The town and river are presumed to be named after Margaret Wyche, cousin of Australia [ known as Group Settlement ]and establish farms in the region attracted settlers to the town. In 1922 over 100 settlers moved into the district.
Leeuwin - Naturalist Wine Region
Inland along the Margaret River valley, high-quality table winegrapes are grown by a variety of commercial vineyards. Grapes perform very well in the Mediterranean climate of the region. The shift in emphasis to the wine industry in the late 1980s-early 1990s sharply reversed the slow decline in the region's economy, and since 1996 the region has been one of the fastest growing economic areas in Australia. Margaret River wines are now exported to most parts of the world.
