A long drive can be worth it. This Margaret River, caves, and lighthouse day packs major southwest sights into one coach trip without you needing to drive. You’ll move from coast to forest to underground limestone, with guided time where it counts.

I really like the included lunch and beer/cider tastings at a local brewery. I also like that Mammoth Cave is a guided stop, so you’re not just wandering through on your own.

The trade-off is simple: it’s a very long day with short stops. If you want slow, deep wine-country pacing, this “highlights tour” format may feel rushed.

Key things to know before you go

• You’re signing up for highlights, not slow travel: expect plenty of driving and shorter sightseeing windows.
• Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co. is the tasting stop: lunch comes with beer and cider tastings.
• Mammoth Cave is guided: you get a structured walk through the underground formations.
• Cape Leeuwin is all about the viewpoint: it’s brief, and weather can change the mood fast.
• You get a quick Margaret River town break: enough for a main-street stroll, not a full explore.

The Perth-to-Margaret River format: fast, focused, and a bit of a marathon

This tour is built like a classic southwest sampler: you leave Perth early, then stack the best-known stops along the way back. It’s the kind of day that works because you’re not making separate bookings or juggling a rental car.

The day runs about 12 hours 30 minutes, and you’ll cover a lot of ground from Perth to the south west. That means the coach is your main time block, so you’ll want to use it smartly—have a light snack ready, bring something warm, and don’t plan on catching up on paperwork or chores. This is a “see a lot” day.

On the plus side, the trip stays comfortable and planned. You travel on an air-conditioned coach with live commentary from the driver/guide, and group size is capped at 48 travelers, which helps keep things orderly.

Price and value: what you get for $179.31

At $179.31 per person, this isn’t a budget gamble—it’s a bundled day. What helps it feel fair is what’s actually included in the price: hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, the guided tour at Mammoth Cave, and entrance to the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Interpretive Centre.

You’re also paying for convenience. If you don’t want to drive that long distance yourself, transfers turn the day into a simple “show up and go” plan. For many people, that’s the real value: you trade time behind the wheel for time at the sights.

One thing to watch: the tour name includes wine, but the included tasting stop in the itinerary is at a brewery (Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co.) with beer and cider tastings. If you’re expecting a lineup of wineries, you’ll want to adjust your expectations to a “local flavours” day rather than a multi-winery circuit.

Getting going: pickup, timing, and how to survive the long coach day

Your day starts at 8:00 am. Pickup begins at Crown Perth Food Court, Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood WA 6100, and the day ends back at the same meeting point area.

In practice, the success of a long day comes down to timing and your own comfort. Reviews about the experience repeatedly praise drivers/guide style—names like Luke, Terry, Anton, Jonathon, Chris, Paul, Gordon, Lee, and Beck show up as people who keep the journey engaging. So if you’re the type who gets restless, a talkative guide can genuinely make the hours feel less painful.

A few practical tips that pay off:

• Dress in layers. Caves can feel cool, and coaches can swing from warm to chilly.
• Bring a small snack for the gaps, because morning tea at Busselton is not included.
• Plan your photos early at quick stops. When you only have a short window, you’ll lose time if you wait until you’re already hungry.

Busselton Jetty: the photo stop that sets the tone

The first big stretch is Busselton Jetty in Busselton. The jetty is famous for being the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, reaching 1.8 kilometres across Geographe Bay. It’s a classic “coastal postcard” moment, and it’s why this stop works even with limited time.

But you should know the stop style: it’s about 30 minutes, mostly for photos and a chance to pick up morning tea at your own expense. There’s no promise of a long walk the full length of the pier in that time window.

If you’re hoping for a big pier experience, treat this as a taste of the area. You’ll get the waterfront views and a quick chance to enjoy the seaside vibe, but this is not the stop where you’ll feel like you fully explored Busselton.

Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co.: lunch plus beer and cider tasting

Next comes the part many people look forward to: Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co. You’ll sit down for lunch and enjoy beer and cider tastings here, with about 1 hour on site.

This stop is good value because it combines two travel annoyances into one: the day’s “where do we eat?” problem and the “what local thing should I try?” decision. Instead of searching around after a long drive, you’re handled.

If you have dietary needs, the tour asks you to advise dietary requirements at booking, which is important for a tasting-and-platter lunch setup. (If you have allergies, I’d be extra clear during booking.)

One more expectation check: this is tastings at a brewery, not a winery visit. So if your ideal day is all about vineyards and wine flights, this stop will feel more “local beverage scene” than “wine education.”

