Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

MARGARET RIVER & THE SOUTHWEST 459
Moments Scenic Drives & a Spectacular View
The picturesque 106km (66-mile) north-south drive along Caves Road, the
length of the Southwest from Busselton in the north, to Augusta on Cape
Leeuwin in the south, is worth doing. Don’t miss Boranup Drive , a scenic
detour off Caves Road through towering karri trees—although your
rental car is not insured on its unpaved surface! It departs Caves Road 6km
(3 3 ⁄4 miles) south of Mammoth Cave and rejoins it after a 14km (8 3 ⁄4-mile)
meander. Near Augusta, a sweeping ocean view—which sometimes even
includes seals, whales, and dolphins—awaits those who climb to the top
of Cape Leeuwin lighthouse. It is open every day except Christmas from
9am to 5pm. Tours are run every 45 minutes from 9am to 1pm, more often
in school holidays. The stairs close at 3:45pm. Entry is A$4 (US$2.60) for
adults and A$2 (US$1.30) for children under 16.
(US$26) for adults and A$20 (US$13) for kids under 16. Her winery tour has
an alternative bent incorporating short karri-forest walks, insights into organic
winemaking, tastings of up to 40 wines at five wineries, a visit to Leeuwin
Estate’s herb garden, and a picnic lunch of bush tucker and local cheeses, hams,
and dips. She’ll teach you things like how vaporized peppermint oil from the
native trees condenses on the grapes to create the distinctive flavor of Margaret
River whites. The 5-hour tour departs daily at noon and costs A$55 (US$36)
per person.
Surfing lessons from four-time Western Australian professional surfing
champion Josh Palmateer (& 08/9757 3850 or 0418/958 264) are a must!
Two-hour lessons in the gentle waist-deep surf at Prevelly Park Beach, 9km (5 1 ⁄2
miles) west of Margaret River, run daily and cost A$80 (US$52) per person, or
A$40 (US$26) per person for two or more. Lessons run October through June.
If you are already a Master of the Surf Universe, try legendary Smiths Beach or
the Three Bears (Mama, Papa, and Baby) break at Yallingup, the double-barreled
North Point at Gracetown, or the plentiful breaks at Prevelly Park. Beach Life,
117 Bussell Hwy., Margaret River (& 08/9757 2888), rents boards for A$40
(US$26) for 24 hours.
From June to December whales play just offshore along the coast. There is a
whale lookout near the Cape Naturaliste lighthouse. Daily 3-hour whalewatching
cruises with Naturaliste Charters (& 08/9755 2276) depart June
to September from Augusta. September to December, departures switch to
Dunsborough, where humpbacks rest their calves. Expect to pay around A$45
(US$29) for adults and around A$25 (US$16) for children 4 to 12, free for children
under 4.
Arts and craft galleries are thick on the ground in the Southwest. One of the
most upscale is Gunyulgup Galleries, Gunyulgup Valley Drive near Yallingup
(& 08/9755 2177), which has top-of-the-line jewelry, glass, ceramics, and artworks.
Open daily 10am–5pm.
WHERE TO STAY
It’s not the prettiest village in the Southwest, but Margaret River has necessities
like banks, a supermarket, a few restaurants, and shops. The blink-and-youmiss-it
hamlet of Cowaramup is closer to more wineries, and has a general store,
a restaurant, and one or two interesting crafts shops. Vasse is a tiny settlement at