Scenic Margaret River is one of Australia’s most beautiful locations and can be visited year-round. However, the best time to visit is late spring, summer, or early autumn. During this time, days are generally warm and dry, the countryside is full of color, and many different events are on. The warm days mean you’ll be able to make the most of the many fine beaches in the area, while the grape harvest of the surrounding vineyards falls across the latter part of this period. Throughout this guide will look at the best time to visit from a climate, cost, and events perspective. Read on to find out when the best time to visit Margaret River is for you.
Margaret River is a town in Western Australia located south of the state capital, Perth. The 270 km distance between the two locations takes around 3 hours to drive. The town of Margaret River also forms part of the wider Margaret River Region, which stretches from Busselton in the north to Augusta in the south. The town and the region are popular tourist destinations because of the spectacular coastline, world-famous vineyards, and art scene.
Margaret River enjoys a maritime temperate climate with 4 distinct seasons. Each season is very different from the others, so you should tailor the timing of your trip to suit the activities you want to undertake. To help inform your decision, we’ve summarised the seasons as follows:
Winter (June, July, August) – Temperatures are mild to cool without getting too cold. Overnight temperatures will often fall to single digits, which presents a good opportunity to get the log fire on. Winters are typically wet, with an average of 13 days of monthly rainfall, accounting for 80% of the area’s annual rainfall.
Spring (September, October, November) – Spring in Margaret River is a story of two halves. The first half largely follows the script for the winter months, with mild days and plenty of rainfall. However, the second half sees temperatures rise and rainfall notably decline. The spring months also tend to be the windiest.
Summer (December, January, February) -The summer months in Margaret River are warm and dry, with temperatures averaging in the early 20’s and with very little rain. It’s the ideal conditions to explore the region and make the most of the amazing coastline. The summer months are the area’s busiest season, aided by the weather and the school holidays.
Autumn (March, April, May) – Autumn is a fine time to visit, especially in the early part of the season. Days remain warm and largely dry with little to no wind. This contrasts favorably with the spring months and keeps the weather feeling warm. The latter part of the season becomes increasingly wet and mild.
So overall, the best time to visit Margaret River for good weather is during the late spring, summer months, or early Autumn. The days are warm and dry and allow you to make the most of the many attractions in the area.
Month | Maximum Temp | Minimum Temp | Days of Rain |
January | 24°C | 16°C | 1 |
February | 25°C | 17°C | 2 |
March | 24°C | 16°C | 3 |
April | 21°C | 15°C | 6 |
May | 19°C | 13°C | 9 |
June | 16°C | 12°C | 12 |
July | 15°C | 11°C | 14 |
August | 15°C | 11°C | 12 |
September | 16°C | 11°C | 11 |
October | 18°C | 12°C | 7 |
November | 21°C | 14°C | 4 |
December | 23°C | 15°C | 2 |
Margaret River has a rich arts and culture scene, meaning plenty is happening throughout the year. Here are some of the highlights in the Margaret River annual calendar:
Australia Day – An annual celebration on 26th January, there are plenty of ceremonies and community events to mark the occasion. From BBQs to street parties and live entertainment, this day has plenty of good vibes.
Festival of Busselton – Held yearly since 1964, this festival runs throughout January. Focused on family-friendly events and live entertainment, there’s a daily schedule of activities and events. Popular events include outdoor cinemas, night markets, live bands, and even water fights!
The Margaret River Pro – An annual fixture in the World Surfing League, this is an opportunity to see some of the finest surfers do their thing. The event is held at Surfers Point and is popular with locals and visitors alike.
Cabin Fever Festival – This winter festival celebrates all the great things in winter. Discover events centered around hearty food, log fires, and bottles of red wine. There’s also plenty of entertainment with cabaret, live bands and comedians.
CinefestOZ – An annual event held across 5 days in August, this is Australia’s premier film festival. Often described as the ‘Cannes of Australia,’ you can see independent movies in Margaret Rivers’ cinemas, wineries, breweries, bars, and galleries.
Margaret River Region Open Studios – One of the stalwarts of Australia’s art scene, this 2-week long event is the largest of its kind. Celebrating visual arts, you’ll see countless art pieces from a wide range of artists.
Fine Vines Festival – A relative newcomer to the annual festival scene, the Fine Vines Festival is a celebration of the area’s wine. Set across 10 days in October, there are many different events, many showcasing small independent vineyards. It’s a great time to visit to enjoy a glass or two.
Margaret River is one of Australia’s more expensive locations. It’s a year-round destination with a great arts scene, beautiful countryside, and an amazing coastline. The proximity of so many attractions makes it a popular destination, increasing the cost of visiting. However, that being said, there are still times when you can visit at a considerable discount to peak season. The peak season runs through the summer months, and hotel costs spike at this time. While prices reduce during the shoulder months of late spring (November) and early autumn (March), they’re still elevated.
To get the best bang for your buck, the best time to visit is typically from April through to October. The wet winter months, in particular, have some good discounted options. There’s still plenty to see and do at this time of year, particularly if you’ve come for the vineyards, winter walks, or the art scene. There are also far fewer visitors, meaning you can enjoy the beautiful scenery without the crowds.
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