coat or rain gear, any personal medication, and a camera if you want one. The tour requires at least six passengers to operate. Cancellations made at least 14 days before the activity date qualify for a full refund; late arrivals and no-shows do not.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs from an early Perth departure, listed at 7:01am, to a scheduled return around 8pm. Traffic, weather and the day’s stop order can affect the timing.

Where can I be picked up in Perth?

Free pickup and drop-off are available at selected central hotels in postcodes 6000, 6003 and 6004. If your address is outside the zone, the meeting point is Rydges Kings Square, 621 Wellington Street, Perth.

When will I receive my exact pickup time?

The operator sends a pickup email two days before departure. Check it before boarding, as pickup may be earlier or later than the listed departure time. Contact the operator if you do not receive the message.

Is the Busselton Jetty train included?

Yes. A return train ticket is included. Bad weather can affect whether the train operates.

Is lunch included?

No. You have time to choose a restaurant at Busselton Jetty, but food and personal purchases are not included in the tour price.

Are wine and chocolate tastings included?

The schedule includes an opportunity for chocolate and wine tasting, but the tasting venue may change. The tour also offers a chance to sample local beer. Other personal expenses are not included.

Does the Cape Lavender stop include a lavender field visit?

No field visit is specified. It is a short stop at a lavender-themed shop or house, where lavender ice cream may be available.

Is the tour available in Chinese?

The tour is mainly conducted in English. Chinese may be offered at the operator’s discretion, so it is not guaranteed.

Can I bring large luggage?

No. Large luggage must be stored at your hotel. A backpack or carry-on suitcase is acceptable, but the operator may refuse luggage that exceeds the vehicle’s capacity.