Margaret River Cave, Wine & Busselton Jetty Tour

Margaret River’s appeal is its variety: a long timber jetty, a dramatic limestone cave, a lighthouse at the meeting point of two oceans, and a brewery lunch with regional drinks, all in one day from Perth. I like the range of stops and the fact that a guide fills the long drive with stories about Western Australia. The cave is a particular draw, and some tours have been led by guides such as Don, Luke and Chris.

I also like that lunch and admission to attractions are included, which makes the day easier to plan. The trade-off is the distance: this is a long coach trip, and short stops mean you get an overview of the region, not an unhurried visit to every place.

The quick read before you book

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• Busselton Jetty is a photo stop, not a full excursion. The jetty is the southern hemisphere’s longest timber jetty, but the tour’s short visit may not leave enough time to walk to the end or ride the jetty train. Train tickets are not included.
• Mammoth Cave is the standout natural stop. A guide leads you through vast chambers and explains local fauna and flora. Take a jacket: it can feel cold inside.
• Lunch comes with a regional tasting. The brewery meal is included, along with a complimentary tasting. Some runs also include a wine tasting at a local winery, with four pours mentioned on one tour.
• Cape Leeuwin brings the big coastal view. The lighthouse visit is a chance to see the point where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet, though time there may be limited.
• Expect an early start and a late return. Hotel pickups generally run from 7:00 to 7:30 am, with the city departure around 8:00 am. The listed return is 8:30 pm, but it can be later.
• It works best as a sampler. If you want time for the jetty train, shops, wine country and the lighthouse, a multi-day stay in Margaret River will suit you better.

👉 See our pick of the 4 Best Guided Tours In Western Australia

A full day from Perth, with a lot of ground to cover

This tour makes a far-flung region manageable if you have only one day to spare. You travel by luxury coach from Perth, with an English-speaking guide and commentary from the coach captain. The group can range from 6 to 48 people, so the feel may vary from a small outing to a fairly full bus.

The coach ride is part of the experience, not just a transfer. Guides such as Don, Luke, Chris, James and Peter have earned praise for explaining local and Western Australian history, keeping the ride lively, and managing the day carefully. That matters on a route with several hours of driving. A good guide can turn the time between stops into useful context rather than dead air.

Still, set your expectations around the clock. The drive from Perth to the region is substantial, and the round trip has been described as about six hours on the road. Allow roughly 13 to 14 hours door to door, including stops, and expect the schedule to shift with traffic or weather. This is a broad first look at Margaret River, not a slow country escape.

Busselton Jetty: a striking view, with a short window

Busselton Jetty is one of the day’s most recognizable sights. It stretches far into Geographe Bay and is described as the longest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere. You’ll have time to see the structure, take photos and enjoy the coastal setting.

The practical catch is that the jetty is long. Walking to its far end and back takes time, and the jetty train is a separate ticket, not part of this tour. A short stop may only allow a quick walk along the boards before you need to return to the coach. If riding the train or reaching the end is important to you, this visit may feel too brief.

Morning tea is at your own expense, so bring money or a snack if you want one. Treat this as a scenic introduction rather than a complete Busselton visit. The jetty makes a strong first stop, but it is one of the places where you’ll need to choose between taking photos and covering more ground on foot.

Margaret River lunch and local tasting

The day continues south to the Margaret River area for lunch and a complimentary tasting. The meal is at a local brewery, with dishes such as burgers, wraps or pizza reported on different outings. Portions can be generous, which is welcome on a long day, and there are options for dietary needs if you let the operator know in advance.

The tasting may include locally made beer, cider and wine. Some tours also stop at a winery, with a tasting of four wines reported on one run. Woody Nooks has been named as a tasting stop, but the exact venue or sequence may vary. The useful point is that the meal and tasting bring regional food and drink into a day otherwise shaped by roads and landmarks.

You can ask about vegetarian meals, allergies, gluten intolerance or other dietary requirements. Australia’s legal drinking age is 18, and you’ll need valid identification to prove your age if you plan to drink. If you do not drink alcohol, the meal and setting still make this a worthwhile break, but the tasting may be less of a draw.

Mammoth Cave: the day’s most absorbing stop

Mammoth Cave offers a change of scale and pace. A guide takes you through large, gothic-looking chambers and shares information about the region’s fauna and flora. The cave’s formations and sheer spaces make this more than a quick roadside photo, and it is frequently singled out as a highlight of the day.

Bring a light jacket. The cave can be cold, even when the weather outside is pleasant. Walking shoes are a sensible choice for the tour overall, and especially useful here. The visit is guided, so you’ll get more from the stop than simply entering and looking around on your own.

Time is still limited. You should have enough for the cave visit as arranged, but this is not a chance to linger at your own pace or explore every corner independently. If you enjoy natural features and want a break from the coach, Mammoth Cave is likely to be the most satisfying stop on the route.

