The best accommodation in Margaret River

By Chloe Cann
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From oceanview apartments to wine country lodges and forested national park caravan sites, these are the breakout stars of Margaret River’s accommodation scene.

The Margaret River has come a long way since its days as a hub for timber production and dairy farming. Today its verdant hinterland and ruggedly beautiful coastline are freckled with wineries, distilleries, breweries and renowned fine dining restaurants that, together render it among the best holiday destinations in Australia.

Just as the appeal of the region has grown, so too has the range of accommodation in the Margaret River. Whether you’re looking to splurge on a secluded adults-only villa, bed down in an affordable yet homely motel, or glamp under the stars, here are some of the best places to stay in the area to experience the very best of the region.

Hotels and resorts

Searching the web for somewhere comfortable and well-located to stay that won’t break the bank? These hotels and resorts have you covered.

Prideau’s Accommodation of Margaret River

If budget-friendly accommodation in the thick of it all appeals, then Prideau’s might just be your best bet. Located slap bang in the centre of Margaret River town, it has all the mod cons you could need, but also a few little extras that you might want… We’re talking spa baths and private courtyards or balconies, depending on which room type you book. Whatever option you end up with, rest assured that it will be clean, cosy and comfortable. And with affable owners David and Sandy at the helm you’re sure to feel right at home too.

Margarets Beach Resort

An affordable, tried and true local option, Margarets Beach Resort is a great all-rounder that’s particularly well-suited to groups or families. While the apartment-style accommodation might not win design awards for its interiors anytime soon, it makes up for what it lacks in aesthetics with super friendly staff, a heated swimming pool, ocean views, a killer location just a short walk from the beach and a five-minute drive from Margaret River town, plus a crowd-pleasing onsite bar and bistro that pumps out all your favourite pub meals (pizzas, burgers, parmas, nachos and more). Options here range from a compact studio apartment, all the way up to a four-bedroom, two-bathroom beach house.

Luxury accommodation

When it comes to luxury accommodation in the Margaret River you’re spoiled for choice. Whether you’re after a beachfront resort, something boutique yet family friendly, an adults-only retreat or a winery stay, here are four of the region’s best five-star hideouts.

Pullman Bunker Bay Resort

Something of a local institution, Pullman Bunker Bay Resort is easily one of the best places to stay in the Margaret River. Situated right behind the dunes of the ridiculously beautiful Bunker Bay Beach, and on the cusp of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, this resort has a dramatically beautiful natural setting that promises peak serenity. Choose from one-, two- and three-bedroom villas and occupy yourself with one of Bunker Bay’s litany of features: a heated infinity-edge swimming pool, a fitness centre, tennis courts, a day spa, a seasonal kid’s club, an ocean-view restaurant and bar.

Cape Lodge, Yallingup

Just 22 rooms and suites are on offer at this five-star property in Yallingup. One of the Luxury Lodges of Australia, Cape Lodge is among the more exclusive spots to rest your head in the region. Set amid bushland and vineyards, the lodge’s distinctive Cape Dutch-style buildings add lashings of character, while the rooms are a surprisingly restrained affair, all muted blues, greens and neutrals.

A white house with a grey rood on grass

Experience Margaret River like never before here at Cape Lodge. (Image: Cape Lodge)

One thing this property has over many others in the region is space – oodles of it. From the roomy rooms, to the estate’s 40 acres of manicured parkland and lakes, it’s the ideal spot to tune into the cruisy Margaret River frequency. Pootle over to the lodge’s wine lounge for a taste of the estate’s shiraz or sauvignon blanc; devour lakeside views with your spectacular dinner experience at the property’s eponymous restaurant; idle by the lodge pool; or dabble in a spot of afternoon croquet.

A bedroom with yellow walls, a bed, bedside table and a couch with pillows.

