Discover the Scenic Journey: Driving From Perth to Margaret River | Avis Car Rental

 

Take the scenic route from Perth to Margaret River. With charming stops, breathtaking views and hidden gems along the way, the journey there is just as good as the destination.

Turn your next drive from Perth to Margaret River into a scenic one, with a weekend exploring the far-reaching region. There’s plenty to see and do and, for those choosing to travel in an electric vehicle, the trip couldn’t be more convenient with more than a dozen charging stations along the way, many close to our stops throughout the journey. Perth is more than 300 kilometres from Margaret River, and the drive takes approximately 3 hours, so there’s plenty of opportunity to indulge in what’s on offer along the way.

Here are some tips to make the most of the drive. And if you’re hiring an electric car from Avis, we’ve included plenty of charging spots for you along the way – no more planning your route around petrol station stops.

 

Day one: Perth to Margaret River

(Distance: 275 kilometres, estimated time: 3 hours 8 minutes)

Coffee: Fika on Brix (11.5 kilometres, 14 minutes)

After you land at Perth Airport and pick up your rental car from Avis, you’ll be ready to buckle up and hit the road to Margaret River. But before getting to far into your drive, caffeine will no doubt be on the cards to get things started. Luckily, just a 15-minute drive from your gate is Fika on Brix, in Beckenham. This lively, welcoming cafe serves freshly roasted beans from Grand Central Coffee out of Perth. Of course, you can have your coffee any way you like at Fika on Brix, with baristas ensuring every cup goes out from their coffee bar to exacting standards. An ideal first stop on your road trip.

Eat: Midway Farm Stall (85.4 kilometres, 56 minutes)

Midway Farm Stall is possibly the ultimate road trip pitstop. Here, locally sourced fresh produce is turned into pastries that are perfect to enjoy while you drive. Or, make it a longer stop. Just about halfway between Perth Airport and the Margaret River region, it’s the perfect place for a quick bite to eat while you stretch your legs. Say g’day to the resident farm animals and top up on locally grown produce (maybe for snacks on the drive). But it’s the pies that really impress at Midway: expect all of the classic fillings plus seasonally rotating specialties also on offer.

See: Heathlands Walk Trail and Yalgorup National Park (31.1 kilometres, 19 minutes)

Yalgorup National Park is around 13,000 hectares of pristine and breathtaking natural landscape. Within its confines sits a wetland of 10 lakes where local animals, plants and fungi reside. The sprawling park has multiple trails for walking, ranging from short and gentle 1.5-kilometre tracks, to longer, more challenging hikes. The trails offer the opportunity to admire the stunning natural growth of the surrounds, as well as interesting landmarks and quiet picnic areas. As a bonus, Yalgorup National Park is only a five-minute drive from Preston Beach where you’ll find even more picturesque surrounds and a Tesla charging station.

Stay: Margaret River Guesthouse (155 kilometres, 1 hour 53 minutes)

After the drive from Perth to Margaret River, getting settled into your accommodation will surely be high a top priority. Thankfully, Margaret River Guesthouse will be ready and waiting for you to unwind in the comfort of a charming, garden-flanked cottage. Unwinding is the focus here, with all the necessities for a good rest between travel. Central to the Margaret River region, there’s plenty of drinking and dining options close by, plus several EV charging stations among the town.

 

Day two: Margaret River to Yallingup

(Distance: 93.3 kilometres, 1 hour 20 minutes)

Coffee: Red Feather Coffee (12.1 kilometres, 11 minutes)

Red Feather has been brewing great coffee for some time and is well regarded among Margaret River coffee aficionados. In the neighbouring town of Cowaramup, the team behind Red Feather has set up a drive-through that’s doing things differently. While the coffee menu has all the expected options, Red Feather goes above and beyond, roasting their own beans on-site for the freshest cup of joe possible. For those with an appetite the food menu here is jaffle-focused with fillings like chipotle chicken, American brisket and a classic bacon and egg number.

Do: Explore Mammoth Cave (29.4 kilometres, 24 minutes)

The Southwest’s 110-kilometer-long Caves Road is famous for two things: wineries and, as the name would suggest, the caves themselves. There are hundreds of caves scattered across the limestone-rich undulating coastal landscape, though just a few are accessible for visitors to explore. Mammoth Cave is one of them, where you can take part in a self-guided walking tour through a network of natural caves via man-made walkways where thousands of fossils used to reside and some still do today.

Eat: Dahl Daddy's (14.6 kilometres, 14 minutes)

After exploring caves, you’ll no doubt have worked up an appetite. Located just out of Margaret River’s main strip, this South Asian canteen does robust curries and flaky paratha from a minute hole-in-the-wall space. Its regularly changing blackboard menu features seasonal specials and one-off dishes, and the setting is a prime one for relaxation. As a bonus, while you’re dining, your Tesla can recharge at the EV charging station located in the adjacent car park.

Stay: Injidup Spa Retreat (37.2 kilometres, 32 minutes)

It’s all about indulging at Injidup Spa Retreat, and, after a busy day of traversing across the Margaret River region, it’s exactly where you want to settle in and wind down for the evening. The spacious rooms all boast stunning ocean views, with soft natural light and discerning furnishings. There are several packages on offer with the option to revitalize with added massages and treatments. No matter which villa or package you choose, you’ll be welcomed by a hamper with breakfast goods, snacks for grazing and a bottle of local wine.

 

Day three: Yallingup to Perth

(Distance: 264 kilometres, 3 hours 6 minutes)

Coffee and Eat: Coffee Heads (30.3 kilometres, 27 minutes)

As you begin your journey back to Perth Airport, you’ll need to fuel up, and Coffee Head is the perfect spot to do it. On the outskirts of Margaret River, this drive-through has serious coffee on offer and even more serious sandwiches. Coffee Heads’ motto is “reinventing the everyday car ride” and with a menu that includes a roasted chicken roll with zesty remoulade, eggs Benedict rolls and toasties with mushroom XO, it might have just nailed that brief. The menu is filled out with milkshakes, iced coffees, sticky morning buns and daily baked cookies.

Do: Bunbury Farmers Markets (62.7 kilometres, 52 minutes)

As you eventually get closer to Perth, one last stop needs be on the cards as you pass through Bunbury. The Bunbury Farmers Markets are an institution and a mandatory shopping hub for locals and travelers alike. Inside the expansive market, you’ll find a space brimming with locally grown fruits and vegetables, dairy, condiments, meat, smallgoods, seafood, and snack items. The market also has its own cafe with pies and pastries, and an array of drinks and ready-made meals for takeaway; freshly made sushi, banh mi and sandwiches are just a few of the options. A few minutes’ drive away in Eaton, you’ll find a Tesla charging station if your car needs one last top-up.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Avis. You can rent a Tesla Model Y Electric SUV from Avis at Perth Airport.

Read the original article published on Broadsheet.