There’s nothing like jumping behind the wheel and setting off into the unknown in the South West of Western Australia on a road trip. Adventure beckons in the Margaret River Region with rugged coastlines, stunning beaches, vineyards and more just waiting to be explored. See below for 5 classic road trip itineraries to help get you started.
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1. The Scenic Drive | Approx. 1 – 3 hours
Start at Cape Naturaliste Road drive leaving from Dunsborough and ending at the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse.
Highlights:
- First stop Old Dunsborough with a jetty, grass, picnic tables and hot showers if you’re up for a dip
- Meelup National Park will take you to Castle Rock Beach (the gorgeous location for Gourmet Escape’s iconic Gourmet Beach BBQ) and Meelup Beach for the perfect photo opp of white sand and crystal blue waters.
- Make a pit stop at Eagle Bay Brewery (currently selling takeaway and food on Fridays and Saturdays)
- Head towards Bunker Bay, a perfect beach for kids and coffee available at Bunkers Beach House
- Final stop is the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse with a stunning viewing deck overlooking the ocean.
2. The Surfing Roadie | Approx. half day to full day
Catch the classic surfing locations from Yallingup to Gracetown and Surfer’s Point. Depending on how long you spend catching the waves, this road trip can take anywhere from half a day to a full day adventure.
Highlights:
- Start in Yallingup, considered to be the heart of surf country. Smith’s Beach is also great for less experienced surfers.
- Next stop is Gracetown where you will feel like you’ve stepped back in time. North Point in the right weather conditions has the heavy swell. If you aren’t up for the challenge, grab a pie from Gracie’s General Store and sit on the beach to watch the surfers get barrelled.
- Surfer’s Point in Margaret river is one of the best spots to catch a sunset. It’s also one of Australia’s most iconic surfing destinations. Pack a picnic and sit along the grass in the late afternoon and watch the sunset over the water.
3. Driving Through The Vines | Approx. 1hr to half a day
Start on the north side of Caves Road and drive down south. Length of the trip depends on if you’re stopping for food, wine or sightseeing.
Highlights:
- Start in Yallingup. With coronavirus restrictions easing, make sure you do your research and book if you want to stop off for some food or wine tastings. Options also include takeaway hampers with wine available from Swings and Roundabouts, Arimia and Cullen Winery.
- Look closely during your drive and notice the deep greens of the Karri trees. Jarrah, Karris and Marris trees tend to get thicker the further south you drive.
- Stop by some of the prolific vineyards along the way
- End point for the drive is the Boranup forest. You’ll know once you’ve reached there with impressive towering trees.
4. The Visual Arts Voyage | Approx. full day
Start at Busselton, stop over at Cowaramup, Margaret River to finish up at Augusta with the route following the roads leading to public artworks in the region.
Highlights:
- Start in Busselton and explore the foreshore filled with sculptures. Make sure you walk to the end of the Jetty to discover Ian Mutch’s life-sized whale paintings. Head to The Goose for coffee to catch the myriad of wall murals by local artist Chloe Wilder.
- Cow statues will be there to welcome you to the artist town of Cowaramup. There’s loads of art installations to explore from Pioneer Park in the main street, to supersized local birds painted just around the corner from the Lion’s Shed.
- Head into the Margaret River Visitor’s Centre where you’ll spot a few more works and also in town where you’ll spot Ian Mutch’s mural.
- For Russell Sheridan’s sculptures, take the scenic drive down Wallcliffe Road towards Prevelly.
- Head down Caves Road through the Boranup forest and make sure you stop at the Boranup Gallery.
- For your final stop, head to Hamelin Bay which hosts the Margaret River Sculpture Park featuring animal sculptures carved from wood and stone.
5. The Road Less Travelled | Approx. 2 – 3 hours
Start at Leeuwin Road Augusta and finishing at Redgate Beach.
Highlights:
- Start at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse which is the most south west point of Australia where two oceans collide.
- Don’t miss the views via Flinders Bay and stop for a coffee at The Colourpatch.
- Stop by Hamelin Bay and the nearby Cosy Corner to meet a friendly family of stingrays.
- Take the unsealed track down Conto Road with places to explore rockpools, the cliffs and Conto beach.
- Final stop is Redgate beach where on a clear day, you’ll be able to see the Georgette Shipwreck. If you time it right, grab a takeaway and a bottle of wine and enjoy it while watching the sunset at the beach.
This article by Sophie Mathewson has been edited and republished here with permission from margaretriver.com. Click here to view the original article.
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