This great article details the best ways to discover beautiful Dunsborough & Yallingup, including taking a Cape to Cape Explorer Tours hike. It was written by Lizzy Pepper from The Margaret River Region tourism group. And has some great insider tips on the best places to visit and spots to explore at the top of the Capes region.
Located on either side of Cape Naturaliste are the towns of Dunsborough and Yallingup.
Both have incredible natural beauty, with Dunsborough showing off crystal clear waters in Eagle Bay and Meelup Beach, and Yallingup offering crashing beach breaks that lure big wave surfers year round. Since the 1950’s, the towns have been that slice of kid-friendly, summer swimming heaven. The promise of simple days spent under the melaleucas by Yallingup Bay or fish and chips on the Dunsborough foreshore has seen families return time and time again across generations.
Pristine beaches, rock pools, national parks and ancient caves to explore, and endangered animals to meet are no-brainers. But scratch the surface and you’ll find a thriving art scene, excellent dining and your new favourite wineries and breweries. The towns themselves have adopted the ethos of people, produce, and place, and you’ll find a relaxed and friendly community of people serving incredibly high standard food.
Whether you’re bringing your family or best friend, this is the place to recharge and revitalise.
Ngilgi Cave in Yallingup was one of WA’s first tourist attractions, popular with honeymooners, and thus Caves House Hotel was built in the early 1900s. The Ngilgi Cave Ancient Lands Experience will help you get your head around the fascinating origins of this spectacular cave, which is estimated to be about 1 million years old, and the crystal formations around 500,000 years old. It’s humbling to think we’re a mere blip on a mind-boggling timeline.
Margaret River has a stellar reputation for producing fine wine, but on your next trip, learn what’s behind that. A fantastic tour by Cape to Cape Explorer Tours and Vasse Felix explores the link between our maritime climate, the granite and limestone layers of the Naturaliste Leeuwin Ridge and the world-class chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon.
The Cape to Vine tour starts with a morning walk from Smiths Beach to a natural rock pool just north of Canal Rocks. Snorkel the refreshing Indian Ocean water, spy dozens of fish, and listen to stories of Gondwanaland.
As the sun dips below the horizon, the silhouette of Sugarloaf Rock encased in golden light is truly a sight to behold. It’s one of the most recognisable sights in the region, and will leave you feeling inspired by the sheer natural beauty – there’s just something extra special about west coast sunsets over the ocean.
Join Cultural Custodian Josh from Koomal Dreaming on a guided bushwalk where you’ll forage for seasonal native foods and medicines and delve into their cultural significance. Then it’s into the heart of Ngilgi Cave, where Josh’s authentic storytelling brings the Dreaming legends to life. Here, you’ll be treated to a one-of-a-kind didgeridoo performance, its ancient melodies amplified by the cave’s magnificent acoustics.
This tour culminates with a gourmet BBQ lunch around Josh’s campfire, with native food tastings served with Margaret River Region wine and beer. Depending on the season, you might savour kangaroo, emu, quandong, emu plum, and salt bush.
Smack bang in the middle of one of only 34 biodiversity hotspots, there are over 7,000 plant species in the Margaret River Region, of which 70% are unique to the South West. Rediscover Meelup Regional Park with local experts Mick and Ryan from South West Eco Discoveries.
Depending on the season, conditions and how lucky you are, you might spy dolphins, whales in spring, phascogales, quendas, endangered woylies and western ring-tailed possums, blue wrens and black cockatoos. Mick and Ryan know all the best spots to look.
And, of course, you’ll always see kangaroos. Drive (slowly) along Sheoak Drive, Yallingup, for epic kangaroo spotting opportunities. Then grab a hot loaf of bread from the nearby Yallingup Woodfired Bakery.
Choose your adventure depending on the season.
During summer, pick any beach between Castle Rock and Bunker Bay for some seriously spectacular aquamarine hues, crystal clear water and pristine white sand. Swim, hire a SUP (stand up paddleboard), explore with Dunsborough Jetski Tours, or DIY with a snorkel.
In autumn hike the Meelup Trails, or park at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and pick a trail – the whale watching lookout is beautiful, or take the wheelchair accessible walk to Sugarloaf Rock.
Tuck into something delicious and watch the weather roll in over the ocean at the new Ilma Beach House or Pullman Bunker Bay’s restaurant.
Springtime in Dunsborough means whale watching, and Point Picquet is arguably the best place to do so. The rocky point juts out into deep water, which means even the rare pygmy blue whales – bigger than the humpbacks – can swim past at close quarters.
