6 amazing Airbnbs to book in Margaret River

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Whether you want to bed down by the beach or book a stay at a secluded country cottage we’ve rounded up the best Airbnbs in Margaret River.

There’s no shortage of aesthetically pleasing and well-maintained properties in the Margaret River – a laidback wine region renowned for its natural beauty. Bound by forests in the east and a dreamily rugged coastline to its west, this much sought-after pocket of WA stretches some 100 kilometres from north to south and features an array of different landscapes: tracts of native bush, sweeping valleys blanketed in vineyards, crescents of bone-white sand lapped by crystalline Tiffany-blue waters. And if you’re organised enough to book in advance then you might just end up snagging an Airbnb that overlooks some of this incredible scenery.

Redgate Beach, Margaret River
Margaret River is known for its crescents of bone-white sand lapped by crystalline Tiffany-blue waters. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Whether you’re after a relaxing week-long retreat in the countryside or an activity-fuelled weekend getaway in one of the region’s bucolic towns, consider this curated collection of Margaret River Airbnbs your first port of call. From an eco-friendly one-bedroom cottage that’s perfect for a romantic weekend away, to a quaint two-bedroom beach shack with sea views that’s aimed at families, and a modern three-bedroom apartment in the centre of Margaret River town that’s great for holidaying with friends, here are six of the region’s best.

1. Apartment 36, Margaret River town

Best for: a girl’s getaway

If you’re searching for a stylish bolthole in the thick of Margaret River town, Apartment 36 could be the one. This immaculately maintained three-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom unit feels modern yet homely, with warm rosy accents and timber furniture, and it’s also within walking distance of pretty much everything. In fact, at mere seconds away from a stellar bakery, a number of art galleries, and several noteworthy cafes, it would prove tremendously tough to find anything more centrally located.

An interior with a couch and pillows, a lamp, a coffee table, a dining table, rugs, and stairs.
Feel just like at home in Apartment 36. (Image: Apartment 36)

Beyond the lure of its location, a stay at Apartment 36 also includes the use of the apartment block’s facilities, which include a swimming pool, tennis courts and barbecues.

2. The Deck, Margaret River

Best for: a family after both convenience and nature

As the name might suggest, this property features a sizable deck that’s among its standout features. Strewn with string lights, furnished with a dining table and lounge seating area, and boasting views over a beautiful stretch of Aussie bush that’s frequented by kangaroos and superb fairy-wrens, it’s a pretty stellar spot to relax and watch the world go by.

A photo of a bed indoors with towels in a bedroom with curtains and an outdoor space with a chair and a table.
Surrounded by bush, you’ll sleep like a baby at The Deck. (Image: The Deck)

Situated on a hectare of land, there’s a positively rural feel to The Deck , despite it being just a five-minute drive from Margaret River town. If you’re looking for a tranquil, modern, roomy, clean and bright Airbnb in the Margaret River, this three-bedroom property is it.

A house outdoors surrounded by nature.
The Deck is the perfect place to discover and enjoy Margaret River’s nature. (Image: The Deck)

3. River Blue, Prevelly

Best for: a relaxing couple’s weekend retreat

At first glance, this one-bedroom straw bale cottage near the tiny town of Prevelly might not seem anything special. But look a little closer and you’ll find plenty of smart design decisions that render River Blue anything but pedestrian. Small details, like bespoke timber cabinetry, passive solar design, bifold windows that welcome in the fresh country air (and lashings of natural light), and a sheltered outdoor bathtub and rain shower head that overlook a swathe of uninterrupted greenery, all add to a big impact.

The inside of a house with a girl sitting on a bench looking at the view outside.
Immerse yourself in Margaret River’s nature at River Blue and spend the day admiring its beautiful views. (Image River Blue)

Housed on an eight-acre block, nature is right on your doorstep here: go for a bush walk and mosey down to the river, which curves around the edge of the property.

4. Yellow House w/ Ocean Views, Gracetown

Best for: a family that wants a no-frills beach break

A dreamy family beach house? I think we’ve found it. At this two-bed, one-bath Gracetown property there’s a rustic and folksy vibe; think rattan furnishings, beamed ceilings, a freestanding woodburning fireplace, simple, whitewashed bedrooms, and jarrah wood flooring throughout.

