Wine, Beaches, Stays: Your Guide To A Luxury Road Trip Down South

A guide to some of the best things to do in the South West for your next getaway.

Living in Perth, most of us are regular visitors to Margaret River and the rest of the South West region. Whether it be the quick camping weekend with a couple of friends or a more considered and well-planned getaway to help fully recharge the batteries, it’s a place that has become our go-to destination, and for very good reason. 

On the odd occasion — like a milestone birthday, anniversary, or just because you want to do something a little bit special — it’s worth seeing a different side of the South West and taking a more luxurious approach to your holiday plans. Everyone likely has a different idea of what that looks like and includes. We recently took this approach on a trip down south and here’s what we had on our list from driving down in a fancy car to some of the things we had on our itinerary for the week. 

Pick up a fancy car

Turo hire car
Credit: Jason Balchand/So Perth

The first step to a luxury weekend getaway in the South West is to upgrade your car for a few days. You’re probably thinking that’s too difficult and have already mentally put it in the too-hard basket. 

We recently discovered that it’s not hard at all, thanks to a relatively new app called Turo. It’s like Airbnb, but for cars, making it super easy to hire a car at short notice. 

To test it out, we splashed out on a Range Rover for a trip to the South West. It took a matter of minutes to book the car online, complete with protection plan and the option for the car to be delivered to us and collected again afterwards. Once booked, the app stepped us through what we needed to know and do to ensure a safe and trouble-free experience, including how to take photos of the car on arrival and return to ensure you aren’t at risk of being blamed for any pre-existing or post-drop-off damage to the car.

There are hundreds of cars to choose from on the Turo app so there’s sure to be something to suit almost anyone’s taste and wants. Before choosing the Range Rover, we also considered a G-Wagon, a Tesla, and a Mustang convertible. 

Now that we have the ride sorted, it’s time to start our road trip to Australia’s South West. Here are some of our top recommendations for the best restaurants, things to see, and of course, places to stay.

Where to stay

As we’re embarking on a more luxurious getaway, we want to get the accommodation choice spot on so that it’s a weekend to remember.

There are a few places that we love in the South West that deliver on-point every single time.

Smith’s Beach Resort

Smiths Beach Resort
Credit: Smiths Beach Resort

Primely positioned within Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park, Smiths Beach Resort is a great place to stay for a luxury weekend in the South West.

Home to minimalist and stylish beach houses, villas, and apartments, the floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outside in, along with all the luxury amenities for a comfortable stay.

Food-wise, the resort features a gourmet deli and wine store, coupled with a casual fine-dining restaurant. 

Bina Maya Yallingup Escape

Bina Maya Yallingup Escape
Credit: Rachel Claire

If complete seclusion among seven and a half acres of native Australian bushland sounds like the escape you need, Bina Maya Yallingup Escape is the perfect place for you.

Located in the heart of the South West, Bina Maya is an award-winning, sustainable retreat oozing luxury, privacy, and forest views from every angle. Believe us when we say, “It’ll take your breath away”. 

Injidup Spa Retreat

Injidup Spa Retreat
Credit: Injidup Spa Retreat

For a stay dipped in unrivalled luxury, Injidup Spa Retreat is another favourite. With ten adult-only villas, each starring a private pool and panoramic ocean views, a stay here is an experience unlike any other.

Choose between a one or two-bedroom Ocean View Villa with a kitchenette, private deck and barbecue, living room with a fireplace, and flat-screen television. Or upgrade to the exclusive Honeymoon Villa which features an extra-large bedroom space and luxurious free-standing bath. It’s worth every penny in our humble opinion. 

Private Properties

Private Properties
Credit: Private Properties

If you’re looking for something a little bit bigger that is more suited to a weekend away with a group of friends, Private Properties is where your search should start. It’s a collection of large, four-bedroom or bigger houses that are just exquisite. The properties are scattered throughout the South West region and make the perfect home base for a more secluded weekend away with friends.

Must visit wineries and restaurants

Masseria by Cherubino
Messeria by Cherubino | Credit: Jason Balchand/So Perth

No trip to Margaret River would be complete without a visit to a few of our favourite wineries and restaurants — some of which double up and tick both boxes. 

At the top of our list are always Leeuwin Estate and Cherubino, which likely need no introduction. These are the two spots we’d highly recommend for a wine tasting followed by a long, lazy lunch. 

