Dunsborough Local Knowledge
- Must do/see (7)
- What to do (19)
- What to see (7)
- Children's activities (6)
Must do/see
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Chocolate FactoryThe Margaret River Chocolate Factory is another "must do" and an alternative to the wineries. It is located between Dunsborough and Margaret River on the corner of Harmans Mill Road and Harmans Road South. |
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Chocolate FactoryThe Margaret River Chocolate Factory is a alternative to wineries. Taste the chocolate and then sit back for a coffee and cake on their lovely shaded grounds. Situated corner Harmans Mill Road and Harmans Road South. |
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Galleries/ Potteries/ StudiosArt and wine go hand in hand and the region is famed for its artists. There are numerous galleries, and potteries serving the area. Gunyulgup Galleries, Happs Pottery, Boranup Galleries, the Old Courthouse in Busselton for jarrah furniture and Bob Monkmans furniture gallery in Dunsborough are just a... |
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Leeuwin Estate Annual ConcertThe Leeuwin Estate concert is one of the annual Must DO events in Western Australia. Each year the magnificient Leeuwin Estate grounds host a concert involving a world class performer. It is held around February, but the dates vary from year to year. |
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Simmos IcecreameryOn Commonage road, near Dunsborough. Who would have thought a farm near Dunsborough could successfully sell icecream? Simmos is a must do for the kids after a day when Mum and Dad have been wine tasting. |
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Simmos IcecreameryWhere - Commonage Road close to Dunsborough. A great place to not only taste great icecream but also lay back and let the kids explore the farm and play on the shaded grounds. |
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WineriesWineries The Margaret River Region is the home of world class wineries. The original vineyards were in the Willyabrup area. Vasse Felix (Tom Cullity) was the first to get underway in 1967 - their first commercial vintage was in 1970. Cullens and Moss Wood (Bill Pannell) followed a year later. |
What to do
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A day out from DunsboroughSee if you can get through all this in one day: Drive along Caves Road towards Busselton until you reach the Vasse Turnoff. Turn south along Bussell Highway to Cowaramup (Cowtown) stopping along the way to sample the award-winning cheese and dairy products at Fonti Farm and the Margaret River Cheese factory. |
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Blackwood RiverA sensational and pristine river system, and most of it still in its natural state, great for fishing swimming, skiing, canoeing, or ferry trips |
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Boat HireWestern Australian Yacht Charters, Sea Eco Yacht Charters and Nauticool Encounters provide yacht hire and sailing and snorkelling tours. Naturaliste Charters provide deep sea fishing charters. Kayaks can be hired in Dunsborough and Busselton. Jet Skis can be hired in Busselton. |
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BreweriesFor a change from visiting wineries, the Bootleg Brewery and the Wicked Ale Brewery are worth a visit. |
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Cape Naturaliste LighthouseThe Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse is 100 years old. It was built from stone quarried from Bunker Bay. The lighthouse and the associated whale watching vantage points are well worth a visit as is the seal colony nearby. |
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Cape to Cape Walking TrailThe Cape to Cape Walking trail runs from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, and there is also a trail from Dunsborough through the Meelup National Park along the coast to Cape Naturaliste. For those without the time or energy to undertake the full trek (which would take about a week). |
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Ellensbrook HomesteadEllensbrook Homestead is set in coastal sand dunes next to a perennial stream. The homestead is a renovated National Trust property, once the home of Alfred and Ellen Bussell, the district's first pioneers. Close by is the unique and very beautiful Meekadarabee Waterfall. |
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FishingThe area is famed for its fishing. Some places to try. From the beach: Quindalup especially near the boat ramp. Smiths Beach. From the rocks - Old Dunsborough (Near the boat ramp - W/SW/S winds). Pt Picquet (S,SW,SE winds), Wyadup rocks (E winds - ie in the morning). |
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Flights and SkydivingOne of the best ways to see the region is from the air. Busselton Air Service offer several flights, including flights to Yallingup, Margaret River, Walpole and from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin. Southern Skydivers operate out of Busselton and provide the ultimate view! |
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GolfThere are a wide variety of golf courses in the area. The Dunsborough Lakes Golf Course is a championship level course. The margaret River Golf Club and the AUgusta Hillview club are another two courses in the area. Lower down in the scale is the Broadwater Par 3 near Busselton. |
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SurfingThe region has some of the worlds best surfing beaches. Yallingup surf school teaches all ages and experience at the local beaches. |
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Swan WreckIt took hundreds of volunteers nearly 12 months and more than 10,000 hours of hard labour to prepare the former Destroyer Escort HMAS Swan for scuttling as a dive wreck and artificial reef near Dunsborough in Western Australia. Then, with the push of a button, it was over in just two minutes and 53 minutes to sink. |
