10 AMAZING things to do in Margaret River with kids

1. Coastal walk at Surfers Point

Western Australia is known for its coastal scenery, and the section around Margaret River is some of the most spectacular. This is a great place to get the kids out in the open, with a well-managed and fun coastal walk available around Surfers Point. Located only ten minutes from Margaret River, it’s an easy day trip.

Especially during the winter months, the wind blasts in from the ocean, blowing away any cobwebs and adding an extra element to the walks. You can choose to stay up on the coastal walkway, or make your way down to beach level, where the kids will soon find boulders to climb on and waves to dash in and out of. It feels like a true natural playground.

Winter is a good time to visit for the possibility of whale sightings (June to November work best). During the summer months, it’s a very popular place for surfers and tourists, you might find it difficult to park during these times, so plan to arrive early to take your place.

2. Wander through Boranup Forest

The forests of Western Australia aren’t always easily to access, but one of the best places to get your feet moving and do some trail hiking is through Boranup Forest, located about 30km south of Margaret River.

Surrounded by karri trees, the trails work well if your kids enjoy jumping over fallen trunks, plotting their own route through the forest and attempting to spot any hidden wildlife. The Google Maps route along the trail works fairly well, although some parts of the trail aren’t obvious. Stick to the marked trail, turn back when you need to, and you’ll be fine.

If you follow the unsealed road further on from the car park area (fine for a 2WD), you’ll reach another small parking area with a sweeping viewpoint, ideal for a family hiking photo.

3. Watch the Southern and Indian Oceans collide at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Two huge oceans crashing against each other is sure to excite even the most difficult to impress kid. And there aren’t many more impressive places to witness this force of nature than at Cape Leeuwin, where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet.

As you might expect, this is nearly always a windy activity, so brace yourselves for an immersive experience on the rocks. The site can get quite busy: it’s a very popular spot for overseas and interstate tourists.

Once you’ve finished being buffeted by the breeze, make sure you stop in at the cute museum (included in entry fee), housed in the former lighthouse keepers residence (it’s all automated now of course, so the keepers are long gone). The interactive museum does a good job of explaining what the job used to entail, how their families adapted to living in such an inhospitable place, and some useful geographical detail of the surrounding area.

The whole site feels like the end of the world, kids will love it.

4. Sample local wines at wineries

If the kids owe you a favour, schedule in some parent time at one of the many wineries dotted around Margaret River. That’s not to say these are entirely adult-focused, the wineries have cottoned on to the fact that if they keep the kids entertained, one of the parents will probably stay longer and keep on tasting.

Lenton Brae, for example, offer an outdoor garden and table tennis to keep kids entertained, but most of the others have some form of entertainment for kids and non-drinkers alike.

If you have one particular variety of wine in mind, by all means do some research beforehand, otherwise simply pull into the first one that takes your fancy and get tasting (they tend to be well signposted from the main road). Most tend to charge a nominal amount (A$10 is common) for tasting, but it’s redeemable against any purchases.

5. Hit golf balls and sample a local beer at CBCo

Golf clubs, a pond, alcohol and children: what could possible go wrong? It might seem a novel concept, but the combination of a golf driving range and the CBCo craft brewery is actually inspired, especially if you’re here with kids who’ve played a bit of golf before.

Spacious and well-laid out, there’s also a playground and food/non-alcoholic drinks for any non-beer drinkers. If you do enjoy a craft beer, there’s a large selection to choose from behind the bar, and the tasting palate is always a good option.

It’s a sociable place, popular with family groups, although the golf equipment isn’t great: it’s more aimed at fun times than improving your game (which is fair enough really).

6. Clamber over boulders at Canal Rocks

Another chance to explore some rocks and test out the kids climbing skills, Canal Rocks is well-placed and an easy place to park up and enjoy. Some of the routes the kids might take can be challenging, so do try and keep an eye on them, or set out some ground rules early on: they can be tricky to catch once they spot an exciting route.

To the right of the main area, you’ll spot a small narrow walkway (known as Canal Rocks Bridge) that leads to an isolated section of rocks, offering brilliant views across to the beaches and ocean.

