Recreation

NEARBY THINGS TO DO

The Margaret River Wine Region

The Margaret River Wine Region covers an area spanning about 40km's (East/West) by 100kms (North/South).   There are six main towns to the Margaret River Wine Region

Augusta

Busselton

Cowaramup

Dunsborough

Margaret River

Yallingup (Yallingup means "Place of Love")

Some of the main attractions of the region are listed below.
 

Augusta Town

About 90kms south of Windmills Break, the town of Augusta lies on the south-western tip of Australia where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean.   Cape Leeuwin lighthouse is located at Augusta.   A small and thriving community, Augusta is popular for tourists with caravans and boats. Augusta is the third oldest settlement in W.A., the first white settlers having arrived in 1830. The town was named after Princess Augusta, the daughter of George III of England.   Well worth a visit and great for seasonal whale watching.

Beaches

Yallingup is located at the northern end of the Margaret River Wine region.  Several of the most popular beaches (all close to Windmills Break Hotel) include:

Bunker Bay and Eagle Bay (just North of Dunsborough)

Injidip Beach

Meelup Beach (close to Dunsborough)

Smith's Beach (Yallingup)

Windmills Beach

Yallingup Beach (world renowned and also has a great and very safe lagoon)

Busselton Town

Sheltered on the sweeping shores of Geographe Bay lies Busselton, gateway to the Margaret River Wine Region. Named after a prominent pioneering family the town also offers much insight into the regions cultural heritage with attractions like Wonnerup House, the Old Courthouse Gallery, the Old Butter Factory, Pioneer Cemetery and St Mary’s Church.

Busselton is home to the world famous Busselton Jetty and Underwater Observatory as well as iconic Figtree Lane and a smorgasbord of eateries and bars. This is a very popular holiday base for families given the 30kms of pristine, white sandy beaches and calm, lapping waters of Geographe Bay.

 

Busselton Jetty

Stretching 1.8 kilometres across Geographe Bay, Busselton Jetty is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. It is appreciated for its spectacular Underwater Observatory, Jetty Train and myriad of recreational uses.

The Busselton Jetty re-opened on Sunday 6 February 2011 after completing a $27 million refurbishment. New features include interpretive nodes and fish cleaning bays. Swimming and diving platforms, rain shelters and heritage sculptures are also present. Most importantly, visitors can board the jetty train to travel 1.7 kilometres to view the spectacular Underwater Observatory.

The Underwater Observatory provides visitors with the opportunity to view amazing marine life as they descend 8 metres to the ocean floor via a spiral staircase. There are eleven viewing windows at various levels within the chamber allowing visitors to view Geographe Bay's amazing underwater garden. Described as Australia's greatest artificial reef, the Busselton Jetty is host to an awe inspiring forest of vividly coloured tropical and sub-tropical corals, sponges, fish and invertebrates. Provision of a lift within the Observatory ensures that this amazing experience is available to all.

More details on Busselton Jetty HERE

Cape to Cape Walk (135kms long but many smaller sections)

The Cape to Cape Walk Track runs for 135 km along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge between the lighthouses of Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin in the far south west of Western Australia.

It features spectacular coastal and forest scenery, a fascinating geology and history, and wonderful wildflowers in spring. Click HERE for more details.

Because of its numerous access points, this walk trail offers many alternative walk options ranging from stroll of an hour of two to hikes of several days, while the entire Cape to Cape Track makes a superb 5 – 7 day challenge. You can choose to camp out along the Track, or make use of the wide variety of excellent accommodation available in this popular Margaret River holiday region.

 
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse (about 20kms north of Windmills Break)

Breathtaking panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, Cape Naturaliste, Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and the beautiful Geographe Bay coastline reward visitors to the top balcony of the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse.E

Easier than most lighthouses to climb, the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse is one of the most popular attractions in the Geographe Bay and Margaret River Wine region.

Built from limestone quarried from nearby Bunker Bay, at its highest point the lighthouse is 123 metres above sea level.

Friendly tour guides provide a fascinating insight into the functions of the working lighthouse, history of the area and ghost stories that will send tingles down your spine!

Numerous walking trails lead from the Lighthouse around the stunning bays and beaches of the Cape, providing amazing views over the ocean and of the local wildflowers. A platform and shelter provides magnificent whale watching during the annual migratory periods, from September to December - a special experience not to be missed!

Drinks, snacks and souvenirs are available for purchase at the Maritime Museum.

More details and History of the Lighthouse from HERE

Cowaramup Town

A small inland town about 5 minutes north of Margaret River Town and located on the main highway.   Cowaramup has a few gourmet shops specializing in a wide range of delicacies and set amongst picturesque, rolling farmland.

Diving

Dunsborough is home to one of the largest accessible dive wrecks in the Southern hemisphere. The former HMAS Swan, a 113 metre long decommissioned naval destroyer, was scuttled in December 1997.

The Swan has now become a popular dive site; being one of the largest ships in the southern hemisphere to be sunk as a dive wreck. Measuring 113m length, 21 meters in height and 13 meters wide, she is truly a spectacular site.

Since the sinking, an abundance of marine life has taken advantage of the Swan as their new home. Large schools of Bulls eye inhabit many rooms, with King George whiting and brim swimming around the hull. The inquisitive Samson fish gives divers an added bonus when looking around the wreck, along with blue devil fish and sweep. The list seems to be endless.

Diving tours, for novice to experienced divers, are available most months of the year, subject to weather conditions. The best time of year to dive the HMAS Swan is between the months of November to May. Click HERE for more details.
 

Dunsborough Town

Originally the location of a whaling station and the odd beach shack, Dunsborough has now become one of the most popular family holiday destinations on the West Australian coast. From vibrant boutique clothing stores to trendy eateries and everything in between.   Located on the calm shores of Geographe Bay, Dunsborough is a highly desired base to enjoy the many local activities and attractions.

Just a short hop from town are a treasure trove of secluded bays, coves and calm and clear swimming beaches stretching out to Cape Naturaliste. Yallingup, Meelup, Eagle Bay and Bunker Bay are all accessible by road, charter boat, catamaran, kayak or walking trail. During Spring, Meelup Regional Park and the walk trails around Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse offers great opportunities for wildflower viewing and whale watching! The surrounding reef systems also offer great diving as well as options to dive upon the HMAS Swan wreck.