DUNSBOROUGH

Dunsborough epitomises effortless coastal living. There’s something unique about the way we relate to nature here; there’s no separation between it and us. Morning swims set the day’s pace, the arms of the bay stretching out to embrace you in its crystal clear, sheltered waters. Unchecked time to lose yourself among the boutiques is followed by lunch – whether on-the-go or drawn out over a long table with friends – the whole affair framed by native bushland and rolling vineyards. Nature is a backdrop to life here, a constant reminder of one’s privilege – to be here is to be lucky, and to feel it deeply, intimately within your bones. What might feel extravagant elsewhere, feels fitting here; sailing down the pristine coastline, or a grazing board on the beach at sunset, wind-sculpted granite rocks glowing pink around you. Here, nature calls to be indulged in, wondered at, grounded in the immense natural beauty of your surrounds. It is the conduit through which you get closer to the beauty of life itself.

Dunsborough. Indulge in grounded beauty.

To Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

CAPE NATURALISTE RD

HayDay B&B Bike Shed Dunsborough

Blue Manna Bistro NATURALISTE TCE

Yahoo Surfboards

Yarri

Peko Peko SquidLips Fish & Chips Nina’s Jewellery

DUNN BAY RD

ShoeBeDoo

Dunsborough Cellars

CAVES RD

To Margaret River 10 min 0.6 km

Christian Fletcher Gallery

Dunsborough Bakery Naturaliste Charters SEYMOUR PARK

Bay Village Resort & Spa

LIONS PARK

Hillzeez

Occy’s DUNSBOROUGH BEACH

South West Boats & Bikes

GEOGRAPH BAY RD CENTENNIAL PARK

To Quindalup Boat Ramp

Dunsborough town centre is a coastal community located within walking distance from Geographe Bay but with a distinctly different vibe offered at the shopping district than at the casual beachfront. The town is bursting with bakeries, bars and fashion boutiques while the beach is perfect for a bike ride and a splash in the turquoise waters.

Yallingup: Yallingup is surrounded by the ruggedly beautiful Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. Here the calm waters of Geographe Bay give way to a dramatic coastline, famous for its surf breaks. So good are the waves here, pro surfer Taj Burrow calls it home.

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse: A casual 59 steps to the top of this working lighthouse rewards visitors with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and Meelup Regional Park.

Ngilgi Cave: An ancient and sacred place, Ngilgi Cave is the site of an Aboriginal creation story that’s shared with visitors by Traditional Owner Josh Whiteland (Koomal Dreaming). The resonating silence and intricacy inside the cave leaves its mark on all who bear witness. Picturesque Drinking & Dining: Elevated casual is Dunsborough’s definition of meal time – restaurants, wineries and breweries offer a taste of the region’s best, with nature’s beauty the backdrop.

Intimate Moments: Intimacy takes on new meaning here – whether you’re travelling solo or as a couple, family or friends, there’s a sense of seclusion and natural indulgence in Dunsborough that draws you closer to what’s important.

Boutique Shopping: From handmade wares and art to clothing and jewellery, shopping here isn’t an exercise in excess but a way of getting into the rhythm of Dunsborough’s alluring lifestyle.

Visitors Centre

Restaurant

Café

Bar

Gift Shop

Gallery

Accommodation

Supermarket

Pedestrian/cycle path

Dining/shopping precinct

Green Space

WORDS | Lizzy Pepper

Darling Dunsborough, the jewel on Geographe Bay, scored some superb new eating options this year. A couple of excellent coffee shops, a sleek new watering hole and burger joint, plus the prettiest doughnuts you ever did see. Go back to your beloved holiday haunts and try some of the new soon-to-be-favourites too.

Dotted amongst the cafes and bars are a bevy of boutique shops, perfect for picking up some holiday delights.

Dunsborough’s best breakfasts

Artezen is a long-time favourite for brekkie, with irresistible crepes and French toast. Soak up the sunshine if you can snag a table out the front and watch the world go by. They’re also licensed and serve lunch.

Yarri Mornings was one of the sweetest pirouettes of 2020; they started serving glazed donuts and jaffles for breakfast on Saturdays. The donut menu changes daily but look out for Anzac and pumpkin pie donuts – they’re simply divine.

