The South West Wine Region

We’ve compiled the best of the best in The South West Wine Region - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. Bunker Bay

    When you turn off Bunker Bay Road onto Farm Break Lane, the wow-worthy vista of the bay takes one's breath away with its eye-popping turquoise waters. Pack the beach bag and a picnic, and prepare for a day lazing on white sand and swimming in see-through water. Amenities: food and drink; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

    Dunsborough, Western Australia, Australia
  • 2. Leeuwin Estate

    This winery's Art Series wines—especially the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon—have a deserved reputation as some of the best in the country, and feature on Australia's "most collected" list. Complimentary tastings (Art Series wine imposes a fee) are conducted on the property daily, introducing you to the extensive art gallery in the cellar. Setting aside the entire afternoon is the way to go at Leeuwin's fine-dining restaurant, open daily for lunch. In summer the estate holds its iconic Leeuwin Concert Series; many international superstars—including Tom Jones, Diana Ross, Sting, and the late Ray Charles—have performed here against a backdrop of tall, floodlit karri trees.

    Stevens Rd., Margaret River, Western Australia, 6285, Australia
    08-9759–0000
  • 3. Meelup Beach

    Beach

    Sheltered from wind, this soft-sand haven makes for a gorgeous coastal escape. Its aquamarine blue waters attract many a visitor. Bring food with you because there are barbecue facilities and picnic tables. Amenities: showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

    Meelup Beach Rd., Dunsborough, Western Australia, Australia
  • 4. Ngilgi Cave

    Cave

    Near Yallingup, this is a main site for adventure caving. In between crawling through tight spots, sliding down smooth rock surfaces and gazing at stalactites, you'll learn about the fascinating history of this special cave, explored by candlelight in the 1900s. Semi-guided cave tours take about one hour, cost A$22.50 and run every half hour from 9:30 to 4. Highly recommended adventure caving tours operate at either 9:30 am or 1:30 pm on various weekdays. Prebooking at least 48 hours in advance is advised. Adventure tours cost from A$60 to A$158, and vary from 45 minutes to four hours in length, depending on the tour.

    76 Yallingup Caves Rd., Yallingup, Western Australia, 6282, Australia
    08-9755–2152
  • 5. Smiths Beach

    Beach

    In a state of extraordinary beaches, this one rates high on the list. Bookended by rounded granite boulders, the caramel-hued sand sinks beneath your feet and the gentle, rolling waves beckon, daring you to cool off in the clean ocean. Edged by native bush, it's secluded and quiet but has plenty of accommodation options nearby, all hidden behind sand dunes. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunset; swimming; walking.

    Smiths Beach Rd., Yallingup, Western Australia, 6282, Australia
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  • 6. Woody Nook Wines

    Wilyabrup

    You'll find some unique blends of red wine and humorous gift items at this small country road winery. Steer down the long driveway, through the vineyard to arrive at this rustic, but welcoming cellar door and gift shop. It's hard to pass up a T-shirt with glittery wine glasses with sentiments such as “wines constantly” or “group therapy.” You'll also find funny cocktail napkins, artisan pottery, local artworks, and, of course, lots of wonderful wine. 

    506 Metricup Rd., Margaret River, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
    08-9755--7547
  • 7. Yallingup Beach

    What's not to love about this 1.3-km (1-mile) beach at the hillside town of Yallingup? Picture-perfect views; transparent water; clean, sun-baked sand; and a gentle pool of ocean at the southern end that protects you from the waves beyond. On any given day you'll see a tribe of surfers riding the waves, while wannabes and newbies take lessons (yallingupsurfschool.com) in the lagoon. There are limited food and drink options nearby, so come prepared. Amenities: lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; surfing; sunset; swimming; walking. High waves and rips increase north of the parking lot.