Boranup Forest and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

From the cave, the coach travels through Boranup Forest, where tall karri trees line the route toward Augusta. It is a scenic stretch between major stops and gives you a look at the region beyond its wineries and coastline. Keep your camera handy, though the amount of time to stop for photos may depend on the schedule.

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is the southern coastal highlight. The cape is known as the place where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet, and the lighthouse gives the visit a clear sense of geography and place. The setting is the main reason to come: open coast, lighthouse views and a landmark at the southwest tip of the continent.

The stop can be short. If you hope to spend time inside the lighthouse or climb its tower, ask how much time is planned on your travel date. On some runs, the schedule has not allowed enough time for a full lighthouse visit. The same applies to the cave: both are memorable, but a packed day means you may have to settle for a focused look rather than a leisurely one.

A brief Margaret River town stop

The tour also includes a short visit to the township of Margaret River, where you can stretch your legs and take a quick walk along the main street. It gives you a glimpse of the town, but the stop is not long enough for a proper browse through shops and cafés.

Timing matters here. Some tours reach town around 5 pm, when many shops may be closed, especially in winter. If shopping or a relaxed café stop is high on your list, this brief visit may disappoint. I would see it as a chance to get your bearings and stretch after the coach, not as a separate town experience.

Some schedules make a stop for food during the return journey, but don’t count on this as a guaranteed dinner plan. You may be back in Perth around 8:30 pm, or later if traffic or timing runs against you. Keep a snack with you and make a plan for a late meal.

What the price covers, and where the value lies

The advertised starting price is $215.80, while the package price is also shown as US$187.65. Prices can vary by currency and booking date, so check the amount displayed when you choose your date. Included are coach transport, an English-speaking guide, commentary, attraction admission, brewery lunch and a complimentary tasting. Hotel pickup is available in the Perth CBD.

That bundle has real value if you do not have a car. You avoid arranging transport to several distant stops, and you have a guide to handle the route and provide context. Lunch and admissions also reduce the number of separate costs to manage. For a day trip covering the jetty, cave, coast and wine region, the price is easier to justify than it would be for a simple coach transfer.

The value depends on what you want from the region. If your goal is to see several headline sights in one day, the tour does a lot of work for the money. If you want an extended wine tasting, a long walk on Busselton Jetty, or a relaxed visit to the lighthouse and town, you may get more from staying in Margaret River for two or three days and arranging your own transport.

Practical details that make the day easier

The main meeting point is the Crown Metropol Perth Taxi Rank at the Riverside Entrance, next to McDonald. Arrive 10 minutes early. Hotel pickups generally operate between 7:00 and 7:30 am, with the city departure around 8:00 am, but confirm your pickup time and location before travel. Pickup arrangements can change, and a missed coach is not refundable.

The stated return time is 8:30 pm, though some outings have returned closer to 9:00 or 9:30 pm. Keep your evening flexible. The exact schedule can change with traffic and weather, and your stops may not run to the minute.

Bring a hat or cap, a camera, walking shoes and a jacket for the cave. Morning tea is not included. The tour accepts participants aged 4 and older; children aged 13 and up are charged the adult rate. The activity is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible.

If you need a vegetarian meal or have an allergy, gluten intolerance or another dietary requirement, tell the operator ahead of time. The voucher is valid only for the date and time booked, and the tour can be cancelled by the operator in extreme weather or unforeseen circumstances.

Who should book this Margaret River day tour?

Book it if you’re staying in Perth, have one day available and want a guided overview of the region without renting a car. It suits people who value variety and are happy to trade time at each stop for the chance to see more places. The cave, coastal views, jetty and regional lunch make a satisfying mix.

Think twice if you dislike long coach journeys or want to explore at your own pace. The Busselton Jetty train is not included, the town stop is brief, and the lighthouse visit may not leave time to climb the tower. For a quick first look, this is a practical choice. For a deeper Margaret River stay, give the region more than one day.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It is a full-day tour from Perth. The listed return time is 8:30 pm, though the drive and stops can make the day longer. Plan for an early start and a late evening.

Where does the tour depart from?

The main meeting point is the Crown Metropol Perth Taxi Rank, at the Riverside Entrance next to McDonald. Hotel pickups operate in the Perth CBD between 7:00 and 7:30 am, with the city departure around 8:00 am. Confirm your specific pickup details before the tour.

Is the Busselton Jetty train included?

No. The train ticket is not included. Admission to attractions is included, but the jetty train is an additional expense, and the stop may be too short to ride it and explore the jetty.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A gourmet brewery lunch is included, along with a complimentary tasting. Dietary requirements such as vegetarian meals, allergies and gluten intolerance can be accommodated if arranged.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat or cap, a camera and walking shoes. A jacket is useful because Mammoth Cave can feel cold. Morning tea is not included.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Participants must be at least 4 years old. Children aged 13 and older are charged the same rate as adults.