The South West of Western Australia has always been a meeting place—of oceans and forests, vintners and surfers, craft brewers and cave explorers. In Busselton, a 1.8-kilometer timber jetty points like an arrow into Geographe Bay; in Margaret River, vineyards thread through karri forest and limestone caves as old as time. Traveling by bus lets you savor the scenery instead of the steering.

Expect a rhythm of mornings by turquoise water, afternoons among cellar doors, and nights under starry skies far from city glow. Fun fact: Busselton Jetty is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, while nearby caves preserve prehistoric megafauna fossils. Lighthouses at the Capes still guide ships where the Indian and Southern Oceans wrestle for dominance.

Practical notes: summer brings balmy beach days; winter delivers dramatic surf and cozy fire-side tastings. Whale watching peaks around September–November near Dunsborough, and May–August near Augusta. Bushfire conditions can change quickly—follow local advisories. Bring layers, reef-safe sunscreen, and a spirit for detours down scenic Caves Road.

Busselton

Busselton blends easy-breezy foreshore living with genuine heritage. Stroll the revamped waterfront, ride the train along the storied jetty, or peer into the Underwater Observatory where pylons bloom with soft corals. It’s also your launchpad for Dunsborough’s coves and Meelup’s jade waters.

• Top sights: Busselton Jetty and Foreshore, Underwater Observatory, cycling the coastal path, nearby Meelup and Bunker Bay beaches.
• Eat & drink: Shelter Brewing Co. for bay views and wood-fired pizza; Bistro Breton for Breton buckwheat galettes and salted caramel crêpes; The Fire Station for craft taps and share plates; Equinox for classic fish and chips on the water.
• Stay: Waterfront apartments and beach houses near the foreshore place you steps from the bay. Browse stays on VRBO Busselton or compare hotels via Hotels.com Busselton.
• Getting in by air + bus: Fly into Perth (4–5 hrs from Australia’s east coast; variable from Asia) with Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From Perth, coaches (Transwa or South West Coach Lines) take ~2.5–3.5 hours to Busselton, typically A$25–45.

Margaret River

Margaret River is a tapestry of world-class wineries, surf breaks like Surfers Point, and subterranean wonderlands. Cellar doors range from architectural icons to family-run farms pouring chenin and chardy beside gum trees. Chefs embrace local marron, venison, and native botanicals.

• Top experiences: Wine tasting at Vasse Felix, Voyager, and Leeuwin Estate; sunset at Surfers Point; Boranup karri forest drive; Jewel and Ngilgi caves; Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste lighthouses.
• Eat & drink: Morries for small plates and cocktails; Settlers Tavern for live music and a legendary wine list; Drift Cafe for brunch; winery lunches at Voyager Estate or Leeuwin Estate.
• Stay: Town-center cottages, forest chalets, and vineyard villas. Search options on VRBO Margaret River or compare via Hotels.com Margaret River.
• Getting there from Busselton by bus: Coaches run ~50–70 minutes, A$10–20, several times daily. No train service; rideshares and taxis fill gaps for short hops to wineries if you’re not on a tour.

Day 1 – Arrive Busselton: Foreshore, Jetty, and Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive and check in near the Foreshore. Stretch your legs along the coastal path and dip your toes in Geographe Bay’s clear shallows. Browse the Busselton Cultural Precinct for local art and heritage displays.

Evening: Grab a table at Shelter Brewing Co. for a West Coast IPA and wood-fired mushroom pizza while the sky blushes over the bay. Craving something sweet? Pop into Bistro Breton for a butter-and-lemon crêpe and a digestif cider.

Night: Take a relaxed promenade to the start of the Jetty to hear the water lap under the boards. Early night—tomorrow’s active.

Day 2 – Treetops and Jetty Life

Morning: Coffee and buckwheat galettes at Bistro Breton. Then fuel your inner adventurer at the pines: Forest Adventures features zip-lines and high ropes set among towering tuart trees—great for families and thrill-seekers.

Afternoon: Head back to the foreshore for the Busselton Jetty experience: ride the little red train and descend into the Underwater Observatory where schooling fish and soft corals create a living reef on the pylons. Late lunch at Equinox—order the prawn linguine or classic fish and chips.

