Is Margaret River safe?
Very safe. The main risks are surf, sharks, bushfire and long drives on dark rural roads.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-05-29.
- Homicide rate in Australia: 0.9 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Australia: 4.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000.
Safety in Margaret River at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Low crime; occasional car break-ins at beach and trailhead car parks. |
| At night | Quiet after dark. Taxis and rideshare are scarce, so plan transport or use a designated driver. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women, with normal precautions on isolated tracks and when hitchhiking. |
| Other risks | Sharks and rips at surf beaches; Bushfire risk in summer; Kangaroos on roads at dusk |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake accommodation listings in peak holiday periods
Take care
- Surf at unpatrolled beaches, especially big winter swells
- Driving after dark when kangaroos are active
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Driving while holding a phone is caught by cameras and brings large fines
- Nicotine vapes are legally sold only by pharmacies
- Drinking alcohol is banned in many streets, parks and beaches (alcohol-free zones)
How Margaret River compares in Australia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Hobart | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Noosa | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Blue Mountains | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sunshine Coast | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Great Ocean Road | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Port Douglas | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Canberra | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Margaret River | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Launceston | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Magnetic Island | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sydney | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Melbourne | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Brisbane | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gold Coast | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Perth | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cairns | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Byron Bay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Adelaide | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bondi Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Whitsundays | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Uluru | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Darwin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| K'gari | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fremantle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Broome | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Newcastle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manly | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alice Springs | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Margaret River safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women, with normal precautions on isolated tracks and when hitchhiking.
Is Margaret River safe at night?
Quiet after dark. Taxis and rideshare are scarce, so plan transport or use a designated driver.
What is the crime rate in Margaret River?
Low crime; occasional car break-ins at beach and trailhead car parks. Nationally, Australia records 0.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Margaret River?
Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000.
More about Margaret River
Going to Margaret River solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association
- Transwa
- WA Country Health Service
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.