Canal Rocks is arguably the best place to view the ocean and get battered by ocean breezes. On a clear day, it almost feels as if you can see South Africa on the horizon.

7. Get lost in the maze at Amaze’n Margaret River

Expensive it might be, but Amaze’n (see what they did there?) is a beautifully crafted and maintained hedge maze in a great location, perfect if you want some peace and quite while the kids are entertained and temporarily lost.

Although they technically need to be supervised, it’s not enforced, evidenced by the collection of parents gathered at the exit, nervously awaiting their kids return. Let them run wild though, it’s easy enough to find them via shouts and short cuts if they get lost.

Once they’ve returned unscathed from their adventure, return to the onsite cafe and shop and head out to the large playing area, complete with free sports equipment, picnic benches and a tasty food menu.

8. Visit Margaret River Chocolate Company

One of several branches around Western Australia, Margaret River Chocolate Company has been serving chocolate treats to visitors for many years, and is something of a WA institution. It probably goes without saying that a visit here is guaranteed to be a hit with the kids.

You can simply browse, sample and buy if you prefer, although they do offer chocolate making classes for the entire family. At A$58 per person (no reduction for kids), it’s an expensive treat. Children need to be 6+ to take part, but younger ones can tag along if they’re looked after by a parent. There’s also a tour focused on kids that adults can join.

9. Go on a cave tour

It’s not just above ground that Margaret River is picturesque, it’s also home to some of the most impressive and family-friendly caves in Australia.

Capes Foundation offer an excellent tour of Lake Cave for A$25 (kids aged 4-12 are half price). Bookings can be made online via the official website. Only a short drive from Margaret River, visitors are taken via a sunken forest to the cave network below.

10. Cycle the Miamup and Margaret River Trail

A cycle ride is always a winner with kids, especially if you’re visiting in the winter months when the weather is cooler. The Miamup and Margaret River Trail runs through some of the area’s most attractive landscapes, via forests, alongside rivers and open fields.

Margaret River Mountain Bike Tours offer a range of excellent tours around the local area, tailored to riders of all ages and abilities.

Where to stay in Margaret River with kids

Accommodation in Margaret River tends to be on the expensive side, and the quality can be variable. Be wary of focusing too much on the lower end of the price range, some of the options here can be pretty uninspiring (motels and budget B&Bs). For an extra 10 or 20%, you’ll see a huge difference in quality and have a welcome retreat at the end of your day. If done correctly, accommodation in Margaret River can really make your trip.

We were visiting at the beginning of our six-week road trip around Western Australia and, as we knew there were some challenging camping nights ahead, we decided to stretch towards the upper end of our budget and stay at Waterfall Cottages, located about five minutes drive from Margaret River.

Click here to check rates and availability for Waterfall Cottages

As soon as we pulled up to our private cottage, we knew a special week awaited us. Hidden away amongst the trees are half a dozen other cottages, but thanks to the clever layout of the site, the only neighbours you’re likely to see during your stay are the family of kangaroos who appear at dawn and dusk.

Inside our family cottage was everything we needed for a relaxing family holiday, including log fire (with almost unlimited, complimentary firewood), fully-stocked kitchen, outdoor patio area overlooking the lawn, a double-room downstairs, and a large twin area in the mezzanine level, ideal for kids although warn them about the stairs in the middle of the night. The bathroom area was slightly small and unorthodox, but we made it work.

Considering how close you are to Margaret River, it feels incredibly secluded and peaceful, an ideal place to base yourselves for exploring the local area.

Final thoughts on visiting Margaret River with kids

Travelling as a family usually involves finding the right balance between parents and kids. The week we spent in Margaret River felt like one of the occasions where we got that balance just right.

There are no shortage of kid-friendly activities, especially if yours are quite outdoorsy and fond of clambering over rocks and bracing coastal walks. For the parents, the wineries and craft breweries are always a winner, and the beautiful Waterfall Cottages are a fantastic place to return to each evening, centred around homecooked food, opening a bottle of wine, and playing scrabble by the roaring log fire.