Top Trail:  Cape to Cape Track, Margaret River

Past tall Karri tree giants and long sandy beaches, Augusta is as far south-west as you can go in Australia. Right on the tip of rugged Cape Leeuwin, you can head up to the top of the historic lighthouse (the largest of its kind on mainland Australia) or cast your eyes down to watch the waters of the Indian and Southern oceans collide. The town itself is 310 kilometres south of Perth, and you can get here in under four hours by road, or hop on a 50 minute flight from Perth airport to Busselton and shorten the drive to just over an hour. If you have the luxury of time, walking is by far the best way to travel. Following the Cape to Cape Track on its 135 kilometre course from Cape Naturalist along the coast will reward you with some of the most varied trekking in the world in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. From June to September, all eyes turn to the waters of Flinders Bay where migrating humpback and southern right whales gather for a little rest and play before continuing on their journey north to the breeding grounds. Often, these majestic creatures can be spotted close to the shore, or from the vantage point of Cape Leeuwin. A whale watching tour will give you the most memorable encounter, getting you closer to the breaching, spy-hopping and tail-slapping action. Follow the waters of the Blackwood River from its mouth to the upper-reaches and you'll find plenty of idyllic spots to cast a fishing line, launch a boat, paddle a kayak or view the abundant birdlife. Regular ferry cruises will also lead you on a meandering path up the river, or you can take the scenic drive to Western Australia's largest show cave, hidden deep beneath towering karri trees. For spectacular Indian Ocean views and some swing practice, head to Augusta Golf Course and play nine or the full 18 holes. A good selection of accommodation options make it the ideal family holiday destination, with hotel/motel rooms to modern, self-contained apartments and holiday homes.

Putting you right at the heart of the world renowned Margaret River Wine Region, Cowaramup's very own picturesque wine area, known as Wilyabrup, invites you to taste the fruits of its rolling vineyards and dairy farms. Cowaramup is a three hour drive south of Perth, and just a ten minute drive from the Margaret River town site. A short detour west from Cowaramup, along Caves Road will take you on a journey of indulgent discovery exploring the boutique and big name wineries of Wilyabrup. Some of the region's rich flavours can be sampled in and around the township itself, including the fresh gourmet dairy produce its most famous for. A long history of dairy farming has evolved to cater for connoisseurs of delicious handmade cheeses, yoghurts, ice creams and chocolate, and many local providors offer the opportunity to try the range of flavours before you buy. Other gourmet goodies, including honey, fudge and sweet treats, can be found in the town centre, where a vibrant arts and crafts community is also well-represented by several quaint shops and galleries stocking fine woodcrafts, pottery, paintings and sculptures. Head to the beach for a change of pace - just five kilometres from Cowaramup, Gracetown is a popular surf beach. Or take a scenic drive through rolling green pastures, vineyards and natural bush filled with wildflowers in spring. Its pretty wine and dairy country setting and central location makes Cowaramup a great base for an indulgent escape. Choose from self-contained holiday houses and chalets, cosy bed and breakfasts and a caravan park. During your stay, you might hear the locals refer to Cowaramup as 'Cowtown'. The town's name is in fact derived from the local Indigenous Noongar word 'Cowara' which means 'purple crowned lorikeet' - nothing to do with cows at all!

Beside the calm and clear waters of Geographe Bay, the pretty town of Dunsborough is a favourite 'down south' family holiday destination. A short walk or scenic drive brings you to secluded coves and stunning coastal trails, with local award-winning wineries and breweries offering the perfect excuse for a lazy lunch. An easy three-hour drive south from Perth brings you to the heart of Dunsborough and a short hop from some of Western Australia's best swimming beaches, including pretty little Meelup, the sweeping sands of Eagle Bay and the sheltered turquoise waters of Bunker Bay. Just a short distance off Dunsborough's coast, keen divers can take a snoop around one of the largest accessible dive wrecks in the southern hemisphere. At 113 metres long and home to an abundance of marine life, the former HMAS Swan ranks high on the diver wish list Australia-wide. From nearby Cape Naturalist Lighthouse, you can follow the trail of one of the most diverse walking treks on Earth, the Cape to Cape. If you'd prefer just to take a few vertical steps instead, climb the lighthouse for for 360 degree views of Geographe Bay - a top spot for watching whales cruise by on their annual migration and learning a little about the region's rich maritime history. Dunsborough itself was proclaimed as a town in 1877 and, until the mid-1950s, was no more than a few beach shacks. Today, it boasts a vibrant arts scene, with live music, widely-renowned art galleries and bustling summer markets. Just beyond the fringes of town, you'll come to the cellar doors of some of the Margaret River region's 100 plus wineries and the tasting rooms of award-winning boutique breweries. Here, you can savour fruit-intense chardonnays, rich semillons, robust cabernets, soft merlots and refreshing fine ales. Other decadent indulgencies include locally-made ice creams, fudge and chocolate, not to mention plump juicy olives and rich fruity preserves. The choice of luxury accommodation is just as tempting, both in Dunsborough and nearby Yallingup, but there are also plenty of middle-range-to-budget options, from hotels and bed and breakfasts to caravan parks.

