Things to Do & See
Cape to Cape Track
The Cape Naturaliste headland is the starting point of the 135km Cape to Cape Track. The track extends south through coastal bush and karri forest to finish at Cape Leeuwin in Augusta. Taking in sweeping clifftop views, spectacular remote beaches, limestone caves and historic lighthouses, it has many access points so it’s possible to go for a 20-minute stroll or do the guided walk which takes between 5-8 days. Rated one of the best multi-day walks in Australia by Australian Geographic
Meelup Reserve Trails
Coastal walks that weave through the bush and along Geographe Bay. Highlights include whale watching lookouts, various ecosystems, small bay communities and some of the best beaches in Western Australia.
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
An easy climb to the working lighthouse for breathtaking views over the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and Geographe Bay. Just 59 steps lead to the top making it accessible even for small children. Walk trails surround the lighthouse to see local wildlife and wildflowers in spring. There’s a wheelchair and pram accessible path to gain views of Sugarloaf Rock.
Walk to Sugarloaf Rock
Surgarloaf Rock is a gigantic granite rock emerging from the ocean close to the mainland and a haven for nesting seabirds. Situated within the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park with elevated lookout to watch the sunset over the rock. From the rock you can walk 3km along a hard limestone, then sealed path and then boardwalk section of the Cape to Cape Track to get to the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse.
Empire Spa, Yallingup
Bathing suites with large stone baths, a steam room, and rainforest shower suites within a bushland setting. Caters to individuals and couples in a room specially designed to accommodate two people.
Vie Spa, Bunker Bay
Uniquely ‘South West’ themed treatments in a bushland and beachfront location. The spa has 7 suites, 2 couple suites and a dedicated manicure and pedicure suite.
Harmony Wellness Spa, Dunsborough
Bodhi J, Injidup
Set in pristine coastline with spectacular views over the length of Injidup Beach. Features 3 treatment rooms including a double room for couples and a hydrotherapy spa.
Surrounded by 3 sides of water the coastline is like no other. The town of Dunsborough and Eagle Bay are located on the warm tranquil waters of Geographe Bay whilst Yallingup is located on the west coast with powerful ocean surf, limestone reefs and clear lagoons.
Castle Rock
Located just a five-minute drive from Dunsborough town centre or an approximately 30 minute walk along the Meelup Reserve Trail which begins in Old Dunsborough.
Meelup Beach
Very pretty sheltered beach on the eastern side of the cape, very popular with families and paddleboarders. Shady grass area for picnicking and free BBQs provided.
Bunker Bay
Long stretch of calm ocean and white sand surrounded by bush. Positioned up near the tip of Cape Naturaliste.
Smith’s Beach
Not far from Yallingup. Excellent swimming, fishing, surfing and beach walking with spectacular sunsets over the ocean.
Boardwalk to Canal Rocks
Narrow boardwalk leading to a wheelchair-accessible bridge with views over the natural canal. Massive crashing waves and ocean running through a natural rock channel.
Dining
The region is full of award-winning winery restaurants, cafes, beach cafes, bistros and beer gardens which range from casual eating to first-class dining.
Wineries
Premium vineyards and wineries with unique and relaxed cellar doors, many of which have world class restaurants.
Pubs, Bars & Taverns
Wine bars, beach pubs, fish pubs, pour houses, corner bars, taverns, some of which are over 100 years old and housed in heritage buildings.
Breweries, Cideries & Distilleries
The region has the highest concentration of micro-breweries in WA and each destination has its own distinctive style with live music and great food. All are family friendly and most have playgrounds.
Local Produce, Farm Gates & Markets
As well as winery and brewery cellar doors there’s an endless supply of drop in locations to taste and purchase the local produce.
Galleries
Home to a thriving art scent with international and nationally acclaimed photographers, jewellers, painters, potters, glass blowers, blacksmiths, furniture makers, wood working and metal working artists. There are countless art studios and galleries within the town or set in remote forest and bushland. Some are embedded at wineries and resorts.
Fishing & Boating
Excellent beach and jetty fishing with the famous annual salmon where you can chase the salmon along the beach. Many charter companies leave from Dunsborough and nearby Busselton.
HMAS Swan
The first purposely prepared dive wreck of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and purposely scuttled for all levels of divers. After 19 years it is now home to a large range of marine life. Daily diving charters with friendly, professional local crew.
Busselton Jetty
The Busselton Jetty is 1.841km long and is the longest timber piled jetty in the southern hemisphere. Recognised as one of Australia’s top shore dives the jetty is home to over 300 marine species. There are various tour companies that provide snorkelling, underwater helmet walks and diving tours.
Whale Watching
Qualified Marine Biologist led tours out to the Southern Ocean to spot Killer Whales (Jan-Apr); Southern Right Whales and their newborn calves (Jul and Aug); Blue Whales (Oct-Nov) and Humpback Whales (May-Dec). Sightings may include sea eagles, osprey, seals and dolphins.
Wildflowers
Our region’s wildflowers are ecologically significant, with over 8000 species of wildflowers blooming between August and November, 80% of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. There are 300 species of delicate orchids that grow in the Southwest with many species endemic to the region. Spring is the best time to see the explosion of colour set against the stunning natural scenery.
