Dunsborough

The pretty seaside town of Dunsborough overlooks the crystal clear waters of Geographe Bay and is one of the most popular family holiday spots in Western Australia. An easy three hour drive from Perth, it's a haven of secluded coves and coastal walking trails where you can watch bottlenose dolphins frolick in turquoise water. Take a drive along the coast to some of WA's best swimming beaches and Meelup, Eagle Bay and Bunker Bay. Facing north to the Indian Ocean, these beaches boast calm, sheltered water and, like many of WA's beaches, are refreshingly uncrowded. Pack a picnic or crank up the free barbeques and make a day of it. Dunsborough is also a top spot for diving with the largest accessible dive wreck in the Southern Hemisphere, The HMAS Swan. Proclaimed as a town in 1877, Dunsborough was no more than a few beach shacks until the mid-1950s. Today, it's got a vibrant arts scene, with live music and market days in summer and a plethora of well-respected art galleries. Nearby award-winning restaurants offer sweeping bush and coastal views. What's more, there are an impressive 220 vineyards and 80 wineries in the Margaret River region, quite a feat considering wine was first produced here just 30 years ago. Make sure you take time out to savour the fruit intense chardonnays, rich semillons, robust cabernets, soft merlots and locally brewed beers at nearby breweries. Also indulge yourself at an ice cream or chocolate factory. Other activities include photography, wine, canoeing, camel and cave tours. Or you can drive to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to soak up some maritime history at the museum and watch whales cruise the coast. Accommodation-wise, choose from an excellent selection of luxury resorts and hotels or chill out at a casual bed and breakfast or caravan park.