Being one of Australia’s most luxurious stays, you’ll sleep like a baby at Cape Lodge. (Image: Cape Lodge)

Injidup Spa Retreat, Yallingup

In the market for a relaxing couples getaway, no expense spared? This adults-only retreat should feature at the top of your Margaret River accommodation hitlist. A masterclass in understated luxury, once you check in you might not feel inclined to set foot outside of Injidup Spa Retreat.

The property’s 10 villas each have uninterrupted ocean views, perhaps best enjoyed with a glass of bubbly in hand as you take in the sunset on your private villa patio. Come summer, make use of your private plunge pool and patio barbecue. Come winter, robe up, pour a glass of the region’s finest red, order a house grazing platter and lounge by the living room fire.

Smiths Beach Resort

The ultimate chic beach retreat, Smiths Beach Resort boasts a winning combination of showstopping coastal views and homely yet zen interiors. While any room here would be a delight, it’s the resort’s oceanview villas and two- to four-bedroom beach houses that are the pick of the bunch: think whitewashed walls that let the floor-to-ceiling windows (and the sweeping bush and beach views behind them) do all the talking.

A swimming pool surrounded by a resort in front of the ocean

Get the ultimate zen experience at Smiths Beach Resort. (Image: Smiths Beach Resort)

Listed among the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this Yallingup resort hits the perfect pitch for families that want facilities (and space) but don’t want to scrimp on style. Cots, baby baths, stair gates and high chairs are all available on request, and the self-contained nature of this Margaret River accommodation means you can easily meet the needs of any small fussy eaters in the full kitchen, and clean up afterwards in the laundry.

An interior with couches and a balcony with a view on the ocean.

Relax and unwind in the beautiful interiors of Smiths Beach Resort which overlook one of Margaret River’s most breathtaking beaches. (Image: Smiths Beach Resort)

Airbnb stays

With so many architecturally designed and Insta-friendly Airbnb properties to choose from in the area, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are three worthy of your consideration.

Maison du Lac

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better setting than at this Airbnb, perched on the edge of a lake hemmed in by forest. Maison du Lac not only affords guests an immensely peaceful setting, but the three-bedroom property (which sleeps up to eight guests) also has a dreamy open-plan design, light-filled rooms and a neutral colour palette. Curl up with a good book by the freestanding wood fireplace, enjoy a sundowner on the lakeside deck, or wind down with a long soak in the sizable bathtub.

A white house on a lake with kayaks surrounded by trees and rocks.

Explore the outdoors and stay at Maison Du Lac to fully emerge yourself in Margaret River’s nature. (Image: David Binks)

Ironside Studio

For a boutique feel on a budget book a long weekend at Ironside Studio. This two-bedroom Margaret River Airbnb is located in a plum spot, just a five-minute drive from both the beach and Margaret River town, but also enjoying a semi-rural setting. There’s an air of Scandi-chic to this compact studio, which offers all the everyday essentials you could need.

A photo of a bedroom indoor with a bed, bedside table and frames on the wall.

Nothing beats the feeling of feeling home, even on holidays. (Image: Jasmin Ann Gardiner)

Absolute Oceanfront Three-Bedroom Apartment

If proximity to the ocean is high on your shopping list, then might we propose this Broadwater property? Boasting ocean views from almost every room, as well as the apartment’s patio and balcony, this Margaret River accommodation is separated from the beach by only a bike path. Guests can also make use of the block’s communal swimming pool, children’s playground, gym and electric barbecues.

A bed with white sheets and pillows in a bedroom with frames and a balcony with a table and chairs overlooking the ocean.

Wake up to an amazing view at Absolute Oceanfront and your day cannot go wrong anymore. (Image: Absolute Oceanfront)

Caravan parks

Given the abundance of natural beauty in these parts, it’s little wonder that there are some stellar Margaret River caravan parks to choose from.