Beside the calm and clear waters of Geographe Bay, the pretty town of Dunsborough is a favourite 'down south' family holiday destination. A short walk or scenic drive brings you to secluded coves and stunning coastal trails, with local award-winning wineries and breweries offering the perfect excuse for a lazy lunch. An easy three-hour drive south from Perth brings you to the heart of Dunsborough and a short hop from some of Western Australia's best swimming beaches, including pretty little Meelup, the sweeping sands of Eagle Bay and the sheltered turquoise waters of Bunker Bay. Just a short distance off Dunsborough's coast, keen divers can take a snoop around one of the largest accessible dive wrecks in the southern hemisphere. At 113 metres long and home to an abundance of marine life, the former HMAS Swan ranks high on the diver wish list Australia-wide. From nearby Cape Naturalist Lighthouse, you can follow the trail of one of the most diverse walking treks on Earth, the Cape to Cape. If you'd prefer just to take a few vertical steps instead, climb the lighthouse for for 360 degree views of Geographe Bay - a top spot for watching whales cruise by on their annual migration and learning a little about the region's rich maritime history. Dunsborough itself was proclaimed as a town in 1877 and, until the mid-1950s, was no more than a few beach shacks. Today, it boasts a vibrant arts scene, with live music, widely-renowned art galleries and bustling summer markets. Just beyond the fringes of town, you'll come to the cellar doors of some of the Margaret River region's 100 plus wineries and the tasting rooms of award-winning boutique breweries. Here, you can savour fruit-intense chardonnays, rich semillons, robust cabernets, soft merlots and refreshing fine ales. Other decadent indulgencies include locally-made ice creams, fudge and chocolate, not to mention plump juicy olives and rich fruity preserves. The choice of luxury accommodation is just as tempting, both in Dunsborough and nearby Yallingup, but there are also plenty of middle-range-to-budget options, from hotels and bed and breakfasts to caravan parks.

Eagle Bay is the luxury escape of choice for Western Australia's rich and famous. Here, in scenic seclusion, you can indulge in world-class wining, dining, surfing and diving, not to mention sensational bushwalking. A little over three hours' drive south of Perth, Eagle Bay sits on the tip of Cape Naturaliste in Geographe Bay, with the delights of Dunsborough, Yallingup and Busselton on its doorstep. Entering a world of opulent beachfront holiday homes belonging to Western Australia's most affluent, you're just a short hop from the world-famous Margaret River Wine Region - the only wine region in Australia where you can enjoy stunning beaches, tall-timber forests, ancient caves, premium wines and world-class surfing within a single day. Make the rolling vineyards your first stop. There are more than 100 top-notch wineries, fine dining restaurants and a boutique brewery, giving you a tantalising taste of the region's freshest flavours. World-class diving adventures also await in Eagle Bay, where the HMAS Swan dive wreck and artificial reef brings you face to fin with an abundance of amazing marine life. The clear, sheltered shallows of the bay are also ideal for a spot of snorkelling or a relaxing swim. If it's surf you seek, head to one of the internationally renowned big-wave beaches and breaks in nearby Yallingup and put your surfing and body boarding skills to the ultimate test. Beyond the beaches, a network of walking trails afford awesome views of Geographe Bay, and from nearby Cape Naturalist, you can follow the trail of one of the most diverse treks on Earth, the Cape to Cape. Walking or cycling the 135 kilometre track will lead you to beautiful beaches and headlands, tall karri tree forests, ancient caves and carpets of spring wildflowers. Take a few vertical steps to climb Cape Naturalist Lighthouse and take in 360 degree views of Geographe Bay - watch whales cruise by on their annual migration and learn about the region's rich maritime history. If you're staying for a decadent holiday, hire an exclusive beachfront house or, for country comfort, unwind in bed and breakfast or chalet accommodation.