    Yallingup Beach Rd., Yallingup, Western Australia, Australia
  • 8. Bunbury Geographe Visitor Centre

    Haley St., Bunbury, Western Australia, 6230, Australia
    08-9792–7205
  • 9. Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

    Nautical Site/Lighthouse

    The view from the top of the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia and only a 10-minute drive south of Augusta, allows you to witness the meeting of the Southern and the Indian oceans. In some places this alliance results in giant swells that crash against the rocks; in others, you'll spot whales surfacing (in season: May–September). While the ocean can be chilly, small coves are blessed with calm waters ideal for swimming. The lighthouse precinct is open daily 9–5 (last entry 4:30 pm, includes self-guided audio tour; A$8). Guided tours to the top of the lighthouse (via a lengthy stairway) cost A$20 and run daily every 40 minutes. The last tour is at 4:20 pm.

    Leeuwin Rd., Augusta, Western Australia, Australia
    08-9758–1920
  • 10. Cape Mentelle Vineyards

    One of the "founding five" wineries in the area, Cape Mentelle planted its first vines in 1970 on a 16-hectare block just outside Margaret River. Today, it's still one of the most notable wineries, not only for its delectable drops but also for its seasonal movie nights. During the summer months, you can enjoy a balmy evening of food, wine, and film at the winery's outdoor cinema (a must-do). To learn more about the vineyard, take the 90-minute Behind the Scenes tours. There's also a food and wine pairing experience Monday through Wednesday, and Friday and Saturday morning; private tastings; and a picnic basket with wine flight option. As is the trend in the region, a A$10 per person fee is charged for wine tastings but refundable with a purchase. 

    331 Wallcliffe Rd., Margaret River, Western Australia, 6285, Australia
    08-9757–0812-cellar door
  • 11. Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

    At the northern end of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, a 13-minute drive from Dunsborough, stands Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. From the lighthouse keeper's cottages (now a gift shop, tour desk, information center, and café) take a 15-minute walk to the whale lookout, a purpose-built deck that overlooks the Indian Ocean. If you want to go inside the 75-foot tall lighthouse, you'll need to book a guided tour (every half hour from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm), where you learn everything there is to know about the history and operations of the lighthouse. You'll also get to climb the stairs to the top and stand on the outside balcony to take in the spectacular seascapes of this rugged coastline. Migrating whales are often spotted along this stretch from September through December. This is also the start of the coast-hugging 135-km (86-mile) Cape to Cape Track.

    1267 Cape Naturaliste Rd., Dunsborough, Western Australia, Australia
    08-9757–7411

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: A$15
  • 12. Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

    Nautical Site/Lighthouse

    At the northern end of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park stands Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. A 1½-km-long (1-mile-long) trail leads from Cape Naturaliste to Canal Rocks, passing rugged cliffs, quiet bays, and curving beaches. You can opt for guided tours, on request (various routes and costs); the cape to cave trail wraps in Ngilgi Cave and a stunning stretch of coastline. Migrating whales are often spotted along this stretch, and from the lighthouse. This is also the start of the coast-hugging 135-km (86-mile) Cape-to-Cape Track, for which there are also guided tours (Cape to Cape Tours are recommended for extended hikes; 0459/452–038, v26495593capetocapetours.com.au). Four major cave systems are easily accessible within Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

    1267 Cape Naturaliste Rd., Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, Western Australia, Australia
    08-9157–7411

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Guided tour A$28
  • 13. Clairault Streicker Wines

    Wilyabrup

    This winery is known for its award-winning Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Merlot, and is loved for its natural bushland setting, about 18 km (11 miles) south of Dunsborough. The contemporary-style cellar door offers A$10 per person wine tastings, which is redeemable upon purchase of a bottle of wine. The spacious café has glass doors that open onto a large timber deck that overlooks a picturesque vineyard in warm weather, while two huge stone fireplaces warm the tables in winter. Borrow one of the café's picnic blankets and relax in the garden.

