Dunsborough - exploring the South West

Using our Club Wyndham Timeshare we headed South to Dunsborough for seven nights, where we were lucky enough to have our good friend Sugnet join us for our adventure. Dunsborough sits on the shores of beautiful Geographe Bay and is one of those places that seems to have a little bit of everything – gorgeous beaches, wineries, caves, forests, great food and plenty of places to simply sit back and enjoy a glass of wine. We decided to self-drive from Perth, making a few stops along the way and enjoying the freedom of having our own car. There is something about a road trip through Western Australia that makes the journey just as much a part of the holiday as the destination. And Dunsborough certainly didn't disappoint.

One of our first outings was to Busselton to visit the famous Busselton Jetty. Stretching almost 1.8 kilometres out into Geographe Bay, it is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the region's most recognisable landmarks. Rather than walking the entire length, we jumped aboard the little red Jetty Train, which trundles out across the water towards the end of the jetty. It was such a fun way to take in the views and appreciate just how long this thing actually is! The jetty is also home to an underwater observatory, where you can head below the waterline to see the marine life and coral growing around the structure. Busselton itself is a lovely seaside town, with its foreshore, cafés, boutiques and plenty of places to stop for a coffee or something to eat. It has that relaxed holiday feel that makes you want to slow down and stay a while.

Of course, not every day needs to be about jumping in the car and heading off somewhere. One of the things we really enjoyed about staying at the timeshare was having the facilities and activities right there when we wanted a quieter day. We joined a Paint & Sip afternoon, which was exactly the sort of relaxed holiday activity that makes a trip with friends even more enjoyable. A bit of painting, a few laughs, a glass of wine and good company – what more could you ask for?

Back out exploring today, we could not go past Capes Raptor Centre. The centre is dedicated to the care, rehabilitation and conservation of birds of prey, including eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. There is a one-kilometre bushland walk through the sanctuary, along with bird-of-prey encounters where you can learn about these amazing birds and see them up close. It was great to see somewhere that combines the visitor experience with genuine conservation work, including providing lifelong care for birds that can't return to the wild and rehabilitating others for release. I took the opportunity to have my photo taken with a Sooty Owl which I will add to my collection of animal encounters. 

Later that afternoon we made our way to Ngilgi Cave in Yallingup. The experience starts above ground with the Ancient Lands Experience, winding through the native bushland and sharing stories about the landscape, the Wadandi people and the formation of the caves. Then it was time to head underground, where we wandered through the cave discovering stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and those incredible formations that have taken thousands of years to develop. It is a self-guided experience, so we could take our time and stop along the way. There are plenty of steps – around 350 of them – so it was definitely a bit of a workout as well as an adventure!

The next morning we decided to head out for another adventure, this time to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, sitting at the northern tip of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge. The lighthouse dates back to 1903 and sits high above Geographe Bay, separating the sheltered waters of the bay from the Indian Ocean. The surrounding coastline is spectacular, and there are several walking trails around the headland. Even if you don't fancy a big walk, there are plenty of opportunities to stop, take in the views and appreciate just how rugged and beautiful this part of the coast is. It was one of those places where we were very happy to simply wander, take photos and enjoy the scenery.

Back at the timeshare we decided to make use of the e-bikes and created our own little bike-and-wine adventure. There is something quite special about cycling through this part of the region, with vineyards, farmland and the beautiful Southwest landscape around you. We made our way to Lentedal Vineyard Estate. A family-owned boutique winery sits amongst the vines and farmland and combines wine with good food and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. The combination of wine, wood-fired pizza and the laid-back vineyard setting was pretty hard to beat.

And, of course, you can't come to this part of Western Australia without enjoying some of the wineries. The Margaret River wine region is famous for its Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, but for us, the winery experience was just as much about the atmosphere as it was the wine. There are so many cellar doors scattered around the region, from polished and sophisticated to small, relaxed and family-run. One of our favourites was Flametree Wines. Located between Busselton and Dunsborough, Flametree has a gorgeous beach-house-style cellar door with gardens, decks and an open fireplace – the sort of place where you can easily settle in for a while. And settle in we did!  The wines were fantastic and the whole experience had that relaxed Margaret River feel we love. It quickly became one of those places that stood out for us and one we would happily return to.

Our week in Dunsborough ended up being a lovely mix of everything we enjoy about travelling. The perfect balance of exploring, relaxing, eating, drinking and enjoying excellent company. And isn't that what a good holiday is all about?