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Swan WreckThe HMAS Swan was scuttled as a dive and artificial reef near Dunsborough. It is providing an excellent spot to dive on and you can contact the local dive place who take groups out to the wreck. |
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The old Butter FactoryTo view much of the history of the region, visit the old butter factory in Peel Terrace. Now the home of the Busselton Historical Society, this is the place to see old photos, farm machinery clothing etc. and soak up the atmosphere of the region. |
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Tuart forestThe Ludlow Tuart Forest is the only remaining Tall Tuart Forest in the world and is therefore one of the rarest ecosystems left on earth. 1955 hectares are left in the South West of Western Australia. Take the scenic route from Capel to Busselton - follow the signs and divert through the Tuart Forrest. |
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Tuart forestThe Ludlow Tuart Forest is the only remaining Tall Tuart Forest in the world and therefore one of the rarest ecosystems left on earth. 1955 hectares are left in the South West of WA. Take the scenic route from Capel to Busselton follow the signs and divert through the Tuart Forest |
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Whale watchingWhales visit the area between July and November. Whale watching tours start in Augusta in July-August and then the Naturaliste Lady moves around to Dunsborough. Good places to whale watch from the shore are from the lighthouses at Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste. |
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Wine ToursCape Classic Touring Company and the WIne Tour Company can show you the best from the region from the window of a classic Rolls Royce allowing unlimited tasting delights without the driving hassles. |
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Wonnerup HouseAn Important surviving example of early farm pioneering in Western Australia. Wonnerup House, built by the Layman family in 1838, is set in farmlands close to a tuart tree forest near the Vasse Estuary wetlands. |
What to see
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BeachesThe west coast between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin is famed for its surfing beaches. Three Bears, Yallingup, Injidup, The Gallows, Huzzas, Redgate, and Margaret River are legendary. Geographe Bay - between Bunbury and Cape Naturaliste is a contrast with miles and miles of calm sandy beaches. |
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Boranup ForestAs you travel south on Caves road, south of Margaret River the scenery suddenly changes and you enter the westernmost stand of Karri forest in WA. These majestic giants are stunning. If you watch out a gravel turnoff to the right (the coast side of Caves Road) will take you wandering through the forrest. |
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Busselton JettyThe famous Busselton Jetty is reputed to be the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. The jetty dates back to last century, and was progressively lengthened so as to provide sufficient water depth for shipping. |
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Busselton jettyThe famous Busselton jetty is reputed to be the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. The jetty dates back to last century and was progressively lengthened to proved sufficient water depth for shipping. You can catch a train out to the end of the jetty where there is now an observatory. |
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CavesThe limestone ridge between Cape Naturaliste and Cape leeuwin hosts many caves, only a small fraction of which are open to tourists. The caves of the region have been a tourist drawcard since late last century. Worth visiting are the Ngilgi Cave (at Yallingup), the Mammoth Cave, the Jewel Cave and more.. |
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Leeuwin Estate Annual ConcertThis concert is one of the annual events in WA. Each year the magnificient Leeuwin Estate grounds host a concert involving a world class performer in February. A lovely winery to visit also and taste their wonderful wines. |
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RocksThe west coast is rugged and there are many large rock formations. Sugarloaf Rocks is near Cape Naturaliste and can be seen from many kilometres south when looking North along the coast. Canal Rocks is another famous formation, deriving its name from the natural "Canal" formation. |
Children's activities
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Busselton Archery and Family Fun ParkThey offer entertainment for both parents and children. Anyone over 5 can try their hand with a bow and arrow and free tuition is provided. Or you can speed around the mini racetrack in an electric race car, or try the tricky 9 hole mini golf course. |
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Busselton Fun-O-RamaFor children faced with too many wineries, salvation can be found at Busselton Fun-O-Rama which allows kids to run amok |
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Busselton Whistlestop railwayWhistlestop Miniature Steam Railway Vasse Highway Busselton |
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Kid friendly venuesFor those of us with children to keep happy while we're enjoying the spoils of the region, there are a few venues that cater quite well for them. Country Life farm, just outside of Dunsborough is purely for kids. Animals to feed, a Merry-go-Round, bouncy castles and a lake with rowboats. |
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Nautical Lady Entertainment WorldAt the foot of the Busselton Jetty this place offers hours of fun with pools, a waterslide and all sorts of rides. |
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Quindalup Fauna ParkAbout 3 kms from Dunsborough towards Busselton is the Quindalup fauna park. Lots of animals and things for the kids to do and see, including butterfly displays, aquariums, and aviaries along with native animals. |