Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
What to Do
Surfing the Wineries
The two main north-south routes are the Bussell Hwy (passing through Cowaramup, Mar-
garet River and Augusta) and leafy Caves Rd (running south from Dunsborough). Numer-
ous bucolic back roads link the two. Pick up one of the excellent free maps, squabble over
who's going to be the nondrinking driver, and dive right in. The other alternative is to take
a tour - public transport is not a workable option.
Most of the wineries offer tastings between 10am and 5pm daily. At busy times (this in-
cludes every weekend), consider booking ahead for lunch before you set out.
Tasting the Waves
Known to surfers as 'Yals' (around Yallingup) and 'Margs' (around the mouth of the Mar-
garet River), the beaches between Capes Naturaliste and Leeuwin offer powerful reef
breaks, mainly left-handers (the direction you take after catching a wave). The surf at
Margs has been described by surfing supremo Nat Young as 'epic', and by world surfing
champ Mark Richards as 'one of the world's finest'.
As is the way with such hot spots, surfers can be quite territorial, so respect the
etiquette and defer to locals if you're unsure. If you're planning on spending a lot of time
on the breaks, call into the surf shops and get to know some locals.
Around Dunsborough, the better locations include Rocky Point (short left-hander) and
the Farm and Bone Yards (right-handers), which are between Eagle and Bunker Bays.
Near Yallingup there are the Three Bears (Papa, Mama and Baby, of course), Rabbits (a
beach break towards the north of Yallingup Beach), Yallingup (reef with breaks left and
right), and Injidup Car Park and Injidup Point (right-hand tube on a heavy swell; left-
hander). You'll need a 4WD to access Guillotine/Gallows (right-hander), north of
Gracetown. Also around Gracetown are Huzza's (an easy break within the beach), South
Point (popular break) and Lefthanders (the name says it all). The annual surfer pro is held
around Margaret River Mouth and Southside ('Suicides') in March.
Pick up a surfing map from one of the visitor centres.
Surfing is never without its risks. Two people have been killed by sharks in the vicinity
of Gracetown in the last six years.