Discovery Parks Margaret River

Save your splurging for the cellar doors with a stay at Discovery Parks Margaret River. The affordable pick is in fact a farm stay located just 15 minutes’ drive from wine country’s township. Powered sites and 18 cabins are found across the spacious grounds, also dotted with sheep and cows and centred around an idyllic lake. Facility-wise, there’s a kids’ bouncing pillow, playground and barbecue, while the region’s most acclaimed wineries, like Cullen Wines and Domaine Naturaliste, are about 10 minutes’ away.

Olive Hill Farm RV Campground

It doesn’t get much more idyllic than sleeping amid olive groves, which is exactly the USP at this pet-friendly campground. Welcoming only those with RVs or self-contained vans, Olive Hill Farm RV Campground doesn’t have any communal facilities such as bathrooms or camp kitchens.

The indoors of a caravan with a little kitchen, bed, and living area.

At Olive Hill Farm, less is more. (Image: Olive Hill Farm)

Instead, it promises well-spaced-out bays, a ludicrously bucolic setting, and the perfect little RV window privacy screening courtesy of the olive trees. There’s also farmstay accommodation and a converted former bus to ‘glamp’ in onsite too.

A man sitting and a woman standing next to a caravan parked on the grass and surrounded by olive trees

Emerge yourself in Margaret River’s beautiful nature at Olive Hill Farm. (Image: Olive Hill Farm)

RAC Margaret River Nature Park, Wooditjup National Park

Whether you’re camping or caravanning (or looking for a cosy holiday park cabin) RAC Margaret River Nature Park is hot property among outdoors enthusiasts. Located within Wooditjup National Park, this quiet site is especially popular with those who like to mountain bike, given its proximity to a number of great tracks. Despite being surrounded by bush, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that this holiday park is also only a few minutes’ drive from Margaret River town.

Camping and glamping

A plethora of camping and glamping spots have sprung up on the traditional land of the Wadandi (Saltwater) People.

Wild Goose Camping, multiple locations

Owned by a tree changer family that decided to swap Perth for the lure of the Margaret River region, the owners of Wild Goose Camping know a thing or two about the restorative power of the great outdoors. Share a slice of their dream with a stay in one of their canvas bell tents, set up permanently at a handful of locations across this idyllic pocket of WA, from beachside to a national park forest and even a sprawling farm.

Or should you have a special location in mind, they’ll be happy to set up everything for you ahead of your stay, whether it’s on a private property or in a nearby holiday park. The surprisingly roomy tents are furnished with all you could need: a queen-size mattress, pillows, duvets and fresh white linens, towels, wool or cotton blankets, jute rugs, sheepskins, cushions, lighting and wooden outdoor furniture.

Mile End Glamping, Yelverton

Plotting an atypical getaway? Try Mile End Glamping. Here you’ll spend the night in an elevated geodesic dome, its interior bathed in natural light, the floor-to-ceiling window showcasing the raw natural beauty of the valley by day, and proving the perfect spot for a touch of stargazing come night.

A tent in the shape of a dome on a wooden platform surrounded by trees.

Experience a unique stay at Mile End Glamping by sleeping under the stars. (Image: Mile End Glamping)

The permanent domes are set among a private 58-hectare estate, just a 20-minute drive from Margaret River town, Dunsborough and Busselton, and boast a private bathroom, a kitchen, a king bed and a private deck with an outdoor bath and barbecue.

A bed inside a dome with a table and chairs.

Get cosy and experience Margaret River’s wonderful nature from the comfort of your bed. (Image: Mile End Glamping)

Margaret River Retreat, Forest Grove

An accredited ecotourism business, the folks that run Margaret River Retreat are serious about creating a sustainable, environmentally sound and accessible accommodation for everyone to enjoy. Almost everything you’ll find here has been grown, produced or sourced domestically, from the bamboo-topped Western Australian mattresses to the locally made botanical-infused bathroom amenities and Aussie-made woollen blankets.

Two men and a baby sitting on chairs in the middle of tents and a wooden house.

