Everything you need to know before your visit to the Margaret River Historical Society at The Old Settlement Museum.
Visitor Information
The Historical Society is located at:
The Old Settlement Museum
69 Bussell Highway
Margaret River WA 6285
The museum is nestled beside the river, next to The Hairy Marron Café. Access is via Higgins Street
Regular Opening Hours:
Tuesday: 10:00am – 12:30pm
Thursday: 1:30pm – 4:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun: Exhibits closed but grounds remain walkable.
Please note that hours are subject to availability of volunteers.
Yes, a small entrance fee applies.
Admission:
- Adults $5
- Children are free
We accept both cash and card payments via EFTPOS.
This goes directly towards the preservation and maintenance of the museum and its collection. We are a volunteer-run organisation and every contribution helps protect Margaret River's heritage.
We accept both cash and card payments via EFTPOS for all museum entry fees, book purchases, shop items, and donations.
Access and parking is available at The Old Settlement via Higgins Street. Additional parking is available at Rotary Park on the opposite side of the river. A short, scenic walk across the footbridge brings you directly to the Old Settlement.
Yes, the site is wheelchair friendly, and all of our heritage buildings are accessible.
Yes, dogs are more than welcome to visit the Old Settlement with you, provided they are well-behaved and kept on a leash at all times.
Opening hours on public holidays vary depending on volunteer availability. We recommend checking our Facebook page before visiting on or around a public holiday, or contacting us in advance.
Most visitors spend between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours exploring the museum and heritage buildings. If you plan to also walk the Margaret River Heritage Trail, visit Rotary Park, or grab a coffee at The Hairy Marron Café next door, allow at least half a day to make the most of it.
Yes, photography is welcome! We’d love it if you tagged us in your photos on social media or left a review on Facebook, Google or TripAdvisor.
Yes, The Hairy Marron Café is located right next to the museum at the Old Settlement. It's a great spot for coffee and a meal before or after your visit. They also hire out mountain bikes if you'd like to explore the nearby trails.
Yes, public toilet facilities are available nearby at the Old Settlement for your convenience.
The Old Settlement Museum makes a perfect starting point for a full day of family-friendly activities, riverside walks, and outdoor adventures right on the edge of the Margaret River township. When you visit the museum, you can easily make a day of it with these nearby attractions:
- Relax at Rotary Park: Located directly across the river via a short, scenic walk over the wooden footbridge. It features a great children’s playground, picnic tables, barbecues, clean public amenities, and a chance to see the legendary 1890s steam locomotive, ‘Old Kate’.
- Enjoy Coffee & Dining: Stop by our immediate neighbours at The Hairy Marron Café, where you can enjoy a coffee or snack on the deck overlooking the beautiful Margaret River.
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Explore Walking Trails: The Old Settlement sits at the immediate trailhead for several iconic local walks:
- Bunnitj Biddi (formerly Ten Mile Brook Trail): A stunning 15km return trail that follows old timber tramways along the river through lush bushland all the way to the Ten Mile Brook Dam.
- Margaret River Heritage Trail: A gentle, easy stroll along the river perfect for families.
- Minnie Keenan Trail & Chimney Trail Loop: Connects Rotary Park to the Wadandi Track at Carters Road. Take this moderate trail into Wooditjup National Park to view the historic remnants and brick chimney of Keenan’s Number 1 Mill. - Mountain Biking: You can hire a mountain bike directly from The Hairy Marron right next to the museum and hit the world-class single tracks winding through the surrounding forest.
Whether you want to relax with a coffee, dive deeper into timber milling history, or hike through the karri and jarrah trees, there is plenty to do just steps from the museum gates.
The Museum Experience
Absolutely! We love seeing families explore our history together. Children receive free entry, and there is plenty to spark their curiosity, including our restored 1920s schoolroom and heritage grounds. To make a full day of it, you can grab a bite next door at The Hairy Marron Café, hire mountain bikes to hit the forest trails, or stroll across the footbridge to Rotary Park, which features a playground, picnic areas, and the historic 1890s "Old Kate" steam locomotive.
The Old Settlement is a time capsule of 1920s Group Settlement life. Key highlights include the restored 1925 Bramley School, an authentic "Groupie" settler’s house, and our historic blacksmith’s workshop. You will also find extensive displays of farming implements and tools, plus a small theatre inside the blacksmith's shop that screens a short film detailing the history of the region.
Yes, our full range of local history books are available for purchase on-site (cash or EFTPOS). You can browse our collection beforehand on our books for sale page. If you can't make it to the museum, you can also order books online via our contact form (postage fees apply).
School Groups & Tours
Absolutely but only by appointment. The Old Settlement is a wonderful destination for school excursions. Students can explore the old schoolroom, try everyday settler tasks, and discover what life was really like in early Margaret River. Our volunteer guides tailor the experience to your group's age and curriculum needs. Contact us for more information and bookings.
We welcome community groups, tourism groups, and other organisations. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Research & Our Collection
Yes, the Historical Society holds an extensive collection of local photographs, documents, and records relating to families and early settlers of the Margaret River region.
If you're researching your family's connection to the area, we encourage you to contact us.
A selection of our historical photographs is available to browse on our photo collections pages.
For access to specific records or documents not published online, please contact us directly.
We welcome donations of items relating to the history of Margaret River and the surrounding districts. If you have something you'd like to offer, please get in touch first so we can discuss whether it's a good fit for the collection and arrange a time to assess it.
About the Society
We are a dedicated group of volunteers focused on collecting, preserving, and sharing the unique history of Margaret River and its surrounding districts. Based at the Old Settlement Museum, we care for a growing collection of photographs, documents, oral histories, and artefacts. We work to keep these local stories alive through exhibitions, community events, and school programs. You can learn more about us here.
Yes, we are an entirely volunteer-run organisation. From guiding visitors through the schoolroom to preserving our fragile archives, everything we do is powered by our local volunteers. Because of this, our opening hours can occasionally change; please check our Facebook page or contact us to confirm before you visit.
Membership, Volunteering & Donations
Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the history of Margaret River and the surrounding districts. Visit our membership page for details on how to join and what membership includes.
We rely entirely on our wonderful volunteers to keep the museum running. Whether you'd like to help with guiding visitors, collections management, research, or maintenance, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our volunteering page to find out more.
Donations help us preserve and share Margaret River's unique history for future generations. You can make a contribution via our donate page. Every amount, large or small, makes a real difference to a volunteer-run organisation like ours.
Contact
We're happy to help. Get in touch and one of our volunteers will get back to you.