ON THE MOVE: DUNSBOROUGH

LONG FAVOURED AS A SURFING AND HOLIDAY DESTINATION, THIS CHARMING TOWN IS A GREAT PLACE TO TO LIVE.

This holiday spot with great surf beaches is now becoming a popular place for people to live.

JUST BELOW CAPE NATURALISTE, west of Geographe Bay, the vibrant coastal town of Dunsborough in the Margaret River region of Western Australia is a favourite vacation spot for many and it’s easy to see why. The diverse beauty of Leeuwin-naturaliste National Park, its proximity to Margaret River wineries, fresh produce, acclaimed restaurants and hip cafés are part of the appeal, as is the lure of surf breaks at nearby Yallingup, Smiths and Injidup beaches. But it’s also that relaxed south-west vibe that entices many holidaymakers and young families to put down permanent roots in this coastal town of about 5300 people.

Isaac Kara, head roaster and co-owner of Margaret River Roasting Company, says it was the lifestyle that lured him back to the region six years ago. The 33-year-old grew up in nearby Busselton, before moving away and working in FIFO mining in the Pilbara for a number of years. He also gained barista and roasting experience along the way. Isaac now lives in Dunsborough with his partner Sarah Wright, 26, and their one-year-old son Moses and travels most days to Vasse, where the coffee roastery and livemusic venue is based, about 15 minutes away.

“Dunsborough is the best town in the state with surf five minutes away and calm beaches. The culture is modern but has a country feel to it,” he says. “I love surfing and the area has amazing wineries, breweries and produce.”

Southern California-born Kylie Meeks, 31, moved to Dunsborough more than eight years ago, after living and travelling around Africa for two years. Soon after her relocation to the south-west town, she established Conscious Craves, her plant-based food line, which she began selling at the Margaret River Farmers’ Markets. It is now available at her Conscious Craves café in Dunsborough.

“The natural beauty of the land and ocean is what I appreciate the most,” says Kylie. “The air and ocean are clean and I feel that it’s easy to create the lifestyle you want here. The community of Dunsborough is beautiful and I have always felt strongly supported in everything I have done.”

Some of her favourite places to visit are Dunsborough bay at sunrise, Injidup Beach and Meelup Beach on a full moon, as well as Sugarloaf Rock and Yallingup at sunset. > For more information about Dunsborough, visit margaretriver.com/towns/dunsborough

Isaac Kara MARGARET RIVER ROASTING COMPANY

Isaac has lived in Dunsborough for six years and runs a coffee roastery in nearby Vasse with Craig Woods and James Tischhauser.

REASONS TO VISIT

HEIDI EMMA ART WORKSHOP

Explore your creativity with all the materials supplied plus a glass of wine and a grazing board. heidiemma.com.au

SCULPTURE BY THE BAY Visit the Dunsborough foreshore during the March long weekend to enjoy a display of outdoor sculptural works with a view. sculpturebythebay.com.au

WHALE WATCHING An estimated 35,000 whales migrate between June and December. Join a charter boat tour or head to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse lookout or Geographe Bay for a great vantage point. WINERIES AND BREWERIES

Visit some of the 100 cellar doors and brewers in the region such as Aravina Estate, aravinaestate.com, Hay Shed Hill, hayshedhill.com.au, Wills Domain, willsdomain.com.au, Wild Hop Brewing Company, wildhopbeer.com.au, and Beer Farm, beerfarm.com.au

REASONS TO STAY

BEACHES Whether it’s the calm waters of Geographe Bay or nearby Yallingup Beach (one of Western Australia’s most revered surf spots) there are plenty of places to cool off. margaretriver.com/ attractions/beaches

NATURAL WONDER Local attractions include Leeuwin-naturaliste National Park, Meelup Regional Park and Ngilgi Cave. The Busselton-augusta region is recognised in the top 10 biodiversity hotspots in Australia with more than 2500 species of wildflowers. parks. dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/leeuwinnaturaliste; meeluppark.com

