Margaret River Local Knowledge
- Activities (1)
- Must do/see (6)
- What to do (17)
- What to see (5)
- Children's activities (6)
Activities
Margaret River is WA's own world famous wine region. Discover why this three day two night self guided bicycle tour through the wineries and Karri forests is such a popular way to experience this amazing region.
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. |
PH: (08) 9755 6555 |
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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 few to visit. Christian Fletchers photos of the region are on display in Busselton and Dunsborough. The Wardan Aboriginal Centre south of Yallingup showcases aboriginal works. Ingas Summerville Art studio in Summerville Crescent (off Commonage Road) is one of the delightful small studios in the area. |
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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. Watch for the announcement and book your accomodation straight away, as this is one of the busiest weekends of the year. |
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OLIVE OILMargaret River is fast producing some of the best Olive Oil and associated products.l OLIO BELLO OLIVE FARM FOREST GROVE OLIVE FARM |
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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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WineriesThe 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. Moss Wood in particular astounded the wine world with its early vintages, and still retains an almost cult following. Their 1976 vintage was a stunner and considered expensive at $3 a bottle! Cape Mentelle, Evans and Tate (Redgate vineyard) and Leeuwin Estate followed soon after. There are over currently over 250 wineries in the region. Some places to try are Cullens, Vasse Felix, and Leeuwin Estate (worth a visit just to see the grounds), Cape Mentelle for the premium end (and some of the original plantings in the area). But there are very few poor to mediocre wines in the region, and so "almost any winery will do". Amberley Estate provides fine wine and dining. Wise vineyards is an excellent place for lunch with views over Meelup Bay. Driftwood Estate, Voyager Estate, Xanadu, and Wildwood are all excellent choices. |
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. From here follow the highway to Margaret River. At the entrance to Margaret River is the Old Settlement that has memorabilia of the pioneer days including original buildings. Here you can cross the little wooden bridge over the river to a craft gallery. After wandering through town move on to the Eagles Heritage Raptor Wildlife Centre where you can have your photo taken with a bird of prey on your arm.(Displays at 11am and 1.30pm.) Then take Redgate Road to visit Redgate Glass where you can watch the ancient craft of glass-blowing. From here make your way north along Caves Road, turning into Harmans South Road. This will take you past the Vasse Felix and Ashbrook Estate winery before reaching the Margaret River Chocolate Company where you can try some mouth-watering fine chocolates. Visit Cape Lavender for divine smelling lavender products and tearooms (the stems are expensive though!). Move on to Woody Nook where a taste of the famous ‘Nooky Delight’ is recommended. Bootleg Brewery is next ( just for something different) and then Cape Clairault. Perhaps a visit to Amberley Estate, Abbey Vale or Rivendell, which is well known for its gardens, would be in order before taking Wildwood Road to Anniebrook Flower Farm. From here head back to Caves Road and back to Dunsborough. |
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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. In Dunsborough there are several boat hire firms including the Mobil Service Station and Dunsborough Sportz. |
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BreweriesFor a change from visiting wineries, the following breweries are worth a visit - Bootleg Brewery - Wicked Ale Brewery - Colonial Brewery. |
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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. |
(08) 9755 3955 |
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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), smaller sections can be undertaken, even for a few kms at a time. The track has some spectacular coastal scenery, and meanders along the top of cliffs for much of its journey. There are some books available which give more detail. |
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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, which is a place steeped in Aboriginal legend. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the surrounds or walk to the Meekadarabee Cave. |
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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). From a boat - there is a FAD off Quindalup, Rocky Point, Wright Bank |
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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. The Capel Golf Course is another fine course. |
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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 seconds - but really this was just the beginning of the Swan's new life as a world class dive wreck, just over 1km from the shore at Pt Picquet near Meelup. |
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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 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. Tragic circumstances surround this historic homesite which has been restored by the National Trust, with spearings, drownings and fires featuring in the early history of the property which dates from 1834. Wonnerup House is open for visitors. |
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 safe for children. Some special beaches to visit are Meelup, and Hamelin Bay. |
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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 forest and eventually rejoin Caves Road. |
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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. The Busselton Port mainly exported timber and potatoes in its heyday but the last ship visited Busselton in the 1960’s (or ealier?). The jetty was originally straight for its entire length and the railway jetty also ran out from a point on the shore about 400m east of the main jetty and joined the main jetty about 700m out in a curve. In 1978 Cyclone Alby hit the jetty and demolished the main jetty from the shore straight out to where the railway jetty joined it. The railway jetty survived and is all that is left today. The jetty is home to a wonderland of cold water coral. An underwater observatory has been built at the end, and this is a unique experience that all visitors to the area should endeavour to see. |
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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 Lake Cave all at Margaret River. Most caves are accessed from Caves Rd (of course!) between Yallingup and Augusta. |
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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. Wyadup rocks, and Torpedo Rocks are two more. These rocks are all good fishing spots, but extreme caution must be taken when fishing. |
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 |
Whistlestop Miniature Steam Ra |
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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 should keep them entertained for a few hours. Cape Clairault winery has a small playground within view of their restaurant deck so you can taste and still see the kids playing. Bootleg Brewery also has an excellant play area within easy view. |
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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. |