Five-day road trip from Perth to Margaret River
By Vroom Team • Reviewed 10 Feb 2026
Road trips from Perth to Margaret River are popular for wine and surfing, and are coveted by those looking for a break from their life in the city without driving too far. This 293 km drive can take as little as four hours and while it’s easily done in a day of driving by rental car or campervan, why rush? Find out how to enjoy five days on the road with VroomVroomVroom’s Perth to Margaret River road trip guide.
Perth to Margaret River itinerary:
Day 1: Perth to Fremantle
Day 2: Fremantle to Bunbury
Day 3: Bunbury to Busselton
Day 4: Busselton to Margaret River
Day 5: Margaret River and surrounds
Perth to Margaret River drive: Key facts
| From | To | Distance & duration |
| Perth | Fremantle | 23 km & 30 min |
| Fremantle | Bunbury | 166 km & 2 hr |
| Bunbury | Busselton | 53 km & 45 min |
| Busselton | Margaret River | 51 km & 40 min |
| Perth | Margaret River | 293 km & 3 hr 55 min |
All distances in kilometres, calculated on the shortest direct route by car with Google Maps. Distances and trip times correct as of 10 February, 2026.
Best car and campervan options for a Perth to Margaret River road trip
If you’re undecided between what type of rental car or campervan is best for your Perth to Margaret River road trip, at the end of the day it comes down to how you want to travel — fast and flexible, or slow and self-contained.
Compact cars
A rental car works for travellers who plan to base themselves in towns staying at hotels along the way. The drive south is sealed and straightforward, and a standard car or compact SUV is more than adequate for the trip. With a smaller car, parking is easier in places like Fremantle, Busselton and Margaret River, your fuel costs are lower, and you’ll have a broader choice of vehicles if you’re travelling during school holidays or summer.
SUVs and 4WDs
For couples going on a wine tour, a compact SUV is easier to park than a full-size SUV and does well on slightly uneven paths. Larger groups may opt for 8-seater vehicles, such as the Kia Carnival, though do note that family SUVs in Australia can sell out months in advance over school holidays. A 4WD hire with high ground clearance is suitable for national parks and reserves, but remember rental cars cannot be used for off-road driving. In the event of irreparable damage or staining in the upholstery resulting from the nature excursion, your rental will incur damage fees and cleaning charges.
Campervans
A campervan works best if your trip is as much about the journey as the destination. With a campervan hired in Perth, you have the freedom to stay where you want, wake up close to nature, and totally skip the hassles of accommodation — ideal for longer trips, flexible itineraries, and travellers who want to savour the quieter stretches between say Busselton and Margaret River. It’s not all good news though, don’t forget to check on campground availability and vehicle size restrictions, and you may have a higher fuel bill as an extra souvenir.
Electric vehicles
Hiring electric vehicles in Perth offers a luxurious driving experience with plenty of advanced technology built in, though there are some extra preparations. While charging stations are abundant in Western Australia, it’s wise to take note of the charging stations you’ll pass along your route. Perth city council has set up seven electric vehicle charging stations across the city alone, including some in non-boom gate entry car parks and on-street parking areas.
Tips for renting a car or campervan in Perth for Margaret River
If your trip lands on a school holiday or over summer season from December to February, booking a Perth rental car can get hectic as hire vehicles, including rental campervans, tends to run out fast. The best move is to make your booking as far in advance as possible to secure the vehicle you need.
If you’re flying in, booking a car at Perth Airport makes sense. If you’re landing in Terminal 1, car rental depots are in the arrivals area (Terminal 1), or by baggage claim (Terminals 2, 3, and 4). Keep in mind that on-airport pickups can be pricier than off-airport, city, and suburban depots.
Make sure you’ve provided your flight information in the rental booking so the provider can track your arrival time and make sure your vehicle is ready on time.
In case of damages incurred during your trip, especially when you're visiting national parks and rural areas, we recommend purchasing excess reduction to lower your out-of-pocket expenses.
Day 1: Perth to Fremantle road trip stop
The Perth to Fremantle drive should take around 30 minutes by car, depositing you in historic Fremantle. Set on the bank of the Swan River as it flows into the Indian Ocean, Fremantle centres its fishing port both culturally and commercially. Foodies seek out seaside fish and chips, while tourists flock to museums including the WA Maritime Museum which features the famous yacht Australia II.
Drive your rental car through Fremantle to the Fremantle Prison. It offers ‘Behind Bars” immersive tours of the maximum security areas, wartime tunnel explorations by kayak, and more.
If time allows, Fremantle Markets is another spot worth visiting. Lined with both food booths and local handicrafts, this community-driven space opens Friday to Sunday 9 AM and 6 PM. Highlights include local craftsmen and makers of home goods to buskers — including you if you can play the piano!
How far: Perth CBD is about 23 km away from Fremantle.
Drive time: It will take around 30 minutes to drive from Perth CBD to Fremantle.
Day 2: Fremantle to Bunbury drive
Drive southward for about two hours to reach seaside Bunbury. As an export hub for woodchips, alumina and other minerals used for paper and resin production, Bunbury’s dedication to the arts comes as no surprise. The aptly named BRAG or Bunbury Regional Art Gallery has framed paintings and mixed media artworks on display and also hosts art classes and themed exhibitions. Cross Leschenault Inlet to Koombana Beach to see a Bunbury icon, the Wardandi Boodja sculpture paying respects to the First Nations peoples of Whadjuk Noongar.
When it comes to street art, Bunbury doesn’t disappoint. A novel way to discover the city’s art culture is to hunt for the 40 pieces of wall art decorating the city. The Bunbury local government created a map of the public murals made by local and international artists for easy navigation — so park your rental car, slip on your walking sandals and get those steps in while you can.
