Best time to visit Margaret River

Visiting wineries or whales?

The Margaret River region has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Although it’s a year-round destination, the best time to plan your trip depends on what you want to see and do.

If you want to hike the Cape to Cape Track, spring and autumn are best as temperatures are comfortable for long days outdoors. Summer is ideal for enjoying beach swims, while winter is when you’ll start to see migrating whales.

Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring
December to February	March to May	June to August	September to November

When to visit

People swim and surf at Redgate Beach in Margaret River

When to visit to enjoy the beaches

Margaret River is a great destination for summer. Daily highs average 77 to 95°F and the town’s restaurants, bars and wineries are alive with holiday-goers.

While the heat makes the beaches extra inviting, the high temperatures and little shade on the trails can make hiking difficult. It usually gets warm by late November, so you could consider travelling then to enjoy the beaches before peak season crowds arrive.

An Intrepid leader talks to a hiker with poles as they walk down a dusty grass-lined path

When to visit for hiking

Spring, from August to November, is the time when wildflowers and rare native orchids bloom. Pleasant temperatures of 63 to 72°F are ideal for walking, as there’s little to no shade on the trail.

Autumn is also a great time of year to take on hikes like the Cape to Cape Track in the Margaret River region. The days are still warm in March and April and the evenings are mild enough to sit outside. Daytime temps drop to the high 60°Fs and the sunsets are known to be a highlight.

Drone view of whales migrating off the coast of Queensland, Australia

When to visit for wildlife experiences

While winter brings crisp, sunny days and the occasional storm, it’s also the earliest time of year to spot whales off the coast. While June is when you may catch the first of the migrating whales, September through November is the peak season for spotting humpbacks as they make their way southward during migration.