From Busselton to the Scenic Cape Naturaliste and Wine Region

The holiday resort town of Busselton lies sheltered along the shores of Geographe Bay. Here, visitors can stroll along a seemingly endless white, sandy beach towards Cape Naturaliste, 30 kilometres to the west. A cycle path runs adjacent to the foreshore making this stunning bay accessible to all. The calm, protected waters of the bay make Busselton a perfect launchpad for water lovers. Here you can swim, snorkel, sail, dive, row, fish or water-ski. The city’s safe swimming beaches and amenities also make it the perfect base for families. Numerous caravan parks located directly behind the beach also make Busselton a great stop-off for travellers with caravans, campers or tents. The newly refurbished Busselton Foreshore is a lovely place to enjoy a relaxing afternoon with free barbecues, skate park, new children’s playground and beautiful views of the bay and Busselton Jetty. There are cafés and kiosks, and a brewery and accommodation is currently being developed to add to the area’s appeal.

Cape Naturaliste is a headland in the south western region of Western Australia at the western edge of the Geographe Bay. The first peoples in Cape Naturaliste were the Wardandi Aboriginals, who called it "Kwirreejeenungup", meaning "the place with the beautiful view". In 1801, the French navigator Nicolas Baudin stopped here on 30 May during his exploration of Australia. The French were mapping the coast of New Holland (Australia). Baudin named the bay they found Geographe Bay, after his flagship, Géographe. Later, the cape was named after the expedition's second ship, Naturaliste.

Caves Road is a 111-kilometre-long (69 mi) scenic route in the South West region of Western Australia. It connects western Busselton with Augusta, running along or to the west of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge, and is an alternative route to Bussell Highway. Caves Road is also a major component of the route from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, in what is known as the state's Capes Region. Caves Road was named due to it being a way to access the caves of the region, though it was sometimes referred to as Margaret Caves Road. It has since also been considered as a tourist route within the road network, and designated as such in the 1990s. The road for a long time was a gravel road only, and in the 1930s to 1960s its condition was a problem.

Geographe Bay is in the south-west of Western Australia around 220 km southwest of Perth. The bay was named in May 1801 by French explorer Nicolas Baudin, after his ship, Géographe. The bay is a wide curve of coastline extending from Cape Naturaliste past the towns of Dunsborough and Busselton, ending near the city of Bunbury. The bay is protected from the rough seas of the Indian Ocean by Cape Naturaliste (named after Naturaliste), which makes it a popular destination for recreational boaters. The bay is extremely shallow, limiting the entrance of large ships. To alleviate this problem the two-kilometre-long Busselton Jetty, the longest in the southern hemisphere, was built. The bay attracts whale watchers, who see it as an alternative to Flinders Bay. The north west part of the bay is the location of a number of surf breaks.

Margaret River is a town in the South West of Western Australia, located in the valley of the eponymous Margaret River, 277 kilometres (172 mi) south of Perth, the state capital. Margaret River's coast to the west of the town is a renowned surfing location, with worldwide fame for its surf breaks including, but not limited to, Main Break, The Box, and Rivadog. The surrounding area is the Margaret River Wine Region and is known for its wine production and tourism, attracting an estimated 500,000 visitors annually. In earlier days the area was better known for hardwood timber and agricultural production. The town is named after the river, which is presumed to be named after Margaret Whicher, cousin of John Garrett Bussell (founder of Busselton) in 1831. The name is first shown on a map of the region published in 1839. Before British settlement the area was inhabited by the Noongar people. The first British settlers arrived as early as 1850, with timber logging commencing in around 1870. By 1910, the town had a hotel which also operated as a post office. Margaret River is the foremost Geographical Indication wine region in the South West Australia Zone, with nearly 55 square kilometres (21 sq mi) under vine and over 138 wineries as at 2008.

Sugarloaf Rock is a gigantic granite rock that emerges from the Indian Ocean extremely close to the mainland. The rock is situated within a designated nature reserve in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park just off Cape Naturaliste near Dunsborough. As you approach Sugarloaf Rock you will instantly see why this towering, sea-sculptured rock is one of the most photographed coastal landforms in the region. With its ocean side often battered by treacherous seas, and the rock separated from the coast by a narrow channel of wild water, this is an incredible seascape - best viewed from the elevated lookout. Sugarloaf Rock is one of the region’s most spectacular coastal landforms and unique environments. Perhaps the greatest sight is when the sun sets over the Indian Ocean and the colour of the rock changes every minute. If you wait long enough at sunset, you can even see the working Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse light up!