Ultimate Guide to the Best Things to do in Dunsborough

Located just under three hours south of Perth, Dunsborough is a small, vibrant and much-loved coastal town. There are plenty of fun things to do in Dunsborough, vibrant places to visit in Dunsborough and top-notch Dunsborough attractions. 

Keep reading for all the info on the best time to visit Dunsborough, how to get from Perth to Dunsborough and of course all the details on the best things to do in Dunsborough. 

Why go to Dunsborough?

When the term ‘long weekend’ is muttered in Perth, the first thing most people think is ‘let’s go down south!’ I’ve been visiting Dunsborough with family and family friends for years and some of my best memories are from summers spent there on the beach. Besides the beautiful weather and picturesque beaches, Dunsborough has an abundance of history, sites and tours, and a variety of restaurants and cafes at every corner. It’s the ideal place for your next Perth getaway too.

Dunsborough’s appeal is its laid-back vibe and picturesque scenery which includes lush coastal bushland, wildflower displays, and the bright white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters of its many beaches.

How to get from Perth to Dunsborough

The easiest way to get to Dunsborough is by car. It’s an easy 2-hour and 40-minute drive south of Perth, with plenty of stops to fuel up or grab a coffee and pie along the way.

Alternatively, if you’re not keen to rack up the kilometres on your car, you can get to Dunsborough by hopping on a luxury bus which allows you to sit back and soak up the beautiful scenery. South West Coach Lines or TransWA are two good options for those looking to bus from Perth to Dunsborough. 

Best time to visit Dunsborough

The best time to visit is from January to May, and October to December, and is best enjoyed when you can completely relax and enjoy the holiday without any hassles. 

There’s a reason Dunsborough is so popular during the holidays and long weekends. The scenery and experiences allow you to calm down and enjoy each moment, ensuring that all your stresses and worries are left at home.

The weather during these peak times is pleasant and warm, with an average temperature of 21-24 degrees Celcius from January to May and 19-22 degrees Celcius from October to December. 

With its Mediterranean-style climate, the summers are warm and dry, but not too hot and unbearable. It’s the perfect temperature to take coastal walks and hikes followed by a cool down in the crystal turquoise waters, allowing you to make memorable experiences without experiencing heatstroke!

Things to do in Dunsborough

There are plenty of things to do in Dunsborough, you’ll find Dunsborough attractions to suit the whole family – whale watching, Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, wineries, stunning scenery, as well as spectacular dive and snorkelling sites. Read on for all the information on the best things to do in Dunsborough. 

Whale Watching

If you’re wanting to see these mesmerising giants of the ocean the best time to visit is in October. The whales begin their southern migration to their feeding grounds in Antarctica at the beginning of September. The species of whales that you’ll have the amazement of seeing are the Southern Right whales and the Humpback whales.

The Southern Right whales slowly recover from near-extinction every year, with the females gradually beginning to birth the next generation of Australian Southern Rights.

The Humpbacks are known to be the favourites amongst whale watchers, due to their graceful and energetic displays.

Visitors can spot these whales in Geographe Bay, one of Dunsborough’s many beautiful coastlines. You can spot whales in Dunsborough, from the shoreline with a pair of binoculars, however for the best whale-watching experience, it’s best to join a text link: whale watching tour so you can get up close and personal with these majestic creatures. 

Text link: Dunsborough Whale Watching Eco Tour offered by Naturaliste Charters is a fantastic pick. They have more than 27 years of experience running professional whale-watching tours in the region. 

You’ll spend around 2.5 hours on the 20-metre catamaran, which leaves at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm daily. The crew are knowledgeable in marine science and provide interesting, educational commentary throughout the tour. A morning or afternoon tea is provided and you’ll have access to bathrooms and even the Captain’s lounge.  

The tour is family-friendly and safe for kids, with safety rails around the catamaran and children’s life jackets available. 

Make sure you’re prepared for your tour by:

• Take motion sickness medication the night prior and the morning of your tour if you need
• Bring along a warm jacket
• Bring sun protection

Tours are weather dependent so when possible be flexible in planning your travel date. 