Take a break from your busy life by staying at this eco-friendly retreat. Nature will do you wonders. (Image: Greta Wolzak)

Located on a privately owned, 30-hectare farm, the retreat’s 10-tent-strong glamping village provides national park views, shared amenities and plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities. Owners Son and Nick Edwards have spent the best part of the last 15 years planting extensive native vegetation and maintaining wildlife corridors, so you might just spy kangaroos, emus, or even a masked owl in the village’s midst.

An emu and kangaroos running through a field.

Spend some time in nature at the Margaret River Retreat and discover Western Australia’s most unique wildlife. (Image: Zac White)

For more insider tips and inspiration, see our ultimate travel guide to Margaret River.

Chloe Cann is an award-winning freelance travel and food writer, born in England, based in Melbourne and Roman by adoption. Since honing her skills at City St George's, University of London with a master's degree in journalism, she's been writing almost exclusively about travel for more than a decade, and has worked in-house at newspapers and travel magazines in London, Phnom Penh, Sydney and Melbourne. Through a mixture of work and pleasure, she's been fortunate enough to visit 80 countries to date, though there are many more that she is itching to reach. While the strength of a region's food scene tends to dictate the location of her next trip, she can be equally swayed by the promise of interesting landscapes and offbeat experiences. And with a small person now in tow, travel looks a little different these days, but it remains at the front of her mind.
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10 of the best Margaret River camping spots

    By Monique Ceccato
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    Planning to go camping in Margaret River? We’ve got all the information you’ll need before you go.

    There’s a lot to love about Western Australia’s Margaret River region: the coastline, the rolling farmland, and the world-class wines and fresh produce. Like most regional areas, driving around Margaret River is the best way to see it, travelling slowly and stopping frequently. While there are plenty of accommodation options around the region, the flexibility and freedom of camping is unparalleled. Use this as your guide to Margaret River camping because in such a diverse region, where you choose to camp matters.

    How to get to Margaret River

    If you fly into Perth, Margaret River is a three-hour drive south. But, Jetstar also flies direct from Sydney and Melbourne to Busselton Airport, which is a 45-minute drive from Margaret River.

    Permits and regulations

    No permits are required to camp in Margaret River. Free camping in the bush, on the beach, or in residential streets is illegal in the region, and all campers must stay in dedicated campgrounds or caravan parks. To book any of the campsites in WA’s national parks, you’ll have to visit Park Stay WA.

    National parks and forests campsites

    Canebrake Pool

    the upper Margaret River within Canebrake Pool Campground

    Escape to a secluded bush camping site in the middle of the bush. (Image: Bronwyn Wells)

    Camp right on the banks of the upper Margaret River at Canebrake Pool Campground. It’s a secluded spot and takes approximately 25 minutes to drive there from the Margaret River township. There are just nine sites here, all unpowered and shaded beneath fragrant Peppy and Marri trees. They’re all a matter of steps from the deep, cool Canebrake Pool, too. Bring your SUP board or kayak for a paddle on the water, or slip in for a refreshing dip. Though there are freshwater fish and marron in the pool, fishing for them is prohibited.

    Address: Canebrake Road, Treeton

    Price: $15 adults, $10 concession, $5 kids (bookings essential)

    Facilities: Firepit, drop toilets, bins, picnic tables

    Accessibility: Limited information

    Dog-friendly?: Yes, on a lead

    Jarrahdene Campground

    the Jarrahdene Campground in Margaret River

    Stay in an unpowered campsite in the bush. (Image: Kevin Smith)

    Caravans, campers, vans, and tents are all welcome at Jarrahdene Campground, some 25 minutes out of town. It’s one of the larger Margaret River campsites, with 36 different-sized and differently surfaced sites (all unpowered). Jarrahdene was originally a timber mill that opened in the late 1800s and closed in 1913. On the short interpretive walks through the surrounding Marri, Jarrah, and Peppy bushland, you can still find remnants of the old mill to explore.

