Dunsborough, South West

Dunsborough is a town located in the coastal part of the South West region of Western Australia. It faces Geographe Bay and, like the nearby towns, is a popular holiday destination. The town derived its name from Dunn Bay, in turn named after Captain Richard Dalling Dunn.

There are a lot of unusual and unique attractions to visit and behold in Dunsborough. One of which is the Hutchings Antique Shop and Museum, which touts itself as the largest private museum in the state. The establishment is particularly proud of its extensive collection of stuffed animals, also claimed to the largest in Western Australia. The museum also holds the distinction of being housed in a historic building, which was constructed in 1892.

A similar establishment is the Greenacres Shell Museum, situated within the town's shopping centre, which claims to house the country's largest collection of shells that are privately owned.

There are also several wineries located within and around Dunsborough. One is the Happs Winery & Pottery, which produces premium wine products. Located on Commonage Road, the winery welcomes visitors to try and purchase some of their award winning products. The pottery is also one of the oldest of the region and uses only local clay. Lucky visitors may even chance upon musical performances that the winery sometimes hosts.

Along Eagle Bay Road is the Wise Winery, which boasts of using only finest wine-making techniques for their products. The vineyard is also set amidst a sweeping landscape that is quite beautiful to behold.

A short drive to the outskirts of the town will lead visitors to the Simmo's Ice Creamery & Fun Park, which is designed for the whole family. Apart from offering a wide variety of ice cream flavors to choose from, the establishment also features an adventure playground, a mini golf course, and beautifully maintained gardens that are ideal for picnics. This attraction can be accessed via the Commonage Road.

Another alternative family destination is the Bannamah Wildlife Park, located along Caves Road. This zoo features native birds and marsupials that will fascinate children of all ages.

If there are a lot of man-made attractions in Dunsborough, there are also natural ones that will enthrall the town's visitors. One of the more popular outdoor destinations in the area is the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. This extensive park is composed of forested areas and spectacular coastlines, with numerous plants and animals calling it home. The park also has an extensive blanket of wildflowers during the warmer months. One of its interesting highlights is the Sugarloaf Rock, a spectacular rock formation that is one of the most photographed landmarks in the state. The park also includes Bunker Bay, where swimming and surfing are one of the popular activities. It is also ideal for swimming as well as scuba diving. Visitors can also visit the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Discovery Centre. The lighthouse affords spectacular views of the coastline and forested areas. It is also ideal for whale watching.

For more serious level of diving, there's the HMAS Swan Dive Wreck, located in Geographe Bay. The former sailing vessel was scuttled and converted into an artificial reef that offers hours of enjoyment for wreck divers.

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