At just over 3 hours from Perth CBD, Margaret River is a coastal town known for its incredible surfing, gourmet food, wineries, micro-breweries, and lush green scenery. Located in Western Australia’s South West region, this laid-back town enjoys warm summer temperatures and cool winters. Margaret River offers a back-to-nature lifestyle for those who love tall forests, deep caves, stunning beaches, rocky coastlines, and a range of gastronomic delights.
Recent improvements to the town centre include the creation of a new pedestrian zone and promise to bring even more life to this lovely region. The redevelopment of Busselton airport will soon allow direct flights from Sydney, making WA’s beautiful South West region even more desirable for interstate travel once all borders reopen.
Margaret River and its surrounding suburbs are the perfect destinations for a tree change – so if you want to learn more about what to do when you’re down south, read on.
Margaret River – history
Evidence suggests the Australian Aboriginal Noongar tribe lived in Margaret River for around 48,000 years. The Devil’s Lair Cave, just south of Margaret River, is considered one of Australia’s earliest sites of human occupation.
A short timeline of Margaret River:
- 1830s: a group of white settlers arrives near Cape Leeuwin
- 1912: construction on the townsite begins
- 1933: planting of the town’s first pine trees
- 1937: electricity arrives
- 1950s: the Prevelly Caravan Park opens
- 1970s: the influx of surfers travelling to Margaret River for some of Western Australia’s best waves begins.
House prices in Margaret River
According to propertyvalue.com.au, the median house price in Margaret River (based on sales as of October 2021) sits around $510,000. Home to around 7,600 residents, this gorgeous suburb experiences an annual population growth rate of 20.95%, and the median age of its residents are 36. Households in Margaret River are primarily couples with children and typically pay $1800 – $2399 per month on mortgage repayments (source: Australian Bureau of Statistics).
However, due to the ongoing appeal of this relaxed, leafy, and beautiful area, prepare to pay a little more than the median price for your Margaret River home. Suburbs surrounding Margaret River include Augusta, Yallingup, Gracetown, Cowaramup, Dunsborough, and Busselton.
Schools
There are two government schools in this region:
- Margaret River Senior High School
- Margaret River Primary school.
There are three private schools:
- St Thomas More Catholic Primary School
- Margaret River Montessori School
- Rapids Landing Primary School.
There are also schools in the surrounding suburbs.
Things to do in Margaret River
Say G’day to the wildlife: depending on the time of year, expect to see whales, dolphins, stingrays, and plenty of other sea life. Travel north and experience the Underwater Observatory and the end of Busselton Jetty.
Cheers: home to some of Australia’s most remarkable wines and vineyards, Margaret River allows you to explore a range of wineries. Book a tour bus to take you from winery to winery and enjoy the delicious local produce.
Gone Surfin’: with world-class surf breaks on the doorstep, there’s a reason the who’s who of the global surfing circuit flock here for the annual Margaret River Pro. Surf schools run from the calmer beaches, with plenty of space available on more significant breaks for experienced surfers.
Bring a torch: beneath the surface of Margaret River, there are jaw-dropping caves filled with limestone crystals, a glassy lake, and megafauna fossils. As you descend to the depths below, the lighting and atmosphere within these incredible natural formations will capture your imagination.
Pull-on your boots: the stunning landscape of Margaret Rivers offers plenty of walking and hiking trails for those who like to explore on foot. Consider the four-day Cape to Cape Walk or enjoy the Meelup Trail from Eagle Bay to Dunsborough.
Beers on tap: if wine is not your thing, there are plenty of craft breweries to choose from, including Brewhouse Margaret River, Wild Hop, Eagle Bay Brewer
Gourmet Escape: mark your diary and make sure you attend the Gourmet Escape. With masterclasses and plenty of chances to meet and greet your favourite chefs, this is an unmissable experience.
Types of property in the Margaret River area
From discreet, tree-laden retreats to brand new residential developments, Margaret River offers a range of property types. The tiny town of Yallingup offers some stunning properties perched on its hilly coastal terrain, while Cowaramup offers residents both established homes and new builds within its town limits. Quindalup, Abbey, and Dunsborough offer properties at the higher end of the market, but a few bargains are available across a range of price points.
Why choose C&R Settlements for your southwest property settlements?
C&R Settlements are experienced in Margaret River property settlements and recently settled for Margaret River Hotel. Enjoy a stress-free real estate transaction with experienced settlement professionals in your corner. As settlement agents who specialise in residential property, our experienced team has completed over 50,000 settlements to date.
With our management team’s experience, we can settle even the most challenging cases with minimal fuss. We’re the go-to property experts many lawyers trust with their conveyancing work – our settlement quotes are reasonable, and our service is excellent.
If you are considering a move to WA’s beautiful South West, contact our local office today.