Head south for a short excursion along the shoreline. Rent a car from Perth's city centre and travel to a region renowned for the quality of its craft breweries and fine wineries. While this road trip could be squeezed into a day, a long weekend or 4-day adventure allows you to explore the region and beachside towns at your leisure.
Grab a skilfully brewed coffee from Victoria Street and adventure to the Mangroves Boardwalk for a chance to see Black Swans and Australian wildlife up close. Alternatively, for a bit more history, discover how the native Noongar people of the region used to hunt, live and innovate through the Ngalang Wongi Aboriginal Cultural Tours.
In Yallingup, explore the Ngilgi Caves on your own or with a tour guide to learn about the Aboriginal history (Ngilgi was a good spirit) and the sparkling formations of stalactites and stalagmites. For a good fishing spot, bushwalk, or magnificent sunsets, head to Sugarloaf Rock in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. Epic surf beaches in the area include Three Bears, Super Tubes, and Smiths. In town, be sure to check out the various art galleries.
Just past Yallingup, drive to the Cape to Cape Track on your way out of town to Margaret River – you might even catch a glimpse of migrating humpback whales – if it’s the right time of year. The Cape to Cape Track runs for 135km but is split up into much smaller segments accessible to visitors. The flora, fauna, cliffs, caves, and coastal views make every stop worthwhile.
Explore the caves along Margaret River to discover the majestic chambers of ancient fossil remains and nature’s underground secrets. Mammoth Cave is the most accessible and is self-guided while Jewel Cave is the biggest show cave in Western Australia with the longest straw stalactites. Lake Cave is also worth a visit.
The Margaret River region offers a plethora of adventure activities. Mountain biking, kayaking, surfing, hiking – you name it. Visit the Boranup Forest and the Blackwood River to enjoy a bit more of the outdoors. You can also embark on winery and brewery tours at your leisure.
Some of the most celebrated wineries in the region include:
• Cape Mentelle
• Amelia Park Wines
• Flowstone
• Leeuwin Estate
• Voyager Estate Winery
• Valle Felix
• Moss Wood
• Cullen Wines
• Evans & Tate
Likewise, if you’re after a proper brew, the Brewhouse, Cheeky Monkey, The Beer Farm, Colonial Brewing Co, and Eagle Bay Brewing Co are just a few of the many breweries on offer in the Margaret River region.
Whether you have a couple days or a week to spare, grab a rental vehicle from Perth and explore the splendours of the west coast and the Margaret River region on your own time.
Stop 1: Bunbury
From Perth, drive 2 hours south to Bunbury. Head to Koombana Bay to swim with bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat or take a self-guided tour through heritage attractions such as St Mark’s Church, The Rose Hotel, or King Cottage Museum. Head to Marlston Hill Lookout, a former lighthouse that has been converted into a viewing tower. Be sure to take your camera and enjoy the panoramic 360-degree view of the horizon.Grab a skilfully brewed coffee from Victoria Street and adventure to the Mangroves Boardwalk for a chance to see Black Swans and Australian wildlife up close. Alternatively, for a bit more history, discover how the native Noongar people of the region used to hunt, live and innovate through the Ngalang Wongi Aboriginal Cultural Tours.
Stop 2: Busselton
Drive 40 minutes further south and arrive in the town of Busselton. The Busselton Jetty runs for 1.8km and makes for a perfect stroll along the waterfront. Enjoy seaside cafes, boutique shops, the Jetty Train, or the Underwater Observatory where you can discover an abundance (over 300 species) of marine life. Busselton also offers access to the nearby Tuart Forest National Park and 30km of stunning sandy beaches and charming campsites on its shores.Stop 3 & 4: Dunsborough & Yallingup
From Busselton, Dunsborough is a 25-minute drive and Yallingup only 15 minutes further along a road that clings to majestic coastline. Dunsborough is home to the bulk of Geographe Bay’s beaches, famous for their crystal-clear waters and hues of blue. Check out Bunker Bay, Meelup Beach and Eagle Bay for breathtaking views. A short drive west brings you to the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. Here you can take in panoramic views of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, Geographe Bay, and the Indian Ocean.In Yallingup, explore the Ngilgi Caves on your own or with a tour guide to learn about the Aboriginal history (Ngilgi was a good spirit) and the sparkling formations of stalactites and stalagmites. For a good fishing spot, bushwalk, or magnificent sunsets, head to Sugarloaf Rock in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. Epic surf beaches in the area include Three Bears, Super Tubes, and Smiths. In town, be sure to check out the various art galleries.
Just past Yallingup, drive to the Cape to Cape Track on your way out of town to Margaret River – you might even catch a glimpse of migrating humpback whales – if it’s the right time of year. The Cape to Cape Track runs for 135km but is split up into much smaller segments accessible to visitors. The flora, fauna, cliffs, caves, and coastal views make every stop worthwhile.
Stop 5: Margaret River
A 45-minute drive south will bring you to your final destination: Margaret River. Discover some of the area’s best beaches including Surfers Point near Prevelly, Boodjidup Beach, Conto Spring Beach, Foul Bay, and Hamelin Bay. Hamelin Bay is renowned for its unspoiled sands, sparkling waters, and friendly stingrays.Explore the caves along Margaret River to discover the majestic chambers of ancient fossil remains and nature’s underground secrets. Mammoth Cave is the most accessible and is self-guided while Jewel Cave is the biggest show cave in Western Australia with the longest straw stalactites. Lake Cave is also worth a visit.
The Margaret River region offers a plethora of adventure activities. Mountain biking, kayaking, surfing, hiking – you name it. Visit the Boranup Forest and the Blackwood River to enjoy a bit more of the outdoors. You can also embark on winery and brewery tours at your leisure.
Some of the most celebrated wineries in the region include:
• Cape Mentelle
• Amelia Park Wines
• Flowstone
• Leeuwin Estate
• Voyager Estate Winery
• Valle Felix
• Moss Wood
• Cullen Wines
• Evans & Tate
Likewise, if you’re after a proper brew, the Brewhouse, Cheeky Monkey, The Beer Farm, Colonial Brewing Co, and Eagle Bay Brewing Co are just a few of the many breweries on offer in the Margaret River region.
Whether you have a couple days or a week to spare, grab a rental vehicle from Perth and explore the splendours of the west coast and the Margaret River region on your own time.