The indoors of a home with a couch, coffee table and tv and tv cabinet.
Get cozy at Yellow House. (Image: Seaside Homes)

Located halfway up the Gracetown hill, Yellow House offers sea views from its sizable deck, surrounded by lofty peppermint trees. It’s also less than a 15-minute walk to the town’s family-friendly eponymous beach.

A yellow house with stairs surrounded by trees.
Surrounded by nature, you’ll feel just at home at Yellow House. (Image: Seaside Homes)

5. Fragrant Harbour, Gnarabup

Best for: a group looking for a great entertainer

Plotting a big getaway with a bunch of friends? This high-end four-bed, four-bath home is gunning for the title of best in show. Perhaps the defining feature of Fragrant Harbour is the vast array of indoor-outdoor spaces: some overlooking the pool, some the ocean, and all with plenty of different spots to chew the fat with pals, read a book or laze with a glass of the Margaret River’s finest cab sav, from a hammock to an antique Chinese daybed, an inviting window nook, and two different outdoor dining spaces.

A subtle coastal-inspired theme runs throughout this coastal Airbnb (hello wave-shaped benchtop carved from Corian stone, and home decor awash with blue accents). But you’ll also spy Oriental design elements woven through the house. The icing on the cake at this Gnarabup address? The astronomical telescope.

6. Djurapin, Dunsborough

Best for: a family or group after designer digs

This achingly cool three bedder in Dunsborough makes for a great entertainer. The open-plan kitchen, dining and living room is this property’s crowning glory, a masterclass in modernist industrial chic, all polished concrete floors, bulkhead light fittings, floating staircases and angular furnishings. The living area also adjoins a small courtyard featuring a barbecue and outdoor dining area, courtesy of bifold doors, behind it a jacuzzi.

A jacuzzi on a deck with a table and chairs.
Relaxing in this lovely property’s jacuzzi is an absolute must. (Image: Djurapin)

Superhost Michael can help guests dial up the bespoke luxury factor a little more, organising locally made hampers and platters, in-house massages and even private yoga classes. Previous guests rave about the central location: Djurapin is situated 50 metres from the beach, and just a few short strides from the centre of town.

A house with lights and plants.
Stay at the chic Djurapin and make the most out of your next trip to Dunsborough. (Image: Djurapin)
For more insider tips and inspiration, see our ultimate travel guide to Margaret River.
Chloe Cann
Chloe Cann is an award-winning freelance travel and food writer, born in England, based in Melbourne and Roman by adoption. Since honing her skills at City St George's, University of London with a master's degree in journalism, she's been writing almost exclusively about travel for more than a decade, and has worked in-house at newspapers and travel magazines in London, Phnom Penh, Sydney and Melbourne. Through a mixture of work and pleasure, she's been fortunate enough to visit 80 countries to date, though there are many more that she is itching to reach. While the strength of a region's food scene tends to dictate the location of her next trip, she can be equally swayed by the promise of interesting landscapes and offbeat experiences. And with a small person now in tow, travel looks a little different these days, but it remains at the front of her mind.
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Your Mandurah guide: art, dining & dolphins await in WA’s coastal gem

Discover the perfect road trip stopover between Perth and wine country.

Western Australia punches above its weight when it comes to coastal hot spots, but no other town or city has seen a tourism boom quite like Mandurah. Named Australia’s Top Tourism Town in 2023 , it’s the relaxed, beachside break you’ve been searching for. And it’s perfectly placed, sitting between Margaret River and Perth, as it’s just a 55-minute drive from Perth’s CBD. Which is why we’ve put together your ultimate Mandurah guide.

Aerial view of Mandurah.
Plan your perfect coastal escape to Australia’s Top Tourism Town of 2023.

The best things to do in Mandurah

Wetlands and rivers, ocean and inlet; Mandurah’s laid-back lifestyle centres around the aquatic. Its waterways cover twice the ground of Sydney Harbour – measuring some 134 square kilometres in total – and form a unique environment for oceanic and estuarine flora and fauna to thrive.

In the city’s estuary lives perhaps the region’s most famed inhabitants – a resident pod of 100 bottlenose dolphins – and the inlet’s silty bottom is home to the prized blue manna crab. Spot the former breaching and playing on an hour-long dolphin cruise through the channels, or try your hand at catching the latter by wading through the estuary’s shallows with a scoop net in hand.

