50 best things to do with kids in the Margaret River Region

Saddle up for a horsemanship lesson or a peaceful trail ride through the bush. Both The Horse Resort and Jesters Flat are known and loved for their superb horses and scenic trail rides through the gorgeous Margaret River country.

There are about 100 caves below Caves Road, six of which are open for us to explore. Read Which Cave is Best For Me to help choose.

Tip: Ngilgi and Mammoth Cave are great for kids under 5, and Lake and Jewel Cave guided experiences are fab for kids with greater attention spans.

Find a sheltered beach, put up the brolly and don’t forget the bucket and spade for sandcastle making.

Cosy Corner and Granny’s Pool in Augusta, Cowaramup Bay, Meelup, Old Dunsborough and Yallingup Lagoon are some of the best beaches for families.

Or if you’re looking for a bit more action, is there anything as awesome as catching tiny waves on your boogie board?! Pack your rashie and head to Bunker Bay, Hamelin Bay or Smiths Beach.

Please take extra care and check the beach carefully for rips before entering – and pick a beach with a lifeguard patrol.

You might need to call it something other than walking – like “let’s go looking for crabs” is how I sell the beautiful walk at Point Picquet. Walk the coastal path around Meelup or the Cape Naturaliste Walking Trails, hike a section of the Wadandi Track, or the Margaret River Rotary South Bank River Trail for a manageable 2km stroll through the forest.

Bring your bikes, as we’re totally spoilt for options. My girls love the green beginner’s trails of Wooditjup National Park and Dunsborough Country Club.

The Wadandi Trail is a nice flat ride, perfect for an adventure minus the downhill thrills. Need to rent a bike? Have a look here.

Find a peaceful patch and share a moment of appreciation for the forest, wildflowers, birds, fungi and insects with your children. Close your eyes and listen, and then name all of the sounds of the forest. Listen to the breeze whistling through the Boranup Forest canopy, look for red winged fairy wrens in Wooditjup National Park and be dazzled by ocean glimpses in the Meelup Regional Park.

There’s a fabulous coastal bike path connecting Dunsborough with Busselton, perfect for youngsters on balance bikes, or families riding into town or looking for a secluded beach. Set Strava and see how far you can go!

A mind-boggling experience for kids of all ages, Wow Illusions is a unique place that will make you question what’s in front of your eyes. From the gravity defying room to artwork so real it appears to be alive, part of the fun is trying to determine how these crazy illusions work. Don’t forget your camera!

Now we’re talking. We have a soft spot for Nutella donuts at Dunsborough Bakery and petit gâteaux at Maison Lassiaille. Can’t miss.

Even the fussiest eaters are delighted with fish & chips. This is the place to enjoy yummy locally sourced seafood. Our favs include Colourpatch Café in Augusta, and Squid Lips in Margaret River and Dunsborough.

We’ve spent many a sunny afternoon at Sea Play By the Bay, Djiljit Mia Dunsborough and Yallingup Adventure Playground, plus loads more around the region.

Special shoutout to the parents with runaway kids – you’ll enjoy Aravina Estate and Cheeky Monkey Brewery’s fully fenced playgrounds.

Cool down while leaping off the jetty – there’s no better way to spend a scorching January afternoon. The U-shape jetty 50m west of Busselton Jetty, in front of KYST, is our go-to, but the pontoon at Gnarabup next to The White Elephant Cafe is a favourite amongst Margie’s locals.

You can hire a paddleboard or kayak at popular beaches in summer, including Meelup, Dunsborough (opposite Dunn Bay Road), Gnarabup and the Rivermouth in Prevelly.

When in Margaret River, learn to catch a wave! Once they’re confident swimming, water-loving kids get a thrill from learning to stand up while catching the white water into shore. Book a lesson or hire a board from Margaret River Surf School, Margaret River Surfing Academy or Yallingup Surf School.

Take a thrilling treetop adventure, climbing, leaping and zip lining. Next Level Monkey Business welcomes climbers of all ages on their fantastic course, and eco-accredited Forest Adventures offers exhilarating challenges to those aged 7+.

Marvel at the world’s largest mammals from land or sea, as the Margaret River Region has the world’s longest whale watching season (May-Dec).

A whale-watching charter boat with marine scientists will get you up close, while land-based spots along the coast are just as delightful. Point Picquet is a good bet, as are both Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin (depending on the time of year).

You’re not just ‘having an ice cream’, you’re sampling quality artisan produce made fresh with local milk. Visit Millers Little Ice Cream Shop in Cowaramup, Elski Danish Ice Creamery or Simmos in Dunsborough, and Scoops Farm‘s Margaret River FRO YO in Margaret River – the hardest part is choosing from the myriad of flavours!

