The best season to visit the Margaret River Region… Summer, right? That’s debatable: with a myriad of events throughout the year and world renowned wineries and restaurants, the South West is an all-year-round destination which won’t disappoint!

We are fortunate here in the South West to enjoy beautiful, warm summers with daytime temperatures averaging close to 30 degrees yet cooling off in the evenings - allowing for a blissful night’s sleep. In contrast, Winter temperatures can dip to below 10 degrees in the evenings, inviting cosy nights in by a log fire with a glass of local Shiraz!

Spring and Autumn offer a pleasant transition in between the ‘extremes’ with plenty of warm and dry days, allowing for outdoor adventures and wildflower walks!

The ‘best’ season to visit is a matter of personal preference, with each bringing its own highlights - rest assured we have the perfect Swell Stays Holiday Home, whatever season you choose to visit the Margaret River Region!

Spring:

Spring in the South West is a magical time to visit; Wildflowers are in full bloom and wildlife is abundant! Spring offers pleasant temperatures averaging 17 - 22 degrees: This would debatably be the perfect time to conquer the Cape-to-Cape track, or pack up the bikes and take on some exhilarating mountain bike trails which meander off the ‘Rails to Trails/Wadandi’ track.

Spring is the optimum time to catch a glimpse of the majestic Humpback Whales returning south with their calves, a truly memorable sight to see with the prime time to sight whale activity being early September to late November.

Springtime events not to be missed!

October sees the return of the ‘MTB Cape to Cape’ - a four-day stage race which takes place from 20th-23rd of October in 2022, drawing keen mountain-bikers from all corners of Australia to get their thrills on the exhilarating tracks we are fortunate enough to have access to here in our beautiful region.  

Australia’s largest open studios event is back in 2022 from 10th - 25th September. Margaret River Open Studios offers art lovers the chance to visit private art studios, meet artists and view their works in progress, from Augusta to Busselton. The free event saw a record number of visitors and artists participate in 2021, so we can’t wait to see the programme for the new year!

Summer:

Oh, Summer! Bring your bathers, your board, maybe a few beers - and your day is sorted, right through to sunset... and what a sunset it is!

The South West is a buzz of tourists and locals alike, enjoying the crystal clear coastline and world famous waves. You don’t need to spend much time planning to have a memorable trip Down South in the summer months.

Summer is a great time to explore the various caves in the Margaret River Region - take a self guided tour and be mesmerised with the beautiful formations whilst learning all about the geology of these amazing formations. There are several caves to choose from, each with its own unique features, find the perfect cave suited to your interest and physical ability. Summer temperatures typically peak at around 30 degrees and only exceed the 30’s on the rare occasion - an adventure in the caves is the perfect solution to keeping cool!

Beaches! Our top picks:

For families with young children; Gnarabup, Hamelin Bay, Rivermouth - take your pick from one of these beaches and enjoy a beautiful calm spot for the little ones to collect shells, build sand castles… and even spot a stingray at Hamelin!

Up for an adventure? Get off the beaten track and explore some of the South West’s best 4WD accessible beaches! Kilcarnup offering an easy drive in and definitely worth a visit, this is another great one for the kids.

The pristine Boranup beach is accessed through the stunning Boranup Karri forest, drive straight on to the beach and catch a few waves - ideally suited to most skill levels.

Summer events not to be missed!

Arts Margaret River - “Sunday Sundowners” - Held on 3rd and 10th February at Pioneer Park in Cowaramup is a fun and relaxed, FREE event definitely worth adding to your itinerary if you are visiting in February. Kicking off from 4pm, three live bands will see you through till 8pm. A picnic featuring some local produce, a blanket, and jumper to throw on at sundown is all you’ll need to pack for this local’s favourite event!

A hands-down favourite amongst the Swell Stays Team is the Cape Mentelle Outdoor Movie programme that runs from December to the end of Feb/March. Reserved seating tickets include a beanbag & blanket or you can BYO. Each new season sees catering from a different local food van and of course there’s there selections of delicious wines and movie treats.

Autumn:

Autumn brings a welcome drop in the temperature - hanging around the low-mid 20’s, this is prime outdoor adventure weather and the Cape to Cape track is once again comfortable to take on!  There is still a buzz around the region, but the Summer craziness has calmed - Autumn might just be the perfect time to visit the Region.

Easter feels like the the final peak of holiday season in the South West, delivering a fine collection of Art events and allowing for a slower pace to really take in and enjoy the talented artists and craftspeople of the Region.

Of course, with Easter brings chocolate! Whether you’re planning to hide a hoard of little chocolate eggs or sample some handcrafted treats; the South West has plenty to offer!

A little hidden gem located in Yallingup, absolutely worth the trip is ‘Gabriel Chocolate’ “Western Australia's first bean to bar chocolate makers” is an award-winning chocolate producer, handcrafting the finest chocolate from premium cocoa beans sourced from across the globe. This would be at the top of my Easter Itinerary!

Autumn Events not to be missed!

We’re lucky enough to be home to the region’s biggest literary event, the Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival. Returning this year from the 12-14 May, the festival brings together an array of novelists, illustrators, journalists and emerging story-tellers for an array of thought-provoking events. Tickets go on sale 28 March, keep up to date via the website.

Autumn once again sees the return of the hugely popular ‘Margaret River Pro’. The annual event draws world class surfers from all over the globe and will be held this year between 20 - 30 April.

It’s a great idea to lock in your accommodation for this one early, Swell Stays have a perfect selection of Holiday Homes in Prevelly - right in the heart of the action. Note that these homes book out well in advance, so get in quick!

Winter:

Albeit chilly, Winter is a vibrant time to visit the South West! Temperatures range between 16-18 degrees in the daytime, with evening temperatures dipping below 10. A logfire is a welcome treat throughout the Winter months!

It’s cold, and it’s wet! The crowds are gone but don’t be daunted - Winter is an exciting time to visit Margaret River, with growing events embracing the cooler climate and an exceptional collection of award-winning reds: Winter is a wonderful time to visit.

Winter Events not to be missed!

If you’re able to stay during the June long weekend, Augusta is kicking off the official start of whale-watching season with the Augusta Whalesong Festival. Rug up as you wander along the banks of the Blackwood River enjoying market stalls, live music and other family friendly workshops.

‘Cabin Fever’ returns to the region between 14 - 23 July; an eclectic mix of events which take place at over 40 venues across the region, there will undoubtedly be something to suit everyone. From burlesque at ‘Burger Baby’ to blazing fires at the ‘Beer Farm’, Cabin Fever has has the ultimate collection of events to keep you warm this Winter! A personal-pick not to be missed is the ‘Settlers Tavern Car Park Collective’ bringing the Cabin Fever event to a close, this cosy set-up has endless music and hearty food to accompany the awesome line up!

Take your pick! The Margaret River Region really has it covered, whether it’s 10 degrees or 30! Whatever the temperature: there will always be wine, wildlife and an ever growing and diverse collection of world-class events and we will always have the perfect accommodation to suit your needs, whether that be a cosy beach side cottage or a secluded studio with a roaring log-fire, let us take the effort out of choosing the perfect home and leave you to ponder the extensive list of must-do’s in Margaret River!