Mealup has fresh croissants and Yahava coffee alongside more substantial brekkies such as eggs benedict, nasi goreng and house made granola. It’s also fantastic for lunch. Also try: Wild & Woods, Evviva Café, Kona Joe’s Health Shack. Cafe cruising

What’s new on the caffeine scene? Tiny Coffee on Clark is still tiny but has grown in popularity. They make excellent coffee quickly from this hole-in-the-wall spot, with a small selection of cookies. Local (@localdunsborough) promises ‘bites by the

beach’ and coffee made from Commonage Coffee Co beans.

Merchant & Maker are looking fresh as ever with a reno last year. The coffees are still killer, as are the salads, giftware and take-home meals in jars.

Yallingup Coffee Roasting Company got lucky with an awesome new nature playground Djiljit Mia going in next door, mid-2020. Grab a takeaway coffee, read interpretive signage to find out how Wadandi people caught fish in the bay, and watch the kids play.

Hot Chocolatte is still a fabulous treasure trove of coffee, chocolate and lollies. Visit twice and they’ll remember your name, if not your coffee order. Try the peanut butter chocolate frogs - the best!

Lunch on the run, or in the sun

Dunsborough Bakery is the place to refuel after a surf – grab a pie and a jam donut and you’ll feel like the luckiest person in town.

Peko Peko serves up tasty sushi, rice paper rolls (try the carrot ginger dipping sauce), soups and noodles. They’re also open dinner to dine in or takeaway.

You’ll love Occy’s for their brilliant tap beer list, beaut burgers and the fact you can sip a frothy in the sunshine watching kids play on the lawn and people coming and going in Dunsborough. It’s dog friendly too, and open for dinner. Bookings recommended.

Not strictly Downtown Dunsborough, Clancy’s Fish Pub makes the list as it’s a 10-minute walk from town, yet feels like you’re in the country, looking over the lush valley. Check out their Cape to Cape Tap List featuring a beer from every local brewery. Open for lunch and dinner.

Also try: Blue Manna, Merchant & Maker.

Dinner in Dunsborough

Bungalow Neighbourhood Social – New(ish) to downtown Dunsborough, Bungalow Neighbourhood Social have been well embraced. Craft beer, natural wine, wood fired pizza with a Euro vibe and great service.

Yarri is a smart restaurant loved for their lunch and dinner service. Chef Aaron

OPEN SEVEN DAYS – VISIT BUNKERSBEACHHOUSE.COM.AU FOR TIMES AND MENU OFFERINGS. Book now at

Carr prepares thoughtful food that honours the seasons, and it’s served with Snake + Herring wine.

Blue Manna is a well-loved favourite by locals. Next door to Yarri, it shares a beautiful view of the peppermint trees over Dugalup Creek. They have the freshest seafood around, with luscious oysters, whole fish, crab and prawns arriving daily. You can also buy fresh takeaway seafood at their shop next door. Book ahead to avoid missing out.

Pedro’s Mexican keeps getting better, with big flavours and even bigger cocktails. Dig into well known faves like guacamole, chilli con queso, nachos and burritos or try their take on Tex Mex with char grilled zucchinis stuffed with flavoursome fillings of your choice. Family friendly and they offer takeaway too.

Bayside Burger Bar serves up burgers, beers, milkshakes and fries with a nod to the region’s surfing history. Burgers are named after famous surf breaks, and this is an awesome place to take the family for an easy meal after a big day out.

Boutique Shopping

It’s a treat having the time to browse the boutiques and pick up a new dress or denim, a piece of art or locally made soaps.

Dunsborough’s dotted with locally owned and operated boutiques, and it’s a pleasure supporting these small businesses.

There’s plenty to explore, but check out these favourites. Corynne’s Natural Skincare is a little further out of town on Commonage Road, but worth the short drive for the handmade soaps scented with lovely natural oils and other lovely gifts.

One Palm clothing is designed in the south west, and their boutique features great clothes, accessories and travel goods. Shoebedoo has shoes and accessories for every occasion, taking you from casual beach sandals to stylish wedding heels. Milk is the place to go for amazing denim and designer dresses. And Hillzeez has your summer beach hangs sorted, with swimwear, towels, sunnies and everything you’d expect in a quality surf shop.