For more information on whale watching in Dunsborough, check out our dedicated article The Ultimate Guide to Whale Watching in Dunsborough. 

Meelup Beach

Located within Meelup Regional Park, Meelup beach is known for its stunning calm, turquoise waters, which are visually reminiscent of the Greek islands. Its sheltered coastline between Dunsborough and Bunker Bay is a family favourite and a major tourist hotspot for avid beachgoers.

Amenities provided are public BBQ’s and picnic areas where the whole family can enjoy a day by the waters, and if you’re more adventurous, there are also jet ski, kayaks, surfboards, and paddle boards to hire. Plenty of locals say that Meelup is the epitome of Western Australian beaches, and I must admit, I agree.

If you’re wanting to spend the day down by the waters, then some essentials to bring include a towel, sunscreen, hat, protective clothing, shoes, towel, and any other fun items such as a footy or frisbee, and food and drink to enjoy when you want to take a break from all that swimming.

Castle Rock Bay

Castle Rock Bay is a calm bay located on the east side of Cape Naturaliste; protected from westerly winds and ocean swell. The bay is a great spot to swim and fish, with beautiful scenery and walking trails. 

Castle Rock is the best place to find a variety of native flowers and wildflowers, such as spider, mustard, jug, donkey and even the rare cape orchid, with native rose, pimelea, hooded lily and acacias among the rest.

If you’re learning to surf, Castle Rock is a great place to ride the waves, as it’s protected from harsh winds, unlike the other areas where the swell can get large and dangerous.

The same amenities apply with BBQ’s and picnic areas, throughout the area. Of course, make sure you bring sun protection and sturdy, comfortable shoes if you’re wanting to take a hike.

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

One of the most popular attractions in the South-West region, the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse rests on a 100m high bluff that overlooks Geographe Bay. Built in 1903 from local limestone, the lighthouse consists of a 59-stair climb, with breathtaking ocean views from the top balcony, which is even accessible for small children. 

The lighthouse celebrates maritime history and the life of a lighthouse keeper, with guided tours departing from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm; guest numbers are limited to 10 people per tour.

Amenities include a gift shop and a picnic area; so you can sit down and relax and enjoy the view, as well as take home a souvenir from one of Dunsborough’s historical sites.

Fishing

For the travelling angler, Dunsborough is a fantastic spot for those who enjoy reeling in a line or two!

With the beaches being a great spot to fish from shore or by heading offshore by boat, you can expect to catch more than a couple of fish. One of the fish you can expect to catch is the Australian salmon, which migrates through Dunsborough during early to late autumn.

Some of the best places to fish are Cape Naturaliste, Bunker Bay, Castle Bay and Meelup Beach. 

For more details on all the best fishing spots in and around the area, check out my Complete Guide to Fishing in Dunsborough.

Dunsborough also accommodates those wanting to do some offshore fishing, as the waters are relatively sheltered from large swells. Some fish you might find further offshore include pink snapper, samson fish, Australian bonito, southern bluefin tuna, dhufish, herring, and skippy…just to name a few. If you’re wanting to venture out on a boat, you can launch off from the Old Dunsborough boat ramp or Quindalup.

Other than fish, you can even catch squid, which you’ll find along the east side of the cape which faces Geographe Bay.  

Visit local wineries

The adults visiting definitely love this! One of the most popular wineries in Dunsborough is Flametree Winery, known for its award-winning wines. They also offer a 10% discount on any mixed case of 12 or more wines!

Although there aren’t many wineries in the Dunsborough region, if you’re willing to drive the easy 35 minutes to Margaret River, you will not be disappointed. Margaret River is best known for its 90+ cellar doors, with over 65 rated as 5-star wineries! The most popular wines of the Margaret River region are the cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and shiraz.

Some of the fan favourites include Cape Mentelle Vineyards, Voyager Estate, Leeuwin Estate and Stella Bella Wines… just to name a few. No trip to Dunsborough or Margaret River is ever left empty-handed; you’re guaranteed to bring a bottle (or 12) back home with you!

