Nestled on the edge of Geographe Bay, Dunsborough enjoys one of Australia’s most tranquil coastal spots while providing whale watching, shipwreck scuba diving and family-friendly wineries. The town’s surf and swimming beaches are complemented by a range of beachfront boutiques and restaurants, art galleries, animal farms and water sports.

Things to do

Dunsborough’s coastal locale is one of its most memorable features, with white-sand beaches interspersed with rocky bays. Head to the family-friendly Meelup Beach for calm waters, barbecue facilities and shady trees. Gannet Rock is ideal for rock jumping, while Bunker Bay has bigger breaks that are perfect for surfing.

For panoramic Indian Ocean vistas, trek to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, constructed in 1904 out of limestone. You can tour the grounds and spot whales from the lookout during their migration. The nearby Sugarloaf Rock offers one of Australia’s greatest sunsets over the ocean. The secluded Shelly Beach sits on the opposite side of the point and is perfect for salmon fishing.

You can also see whales on a whale-watching cruise in Geographe Bay, which provides fascinating diving around the HMAS Swan shipwreck. If you prefer land animals, visit Country Life Farm to hand feed farm animals or enjoy the inflatable playgrounds and carousel. The kids will also love the spectacular Ngilgi Cave, where you can see giant stalactites and stalagmites on a one-hour tour.

If you need a cold beer, head to Eagle Bay Brewing Co, a family-run brewery on a working farm. Silver Bullet Espresso serves up freshly-roasted coffee and uninterrupted ocean views, while The Pour House and Meat People is a stylish bar with modern Australian cuisine.

Getting around

Dunsborough is serviced by a public bus, but it’s much easier to use a private car to get around. You can walk around the centre of town and to some of the main beaches. Transwa coaches run from Perth to Dunsborough in about four hours.