We love a big rock adventure, and there’s plenty of mind-boggling 600-million-year-old granite to admire (weave that into a story for your dinosaur-loving kids!) Visit Sugarloaf Rock, Canal Rocks or Big Rock near Dunsborough for amazing views and great climbing, too. Note: stay on the path for safety, and be especially careful or avoid the area during big swell.

Stock up for a meal or grab food on the go at the region’s lovely markets. My girls make a beeline for the warm cinnamon buns at Margaret River Farmers Market and plenty of roving producers at Origins Markets in Busselton.

Meet Ivy the Barn Owl or Booey the Boobook at Capes Raptor Centre, where the Birds of Prey Encounter is equal parts entertainment and education. Behind the scenes is a rehabilitation hospital for up to 90 injured birds.

The path between Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Sugarloaf Rock is one of the most scenic, accessible and pram friendly walks you’ll find, and along the Busselton and Dunsborough foreshore is lovely too.

Perfect for kids ages 6+, Oceania Experiences offers an awesome Snorkel and Eco boat tour that’s a blast for everyone involved. This 2-hour adventure lets you explore the stunning coastline, spot sea lions and marine life, and learn about the area’s history – all while enjoying views you can’t get from land.

Or book a snorkel tour at iconic Busselton Jetty with Swan Dive, suitable for kids from 6 years old. From mermaids to shipwrecks, and over 300 marine species, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Busselton Jetty is a fantastic spot to throw in a line, and crabbing along the foreshore after dark is fun too. We took the girls crabbing at Quindalup in spring and didn’t catch any crabs, but were awed by phosphorescence in the sand!

Here are 6 family-friendly fishing spots.

Café breakfasts helped my girls hone their restaurant manners, and some of our most-loved morning hangs are Goanna Café and Riversmith. Check this list for more ideas, too.

Two working lighthouses bookend the Cape to Cape Track; Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse in the north, and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse in the south.

The first is an easy 59-step climb, great for youngsters who will also appreciate the small playground. Cape Leeuwin is much taller, and both lighthouses have a fantastic interpretation centre that includes portraits representing people who once lived and worked at the lighthouse, which spring to life and tell stories of what their life was like in the early days.

Run amok as you try to make your way out of a maze. There’s the wooden Yallingup Maze which changes every 3 months, a true hedge maze at A Maze’n Margaret River, and Boranup Maze’s circular design.

If you’ve ever travelled with kids, you’ll agree that booking accommodation with a decent pool will make your life so much easier (and the kids forever grateful!). Pullman Bunker Bay Resort, Smiths Beach Resort, Mandalay Holiday Resort and Broadwater Resort are home to our favourite pools in the region.

Parents love a brewery, where the vibe is as chilled as the beer, and a playground is just about guaranteed. There are around 13 craft breweries to discover, here’s our list of the most kid-friendly breweries in the region.

Guaranteed smiles, we genuinely love visiting Margaret River Chocolate Company for their creative designs and excellent coffee. Gabriel Chocolate offers amazing hot chocolate and the best warm cookies. Yallingup Chocolate (at Commonage Coffee) has giant freckles, almond croissants and coffee with a vineyard view. Little Otto’s Big Choc Shop will be your kids’ ultimate highlight when visiting the Busselton Foreshore, and Temper Temper in Cowaramup.

Family-friendly wineries aren’t defined by playgrounds, but by ethos; smiles, tolerance and open space count as much as slippery dips and sand pits. Swings & Roundabouts, Lentedal Vineyard Estate and Aravina get double thumbs up from us.

The Hangout Margaret River is an awesome indoor climbing and play centre suitable for kids from 2 years old. Kids can run, jump, throw, hang, spin, slide, and crawl in the inviting play area and older kids from 6 years old can try the diverse bouldering area. Parents and guardians are welcome to join them or stay in the air-conditioned cafe with coffee and free Wi-Fi. The perfect place for some action-packed fun for the kids, and those young at heart.

Another thrill for the adventure seekers, there’s nothing quite like descending over the lip of a massive sea cliff and hearing the ocean crashing below. Margaret River Climbing Co offers abseiling amongst some of the most dramatic scenery on the Cape to Cape Track.

Observe snakes, lizards and their scaly mates at Discover Deadly, the local reptile farm. Aim to visit during feeding time and see if your kids are brave enough to pick up a (non-venomous) python!

Lean back and let the experts do the legwork for an unforgettable family adventure. South West Eco Discoveries operates an excellent twilight tour, where native Australian animals flock by your feet. Bushtucker Tours will take your bunch on an exciting canoe trip on the beautiful Margaret River to explore the unique flora and fauna, taste bush foods, and hear stories. On the water, Dunsborough Jet Ski Tours provide safe, accessible and professionally guided tours for kids from five years old. Or, up above, Scenic Helicopters offers an exhilarating way to see the region. Chat to the pilot through the headset, as you spot dolphins, sheep and cattle, kangaroos, and even whales in season.