Nilgi Cave
Intricately decorated cave which allows visitors to handle crystals at a touch table inside. Boardwalks take you through the cave, while you explore at your own pace. The Adventure Tour allows you to branch off from the track and explore with a hard hat and lamp, while being led with an experienced guide. Other tours are semi-guided and after an introductory talk, you may enter the cave at your leisure with further guides stationed within the cave to answer any questions. Only 15 people are able to enter at once, so book ahead through the visitor centre.
Mammoth Cave
This cave is a natural time capsule and home to ancient fossils including Australian Megafauna which became extinct around 46,000 years ago. It’s the most easily accessible of all the show caves in the region with wheelchair access to the first chamber. The access is through bushland via a gently sloping boardwalk and a self-guided MP3 tour is provided in English, French, German, Malay and Mandarin.
Jewel Cave
The biggest show cave of the region with 3 large chambers full of large stalagmites, cave coral and fossils including Tasmanian Tigers and crystals that have taken thousands of years to form. Interpretive centre, café and self-guided walk through the Karri forest above the cave. Tours of Jewel Cave are fully guided, with a current maximum of 15 people per group. Be sure to book ahead.
Lakes Cave
Lake Cave is a stunning pristine chamber deep beneath the earth. Inside the cave is a tranquil lake which reflects delicate formations. The unique ‘Suspended Table’ formation, which weighs several tonnes and seems to defy gravity, hovers above the clear lake water. Access is via a spectacular doline (sink hole) with towering Karri trees from the floor of the sunken forest. Tour guides change the feature lighting within the cavern to provide unique views of the cave features and formations.
Dunsborough & Districts Country Club
The club is an inclusive meeting place for the local active community and visitors are most welcome to participate in any of the sports. The 18 hole sand green course is located in the heart of Old Dunsborough amongst the Jarrah, Marri, Sheoak and Peppermint trees. The first and eighteenth holes are frequently the resting, shading and grazing places for Western Grey Kangaroos.
Dunsborough Lakes Golf Club
Public 18 hole golf course set amongst 270 hectares of lush fairways, waterways and natural bush. Beautifully manicured rolling fairways, complemented by large contoured greens, aqua driving range, licensed tavern and restaurant.
Simmo’s Ice Creamery & Family Fun Park
Recently voted one of the Top 15 Ice Creameries in the World by USA Today. Set amongst loads of open expanses of grassed parkland and shady trees – perfect for the kids to kick a football, play a game of cricket or just run and stretch the legs. Playground with wooden fort, boat, truck, plane, stepping logs, chain bridge and elevated walkways. Several barbecues, an all-weather 18 hole mini-golf course, an adventure playground and Edward the Emu. Best of all, it’s free!! There are over 60 flavours of ice cream and sorbets to choose from along with a café serving paninis, coffee and tea.
Country Life Farm
Hand feed friendly farm animals and play on the equipment giant bouncy castles, inflatable slide, indoor adventure playground, dodgem cars, merry go-round and tots play area. Make use of the barbecue area and take a boat ride.
Yallingup Surf School
Yallingup Surf School provides group lessons or private coaching for the absolute beginner to aspiring champions. They cater for kids, mums and dads, tourists, corporate, school groups and everyone in between. All equipment is supplied including high quality surfboards, learner boards, accessories and full-length wetsuits. Bookings are essential and location is dependent on surf conditions.
Yallingup Maze
Situated on a picturesque rural property, Yallingup Maze features The Maze, The Café & Puzzle Shop, and a children’s playground. The café overlooks a stunning parkland, nature play areas and bouncy castle, perfect for picnics, relaxing, flying a kite or kicking a footy around. The maze is built in timber and contains within the labyrinth 5 feature towers and bridges to explore. The configuration of the Maze is ever changing, the panels are moved intermittently to provide another interesting challenge for your next visit.
Margaret River Chocolate Factory
An amazing range of chocolate products with free entry and free tastings as well as viewing windows to see the products being made. The Chocolate Cafe has a range of delicious light lunches and sweet treats.
Sunflower Animal Farm
Situated on a 315 acre cattle farm there are over 350 friendly farm animals on display to pat, feed and interact with. You can bottle feed the orphan babies twice daily (10am and 4pm) and buy a bucket of animal food. Tractor ride tours with Farmer Jones and Dizzi the Dog provide up close encounters with kangaroos, racing toy boats downstream, toasting marshmallows over open fire and handfeeding cattle.
Eagles Heritage Raptor Wildlife Centre
Situated in natural bushland the centre houses the largest collection of eagles, hawks, falcons and owls in Australia. You will be able to put on a glove and have a bird of pretty sit on your arm at the twice daily flight displays. Established to provide homes for permanently disabled birds of prey and owls which have been handed in and now cared for by volunteers, but which, due to the nature of their injuries, are unable to make a recovery sufficient for their return to the wild. The fauna on display are permanently disabled rehabilitation patients, captive bred birds and individuals which have been transferred in from other facilities. Many more birds are rehabilitated and returned to the wild each year. Away from the public view, 7 acres has been set aside for wildlife rehabilitation, including a hospital and specialised facilities designed to help sick, injured and orphaned raptors return to the wild. The centre provides training and support for volunteer wildlife rehabilitators who wish to work with these unique and amazing birds. Education opportunities are also available for animal health professionals and students seeking to expand their skills.