    Address: Jarrahdene Rd, Boranup

    Price: $20 adults, $15 concession, $5 kids (bookings essential)

    Facilities: Barbecue, dump point, fire rings, picnic tables, drop toilets, bins, sinks with running water

    Accessibility: Varying surfaces mean low accessibility

    Dog-friendly?: No

    Chapman Pool Campsite

    the Blackwood River at Chapman Pool Campsite

    Set up a picnic by the river. (Image: Bronwyn Wells)

    The Margaret River isn’t the only major river that flows through this region; there’s also the Blackwood River, which opens into the Southern Ocean at Augusta. You can camp right by it at the Chapman Pool Campsite, 25 minutes from town. The nine small sites sit right near where Chapman Brook intersects with the river, separated from the water by an expansive wooden deck perfect for picnicking on. Enjoy swimming, SUP boarding, kayaking, and fishing at the pool, or take the short walking tracks through the surrounding bush.

    Address: Warner Glen Road, Warner Glen

    Price: $15 adults, $10 concession, $5 kids (bookings essential)

    Facilities: Pit toilets, sheltered gas barbecues, fire rings, tables, benches

    Accessibility: Limited information

    Dog-friendly?: Yes, on a lead

    Boranup Campground

    the Boranup Campground, Margaret River

    Camp right in Boranup Forest. (Image: DBCA)

    Boranup Campground is as close as you’ll come to seclusion while camping in the Margaret River region. There are just seven small sites here on the edge of the Boranup Forest, each big enough only for a tent and a small car or a small camper van. The whole campground is unpowered, and there’s no running water or cooking facilities, so come prepared (just not with generators; they’re not allowed). If you need to pop into town, it’s a half-hour drive away.

    Address: Boranup Road, Boranup

    Price: $15 adults, $10 concession, $5 kids (bookings essential)

    Facilities: Picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets

    Accessibility: Limited information

    Dog-friendly?: No

    Conto Campground

    a tent on Conto Campground, Margaret River

    Set up camp on the coastal headland. (Image: DBCA)

    Perhaps the most popular site for Margaret River camping is Conto Campground, both because of its unparalleled location and its size. It’s on the coastal headland and within striking distance of Contos Beach, the Boranup Forest, and the famed Cape to Cape hiking trail. A whopping 109 sites are available for campers in unpowered motorhomes, caravans, vans, campers, and tents. You can’t book a specific site, but you can specify which of the eight sections you’d like to stay in.

    The 37 sites in the Chuditch and Quenda areas are on a crushed limestone surface, and if you’re in a motorhome, van, or caravan, reverse-in only. The amenities are also great, with sheltered food prep, barbecue areas, and clean pit toilets. Campers in tents can stay in the Wanil area, a fenced-off space specifically for tents and swags, with parking available outside. Gas barbecues are available for use here, too. The remaining areas are mixed-use, all with pit toilets and only some with barbecues.

    Address: Conto Road, Boranup

    Price: $20 adults, $15 concession, $5 kids (bookings essential)

    Facilities: Each area within the campground differs

    Accessibility: Parking at all sites is on compact sand, with some paved paths. Bollards at the parking are spaced 1.2m apart to allow wheelchairs. There are some wheelchair-accessible toilets.

    Dog-friendly?: No

    Farms and caravan/camping parks

    Big Valley Campsite

    Get a taste of the farm life by setting up camp on one of the Margaret River region’s working sheep farms, ten minutes southeast of the Margaret River township. Big Valley Campsite has space for tents, campers, caravans, or motorhomes on powered or unpowered sites. It’s the perfect stop for families, with kids able to meet the farm animals in a petting enclosure and join in on daily sheep feedings. The nearby walking trails are also a family favourite, while the park’s proximity to the nearby wineries goes down well with the over-18 crowd.

