The Towns in the Margaret River Region
1) Dunsborough:
A relaxed seaside town on the protected shores of beautiful Geographe Bay. The population of about 5000 swells to 3 times that number in summer, giving it a festive, holiday atmosphere. The range of activities available include cruising the local boutique shops, swimming in the calm azure waters of the Bay, hiking along the Meelup or Cape to Cape Tracks, partaking of excellent coffee and meals from any number of cafes and restaurants, or sampling the wines and beers at the local breweries and cellar doors. And lets not forget fishing in Geographe Bay, cycling the foreshore path, golfing at one of the two 18-hole courses and having a game of bowls or croquet at the Dunborough & Districts country club.
2) Busselton:
The largest city in the region (close to 40,000 residents), it is located on the stunning Geographe Bay and is home to the iconic 1.8 km long Busselton Jetty. It is the events capital of Western Australia, hosting numerous sporting, musical and cultural events each year, such as Southbound, Ironman, The Jetty Swim and the Forest Car Rally.
Busselton is a relaxed seaside city and has playgrounds to occupy the kids, a stunning foreshore to wander along, as well as several historical buildings that take you back to early settlement times. There are many kilometers of flat paths along the scenic coast for a leisurely bike ride or stroll; stop off anywhere along its length for a swim or to simply relax by the beautiful bay. The cycle way between Busselton and Dunsborough is a flat, leisurely 25 km one-way ride and if you include lunch at either end, it makes for a lovely day out.
Busselton is an excellent family destination, having kilometers of calm, shallow water and white sand beaches for the kids to enjoy.
3) Yallingup:
Best known as a world-class surfing destination (and the hometown of Taj Burrows), this small, scenic seaside town site is perched on the hills above the beach and overlooks the Indian Ocean. It's a special place to watch the sunset, swim in the protected Yallingup Lagoon, or to take a stroll along the windswept, rugged coastline on the Cape to Cape Track, where wildflowers abound and whales can be spotted in season.
Dolphins are often seen surfing the waves and showing off their skills to the human surfers! Heading south along the coast from Yallingup town are many beaches that you should explore at your leisure.
4) Cowaramup:
This small, inland town site is definitely worth a visit. Quirky, life-sized cow statues line the streets, and a series of boutique shops and small cafes will keep you amused for an hour or two. Almost everything is cow themed, which makes sense since it's in the middle of cattle country. See if you can find the 'rump on a stump', aka 'roast on a post' while you're there! Fun fact: Cowaramup holds the world record for most people dressed up as cows (1352) at one time.
5) Gracetown:
Is home of the some of the best surfing in Australia at Cowaramup Bay. Depending on conditions, the waves attract long boarders, paddle boarders and short boarders. A popular thing to do is to sit on the shore at North Point and watch the surfers tackle the waves, then meander off to one of the nearby breweries or cellar doors for a refreshing drink and a bite to eat. Gracetown used to be a quiet, out-of-the-way hamlet with a series of shacks, but today there are many beautiful homes with amazing coastal views.
6) Margaret River:
This town has a distinct laid back, live-and-let-live feel to it. Being further south and inland, it receives a good amount of winter rain, and is more green and lush than Dunsborough and Busselton. You can take you pick from dozens of hiking and biking tracks that meander through magnificent Karri, Jarrah, Marri and Blackbutt forest, or down to Prevelly and the Margaret River Mouth.
There are loads of shops to explore--clothing, knick-knacks, surf shops, specialty foods and bookstores, as well as an extensive selection of cafes and restaurants offering everything from Japanese and Italian to large, satisfying pub meals. The town has a resident population of about 13,000, but in summer it is a popular 'base camp' and it bustles day and night with tourists.
7) Prevelly (and Gnarabup):
Another small, beautiful seaside location particularly known for surfing. The main break hosts some of the most impressive surf in the world and the car park has been recently renovated to include an excellent viewing platform. People often park themselves on the grassed area for hours watching the surfers, dolphins and whales.
The Margaret River Mouth is close by and is a good place for kids to swim in summer because it is shallow, calm and isolated from the crashing ocean waves. Gnarabup is just to the south of Prevelly, and is probably the most dog-friendly area in the region. The beach, protected by an offshore reef, is one of the best in the area for a swim in the mornings. On bigger swell days, it can be a good place for a beginner surfer to have a go.
8) Witchcliffe:
It may be tiny town with only a few quaint boutiques, a petrol station and a John Deere outlet, but it has a unique historic feel to it and is worth a stop for a quick wander. The exceptionally wide and tidy streets are lined with 1/2 wine barrels full of flowers, and the buildings are rustic, charming and well maintained. Witchcliffe used to be a timber town and was on the old train line to Busselton. Today it has more of a farm-town feel to it.
9) Karridale:
In its day, Karridale was a lively place involved in the Jarrah and Karri timber trade and was pivotal in moving timber to the old jetty at Hamelin Bay. Some of the Karri from this region was shipped to the UK to line the streets and is still in place today. Jarrah, which is water resistant, was popular in ship building. Today, Karridale is the crossroads to head south to Augusta, east to Pemberton, or north to Margaret River. There is a tavern and bottle shop here with good pub meals, and a post office and small general store.
Karridale was named after the majestic Karri Trees, which were harvested for several decades and shipped around the world. Today they are a protected tree. They are only found in the southwest corner of Western Australia.[/caption]
10) Augusta:
Is located on the southern-most tip of the region. It sits where the calm Hardy Inlet of the Blackwood River meets the roaring Southern Ocean, thus offering calm waters for swimming and fishing, as well as refreshing windswept walks along the beach to watch the churning ocean. Kite surfing is also popular in the Inlet, as it tends to have consistent winds along with calm waters. You can wander through a several small shops and cafes and the Tavern has a terrific view of the Inlet.
A pretty drive out to the tip of the Cape brings you to the Cape Leeuwin lighthouse, which is the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia. It sits at the confluence of the Indian and Southern Oceans. The audio tour at the lighthouse is a worthwhile diversion to learn about the unique history of the area. The southern end of the Cape-to-Cape track is very close by, and if you wander along the coast for a bit, you may even spot a penguin or two. You will also find the original waterwheel that used to pump water to the lighthouse keeper's cottage. On the way back into Augusta, be sure to have a look at the relatively new, very impressive marina.
