11 Ways To Spend A Rainy Day In Margaret River
Drizzle, clouds, and cool weather? That’s just Margaret River’s way of telling you it’s time to discover some of its other, more hidden gems (both literally and metaphorically). Winter and rainy days are one of the most magical times of year in the region, and they give you the chance to dig a little deeper and explore beyond beloved beaches and vineyards.
From underground caves that make the rain irrelevant to cozy wine tastings, indulgent spa days, immersive workshops, and art galleries, there’s no shortage of ways to dodge the rain. A wet day here is the perfect opportunity to get cozy, creative, and indulgent — because Margaret River’s indoor gems are just as memorable as its sun-soaked ones.
Take a cooking class
Image Credit: Wildwood Valley Cottages + Cooking School Yallingup
A rainy day in Margaret River is the perfect excuse to roll up your sleeves and get cooking. Whip up some culinary delights using the freshest local ingredients at one of the region’s many hands-on cooking classes. Whether you’re learning to craft farm-to-table dishes, perfecting a golden sourdough, or mastering a decadent dessert, what’s more rewarding than learning chef secrets and creating something from scratch? The bragging rights of going home and getting to show off your newfound chef skills to friends and family, duh!
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- If you’re looking to perfect your sourdough skills, try One Table Farm
- Wildwood Valley is a top-rated cooking school with a range of options, including their Taste of Tuscany or Thai Temptations cooking classes
Learn the art of pottery
Image Credit: Jacob Lyon Pottery
It’s often easy to get your hands dirty on rainy days… but this is a different kind of mud; in fact, it’s clay. Head inside to a pottery class and channel your inner artist, moulding, shaping, and creating your very own one-of-a-kind masterpiece. While you may want to throw your clay blob across the room at times, the slow process is surprisingly meditative, and the rain only adds to the cozy, creative vibe. You’ll leave covered in clay, but hey, at least you’ll be dry and walking away with a new funky handmade mug for your morning matches or a perfectly lopsided bowl for your next charcuterie board, and honestly, that’s a win in our books.
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- For small-scale classes and an artisan studio where your inner artist will receive much TLC, head to Jacob Lyon Pottery
- At Commonage Pottery, a wine tasting is included in all pottery wheel workshops — multitasking never tasted so good
Sip away at a wine tasting
Image Credit: Vasse Felix
Margaret River is basically synonymous with wine, and there's no reason a bit of rain should interrupt your plans to sip. In fact, we’d argue it's an ideal opportunity to stay inside and make a day of it. With over 200 wineries in the region — and more than 90 offering cellar door experiences — you’re seriously spoiled for choice. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or just in it for the vibes, tastings let you explore reds, whites, and sparkling at your own pace. A day spent wine tasting is a day spent discovering why this area is so beloved, one cellar door at a time.
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- Don’t miss Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix, Aravina Estate and Gralyn Estate, they’re some of the region's favourites, and for good reason
- Glenarty Road does a tasting of four wines paired with freshly baked bread and house-made cheese for just $10
- For a sip that’s extra unique, don’t forget to ask about small-batch or estate-only releases
Graduate from Giniversity
Image Credit: Margaret River Distilling Company
If wine tastings aren’t your thing, or if you're into all things booze-y and brilliant, then next time the rainy day blues hit, step inside the Margaret River Distilling Company for a Giniversity class and learn the secrets behind botanicals, distillation, and blending your very own signature gin. Taste as you go, ask a million questions, and get hands-on creating a bespoke 500ml bottle that’s 100% yours to take home. Educational? Of course. Fun? Obviously. Boozy? Always. Inside and away from the rain? Tick and tick.
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- Classes are $150 per person and absolutely worth it
- Booking ahead is a non-negotiable
Treat yourself to a spa day
Image Credit: Injidup Spa Retreat
Picture yourself sinking into complete relaxation while gentle music hums and rain trickles down the windows outside. Nothing quite says rainy-day indulgence like escaping to a local spa, and Margaret River has some top-tier options. Whether it’s a rejuvenating facial, a tension-melting massage, or a full wellness treatment, you’ll find yourself cocooned in candle-lit rooms filled with soothing aromas. MEND Margaret River, BODHI Yallingup, and Injidup Spa Retreat are among the region’s best, offering everything from solo resets to couples’ escapes. A spa day will transform the weather outside into nothing more than just background ambience.
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- Treatment rooms at Injidup Spa Retreat come with uninterrupted ocean views, enough said
Go underground
There aren’t many better ways to dodge the rain than by going underground. When the weather turns, Margaret River’s caves step up as the ultimate wet-weather escape. Head below the surface at some of the region's most renowned caves, including Lake Cave, Ngilgi Cave, Jewel Cave and Mammoth Cave. Be awe-inspired as you wander through dramatic limestone formations, shimmering stalactites and vast, cathedral-like chambers. Cool, moody and completely rain-proof, exploring the caves is an idyllic way to incorporate adventure into your rainy day, proof that even the wettest days can deliver some of the region’s most unforgettable, awe-inspiring moments.
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- While it’s not raining underground, it's cool and damp, so a jacket and sturdy shoes are always a good idea
- The caves aren’t open 24/7; the last entry is usually 4 pm
Browse Local Galleries
Skip the soggy streets and let Margaret River’s galleries do the wandering for you. Peek inside warm, sunlit spaces bursting with local art, ceramics, and quirky installations. It’s the perfect excuse to get lost among creativity, sip a coffee, and maybe even snag a piece that makes your walls jealous. Rain outside? Who cares — you’re busy soaking up inspiration, discovering hidden talents, and pretending you totally understand modern art.
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- Many galleries rotate exhibitions regularly, so there’s always something new to discover
- Don’t forget to peek in the gift shops, where you’ll likely find more locally made prints and ceramics
Create your own scent
Image Credit: Vasse Virgin
Engage your senses and dive nose-first into the art of natural perfumery at Vasse Virgin's perfumery workshop. In this 60-minute class, you’ll play with base scents, essential oils, and absolutes to create a fragrance that’s 100% you. Guided by expert perfumers, you’ll layer notes, experiment with blends, and pretty much become a scent wizard for an hour. By the end, you’ll waltz out with a 15ml bottle of your custom perfume, your very own recipe, and a newfound knack for sniffing out the perfect aroma.
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- If you're content with your scent collection at home, a handmade perfume makes for a meaningful gift for a loved one (hello brownie points)
- Classes are $100 a pop, think how satisfying it’ll be when people are asking you where your perfumes are from, and you get to say, “I made it”
- Participants must be 16+, teen noses need to wait a little longer
Attend a candle-making workshop
Image Credit: Margaret River Candle Company
When the rain pours, retreat indoors and get hands-on with a candle-making workshop at Margaret River Candle Co. Here, you can experiment with scents, colours, and designs to craft your own unique candle. It’s a surprisingly satisfying way to spend a few hours — tactile, creative, and just a little bit indulgent. You’ll leave with a finished candle that smells incredible and the smug satisfaction of having made something beautiful entirely yourself. Bonus: it’s a perfect gift, a treat for your space, or just a good excuse to stay inside and get creative. The weather outside? Completely irrelevant. Here, the focus is on experimenting, creating, and enjoying the simple joy of making something beautiful with your own two hands.
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- Classes are small and must be booked at least two days ahead to avoid FOMO
- Some candles are ready to take home immediately, but others aren’t until the next day, so don’t leave it until the end of your trip
Take a trip to Origins Market
A trip to the South West isn’t complete without a wander through a market, and Origins Market in Busselton has you covered… literally. One of the region’s few indoor markets, it’s the perfect rainy-day fix for your stall cravings. Duck the downpour and roam through aisles lined with artisan foods, handcrafted wares, and one-off goodies without getting a soggy shoe. Taste-test local treats, sniff out quirky finds, and cheer on the makers who give Margaret River its unmistakable flair. From gourmet nibbles to clever crafts, there’s plenty to see and bring home, proving a wet day doesn’t mean your shopping game has to be at bay.
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- Open Thursday–Sunday, so make sure your rainy-day wander fits the schedule
- Arrive hungry, there are options here for all kinds of foodies
Visit the WA Surf Gallery
Image Credit: WA Surf Gallery at Aravina Estate
There aren’t many things as iconic to Margaret River as surfing, and the WA Surf Gallery at Aravina Estate celebrates it in style, whether it's rain, hail, or shine. Step inside Western Australia’s first official surfing museum and marvel at rare surfboards from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, trophies from epic events like the Pipeline Surfing Event and Margaret River Pro, and memorabilia that tells the story of the region’s legendary local surfers. The indoor exhibits mix eccentric artifacts with surf history, making it a perfect rainy-day escape. Even off the beaches, you can ride a wave of nostalgia, discover the stories behind the surfers who shaped the local scene, and immerse yourself in the culture of Margaret River.
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- The WA Surf Gallery is located at Aravina Estate, and wine tastings here are nothing short of fabulous… so why not combine the two
- The experience is self-guided, so you can marvel at the surfers, I mean artefacts, for as long as you like