While swimming at the circular Kwillena Gabi Pool, chance encounters with the local wildlife aren’t uncommon. The sheltered estuarine pool takes its name from the traditional custodians of the land, the Bindjareb people, and directly translates to ‘dolphin waters’. Jutting out of the eastern foreshore, it’s enclosed by a ring of net-free floating pontoons, which allow the dolphins to swim freely through the attraction.

If that’s a little too close for comfort, book a kayak tour with Down Under Discoveries . The dolphins have been known to cruise beside the paddle-powered crafts, which are a fun, family-friendly way to explore the city’s inner waterways.

Dolphins swimming in Mandurah.
Watch dolphins glide by as you explore Mandurah.

You don’t have to be on the water to appreciate the coastal city’s aquatic beauty, with 600 kilometres of cycleways and scenic walking trails traversing Mandurah’s estuary, inlet and coast.

Follow the 30-kilometre coastal trail and you’ll come face to face with one of Thomas Dambo’s headline-making ‘Giants of Mandurah  sculptures, Santi Ikto, along the way. There are five sculptures around Mandurah in total, hidden among gum-filled reserves or sitting sentry over the water.

Head to the Mandurah Visitor Centre to pick up a map to pinpoint their exact location and download the traveller’s companion to learn more about the sights along the way. Or join a three-hour e-bike tour from The Bike Kiosk and you’ll stop by two of the giants – Santi Ikto and Yaburgurt Winjan Cirkelstone – as you sightsee central Mandurah.

 The towering Santi Ikto, one of Thomas Dambo’s iconic Giants of Mandurah.
Meet Santi Ikto, one of the legendary Giants of Mandurah.

Where to eat in Mandurah

Mandurah’s culinary scene reflects its laid-back lifestyle, with large, honest meals and locally brewed beer. After visiting Lake Clifton’s 2000-year-old thrombolites, head to the peppermint and gum-shaded beer garden at Thorny Devil Brewery . Tuck into a platter of house-smoked meats and an ale pulled fresh from the tanks. Closer to town and right on the waterfront is Boundary Island Brewery ; here, woodfired pizza, pub-style seafood dishes and easy-drinking brews are centre stage.

On a Murray River Lunch Cruise , the focus is as much on the environment around you as the food you’re filling up on. Help yourself to the colourful salads and freshly cooked meats on the buffet as you meander up the winding, jarrah tree-lined waterway, stopping at the heritage Cooper’s Mill for a quick walking tour along the way.

Keep your eyes trained on the Creery Wetlands as you pass – you’ll spot much of the region’s migratory birdlife, and, as always, might see the playful bottlenose dolphins in the inlet.

The most memorable meals aren’t necessarily always the fanciest, and lunch aboard a self-skippered Mandurah BBQ Boat is a testament to that. All food and beverage prep is left up to you as you cruise through the canals, sausages and steaks sizzling away on the central hot plate.

If seafood is more your kind of fare, board the Wild Seafood Experience , where dolphin cruise meets long table lunch. Eight courses of crab, crayfish and scallops await.

A table filled with plates of crab, crayfish, and scallops.
Dine on the water with eight courses of ocean-fresh fare.

Where to stay in Mandurah

With so many waterways comes abundant waterside stays. Like the self-contained Seashells Mandurah on the shores of Comet Bay. The calm, oceanic outlook from the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and villas is as close to Maldivian as Mandurah gets. Families especially enjoy the property, bouncing between the protected cove and the beachfront pool for endless hours of fun.

Seashells Mandurah; on the shores of Comet Bay.
Stay right by the sea.

The Sebel Mandurah , just a hop, skip and jump from the Mandurah Ocean Marina, has a different outlook entirely, overlooking the estuary and lively foreshore on the other side. It’s also within walking distance of the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre , cinema and a swathe of waterfront bars and eateries.

But you can’t get any closer to the water than on a vessel from Mandurah Houseboats . You don’t need a skipper’s ticket to hire one, nor do you need comprehensive boating experience; just a full driver’s license and your undivided attention during the pre-departure tuition will do. Then you’re free to take to the estuaries and tributaries for a few nights of peaceful rest, surrounded by the very element that makes Mandurah so special.

A houseboat cruising in Mandurah along the river
Captain a houseboat to explore Mandurah at your own pace.

Plan your next WA getaway in Mandurah.