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Dunsborough

Dunsborough

Dunsborough lies on a culturally significant area of the South West to the traditional Aboriginal custodians, and is considered one of the oldest continually occupied habitats in the world, with a history dating back approximately 40,000 years.

Where to stay

Take a look at these places to stay when planning your next visit to Australia’s South West.

Whalers Cove Villas

Enjoy beautiful beachfront accommodation in Dunsborough.

Private Properties Holiday Homes

Discover luxury holiday homes in the South West for an unforgettable holiday.

Cape Executive Holiday Properties

A luxurious collection coastal and rural holiday rentals.

Dunsborough Beach Cottages

Architecturally designed cottages on the beaches of Geographe Bay.

Bayshore Beachside Resort

Comfortable and relaxing villa vacations in Dunsborough.

Dunsborough is a popular holiday spot for West Australians due to its quiet sandy coves, surrounding national parks, great shopping precinct and proximity to the Margaret River region’s wineries and attractions. Beautiful homeware and fashion stores sit beside cafés, bakeries and restaurants in the townsite, while nearby beaches on the way to Cape Naturaliste are arguably some of the best in the south west.

You’ll notice many place names around Dunsborough which end with the sound ‘up’. This means ‘place of’ in the local Wadandi dialect. You can join a local aboriginal guide from Yallingup or Cape Naturaliste to discover more of the aboriginal history and significance of this region.

Cape Naturaliste

Take a drive to the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Maritime Museum just 13kms out of town. Here, visitors can take a tour of the lighthouse and take advantage of the stunning views of the coast. There are several walking trails including the start of the Cape to Cape Walk which follows the coast to Cape Leeuwin near Augusta. These walk trails provide excellent viewing of the wildflowers in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, home to several rare species including the Naturaliste Nancy, Dunsborough Spider Orchid, Cape Spider Orchid and Meelup Mallee.

Cape Naturaliste is the perfect vantage point for spotting whales on their annual migration. Between September and December, southern right, humpback and blue whales are all commonly seen off the coast. Experience the magic of watching them bask and play in Geographe Bay from Cape Naturaliste’s purpose-built whale watching platform or from a cruise.

Caves

Formerly called Yallingup Cave, Ngilgi Cave is located on Caves Road between Dunsborough and Yallingup, around a 35-minute drive north of Margaret River. Discovered in 1899, it was the first cave in WA open to tourists and has remained one of the most popular destinations in the Margaret River region ever since.

It has a a number of different tours on offer, including the popular ‘Adventure Tour’ options that give thrill-seekers the opportunity to take a hard-hat and lamp and venture off the boardwalks.

Events

Don’t miss out on these great events happening in the region.

Whale Season

01 May 2023 - 31 December 2023
May to early December is the best time for whale watching and tours in the South West.

Events

Don’t miss out on these great events happening in the region.

Wildflower Season

01 August 2023 - 30 November 2023
Witness an explosion of colour during spring, set against the stunning natural scenery of the South West.

Events

Don’t miss out on these great events happening in the region.

CinefestOZ Film Festival

29 August 2023 - 03 September 2023
A six day festival for movie lovers celebrating the best in Australian film.

Events

Don’t miss out on these great events happening in the region.

Margaret River Region Open Studios

09 - 24 September 2023
The biggest art event of its kind in Australia, showcasing the vibrant visual arts scene of the region.

Things to Do

Looking for some inspiration on what to do in the South West? Here are some of our top picks!

Happs Wines & Commonage Pottery

Visit this self-serve wine tasting venue and art gallery.

Blue Manna Bistro

An Asian infused menu bursting with freshly caught seafood.

Sugarloaf Rock

Soak up the views of one the South West’s most iconic granite rock structures.

Other ideas for your trip

Looking for some inspiration on what to do in the South West? Read up on the different experiences and trips for the holiday of your dreams.

Plan Your Whale Watching Adventure

Plan your whale watching adventure in Australia’s South West during the Whale Watching season from May – December.
A man riding the barrel of a wave.

Swimming, Surfing or SUPing: Which South West Beach is best for you?

Your guide to which beach to visit for any coastal activity.

Newletter

What brings you here

Hamelin Bay

One of the best beaches

in Australia

Pinot Picnic

28 – 30 April 2023

SIP, TASTE & EXPLORE

Plan your Visit

Check out the

South West Edge Road Trip