What to do in 10 days on the south of Western Australia?

In november 2017, we had an opportunity to visit a friend of ours who lives and works in Western Australia, to be more precise, in the region of Margaret River.

If you are a wine lover or a surfer, you probably heard of Margaret River in the past: the region is home to some of the Australia’s best known wineries, and south of Perth is packed with vineyards and wineries. At the same time, there is a surfing world tour competition in the region, and some of the really good surfing spots there for all wave conditions.

Margaret River, West Australia
Main street at Margaret River.

November, being the end of spring/beginning of summer in Australia was a perfect time to do some camping and exploration of the area.

Here are some activities and places we can recommend on the south of Western Australia:

  • Visit the Meelup Beach.

During the week, you may end up there with 2 or 3 other people in the whole beach, and it feels like paradise. It’s one of the best beaches we ever visited, when not crowded.

Meelup Beach, West Australia
Meelup Beach, definitely our favorite beach for swimming.
  • Catch the sunset

Catch the sunset from Prevelly surfing beach parking. It’s a great spot to watch sunsets.

Sunset in West Australia
Watching the sunset from Prevelly beach parking.
  • Surf

There is plenty of surf spots on the whole coast. They are least crowded (both in terms of sharks and people :)) during the weekdays during the day. You may literally find yourself a great wave with 1 or 2 other people in the water. Some of the eaches are accessible only with 4WD, check our tips and tricks for camp travel to Western Australia.

Surfing in Australia
If you didn’t surf during a visit to Australia, you didn’t experience Australia to the fullest.
  • Visit northern cape Naturaliste

There is a nice lighthouse, and soms very nice surf beaches on the west side, while on the east side you will find Meelup and other beaches.

  • Visit the southern cape

Visit the southern cape, eat in the picnic area of the town of Augusta, and swim or surf in the amazingly beautiful beaches of Leeuwin.

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse in Augusta.
When on the south of Western Australia you must visit Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse near Augusta.
  • Visit the wineries

Taste a range of reds and whites produced in the region. The bottles are quite expensive, though, but tasting as such is free and while doing so, you will talk with the winery people and learn about how they approach winemaking.

READ MORE:  Buying guide: Which hiking shoes to buy?
Vineyards in Margeret River
When driving around Margaret River Region you will notice plenty of vineyards and wineries offering delicious Australian wines.
  • Visit the caves

There are many natural underground caves in the region, open for a visit. Visits are not free, but offer a great experience of the places some of which were used by Aboriginal people for different activities in the past.

  • Go for a walk

There are many marked little tracks you can find by the beach, and a multi-day trek from cape to cape, which goes by the beach, through the forest, and visits many beautiful places. You may camp in the wilderness between the days. Be aware of the Australian wildlife, which includes venomous snakes and spiders, though.

Cape to Cape track
The Cape to Cape Walk Track is a long-distance walk trail (123 km) which start and finish at the lighthouses, at the tips of Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin.
  • Visit the dam

Visit the dam at Collie, and maybe even camp nearby. If you like dams and lakes, you will not be disappointed. Plenty of walks in the area.

Dam at Collie
Wellington Dam at Collie, with an impressive history dating back in the early 1900s.
  • Visit the Karri forest

Karri forest is a forrest of huge eucalyotus trees. It is magnificent and made us breathless.

  • Visit Hamelin Bay

There is a beautiful beach, stingrays, and a remainder of the old jetty which was used for export of Karri timber to Europe and Africa in the past. Expect many flies to annoy you, though. 🙂

Hamelin-Bay
View of the beautiful Hamelin Bay.
  • Visit Yallingup 

It’s nice for swimming, nice for surfing, and always busy. They even have picnic area above the beach.

Yallingup
Yallingup parking and picnic area above the beach.
Yallingup beach
Down the stares of Yallingup picnic area, you will get on the beautiful beach. At the time of our visit to Yallingup, there was a local surfing championship.

 

Hope this gives you some ideas; please, feel free to add more ideas in comments below.

Pin for later…

What to do in 10 days on the south of Western Australia? What to do in 10 days on the south of Western Australia? What to do in 10 days on the south of Western Australia?

 

Author: Matic

Matic is tech startup guy who loves to spend time outside. In his free time he is an true outdoor freak – he tends to surf, run and ride a mountain bike, and in the winter time just loves powder skiing and snowboarding. Matic also loves to travel, often has to because of work, and even more often because he wants to 🙂

If you like, please share and spread the love :)


11 thoughts on “What to do in 10 days on the south of Western Australia?”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *