I’ve simply returned from a 5-day Western Australia highway journey the place a pal and I travelled south from Perth. Probably the most memorable locations for me on our route was the gorgeous coastal city of Dunsborough.
Think about a spot the place clear Gatorade-like waters meet luscious vineyards, the place gourmand eating choices are simply minutes from beautiful nature trails, and the place leisure and journey come collectively in excellent concord. That is Dunsborough in a nutshell.
Dunsborough has a really laid-back, spacious and ‘chill’ vibe and but additionally has all the journey you possibly can dream of inside a comparatively small driving distance.
If you happen to’re questioning why Dunsborough needs to be on the prime of your journey checklist over different locations in Australia, this information will present you precisely why this coastal paradise captures so many hearts time and time once more.
On the lookout for the greatest issues to do in Dunsborough? Whether or not you’re within the technique of planning your journey otherwise you’re right here on the lookout for inspiration – this coastal gem in Western Australia has all of it.
This Dunsborough journey information will take you thru the highest issues to do in Dunsborough and the most effective locations to eat and drink in Dunsborough to be able to profit from your go to.
Notepads on the prepared!
Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the most effective locations to eat, drink, loosen up and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your machine and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.
The place is Dunsborough? And Why Ought to You Go to?
Nestled within the Margaret River area of Western Australia (south of Perth), Dunsborough is a coastal city recognized for its mixture of fantastic seashores, well-liked surf breaks, lush forests, and general relaxed ambiance.
Situated about three hours south of Perth by automotive, this pocket of Western Australia hosts a dreamy mixture of outside journey and laid-back luxurious. Whether or not you’re coming to catch some waves, witness beautiful coastal rock formations, or lounge between some distinctive wineries, Dunsborough is a vacation spot that guarantees unforgettable journey.
If you happen to worth nature, good meals, and coastal surroundings, i’ve little doubt that you simply’ll fall in love with this beautiful a part of Western Australia.
The Greatest Technique to Get There & The place to Keep
The best strategy to attain Dunsborough is by automotive from Perth, which takes roughly three hours.
Alternatively, you possibly can select to take a flight all the way down to Busselton Margaret River Airport and drive about half-hour to succeed in the city itself. A automotive is very advisable to discover the realm at your personal tempo so take into account renting a automotive when you do determine to fly in.
For lodging and locations to remain there are various choices…
We rented a campervan from Ratpack Journey which is the budget-friendly choice and you’ll pull up at Tasman Vacation Park proper on the entrance at Yallingup with a powered website for $90. Guide right here.
For my part, travelling round Australia with a campervan or motorhome is the last word strategy to see it. You may pull as much as some once-in-a-lifetime views for dinner, morning espresso, and post-surf hangouts. You simply get a lot extra flexibility. See the photographs beneath.
You even have the choice of reserving on Airbnb which is a very reasonably priced choice if there are just a few of you sharing. There’s Empire Retreat & Spa for a extra luxurious lodging and Meelup Farmhouse Keep for a country, charming choice.
1. Espresso & Pastry at Service provider & Maker
Crucial advice of all… the place to get your morning cup of espresso?
For an ideal brew and all the nice vibes, head to Service provider & Maker on Dunborough excessive avenue. It’s an area favorite famend for its wealthy espresso and scrumptious pastries. There’s parking exterior so it’s a simple seize and go choice however you’ll be tempted to remain some time to browse the store and take in the morning buzz that was evident on each visits we made!
Whether or not you go for a buttery croissant a cinnamon scroll or a few of their freshly made focaccia, this café will set you up for an ideal day of exploring the greatest issues to do in Dunsborough.
2. Indulge at Elski Danish Ice Creamery
This spot is correct subsequent to Service provider and Maker!
Quiet down post-surf with a scoop (or two) of conventional Danish ice cream at Elski Danish Ice Creamery. This fantastically styled spot delivers handcrafted ice lotions with distinctive flavours impressed by Danish recipes.
It’s a must-visit for candy deal with lovers on the lookout for the greatest issues to do in Dunsborough.