Quirkier lunches we love include homemade pies at Anniebrook where the girls fawn over guineapigs, pizza and supa putt at Golf Gardens or an Insta-worthy meal at Meelup Farmhouse where chickens, swings and a highland cows delight all ages. Newly opened South West Bottega in Vasse will soon be one of your family’s favourites, with loads of outdoor space, a boat-inspired playground and a community garden. The local wine and delicious handmade pasta, lasagne, pizza, and gelato will win the hearts of young and old.

Sure to please the fussiest eaters, we recommend Pizzica for the authentic Italian feel, Peace Pizza Dunsborough and Al Forno Busselton for superb takeaway pizza. Hot tip for Pizzica: save room for the fried dough drizzled with Nutella – molto bene!

Everyone is happy with a burger in their mitts. Normal Van on Margs Main street, Burger Bones in Busselton and Burgertron in Dunsborough are a few of our faves.

South of Boranup, near Hamelin Bay, you’ll find Margaret River Sculpture Park, with 10 acres of huge sculptures carved from recycled wood, stone and steel. Like a treasure hunt featuring works by local craftsman Brendan Booth, it’s sure to spark the imagination.

Chances are your kids will catch the sculpting fever and want to try sculpting themselves. Pottery classes with Happs Pottery + Icon Honey are a great way to get their hands dirty and creative juices flowing.

Make memories meeting the menagerie of gentle farm animals, from baby bunnies and guinea pigs to chooks, alpacas, sheep, ponies and Scottish highland cows. Sunflowers Animal Farm is located near Busselton, and there’s also Country Life Farm Dunsborough, Capes Raptor Centre, Scoops Farm and Discover Deadly.

Have a giggle as you work off lunch on the mini golf course – there are some excellent places to pick from. Par 3 in Busselton and Yallingup Maze are awesome, and so are Golf Gardens, A Maze’n Margaret River, and Simmos Ice Creamery. If it’s raining, check out the indoor, golf simulator with Hole 19!

Inexpensive and often in a scenic spot with space for kids to roam, we love a food truck meal. Check out this wrap up of local food and coffee vans.

Let the kids roll out of bed and straight into a farm tour and feeding session in gumboots and pyjamas – such is the joy of a farm stay. Margaret River Holiday Cottages and Margaret River Hideaway are home to quite a selection of animals, while other farm stays are more about the organic gardens and rural experience. Check out some of the best farm stays here.

Bring your wheels and bust out some gnarly drop-ins. Busselton and Margaret River scored superb new skate parks just a few years ago, and you’ll find five parks dotted around the region.

While the full 125km trek isn’t a mainstream kid-friendly activity, hiking a little chunk is a great adventure. We walked from Contos Cliffs to Redgate Beach as a school group, a decent 6km stroll, learning Wadandi stories and maritime history along the way.

The Western Ringtail Possum, or ngwayir, is a smallish, critically endangered possum found only in southwest Western Australia. Grab a torch and head to the peppermint trees on the Dunsborough or Busselton foreshore, or in the forest surrounding Margaret River, for some night-time possum spotting.

If you are visiting in Makuru (winter) it’s a great chance to check out a waterfall. We discovered Yalgardup (Kevill Road Falls) and it’s a beaut spot to reconnect with nature and admire the rush of water over rocky ledges.

Sunshine and longer days means barbecue dinners at the beach or park. Grab snaggers at the Farmers Market then make use of the free public barbies at scenic spots such as Yallingup main break, Busselton Foreshore, Meelup Beach, and  Riflebutts.

Our local murals tell stories of wildlife, culture and history; larger-than-life Cowara birds are Cowaramup’s namesake (find them in Pioneer Park), pose the kids in front of giant wings and learn about Sam ‘Yebbles’ Isaacs on Prince Street Busselton.

Arts Margaret River offers a fantastic range of family-friendly events too, especially during school holidays, with activities to spark young imaginations. Check out their kids’ program here.

Whether you stay in a tent, caravan or onsite cabin, there’s nothing better than seeing the kids enjoy the pool, playground or other facilities – and making new friends while they’re at it. Switch off at Molloy Hideaway Holiday Park with kangaroo feeding, jetty fishing, and go-kart and canoe hire. Check out the dozens of camping options from Busselton to Boranup and everywhere in between.

The historic Busselton Jetty stretches 1.81km out into Geographe Bay – it was extended time and again as ships got bigger and Busselton was a busy port.

Now you can catch an electric train to the end and descend 9m underwater to find a thriving ecosystem of over 300 marine species. Plus, don’t miss a visit to their interactive Marine Discovery Centre, too.

Silently roll through the towering karris of Boranup Forest on eco-friendly electric quad bikes with EcoAdventures. Suitable for anyone aged 4+, it’s a lovely opportunity to cuddle your kids as you drive along, hearing stories of megafauna and incredible forest facts.