Yallingup has attracted artists since the 1970s, with Rob Malcolm and John Miller leading the charge. Browse artworks by renowned local artists at Yallingup Galleries. You’ll find fine art, ceramics, glass, furniture crafted from local timber and superb handmade gifts.
John Miller is a gold and silversmith inspired by the region’s flora and fauna; his jewellery is stamped with tiny animals, birds, foliage or flowers. Visit John Miller Gallery and you might see him melting and pouring ingots, forging bracelets and bangles and cutting, engraving and polishing.
For original jewellery designs with a bit of extra sparkle, find Nina’s Fine Jewelleryat the heart of Dunsborough. They are one of the few stockists of the famous Australian Argyle pink diamonds.
The Studio Gallery is inspired by the Barcelona Pavilion and celebratse the best of West Aussie creativity.
For a tryly hands-on art experience, Happs Pottery & Icon Honey is not to be missed. Explore handmade pottery, book a pottery session, or enjoy tasting local honeys while watching the bees at work, all while browsing unique ceramics crafted on-site
Scenic Helicopters runs tours out of Pullman Bunker Bay Resort, as well as Cheeky Monkey Brewery and Margaret River airport. Get sky high for an awesome adrenaline experience – doors off, for an extra thrill.
Fly around Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, over Yallingup Beach, Canal Rocks, Meelup and Eagle Bay for a totally different experience to the land-bound one. You’ll see Canal Rocks’ channel, schools of salmon, kangaroos, farms and more.
Make a rockstar landing at a winery for lunch; Aravina or Wills Domain are both perfect.
Goanna Gallery and Bush Café is 30 years old but keeps getting better thanks to a gallery makeover (Australian designed/made only) and a brilliant kitchen team. Rediscover their creative and totally delicious lunch menu.
Wise Wine is unique in the region for having ocean views, and the beautiful al fresco dining area is the perfect place to toast to a great day.
Skigh Wine in Yallingup offers a must-try natural wine experience, with exclusive tastings of over 25 wines, including back-vintages and future releases, all reflecting the region’s unique terroir.
Wild Hop is a popular craft brewery, located amongst gum trees on Wildwood Road. Epic mural art, a beautiful leafy view, tasty menu and adventure playground make this a winning combo. Or visit Eagle Bay Brewing Co for lunch and a brew overlooking the farmland and down to the ocean – the menu focuses on what’s in season, with local ingredients in every dish.
Blink and you’d miss Commonage Coffee, Yallingup’s coffee spot on Commonage Road next to Deep Woods Wines. They make one of the best flat whites around. What does well with a coffee? Chocolate, of course. Next door lies Yallingup Chocolate, where you can browse (and eat, of course) locally made chocolate – there are plenty of gift options available, and we promise, there’s something for everyone.
Lagoon Yallingup has a relaxed, beachy vibe with an elite food offering. A great spot for brunch with cocktails overlooking Yallingup’s foreshore. Request a table upstairs.
A hobby farm-cum-restaurant, Meelup Farmhouse is the place for summertime grazing under gums and house-made picnics on the lawn, or cosy rugged-up lunches in winter, all within a short distance of the iconic blue water of Meelup Beach.
Rivendell Winery offers great morning tea (book in for a high tea!), lunch and drinks options including great wines, beer on tap, cocktails and coffee or tea. Their grounds and playground have recently been expanded – kids will love it, and dogs are welcome on a lead in all outdoor areas too.
In a region famous for winery lunches, new bars and restaurants are breathing life into Dunsborough after dark.
Yarri is one of the hottest spots for a delicious meal; a collaboration between chef Aaron Carr and the team behind Snake + Herring Wine. Carr creates exquisite food foregrounding native ingredients. The restaurant interior is superb with handmade crockery, crafted timber tables, rare plants and a view of lush peppermint trees. Stop for a glass of wine or stay for the chef’s menu.
Blue Manna celebrates the region’s best seafood with spicy Asian flavours. Singapore-style chilli crab comes with a paper apron – it’s a wonderfully messy, hands-on experience.
Bungalow Social strives to showcase the laid back beach vibe of the South West while focusing on seriously good sourdough ferment pizza, delicious natural wine, local beer and tropical spirits. Check out their Wine Room for a more intimate experience.
Dunsborough is bursting with new secret bars to discover. Har Bar has a vintage nautical theme with a solid cocktail menu. Lady Lola is part deli, part bar, part bistro. Indulge in a negroni or a glass of bubbles and some share plates.
Booking your Cape to Cape adventure
Book your self-guided adventure on the Cape to Cape Track. Walk with our expert guides on our 8-Day Guided End-to-End adventure. Or opt for one of our action-packed day tours. And we’ll see you on the Track soon!