Discover their menu right here.
Journey tip:
Remember to strive their well-known liquorice ice cream, a Danish speciality!
3. Calm down at Empire Spa Retreat
If leisure is excessive in your agenda in your Dunsborough journey, ebook a therapy on the Empire Spa Retreat.
Surrounded by lush forests, this luxury wellness haven affords indulgent massages, facials, and spa therapies – mhhhhmmmm.
It’s mentioned to be one of many greatest issues to do in Dunsborough for these looking for tranquillity. I didn’t get an opportunity to go to on my journey nevertheless it’s prime of my checklist for after I return!
Try their spa remedies right here. Their signature sizzling stone therapeutic massage is a must-try!
4. Brunch at Meelup Farmhouse
This was essentially the most advisable spot after I requested you on Instagram the place I merely can not miss on my Western Australia highway journey – so I needed to test it out.
I can affirm, a visit to Dunsborough isn’t full with no lengthy, lazy brunch at Meelup Farmhouse. Nestled in amongst open fields and resident livestock, this stunningly designed farm cafe serves up farm-to-table dishes with the freshest native elements.
Strive their well-known Char sui pork stomach with chilli scrambled eggs or the Harissa spiced beans on avo toast – each have been DIVINE.
Meelup Farmhouse is unquestionably one of many greatest issues to do in Dunsborough for meals lovers. Guide your brunch spot and check out get your self seated exterior to absorb the panorama too!
Preserve a watch out for the fluffy chickens!
5. Sundown Eating at Clever Wine
On the lookout for one thing to do within the night in Dunsborough?
Guide your self a desk for sundown at Clever Wine, one of many area’s most spectacular wineries with breathtaking views of the encompassing vineyards and Geographe Bay.
Sip your means by a number of premium wines whereas having fun with a seasonal menu that includes domestically sourced produce. If you happen to’ve headed to this area for the world-class wineries, that is simply one of many greatest issues to do in Dunsborough.
Journey tip:
Clever Wine is the one vineyard within the area with an ocean view!
Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the most effective locations to eat, drink, loosen up and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your machine and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.
6. Swim at Meelup Seaside
Meelup Seaside is paradise. It’s considered one of Western Australia’s most pristine swimming spots and taking a dip is the proper mixture alongside along with your lunch at Meelup Farmhouse.
Take a dip, learn your ebook on one of many benches or format a blanket and have your picnic lunch overlooking the turquoise waters.
Visiting this beautiful seashore is among the many greatest issues to do in Dunsborough.
Preserve a watch out for dolphins, which are sometimes noticed within the bay! There was additionally a espresso van within the carpark after we visited which is situated proper on the beachfront.
7. Dinner with a View at Ilma Seaside Home
Not too long ago renovated and opened to the general public, house owners Mark and Liz (who additionally personal Meelup Farmhouse) opened this beachfront restaurant to seize the gradual, relaxed tempo of life present in Mediterranean cultures. The identify “ilma” interprets to “water” in Maltese, evoking a way of calm, refreshment and neighborhood all while looking over the beautiful Bunker Bay.
The menu right here at Ilma Seaside Home featured contemporary seafood, native meats, and a refined number of wines from native wineries to completely complement the flavours.
Eating right here felt like a European vacation. The Gold Band Snapper fish dish I selected was in all probability the most effective fish dish I’ve ever laid onto my style buds on. WOW. And with a glass of Dancing within the moonlight from Cullen Wines… perfection.
Eating right here is undoubtedly one of many greatest issues to do in Dunsborough. This was my foodie spotlight of my Dunsborough and was an all-around excellent vibe.
8. Go for a sundown swim at Bunker Bay
When you’ve let your meals go down at Ilma Seaside Home, get your swimmers on and head down for a dip within the ocean.
Bunker Bay is a surprising, sheltered seashore in Western Australia. It was so calm and had a very stunning power to it.
Its calm, mild waves make it a really perfect swimming spot and seashore day for households and people on the lookout for a calming dip. The bay is a part of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Nationwide Park, providing unbelievable coastal surroundings and occasional dolphin sightings!!
