To get a good feel for Margaret River before you head there, be sure to check into one of the tourism websites available online.

First head for the official Margaret River tourism website ( www.margaretriver.com) for a wealth of information on where to stay, what to do and where to eat. This site is really designed for the visitor who wants to see Margaret River, but also all the surrounding regions, including the many wineries in the area.

There are many searches available here, so you can customize your trip to include exactly what you want included and excluding what doesn’t interest you.

Once in Margaret River, you can get tourism information in person at the Visitor Center located at 100 Bussell Highway. Call them at 61 +8 9780 5911. They’re open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or email them at welcome@margaretriver.com.

Also visit the Western Australia official tourism website ( www.westernaustralia.com) for a good deal of travel information that might help you in your planning. Type “Margaret River” into the search box for a fulsome list of accommodations, events, shopping, tours and restaurants. There are nice write-ups on each attraction, restaurant, etc., and you can make reservations here for accommodations if you like. Another good idea is to check out their new tv site westernaustralia.tv where you can watch videos about the Margaret River region.