Nina’s Jewellery helps make a holiday extra special; make it a memorable getaway with a beautiful piece of jewellery. Likewise, Christian Fletcher Gallery captures glorious south west scenes in his award-winning photography, so you can gaze at Meelup Beach, Yallingup or Eagle Bay on your wall for years to come. Nathan Day Designs, master craftsman of impeccable wooden furniture has his workshop in Vasse, but you can get inspiration by admiring his custom made blackbutt tables at Yarri.

WORDS | Suzanne Srdarov

NAMED FOR THE Quenda, the Noongar term for the shy and elusive marsupial native to the area, Quindalup is located along Caves Road between Busselton and Dunsborough. Nestled into the long curve of Geographe Bay, Quindalup is roughly 250 kilometres from Perth making it a very doable twoand-a-half-hour drive.

Cape Naturaliste forms a spectacular natural barrier between the Indian Ocean and Geographe Bay, giving boaters, fishers, swimmers, and marine life a safe haven and year-round calm waters. A protected, natural

Above left and right: Uncrowded, sigh-inducing beaches perfect for supping or a stroll Above right: Spotting a whale flipper or a tail is a common site in the Quindalup waters

wonderland for families and ocean lovers of all ages, Quindalup is within close reach of the best of the Margaret River Region.

Settle in and make the most of your Quindalup stay – here’s your guide.

DAY ONE

Morning:

The summer months in Quindalup are perfect for beachcombing. Geographe Bay is roughly 10 kilometres of flat, sugarwhite sand beach and transparent waters, making it perfect for a beach walk and a dip. Head north along Geographe Bay towards Busselton and reach the mouth of freshwater estuary Toby’s Inlet where it spills into the ocean – in spring you might find the inlet still fast flowing and teeming with life from the winter rains. Or warm up and walk or cycle the beach path that winds through the bush and leads all the way into Dunsborough.

Quindalup is also popular with whales, easy to spot resting in the bay on their journey south. The calm waters offer sanctuary for humpback, southern right and rare blue whales on their migration, particularly mothers and their calves. Naturaliste Charters offer whale watching tours departing morning and afternoon from Quindalup beach, from September to December.

Afternoon:

Dunsborough Bay Yacht Club overlooking Quindalup beach is popular with boaties and non-boaties alike. Meet family and friends in the upstairs clubhouse for a sundowner, and check-in with the club calendar or Facebook page for an up-to-date schedule of events. Early birds can also start their day here with yoga, held three times a week.

Not a yachtie? Then jump in the car and head out to local Quindalup vineyard and winery, Blind Corner on Vasse-Yallingup Siding Road. Visitors to the cellar door can book tastings of their range of organic and biodynamic wines, or take a peek behind the scenes in the fermenting rooms and explore the vines. DAY TWO

Morning:

Set sail with Willie Cruises from Busselton Jetty and take in the beauty of the Quindalup coastline on one of the last operating pearl luggers. The experienced crew do all the hard work so you can sit back and enjoy complimentary morning tea and a fully licensed bar.

Looking for a bit more action? Dunsborough Jetski Tours depart from Quindalup boat ramp and offer one or two hour guided tours of the Geographe Bay coastline. It’s safe, fun, and a guaranteed hit with thrill-seekers and nature lovers as young as 12.

Afternoon:

Smooth afternoons in Quindalup are the time to get on that stand-up paddleboard, and go cruising with the stingrays. Snorkelling, crabbing, fishing from the beach or a tinny, or one of the many launches moored in the bay during summer are big drawcards.

Kids can safely play in the shallows while adults kick back and watch the sunset with a glass of something cold. Locals are known for happily sharing the shade under their beach canopies, making it fun and festive. One local has taken this even further, floating a picnictable bar in the shallows – a very popular addition to the bay.

Bayshore Beachside Resort units and Whitesands Holiday Villas are both located directly across from the beach on Geographe Bay Road and offer a range of villas.

For budget conscious travellers, the Dunsborough Youth Hostel has direct beach access and was once an 1800s schoolhouse.

Get yourself to Quindalup for some quality time-out in the turquoise waters of Geographe Bay.