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Margaret River has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Koppen Csb), one of only a handful of such zones in Australia. The town sits on the southwest coast of Western Australia, 270 km south of Perth, where the Indian Ocean keeps summer highs near a mild 2°C (7°F) and winter nights around °C (4°F). Roughly 1,100 mm of rain falls in a year, and almost all of it lands between May and August, which leaves the summer long, dry, and built for wineries and beaches. This month-by-month guide gives the exact temperatures, rainfall, and sea temperatures for every month, as part of the full Margaret River travel guide.
Margaret River Weather by Month: Climate Overview
Two ocean currents shape the local climate. The warm Leeuwin Current flows south along the coast and keeps the sea at a swimmable 2°C (7°F) in summer, while the cold West Australian Current runs offshore and keeps extreme heat away. Summer days rarely pass 3°C (8°F), and winter days rarely drop below 1°C (5°F), which is mild compared with Perth just 3 hours north. The one number that matters most is rainfall: July averages 209 mm against December’s 28 mm, a sevenfold swing between the two halves of the year.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2°C (7°F) | 1°C (5°F) | 29 mm | 2°C (7°F) |
| February | 2°C (7°F) | 1°C (5°F) | 30 mm | 2°C (7°F) |
| March | 2°C (7°F) | 1°C (5°F) | 36 mm | 2°C (7°F) |
| April | 2°C (7°F) | 1°C (5°F) | 58 mm | 2°C (7°F) |
| May | 1°C (6°F) | 1°C (5°F) | 149 mm | 2°C (7°F) |
| June | 1°C (6°F) | °C (4°F) | 186 mm | 2°C (6°F) |
| July | 1°C (6°F) | °C (4°F) | 209 mm | 1°C (6°F) |
| August | 1°C (6°F) | °C (4°F) | 178 mm | 1°C (6°F) |
| September | 1°C (6°F) | °C (4°F) | 108 mm | 1°C (6°F) |
| October | 1°C (6°F) | 1°C (5°F) | 51 mm | 1°C (6°F) |
| November | 2°C (6°F) | 1°C (5°F) | 45 mm | 1°C (6°F) |
| December | 2°C (7°F) | 1°C (5°F) | 28 mm | 2°C (6°F) |
Sunshine hours follow the same arc as the rain, just in reverse. January averages around 11 hours of sun a day, while June and July manage only about 5, which is why most cellar doors and outdoor attractions concentrate their trade between October and April. The best time to visit Margaret River guide breaks down the trade-offs between seasons in more detail.
Margaret River Weather by Month: Summer (December to February)
December
December is the driest month of the year with 28 mm of rain across about 5 wet days. Highs reach 2°C (7°F) and the sea sits at 2°C (6°F), so beach days are reliable by mid-month. Christmas to New Year is the busiest two weeks of the year, with hotel rates at their peak and restaurants booked out weeks ahead. The things to do in Margaret River guide lists every beach, cave, and lighthouse worth the drive.
January
January brings highs of 2°C (7°F) and 29 mm of rain. It is peak surf season at Margaret River neighborhoods like Prevelly, where the summer swells draw the biggest crowds to Surfers Point. Evenings are cool enough for a jacket after sunset.
February
February is the warmest month, matching January’s 2°C (7°F) high with slightly more rain at 30 mm. The Leeuwin Estate concert series runs this month, and the sea reaches its summer peak of 2°C (7°F). UV levels sit in the extreme range, so SPF 50 sunscreen is not optional.
Margaret River Weather by Month: Autumn (March to May)
March
March holds on to summer with a 2°C (7°F) high, 36 mm of rain, and the warmest sea of the year at 2°C (7°F). Crowds thin out after the school holidays, and the wineries start harvesting red grapes in the second half of the month.
April
April cools to a 2°C (7°F) high and rainfall climbs to 58 mm, but the sea stays at 2°C (7°F). The Margaret River events and festivals calendar peaks this month with the World Surf League Margaret River Pro at Main Break, and the grape harvest reaches full swing.
May
May is the turning point. Rainfall jumps to 149 mm and highs fall to 1°C (6°F), but the first autumn colour appears in the vineyards and hotel prices drop sharply. Bring a raincoat; the wet season has effectively started by the third week.
Margaret River Weather by Month: Winter (June to August)
June
June is cold and wet by local standards, with a 1°C (6°F) high, a °C (4°F) low, and 186 mm of rain over about 15 wet days. This is the start of whale season, when humpbacks and southern right whales appear off Geographe Bay, and the Cabin Fever food festival runs in July rather than June.
July
July is the wettest month of the year, averaging 209 mm across roughly 16 rainy days, with highs of just 1°C (6°F). Coastal storms make the Cape to Cape Track muddy, and several restaurants close for winter holidays. This is the cheapest month to visit, with hotel rates at their lowest. Book ahead and pack a raincoat; the Margaret River travel tips guide covers winter driving and what to bring.
August
August matches July’s 1°C (6°F) high but rainfall eases to 178 mm. Southern right whales calve in Flinders Bay near Augusta, and the wildflower season begins by late August. A log fire and a red wine at a cellar door is the standard afternoon plan.
Margaret River Weather by Month: Spring (September to November)
September
September warms to 1°C (6°F) and rain drops to 108 mm. Wildflowers blanket the forest floor and the first warm days return. The Margaret River Region Open Studios runs this month, opening artists’ studios across the region.
October
October reaches 1°C (6°F) with just 51 mm of rain, and the sea begins to warm again at 1°C (6°F). It is arguably the best month for hiking the Cape to Cape Track, when the ground is dry, the whales are still visible, and the crowds have not yet arrived.
November
November climbs to 2°C (6°F) with 45 mm of rain and sea at 1°C (6°F). The Pair’d Margaret River food and wine festival lands on 19 to 22 November 2026, and beach season effectively restarts. For a full breakdown of the where to stay in Margaret River options by season, see the accommodation guide.