How far: The distance between Fremantle and Bunbury is around 166 km.
Drive time: You can drive from Fremantle to Bunbury in two hours.
Day 3: Bunbury to Busselton coastal drive
From Bunbury, push on along the Bussell Highway for about 53 kilometres by car to reach Busselton, a popular stop for those driving from Perth to Margaret River. While there’s around 30 kilometres of beach to enjoy, easily Busselton’s most popular attraction is the two-kilometre long Busselton Jetty with its four iconic blue houses. In 2018, Australia’s longest artificial reef was established here to protect over 300 marine species, and visitors have since flocked to the underwater sculpture park.
Be it kayaking or snorkeling, once you’ve had your fill of water activities, grab a recovery meal in town—or just pick up some fish and chips and head back to the sand. With plenty of al fresco dining and burger joints in the town centre, Queen Street is walkable enough for visitors young and old (city centre car parking is available).
How far: Busselton is about 53 km away from Bunbury via Bussell Highway.
Drive time: It takes about 45 minutes to drive from Bunbury to Busselton.
Day 4: Busselton to Margaret River drive
After three days by the coast, why not set aside a campsite day with a rental campervan? Free campgrounds are available between Busselton and Margaret River, with Olive Hill Farm offering campervan and motorhome parking with onsite dump points and potable water for a daily rate. While this RV campground permits some pets, don’t forget bringing a pet in your hired campervan isn’t always allowed.
If you’d prefer a more nature-first camping experience, free campgrounds around Margaret River let you savour nature on your own terms. Around 30 minutes from Margaret River town is Rapids Conservation Park, which offers a campsite for campervans and motorhomes with easy access to picnic areas — and Canebreak Pool for relaxed kayaking. If you need more ideas, the Shire of Augusta Margaret River’s online guide contains more campgrounds and holiday parks in the area.
How far: The drive between Busselton and Margaret River is around 51 km.
Drive time: The drive time from Busselton to Margaret River can take 40 minutes.
Day 5: Exploring Margaret River and surrounds by car
About 280 kilometres from Perth, Margaret River is the place to be for food, wine, and fab surf beaches. Be sure to leave Busselton early to maximise your Margaret River exploration time.
In the heart of Western Australia’s wine region, Margaret River’s world-class wines can be overwhelming, so there’s no shame in starting your day with a wine tour. Another option is the Saturday morning Margaret River Farmers’ Market, where local farmers and artisans offer seasonal products — including wine and charcuterie boards to match — to the community.
Margaret River is a major surfing spot thanks to its rolling and predictable swells, and nearby beaches like Surfers Point are best from September to April. Campers and nature enthusiasts looking for some drier awe should head to the region’s magnificent Jarrah forests. Home to black cockatoos, these Noongar-protected lands are best in spring when wildflowers carpet the forest floor.
The quick way: Perth to Margaret River in a day
Looking for an itinerary that will take you to Margaret River in just a day? To ensure your Perth-Margaret River road trip covers all the bases, here are our favourite spots worth checking out:
Bunbury street art: Turn the on-foot mural hunt into a quick drive-by tour and marvel at the local art scene from the comforts of your rental car.
Busselton Jetty: Book a snorkeling tour of the underwater sculpture park at noon and grab a fish and chips lunch afterwards.
Wine-hopping at Margaret River: Cap off your day trip with glasses of wine and cheese boards at a vineyard.
Driving tips for a Perth to Margaret River road trip
The most important thing to know is Perth is no stranger to wildlife. Whether you’re driving inland or near the coast, you should expect kangaroos, wallabies, and other wildlife to cross your path, especially in the early and late hours of the day when it’s dark out. Upon reaching a rural area like Caves Road, remember to drive slow and prioritise wildlife safety, which by extension, keeps you safe too.
ImportantWatch out for road trains!
On your drive from Perth to Margaret River, you may encounter road trains. If you’re not familiar with these leviathans, take care when overtaking.
If you’re hitting wineries, you’ll need a designated driver or a “skipper” in your group. A best practice for multi-day trips in wine town Margaret River is getting an additional driver with valid documents to prove they can drive the rental car on your behalf. If you’re planning to go all out on the wine tours, we won’t judge you, however it’s probably best to leave your rental car at the accommodation and book a hop-on hop-off bus service for transportation. Remember that Australia has strict drink-driving laws and police regularly patrol winery routes for this specific reason. Talking about the police, watch out for speed cameras as not only is speeding dangerous, the fines for speeding in Western Australia can be severe.
Best time of the year to drive from Perth to Margaret River
Margaret River is a great place to visit year-round due to its temperate climate. Summer falls between December and February, during which temperatures above 30°C (86°F) are rare, and being close to the sea, humidity dissipates instantaneously. By night time, temperatures drop by half, reaching 15°C (59°F) on average.
March to May (Autumn) is best enjoyed down at the beach, where surfers, campers, and sunset lovers gather to bask in the cool afterglow of summer. While winter in Margaret River is favoured among nature lovers, including bikers and hikers, there is frequent rainfall — no snow — and temperatures can drop below 10°C (50°F). For nature trips, consider visiting in the spring from September to November, where flora is at its peak and sunny days fall between cool and comfortable.
This climate guide in Margaret River projects the weather conditions throughout the year, making it easy to know how to dress and pack wisely for the trip. The Western Australia’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services also provides real-time weather alerts and disaster risk announcements.
Want to go further?
Our five-day road trip guide only gives a glimpse of what Western Australia’s coastline has to offer. Explore another side of Western Australia by reading our take on a Perth to Esperance road trip.
About the author
Vroom Team
VroomVroomVroom’s writing team brings together decades of writing expertise to share their insights into travelling around Australia by rental car. Let our team help you get the most out of your rental car experience.