Cherubino — one of the most well-known wineries and winemakers in WA — is the first place you should make a booking. Start at the Cellar Door for a premium tasting and then migrate across to their newly opened restaurant, Masseria. It’s Italian food at its best with views over the lake. Grab a seat outside and prepare yourself for an afternoon sitting back while you enjoy plate after plate of exquisite food. 

Leeuwin Estate
Leeuwin Estate | Credit: Jason Balchand/So Perth

At Leeuwin Estate, you’ll want to make sure you book in for the Art Series tasting which is their premium wine range and will have you falling in love with the Chardonnay. The restaurant overlooks part of the vineyard and grounds making for the perfect backdrop while you enjoy a fancy four-course lunch. 

There are many other wineries we’d recommend for both wine tastings and the aesthetic surroundings — see here for our Top Ten Guide to the best wineries in the South West.

If you’re looking for a good breakfast spot, you can’t go past White Elephant Cafe which is right on the beach in Gnarabup, a short drive from the Margaret River town centre. And for a casual brewery lunch, Eagle Bay Brewery is the absolute go-to spot. 

Beach hopping

The Aquarium
The Aquarium | Credit: Jason Balchand

Warm summer weather. Check.

A beautiful car to enjoy the driving. Check.

Proximity to some of the best beaches in the world. Check.

Eagle Bay Beach
Eagle Bay Beach | Credit: Tourism Western Australia

It sounds like the perfect conditions to spend a day beach hopping and experiencing a few of the beaches that make WA the envy of the rest of the world. Here are a few that we start with:

  • Castle Rock
  • Meelup beach
  • Eagle Bay beach
  • Sugar Loaf Rock
  • The Aquarium
  • Canal Rocks
  • Injidup Natural Spa
  • Quninninup Falls
  • Hamlin Bay Beach
Castle Rock and Injidup Beach | Credit: Tourism Western Australia
Meelup Beach and Sugarloaf Rock | Credit: Tourism Western Australia

If you’re looking for more South West beach inspiration, check out our guide to ten of the best beaches in the South West.

Places to stop and see 

The South West region comes with an endless list of highly-Instagrammable places to stop off and see. And given we are on a road trip, it would be criminal to not see at least some of them. 

Here are a few of our favourite places for this time of year.

The Busselton Jetty

Busselton Jetty
Credit: Shutterstock

The Busselton Jetty is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and is one of the most photographed places in the South West region. But other than the marvel of the jetty itself, there are also a lot of things to see while there. 

The Jetty is located on the Busselton foreshore, a stone’s throw from one of WA’s best breweries, Shelter Brewing Co. Stop here for a quick refreshment before continuing to see the Jetty.

Part of the full Jetty experience is the Busselton Underwater Observatory where you can explore the depths of Geographe Bay, teaming with marine life. There are more than 300 different marine species there for you to discover. You’ll need to book a ticket for the Underwater Observatory — adults are $40.00 each — which includes a return train ride to the end of the Jetty and a 40-minute guided tour of the Underwater Observatory. 

Barrabup Pool

If you’re looking for a little peace and quiet, then Barrabup Pool might just be right up your alley.

A naturally formed pool on the St Johns Brook, the scenes here are nothing short of tranquil. It’s one of Western Australia’s most popular swimming holes for a warm day’s dip or a peaceful canoe, and the viewing platform provides endless photo ops for that Instagram post. Read more about it here.

Lighthouses

The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse | Credit: Tourism Western Australia

If you’re not keen on jumping into the water, why not appreciate it from above? Dunsborough and Yallingup are home to multiple lighthouses worthy of exploration, and many even offer tours.

The closest to Dunsborough is the limestone, 20-metre-high Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. And you can make it to the top with just 59 steps.

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is Australia’s tallest mainland lighthouse, making it worth a visit. If you’re down for a healthy dose of exercise, the trails around each lighthouse are incredible with sweeping ocean vistas.

Kodak Corner

The Boranup Forests of the South West are world-famous thanks to them being picture-perfect at just about any time of the day. From the sunlight flickering through the tree canopy to create the perfect photo to the enchanting drive trail that the forest creates, it’s a must-visit for any road trip. Kodak Corner is just one section of the Boranup Forests that gets a lot of attention for its aesthetics. 

It’s also a good spot to stretch your legs and go for a bushwalk, spotting local wildlife like black cockatoos, ringtail possums, masked owls, and many more.

Featured image credit: Tourism Western Australia
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