    Address: 46 Baronia Road, Rosa Glen

    Price: From $40/night (unpowered)

    Facilities: Camp kitchen, dump point, power, water, bathrooms, washing machine, barbecues

    Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Contact for more information

    Dog-friendly?: Yes

    Fair Harvest Permaculture Campground

    Snag yourself a tent, caravan, or motorhome site at the Fair Harvest Permaculture Campground when it’s open to the public—they close annually from mid-June to mid-September for permaculture course guests—and you’re in for a treat. The expansive gardens and surrounding forest make this a picturesque place to stay, and you’ll also get great insight into a more sustainable way of life. Enjoy a hot rainwater shower (on a timer to curb excessive water usage) and the convenience of clean, composting toilets. You can also do your bit to minimise waste with the farm’s comprehensive recycling system. Feel free to marvel at the bountiful fruit and vegetable gardens, but refrain from taking any produce.

    Address: 426 Carters Road, Margaret River

    Price: From $36/night

    Facilities: Fire pit, camp kitchen, cafe, rainwater showers (2), composting toilets (2)

    Accessibility: Call for information

    Dog-friendly?: Yes, on lead. There is also one designated off-lead paddock

    Gracetown Caravan Park

    a tent at Gracetown Caravan Park, Margaret River

    There are stylish tents available for an elevated camping experience.

    A tennis court, an 18-hole mini golf course, and a season of ‘movies under the stars’: the A+ amenities keep coming at Gracetown Caravan Park. With the Margaret River township 15 km away (and Cowaramup Bay 2.5 km), it may be a rural campsite, but it has everything you could ever need. And, because it’s on 13 acres of bushland, each camp and caravan site (powered or unpowered) has plenty of space between them, often separated by a row of trees. It’s the holy grail of Margaret River camping.

    Address: 744 Cowaramup Bay Road, Gracetown

    Price: From $35/night (unpowered)

    Facilities: Laundry, boat parking, convenience store, free wi-fi, 18-hole mini golf, tennis court, basketball court, volleyball court, playground, camp kitchen, toilet block, baby bath

    Accessibility: Call for more information

    Dog-friendly?: No

    Hamelin Bay Holiday Park

    It doesn’t get much better than setting up the tent, caravan, or motorhome a stone’s throw from the beachfront. At Hamelin Bay Holiday Park, you get just that. Walking down to the protected waters of the park’s namesake bay takes less than five minutes; it’s a favourite for families keen on safe swimming and beach fishing. To throw the line in further out, bring the boat and launch it from the ramp. The bay is also known for its resident ray population that glides through the shallows daily, searching the sandy bottom for a feed. They’re harmless, but giving them their distance is essential when you see them.

    Address: Hamelin Bay Road West, Hamelin Bay

    Price: From $40/night (unpowered)

    Facilities: Fire pits, water (bore), kiosk, camp kitchen, barbecues, boat ramp, ablution block, laundry, playground, power

    Accessibility: Call for more information

    Dog-friendly?: No

    RAC Margaret River Nature Park

    the RAC Margaret River Nature Park surrounded by lush greenery

    RAC Margaret River Nature Park is tucked away amongst shady trees.

    Of all the options you have for camping in Margaret River, RAC Margaret River Nature Park is the closest to the township. But you don’t have to give up nature and seclusion for the convenience. The facility sits within the Wooditjup National Park, surrounded by tall Karri, Marri, and Jarrah trees, which you can ride through on the numerous mountain biking trails. All campsites are powered, big enough for caravans and motorhomes, and on compact ground. If you’re tenting, heavy-duty pegs are needed.

    Address: Bramley National Park, Carters Road, Margaret River

    Price: From $47/night (powered)

    Facilities: Dump point, laundry facilities, water, barbecue area, nature playground, camp kitchen, ablution block, free wi-fi, kiosk, bike hire

    Accessibility: Accessible bathroom. Contact the park for more accessibility information

    Dog-friendly?: No

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