The Unmissable Food Stops On A Perth To Margaret River Road Trip

5th Nov 2025

Written by:

Eliana Hullett
Contributor | Urban List Perth

There’s something sacred about the Perth to Margaret River road trip—the playlists, the snack stops, the pitstop selfies, the arguments over who gets the front seat for the three hour drive. And if you’re anything like us, the best part isn’t the destination — it’s all the delicious stops you’ll find on the way. From fresh pastries from country bakeries to sweet treats from ice creameries, we've pulled together a complete guide on nailing the drie, and the ultimate foodie pitstops worth pulling over for.

What time should I leave to beat the traffic?

Perth peak hour tends to be 7am – 9:30am for the morning commute, and 4pm – 6:30pm in the evening, so try to avoid these windows for your Perth to Margaret River drive. Also, keep in mind that mid-December to late January is the region’s busiest time of year.

How do I get from Perth to Margaret River, and how long will it take me?

Driving routes will definitely impact your travel time and which stops you pass, meaning your trip can take anywhere from three to four hours and the scenic levels are up to you.

Most direct: kick off from Perth by heading down Forrest Highway. Either keep straight through Bunbury onto Bussell Highway, or go inland via the Wilman Wadandi Highway to bypass that pesky country town traffic
More scenic: venture down South Western Highway for an extra half hour of travel time, passing through Pinjarra, Waroona and Harvey. From there, continue into the iconic Busselton town, or utilise the Busselton Bypass to shave off some more time before re-joining Bussell Highway
Most scenic: alternatively, you can go coastal from Busselton and take Caves Road for some proper sightseeing in Dunsborough, Yallingup and Gracetown (adding on about another hour)

There are other transport options if you’re not vibing the long drive, including:

Bus: The Transwa bus leaves from the East Perth Terminal, costs $45 - $60, and takes about five hours
Train: The Transwa train leaves from Perth Underground or Rockingham Station and arrives at Mandurah Station. From there, you’ll need to switch to a Transwa bus which will arrive at Charles West Av in Margaret River, taking five hours altogether and costing $45 - $60
Flight: There are also several airlines including Virgin and Jetstar offering flights from Perth to Busselton, costing between $250 - $300 and lasting 45 minutes direct

But honestly, driving is still our fav way to do it. Nobody should pass up the opportunity to get out on the wide-open road, blast The Chicks, and experience the spectacular southwest firsthand, as it deserves. With snacks packed and playlist queued, here’s your ultimate road-trip hit list from Perth to Margs.

Edenvale Heritage Tea Rooms

2 Henry St, Pinjarra WA 6208

edenvale high tea platter
Image Credit: Edenvale Heritage Tea Rooms | Instagram

Reaching the one-hour mark on a drive is a bit of a milestone (especially if you’ve been subjected to the ‘are we there yet?’ soundtrack), and a divine spot to celebrate is the Edenvale Heritage Tea Rooms. Oozing heritage-listed charm with lively garden views, you can stretch out on the veranda for coffee and cake, or book in advance for a stylish High Tea. Plus, you can explore Pinjarra while you’re there for a proper small-town experience, reachable by branching off Forrest Highway down Pinjarra Road, or committing to the scenic route along South Western Highway.