Eagle Bay is the luxury escape of choice for Western Australia's rich and famous. Here, in scenic seclusion, you can indulge in world-class wining, dining, surfing and diving, not to mention sensational bushwalking. A little over three hours' drive south of Perth, Eagle Bay sits on the tip of Cape Naturaliste in Geographe Bay, with the delights of Dunsborough, Yallingup and Busselton on its doorstep. Entering a world of opulent beachfront holiday homes belonging to Western Australia's most affluent, you're just a short hop from the world-famous Margaret River Wine Region - the only wine region in Australia where you can enjoy stunning beaches, tall-timber forests, ancient caves, premium wines and world-class surfing within a single day. Make the rolling vineyards your first stop. There are more than 100 top-notch wineries, fine dining restaurants and a boutique brewery, giving you a tantalising taste of the region's freshest flavours. World-class diving adventures also await in Eagle Bay, where the HMAS Swan dive wreck and artificial reef brings you face to fin with an abundance of amazing marine life. The clear, sheltered shallows of the bay are also ideal for a spot of snorkelling or a relaxing swim. If it's surf you seek, head to one of the internationally renowned big-wave beaches and breaks in nearby Yallingup and put your surfing and body boarding skills to the ultimate test. Beyond the beaches, a network of walking trails afford awesome views of Geographe Bay, and from nearby Cape Naturalist, you can follow the trail of one of the most diverse treks on Earth, the Cape to Cape. Walking or cycling the 135 kilometre track will lead you to beautiful beaches and headlands, tall karri tree forests, ancient caves and carpets of spring wildflowers. Take a few vertical steps to climb Cape Naturalist Lighthouse and take in 360 degree views of Geographe Bay - watch whales cruise by on their annual migration and learn about the region's rich maritime history. If you're staying for a decadent holiday, hire an exclusive beachfront house or, for country comfort, unwind in bed and breakfast or chalet accommodation.

Margaret River and its premium wine region is the place for indulging many passions. It's the only wine region in Australia where you can hop from award-winning wineries and restaurants to stunning beaches, tall-timber forests, world-class surf breaks and ancient caves. From Perth, it's an easy 3-hour-and-20-minute drive via coast or country. Budget travellers can catch the coach that departs daily. Or, you can opt to arrive in style, taking a direct charter flight to nearby Busselton. Blessed with mild weather and abundant sunshine, Margaret River has evolved from a chilled-out surfie town into a popular base for enjoying the region's fine flavours and spectacular scenery, where rolling vineyards sit against a backdrop of ocean and forest. Producing over 15 per cent of Australia's premium wine, the tastings are top notch. And besides over 100 wineries, you'll be spoilt for choice with many fine restaurants, boutique breweries, art galleries and fresh produce, from divine cheeses to chocolate. Time your visit to coincide with the annual wine and food festivals and you'll get to savour many of these flavours in one hit. Those with a taste for adventure will find plenty to indulge in too. Known internationally as one of the best big-wave surfing locations on Earth for consistently spectacular breaks, there are over 40 top spots along Margaret River's coast, with conditions ranging from powerful reef breaks to fun beach surf. Venture inland and you'll be dwarfed by some of the world's tallest hardwood trees, and awe-struck by the longest straw stalactite on show when you plunge into Jewel Cave - one of many ancient limestone caves open to the public. More thrills can be found with rock climbing, abseiling, mountain biking, canoeing and whale watching tours. You might even be tempted to throw in a line and chase some snapper at one of the designated fishing spots. Your bed for the night can be as opulent or basic as your budget allows. The region boasts a fine array of luxury retreats and private beach houses, through to hotels, motels, backpackers, caravan parks and camping grounds.

Head to the quaint coastal town of Prevelly and enjoy some of the South West's most beautiful beaches. Catch some world-class surf breaks. Walk the breathtaking Cape-to-Cape coastal track. Or sample the divine fruits and flavours of the famous Margaret River Wine Region. A 10 minute drive west of Margaret River, or three hours and 30 minutes south of Perth, Prevelly is a great base for surfers, nature lovers, outdoor adventurers, food lovers and wine aficionados alike. It's an area that boasts some of the most consistent and spectacular surf breaks on the planet. Neighbouring Gnarabup Beach hosts the Margaret River Pro surf competition every March, where you can watch the world's best surfers pit their skills against the pounding waves of the Indian Ocean. On Prevelly's beaches, you can launch your boat, take your dog for a walk, or take your pick from the many safe swimming spots. From Prevelly, the many delights of the Margaret River Wine Region are just minutes away. Book a tour or drive yourself around the region's award winning vineyards, wineries and restaurants. Head to Margaret River township for some café culture and retail therapy. Venture into ancient caves and tall timber forests. Or hire a canoe or kayak and explore the river. The Cape-to-Cape Track presents another unique outdoor challenge and some of the most diverse trekking in Australia. Hit the 135 kilometre trail through karri forests and along sandy beaches, encountering caves, wildflowers and rugged headlands. Or, if you're looking for an easier option, take a leisurely stroll along Prevelly's beachside path. Whatever your idea of adventure, you'll find a number of restaurants and cafes in Prevelly where you can refuel with a sumptuous dinner, complete with Indian Ocean sunset. There's also a range of accommodation to choose from in the town, including self-contained apartments and beach houses, villas, camping grounds and caravan parks.