    3277 Caves Rd., Margaret River, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
    08-9755–6225
  • 14. Cullen Wines

    Wilyabrup

    Biodynamic? Tick. Homegrown produce? Tick. Gorgeous vineyard setting? Tick. Stellar wines. Tick, tick, tick. Cullen isn’t the flashiest winery in Margaret River, but its rustic, cottage feel is a strong part of the allure. Family owned since it began in 1971 it has long followed an ethos to care for the planet and exist sustainably, and it seems Mother Nature is returning the favor. The Cullen Biodynamic Wine Room serves crisp, clean wines, along with fresh, flavorsome meals using seasonal ingredients from the on-site biodynamic spiral garden (visit for free independently). Seated wine tastings offer a personal service and in-depth experience from A$30 per person. General tastings at the bar start at A$15.  Traveling in a group of six or more? Make a booking for wine tastings.

    4323 Caves Rd., Margaret River, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
    08-9755–5277
  • 15. Hay Shed Hill

    Wilyabrup

    Winemaker and owner Michael Kerrigan—once chief winemaker at neighboring Howard Park and Madfish Wines—is on a mission to produce "modern wines from old vines" under several different labels. His hands-on approach, using the best grapes from the thirtysomething-year-old plantings, has won show awards and five-star endorsements by wine writers. The tasting room breaks from the usual Margaret River architecture—no rammed earth, timber, and stone here, rather a lovely white-painted clapboard building, polished concrete floors, and pitched ceiling. Tastings cost A$10 per person and you'll get it back if you buy a bottle. As the name suggests, the building is the original hay shed on what was a dairy farm. Rustico Restaurant serves tapas from 11 to 5 daily.

    511 Harmans Mill Rd., Margaret River, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
    08-9755–6046
  • 16. Jewel Cave

    Cave

    The southernmost cave of the entire underground system, Jewel has one of the longest straw stalactites in any tourist cave in the world—measuring about 16 feet. There's also an interpretive center on-site and a café nearby.

    Caves Rd., Augusta, Western Australia, Australia
    08-9757–7411

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: A$22.50; Lake, Jewel, and Mammoth caves combo A$55
  • 17. Lake Cave

    Forest Grove | Cave

    Centered around a tranquil, eerie-looking underground lake, Lake Cave is the deepest of all the open caves in the region, and there are tearooms on-site.

    Caves Rd., Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
    08-9757–7411

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: A$22.50; Lake, Jewel, and Mammoth caves combo A$55
  • 18. Lake Cave Eco Centre

    Forest Grove | Cave

    This eco display center at Lake Cave gives a good introduction to the whole cave system and how it was formed. There's a simulated cave tunnel called a cave crawl for kids to safely experience tight spaces.

    Caves Rd., Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
    08-9757–7411

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free
  • 19. Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park

    This national park clutches one of Western Australia's most spectacular coastlines, from Cape Naturaliste in the north, to Cape Leeuwin, near Augusta, in the south. The park is not a composite destination, rather a narrow patchwork of protected areas along the coast, intersected by beach access roads and small beachside villages, and traced by the Cape to Cape Track. The mostly unspoiled coastal vistas are as awe-inspiring as any in the world—on a calm day the view northward from Yallingup past Sugarloaf Rock toward Cape Naturaliste is nature at its best and it's often sprinkled with surfing dolphins. Farther south, between Cowaramup Bay and Karridale, scenic lookouts allow you to access coastal cliffs and rocky shoreline that bear the brunt of giant ocean swells generated across thousands of miles of Indian Ocean. Use extreme care when hiking or fishing cliff-side.

    Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, Western Australia, Australia
    08-9752–5555
  • 20. Mammoth Cave

    Cave

    Here you'll find ancient fossil remains of extinct animals and a tannin-stained stream. You can do a self-guided tour or opt for an audio experience, available in English, German, and Mandarin. Wheelchair access is possible to the first chamber.

    Caves Rd., Witchcliffe, Western Australia, Australia
    08-9757–7411

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Self-guided tours A$22.50

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