Mammoth Cave: where the formations do the talking

Then you get a guided trip underground at Mammoth Cave. The itinerary sets aside about 40 minutes, and the experience is specifically a guided tour.

Caves can be a hit-or-miss stop on group tours, because if there’s no guidance you might just walk through rooms without context. Here, the guide-led format matters. You’ll learn about the region’s flora and fauna and see vast chambers full of limestone formations, with the guide explaining what you’re looking at.

A few reality notes:

• You’ll want comfortable shoes and an easy stride. The tour calls for moderate physical fitness, so don’t plan this stop in high heels or with only flimsy footwear.
• Caves are cooler than the surface, even on warm days—layers help.
• Since it’s guided, listen to the guide’s pacing cues. It’s not just scenery; it’s also timing.

This is the stop that tends to feel most “worth it” in a highlights day, because a guided cave visit doesn’t waste time. You’re there for the reason you came.

Boranup Forest and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse: the oceans meet at the end of the map

After lunch and caves, the scenery shifts again. You’ll drive through Boranup Forest toward the most south-westerly point of Australia: Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.

The key idea here is location. Cape Leeuwin is where the Southern and Indian Oceans converge, and the drive sets you up for those open, dramatic coastline views. The lighthouse stop is about 30 minutes and includes the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Interpretive Centre.

Weather matters at this stop. One common theme is that rain can limit how long you want to hang around for photos, even if the viewpoint is still spectacular. So bring a light rain jacket or poncho and keep your timing flexible. When conditions are wet, you’ll likely be happier focusing on a few strong photo moments rather than a long browse.

Also, if you’re expecting to climb to the top for big panoramic views, the included info here points to the interpretive centre rather than a guaranteed long climb. If that matters to you, I’d check what’s available on the day you go.

Margaret River town time: a quick walk, not a full hang

Toward the end, you’ll circle back to the town of Margaret River for a short free-time break. Expect about 30 minutes to walk the main street, browse shops, and grab a quick look around.

This segment is perfect for resetting your legs after the long coach day, but it won’t replace a full day in the town. Also, by the time you arrive, some businesses may be closing early depending on the day’s timing, so don’t plan a sit-down meal here.

Use this town break for small wins:

• a coffee-to-go if you need it,
• a quick souvenir stop,
• a short stroll to soak up the town vibe before the drive back.

Who this tour suits best (and who should pick something slower)

This one is ideal if you’re:

• visiting Western Australia for a short time and want a one-day overview,
• traveling without a car and want pickup/drop-off,
• happiest when the day is organized and you don’t have to plan logistics between stops.

It’s also a good family-friendly option in the sense that the stops are straightforward, but the tour does note children must be accompanied by an adult, and the overall day is long. If you’re bringing kids, the coach time can feel like the “real activity,” so plan for snacks, water, and small distractions.

This tour may be less ideal if you:

• want a deep wine-focused schedule with wineries as the main event,
• hate long driving days,
• need lots of time at each location to feel relaxed.

One last hint: if you’re very sensitive to time pressure, remember that multiple stops are designed as quick-hit photo windows. You’ll enjoy the day most if you mentally frame it as a curated sampler.

Should you book this Margaret River, Caves, Wine and Cape Leeuwin tour?

I’d book it if you want a simple, high-impact day that shows you the southwest without you doing any driving planning. The mix of Busselton Jetty, Cheeky Monkey tastings with lunch, a guided Mammoth Cave tour, and Cape Leeuwin views gives you variety, and the day includes the key paid items that usually trip people up.

Skip it—or at least rethink expectations—if your dream day is slow winery wandering, because this itinerary is built for momentum. It’s also a long day on a coach, so if your energy runs low after a few hours sitting, choose a different style of outing.

If you can handle the pace, this is a solid way to get your bearings fast and leave Perth with a real sense of where southwest WA shines: ocean edges, limestone wonder, and local flavours along the way.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 8:00 am.

Where does the tour pick up in Perth?

Pickup is at Crown Perth Food Court, Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood WA 6100.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 12 hours 30 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included.

Is the Mammoth Cave visit guided?

Yes, the Mammoth Cave portion includes a guided tour.

Do I need tickets in advance for the attractions?

The tour says tickets are not required for travelers; you provide your name to the driver on pickup.

Is admission included for Busselton Jetty?

Admission for Busselton Jetty is not included.

What entrance fees are included at Cape Leeuwin?

Entrance to the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Interpretive Centre is included.

Is there free time in Margaret River town?

Yes, there is free time in Margaret River town for about 30 minutes.