Not only is the wine fantastic, but the food at the wineries is just as good. Voyager and Leeuwin are some of the best places for a glass of wine paired with a divine lunch and nibbles, although I am a bit biased as these two are family favourites!

Injidup Natural Spa

Injudup Natural Spa is a picturesque, hidden rock pool that overlooks the Indian Ocean. Crashing waves during higher tides give it a spa-like feel and it’s the perfect spot to take all those beautiful travel pictures!

I definitely recommend visiting Injidup Natural Spa as early as possible as it’s pretty popular and gets crowded easily. It’s also important to remember to be patient, as it’s at its busiest during summer. The best items to bring when visiting the natural spa are a towel, water, sunscreen, snacks and your people of choice.

Sugarloaf Rock

Sugarloaf Rock is quite easily one of the most spectacular sights in this region. A natural granite island located in the Indian Ocean about 2km south of Cape Naturaliste, Sugarloaf Rock is one of the region’s most popular natural landforms, which happens to be a bird watcher’s and nature lover’s paradise.

One of the best ways to view this natural landform is on the Cape-to-Cape Track towards the Cape Naturalise Lighthouse. On the way, you may even be lucky enough to see the bottlenose dolphins frolicking in the waters around the rock.

Caution is advised, as the water around the rock can be quite treacherous, it’s important not to climb the surrounding rocks when the tide comes in and the wind is up. As beautiful as it is, it’s best viewed from a safe distance.

Eagle Bay

Situated at the tip of Cape Naturaliste, Eagle Bay is a stunning location with crystal clear waters that is the perfect spot for a relaxing swim and picnic with the family. Not only is it great for swimming, but it’s also a lot of fun for those wanting to kayak and snorkel.

After a tiresome swim, pop over to Eagle Bay Brewing Co, a microbrewery, restaurant, and vineyard overlooking the Indian Ocean. They handcraft beers with quality ingredients: freshly harvested rainwater, malted barley, yeast, hops and sunshine to power the brewery. 

Enjoy a tinny or two with their delicious menu: whether you’re craving beer-battered fish and chips with tartare sauce or pork belly with peanut Asian slaw and a chilli xo jam, you’ll be sure to find something to satisfy your tastebuds. They even have a kids menu so you don’t need to leave the little ones at home!

Dive HMAS Swan wreck

From around $160, you can scuba dive among the HMAS Swan wreck, a Royal Australian Navy River Class Destroyer Escort that was classed as the most expensive Australian warship at the time, costing a measly $22 million to build. However, in 1996, she was decommissioned, and the Geographe Bay Artificial Reef Society proposed to sink the ship in a sheltered location.

Now home to an abundance of marine life, you can explore the wreckage of the naval destroyer, and witness large schools of bulls eyes, King George whiting, samson fish, blue devil fish and sweep. The tour includes two dives to Swan Wreck, use of dive equipment, snacks and refreshments.

Sometimes the tours are cancelled due to poor weather, but if this does happen, you can always reschedule or receive a store credit!

Bunker Bay

15 minutes south of Dunsborough, Bunker Bay is one of the other many stunning parts of WA’s South West. A common trait it has along with the rest of the region’s beaches is its turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and limestone cliffs. The beach is sheltered from prevailing winds and is a great place for fishing, snorkelling, and of course, swimming.

Amenities you’ll find down by the bay are showers and toilets in the carpark, when you want to rid yourself of sand in your bathers, as well as a café to curb your hunger after a long day of swimming and splashing in the Grecian-like waters.

Last words on things to do in Dunsborough

On your next long weekend down south, why not head to Dunsborough? Get out and about in the beautiful weather, explore the picturesque beaches, take in the history, sit back and indulge in the variety of restaurants and cafes at every corner.

What are your favourite Dunsborough activities? Are there any things to do in Dunsborough I have missed? Comment below!

More Weekend Inspiration

While you’re in the region, why not explore Augusta? Or head out on a fishing trip in Augusta? Or visit the magical stingrays of Hamelin Bay? Or explore the caves of the Margaret River region? There’s plenty to do in WA’s South West Region!

If you’re looking for a getaway that’s a little further, why not give Exmouth snorkelling a try?

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