To the Indigenous Noongar people, Yallingup means 'place of love'. One visit will show you why. With its top-rated surf, stunning beaches, world-class wines, ancient caves and breathtaking ocean sunsets, Yallingup captures the hearts of nature lovers, thrillseekers and wine connoisseurs alike. Yallingup lies to the north of the Margaret River wine region, within three and a half hours' drive south of Perth, or a short ten minute drive from neighbouring Dunsborough. Famous the world over for its consistent, spectacular surf breaks, Yallingup is home to the renowned and well-ridden Three Bears, Yallingup, Smith's Beach and Injidup breaks. That said, you'll also find sheltered spots ideal for swimming and fishing. If you'd prefer to sample the region one step at a time, hit the Cape to Cape Track. One of the most diverse walking treks on Earth, the 135 kilometre trail leads you from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, passing long sandy beaches, dramatic granite headlands, tall karri tree forests, caves, blankets of spring wildflowers and, of course, nightly ocean sunsets. Beyond the beaches and headlands, Yallingup's award winning wineries and boutique cellar doors dot the picturesque hillsides, with some even overlooking the ocean. Here, character and world class quality can be found in fruit intense chardonnays, rich semillons, robust cabernets, soft merlots and many other varieties and blends. For the foodies, a memorable meal is not hard to come by. Highly skilled chefs have been attracted to the region by the finest quality fresh produce. The result is a wide variety of extraordinary dining experiences, from beachside cafes and fine dining restaurants to gourmet vineyard lunches. Choosing your bed for the night will bring more tempting options, with hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, luxury retreats, private beach houses, self-contained units and caravan parks. Advanced bookings are highly recommended, particularly during school holidays and long weekends.

The region's four visitor centres are located at Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River and Augusta. As the local experts they offer comprehensive information, booking services and advice. Trust them to help you find the best surf breaks, camp sites, top restaurants, award-winning wineries, fishing spots and majestic walking trails. They are available to help seven days per week in person, by phone and email. Your Margaret River Region visitor centre staff all live locally and between them they've been everywhere and seen everything. They are happy to offer free advice on just about any topic relating to the region, and if they don't know the answer to a question, they will find someone who does. The friendly staff can help you with bookings for accommodation, tours, transport and groups. They can also organise tickets for local events or experience gift vouchers. You can get a free copy of the regional map and guide; while other detailed maps and guides are available for purchase. The visitor centre can help you with itinerary planning and provide information on shopping, events, weather, travel conditions, safety and local services.

The region's four visitor centres are located at Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River and Augusta. As the local experts they offer comprehensive information, booking services and advice. Trust them to help you find the best surf breaks, camp sites, top restaurants, award-winning wineries, fishing spots and majestic walking trails. They are available to help seven days per week in person, by phone and email. Your Margaret River Region visitor centre staff all live locally and between them they've been everywhere and seen everything. They are happy to offer free advice on just about any topic relating to the region, and if they don't know the answer to a question, they will find someone who does. The friendly staff can help you with bookings for accommodation, tours, transport and groups. They can also organise tickets for local events or experience gift vouchers. You can get a free copy of the regional map and guide; while other detailed maps and guides are available for purchase. The visitor centre can help you with itinerary planning and provide information on shopping, events, weather, travel conditions, safety and local services.

The Margaret River Visitor Centre is headquarters for the Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association, winner of the 2008 Australian Tourism Award for Visitor Information and Services. Located in one of the world’s most exciting tourism destinations the visitor centre provides extensive information and a booking service. It’s also home to the award-winning Wine Tourism Showroom where you can start a journey of discovery of Margaret River wines. The showroom is recognised as being amongst the best of its kind with extensive displays and information on the region’s wine industry and regular wine tastings. On your visit don’t forget to book a tour to the breathtakingly beautiful Lake, Jewel and Mammoth Caves and the striking Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, mainland Australia’s tallest lighthouse and the dramatic meeting point of the Southern and Indian Oceans. The Margaret River Visitor Centre is open every day 9am to 5pm, except Christmas Day when they are closed.