Home to winding roads, world-class wineries and crystal-clear coastline, Western Australia’s Margaret River Region is the ideal destination for the conscious and adventure-hungry traveller. Just a few hours south of Perth, the region’s vast native landscape stretches as far as the eye can see – and is best appreciated under a spectacular pink sunset.

To experience all of these delights firsthand – and uncover some of the region’s hidden treasures – we journeyed from Busselton to Margaret River Town in the all-electric EQA 250. The compact, sporty SUV is a reliable driving companion, conquering the Bussell Highway from Perth with ease. It’s as comfortable handling long journeys and tough terrain as it is cruising through suburban streets, making it the ideal choice for our road trip.

Begin at the beach

Start your journey at Busselton Jetty, the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Upon arrival, a well-located charging station offers breathtaking views of the glistening aquamarine water. Take a peaceful stroll along the jetty under the gentle morning sun, check out the marine life at the Underwater Observatory, or cool off with a paddle in the crystal-clear shallows.

The drive of approximately 24-kilometres south to Dunsborough will barely make a dent in the EQA’s freshly topped up 524km range^[1]. The cosy coastal town is rich with Indigenous Australian history, and thanks to the inviting locals, copious dining options and chilled-out energy, it is one of the west’s best-kept secrets. And if you are a fan of toasties (after all, who isn’t?), be sure to make a stop at Conscious Craves Food, a warm, friendly cafe filled with vintage couches to lounge on.

Once you’re re-energised and ready for action, head down to the Dunsborough Foreshore. There are a number of beautiful hiking trails through Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park that begin on the coastline. If it’s the right time of year, you might be lucky enough to spot dolphins and whales along the way.

Spend a night in Yallingup

Need somewhere peaceful to unwind after your action-packed day? Head five minutes inland to EMPIRE Retreat in Yallingup and spend a night or two in an old farmhouse or a private, modern-rustic villa. Situated amidst 12 acres of vineyards, this is a truly idyllic spot.

While you’re there, EMPIRE offers a plethora of rejuvenating spa treatments – including bespoke facials, couples’ massages, jojoba body polishes and plenty more – to help you reach new levels of relaxation. Better still, a daily breakfast of fresh eggs, seasonal fruits and pastries is served in an enchanting communal sunroom. You’ll be daydreaming about this sumptuous spread long after you leave.

Get to know the native landscape

Yallingup is a town for early risers, so set your alarm for sunrise and head to Injidup Beach. It’s approximately 15 minutes away by car, and the mountainous roads are no challenge for the EQA. Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with an unbelievable view of the turquoise Indian Ocean and rugged cliff-faces.

Take a cheeky plunge in Injidup Natural Spa, a hidden rock pool sheltered from the ocean’s wild waves. Or, continue your coastal exploration down to Castle Rock Beach – a smaller, quieter but no less picturesque pocket of the coast.

When you start feeling peckish, pop over to Meelup Farmhouse in Eagle Bay and sample the mouth-watering seasonal menu. If you’re a seafood lover, we recommend ordering two servings of the Shark Bay scallop ceviche with wakame and pickled ginger. And don’t forget to say hello to the family of alpacas, silkie chooks and Highland cows roaming the property while you’re there!

If the Western Australian sun is starting to make you sweat, Ngilgi Cave is an approximate 15-minute drive from Meelup Farmhouse and a great place to cool down. The historical cave maintains a reasonably constant temperature of around 20°C and is filled with calcite crystals. Take a semi-guided tour to learn what Ngilgi Cave means to the original custodians of the land, the Wardandi people, and explore the chambers at your own pace.

Tour the vineyards

It’s time for a refreshing tipple! Aravina Estate is a charming family-run winery with a focus on organically sustainable produce. Plonk yourself down at a picnic table under the umbrellas and enjoy local brews, wood-fired pizza and views of the vineyards. The estate is also home to the WA Surf Gallery, which honours the region’s history of surf culture.

If you’ve got some time up your sleeve and don’t need to get back behind the wheel any time soon, take a look around some of the other wineries in the area – Cherubino Wines and Swings & Roundabouts Winery are both within a 15-minute drive. Many of the estates in the area are eco-conscious, so there’s no shortage of charging stations. If you need to top up your range, your Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) will easily navigate you through the EQ menu function and find the charging station closest to you.

Discover local delights

Thanks to the EQA’s intuitive active cruise control and lane assist, the 30-minute drive to Margaret River Town is a relaxing one. Light but confident steering weaves the EQA through winding roads and thick forest.

Be sure to park along the bustling main street, where you can sample some of the best coffee and pies in town. The iconic Margaret River Bakery, which has been serving irresistible treats since the 1960s, has no shortage of fans. There will probably be a queue out the door, but don’t shy away! It’s definitely worth the wait.

And if it’s too busy to dine-in, take your treats down to Surfer’s Point – one of the most famous passes in Australia – and watch in awe as rows of surfers take on three-meter-tall waves.

Finish with a sunset

They say the sun sets best in the west. Shades of pink, purple and orange light up the sky as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean. With so many incredible vantage points in the Margaret River Region, make sure you spend at least one evening at Sugarloaf Rock, Smith’s Beach or Bunker Bay. Wrap yourself up in a blanket on the rocks or stay cosy inside the EQA with the driver and front passenger seat warmers on. You can even try matching the EQA’s ambient lighting across the foot wells, air vents and door panels with the pastel shades of the sunset.

Discover the all-electric EQA here.

By Ruby Sri Wall

[1] The declared energy consumption figures are indicative only and range figures are determined by testing under standardised laboratory conditions in accordance with ADR 81/02. The energy consumption and range figures stated are for the purposes of comparison amongst vehicles tested under the same technical procedures only. Real world energy consumption and range figures may vary and is influenced by many additional factors such as, individual driving style, load, traffic, ambient temperature and vehicle condition.