Bunker Bay is likely one of the greatest locations to unwind and benefit from the pristine waters of the Margaret River area. If in case you have time afterwards, head as much as Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse for sundown!
9. Go to Sugarloaf Rock Lookout
Take a while to go to and {photograph} Sugarloaf Rock, a hanging granite formation simply off the coast right here in Dunsborough.
Go to at sundown to witness the beautiful sundown hues towards the rugged rock – one of many greatest issues to do in Dunsborough.
P.s. This spot can be a nesting website for the uncommon red-tailed tropicbird – hold your eyes peeled!
10. Browsing at Yallingup
For many who are eager to chase the waves and get within the water Yallingup Seaside is considered one of Western Australia’s prime browsing locations and proper by Dunsborough!
Whether or not you’re a seasoned surfer or simply beginning, the constant swell right here and exquisite environment make this spot a must-visit.
Browsing right here is among the many greatest issues to do in Dunsborough for journey lovers.
Test surf circumstances right here.
Enjoyable reality: Yallingup was named after an Aboriginal phrase which means “place of affection.”
11. Sundown at Canal Rocks Boardwalk
Taking in a sundown on the Canal Rocks Boardwalk can be my advice!!! I LOVED catching the sundown right here.
Canal Rocks is a nook on the coast the place the Indian Ocean surges by historical rock formations, making a pure spectacle. The boardwalk (pictured beneath) affords the most effective vantage factors for absorbing this beautiful coastal scene.
One of many greatest issues to do in Dunsborough? I believe so!
Preserve your digital camera prepared for beautiful long-exposure photographs of the waves crashing by the canals!
12. Day Journey to Margaret River’s Caves Highway Wineries
No journey to Dunsborough can ever be full with no day exploring the famend wineries alongside Caves Highway in Margaret River.
Solely 20 minutes from Dunsborough, the proper day journey, this scenic drive is dwelling to among the area’s most prestigious wineries, providing world-class wine tastings and gourmand eating experiences.
Whether or not you like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a crisp summer time day Chardonnay, there’s a cellar door ready for you.
A wine tour alongside this iconic route is undoubtedly one of many greatest issues to do in Dunsborough, check out Cullen Wines, Pierre and Area Naturaliste!
Steadily Requested Questions
What’s Dunsborough greatest recognized for?
Dunsborough is legendary for its insanely stunning seashores, world class browsing spots, world-class wineries, and breathtaking pure points of interest like Sugarloaf Rock and Canal Rocks. It’s additionally a prime spot for whale watching throughout migration season. It’s received quite a bit going for it!
Is Dunsborough price visiting?
Completely sure!!! For all the causes listed above!
What’s the greatest time to go to Dunsborough?
The most effective time to go to Dunsborough is between September and Could when the climate is heat. We visited in the beginning of Feb which is a good time since you miss the push of summer time vacation and so issues quieten down. This lets you take pleasure in locations with fewer crowds! Spring (September-November) is particularly stunning, with wildflowers in bloom.
How lengthy ought to I keep in Dunsborough?
A weekend is sufficient to see the highlights, we stayed for two days and stuffed it with unforgettable moments. However staying 4-5 days can be my advice because it means that you can absolutely discover the seashores, wineries, and nature trails at a relaxed tempo. It additionally means that you can chase the swell and luxuriate in all the things with out speeding round!
Is Dunsborough family-friendly?
Sure! There are such a lot of calm seashores, nature walks, farm experiences, and loads of kid-friendly cafes, Dunsborough appears very family-friendly!
Is there the rest you’d add to the most effective issues to do in Dunsborough bucket checklist?
What are the most effective issues to do in Dunsborough in your opinion? Something you’d add to this Dunsborough bucket checklist? Have any questions or suggestions of your personal? Depart them within the feedback beneath, we’d love to listen to from you.
Love as at all times and pleased adventuring…
Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the most effective locations to eat, drink, loosen up and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your machine and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.