Evening: Craft beer and chargrilled corn ribs at The Fire Station. If it’s a clear night, stroll the beach—stargazing here can be spectacular with minimal light pollution.

Day 3 – Full-Day Margaret River Wine Tour (from Busselton)

Today’s a full-day tour; no need to split morning/afternoon/evening.

Join the curated Premium Margaret River Winery Tour with Tannin Road, showcasing award-winning cellar doors with a focus on smaller, intimate tastings and regional storytelling. Expect varietals like cabernet, chardonnay, and semillon–sauvignon blanc blends, with a gourmet stop for lunch.

Return to Busselton in the late afternoon happily mellow. For dinner, keep it easy with sourdough pizzas and salads at Shelter Brewing Co. or share plates at The Fire Station.

Day 4 – Busselton to Margaret River by Bus + Town Flavors

Morning: Coffee and eggs at The Urban Coffee House. Catch a coach (Transwa or South West Coach Lines) from Busselton to Margaret River—around 50–70 minutes, A$10–20. Check in to a town-center cottage or a forest chalet; browse VRBO or Hotels.com for options.

Afternoon: Walk the river trail from Rotary Park and visit the old timber bridge. Drop by Margaret River Bakery for a lamington or sausage roll—the quirky, mismatched china is part of the charm.

Evening: Dinner at Morries, a local favorite for share plates (think wagyu carpaccio, roasted cauliflower) and smart cocktails. Nightcap with a WA pinot at Settlers Tavern if there’s live music.

Day 5 – Caves and Capes: Jewel Cave and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Morning: Espresso at Sidekick Cafe, then head south to Augusta by coach or rideshare. Explore the region’s subterranean grandeur on the Jewel Cave Fully-guided Tour, Western Australia’s largest show cave with vast chambers and impossibly long straw stalactites.

Afternoon: Continue to the continent’s southwestern tip for the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Fully-guided Tour. This is where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet—watch the swell lines cross. Lunch nearby at The Colourpatch Cafe & Bar or the Augusta Hotel for pub classics with inlet views.

Evening: Back in Margaret River, unwind over pasta at La Scarpetta Trattoria (try the slow-braised ragu) and a negroni. If skies are clear, step outside—kangaroos are often spotted at dusk on the town’s fringes.

Day 6 – Beaches, Boranup, and Vineyard Lunch

Morning: Brunch at Drift Cafe (the potato hash is a local favorite), then bus or rideshare to the coast. Walk the clifftops above Surfers Point and the river mouth at Prevelly. On a calm day, Smiths Beach shimmers sapphire for a swim; on a big-swell day, it’s a theater of waves.

Afternoon: Scenic cruise along Caves Road through Boranup’s regrowing karri forest, stopping at lookouts and farm gates. Late winery lunch at Voyager Estate (book ahead) or casual share plates at Swings Taphouse in town.

Evening: Sample WA ales at Colonial Brewing Co. or sunset sips at a small cellar door. Dine at Settlers Tavern—their wine list is a love letter to the region, and the chicken parmy has a fan club.

Day 7 – Easy Morning and Departure

Morning: Last-minute shopping for gourmet goodies at Blue Ginger Fine Foods & Cafe—think local olive oil, truffle salt, and small-batch chocolate. Coffee to go and a quick wander along the river trail.

Afternoon: Coach back to Perth (around 4–4.5 hours from Margaret River; A$30–55), then connect to your flight via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re traveling in whale season and have extra time, consider a detour north to Dunsborough for an eco-cruise—peak sightings are September–November in Geographe Bay.

Evening: Departure day—raise a mental toast to sunsets, surf, and cabernet.

Local tips:

• Whale watching: Best near Dunsborough Sept–Nov; Augusta May–Aug. Book ahead in peak months.
• Buses: Services thin out late evening; check return times before you roam. Rideshares fill gaps after dark.
• Safety: Swim between the flags when patrolled; avoid driving at dawn/dusk due to kangaroos. In summer, monitor bushfire warnings; in winter, carry a rain layer.

This car-free itinerary proves the South West is effortless by bus: Busselton’s gentle bay eases you in, while Margaret River’s vines, caves, and capes round out the adventure. You’ll leave with sandy shoes, a few new favorite wines, and plans to come back for whale season.