WALKING TRAILS The region has many trails including the popular Cape to Cape Track — a 123-kilometre walk from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse with amazing views of the coastline, woodland and Boranup Karri Forest. trailswa.com.au/ trails/cape-to-cape-track >

EAT

BARNYARD 1978 This restaurant, cellar door and honey store provides a link between landscape, nature and ecological sustainability. 12 Canal Rocks Road, Yallingup, (08) 9755 2548, barnyard1978.com.au

BUNKERS BEACH HOUSE Seasonal food combined with uninterrupted views of Bunkers Bay. Farm Break Lane, Bunker Bay, Naturaliste, (08) 9756 8264, bunkersbeachhouse.com.au

LITTLE FISH Enjoy a meal by a lake in the Gunyulgup Valley. 1/4 Koorabin Drive, corner of Gunyulgup Drive, Yallingup, (08) 9755 2455, littlefish.net.au

MERCHANT & MAKER A general store with artisan goods, groceries, gifts, coffee, hampers and gourmet food. 35 Dunn Bay Road, Dunsborough, 0498 090 959, merchantandmaker.com.au YARRI RESTAURANT AND BAR

Casual yet elegant dining spot with a menu showcasing Western Australian ingredients. Cyrillean Way, Dunsborough, (08) 9786 5030, yarri.com.au

SHOP

BEACH LIFESTYLE LIVING

A store with homewares, fashion and furniture. Shop 1, Dunsborough Village Shopping Centre, Naturaliste Terrace, Dunsborough, (08) 9756 8878, beachlifestyleliving.com EMPIRE HOMEWARES Stocks modern homewares, including those by a range of Australian designers. 58 Dunn Bay Road, (08) 9755 3501, empirehomewares.com.au

MILC A curated collection of Australian and international fashion brands. Shop 2, Dunsborough Village Shopping Centre, Naturaliste Terrace, Dunsbourgh, (08) 9759 1186, milchomewares.com ONE PALM STUDIO Offers a large range of luxury fashion, accessories, jewellery and footwear. 35 Dunn Bay Road, Dunsborough, (08) 9755 3044, onepalmstudio.com

STAY

EMPIRE RETREAT AND SPA Unwind and rejuvenate with a choice of 11 luxury suites and an atrium-style dining room that overlooks the vineyard. 1958 Caves Road, Yallingup, (08) 9755 2065, empireretreat.com

INJIDUP SPA RETREAT Guests can enjoy a private plunge pool in each of the luxurious villas that overlook the Indian Ocean. 31 Cape Clairault Road, Yallingup, (08) 9750 1300, injidupsparetreat.com.au PULLMAN BUNKER BAY RESORT

This five-star luxury retreat, tucked in to Bunker Bay, offers a range of accommodation options with access to the beach. 42 Bunker Bay Road, Naturaliste, (08) 9756 9100, pullmanbunkerbayresort.com.au YALLINGUP LUXURY RETREAT

Enjoy a break in one of five secluded villas and have your own private chef prepare you a meal. 29 Marrinup Drive, Yallingup, 0400 975 123, yallingupluxuryretreat.com.au

Yallingup Beach is a popular surf spot 10 minutes from Dunsborough. FACING PAGE Isaac Kara is the head roaster at Margaret River Roasting Company.

CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT Wild Hop Brewing Company’s outdoor area; surfers at Yallingup Reef; Merchant & Maker is a community hub in Dunsborough; the view from the dining deck at Bunkers Beach House; a coffee made by Isaac Kara of Margaret River Roasting Company. FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT A selection of beers at Wild Hop Brewing Company; Empire Homewares showcases a range of Australian and international designers; seasonal food is served at Yarri Restaurant and Bar; the viewing platform at Sugarloaf Rock.

CLOCKWISE, FROM ABOVE Bunkers Beach House opens for breakfast and lunch; the Empire Retreat and Spa; Yarri Restaurant and Bar. FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Kylie Meeks, owner of Conscious Craves café; Merchant & Maker is a one-stop shop; WA Surf Gallery at Aravina Estate; a dish at Bunkers Beach House; Sugarloaf Rock.