An unhurried guide to one of Western Australia’s most loved coastal towns, the famous jetty and the calm bay, the last great tuart forest and bush-food gardens, the breweries and bold wines and the makers whose produce tastes of the place it came from.

There’s a particular pleasure in letting a place set your pace. Busselton is situated on Wadandi Boodja, the Country of the Saltwater People of the Noongar Nation. We know this stretch of coast. The cafes worth the wait, the trails that quieten the mind, the corners most people drive straight past. No need to guess your way through it,  we’ve already done the wandering. A few favourites we keep going back to,he well-known names and the smaller finds just off the main road, worth the extra few minutes.

If you’re staying with us, you’re well placed for all of it. Our cabins sit about 20 minutes from town on the Whicher Ridge Wines property at Chapman Hill, where kangaroos graze at dusk and red-tailed black cockatoos settle into the trees and the night skies are dark enough to find the Milky Way.

The jetty and the bay

You can’t come to Busselton and not walk the Busselton Jetty, at 1.8 kilometres, it’s the longest timber-piled jetty in the southern hemisphere, reaching far out over Geographe Bay. Stroll the length of it, or take the little red jetty train out to the end, where the Underwater Observatory drops you eight metres below the surface to watch the corals and fish that have made the pylons one of the country’s best artificial reefs. An interpretive centre at the shore end tells the story of how it has survived cyclone, storm and fire since the 1860s.

Back on land, the Busselton Foreshore is the heart of it all , a swimming enclosure, playgrounds, free barbecues, a skate park and a string of cafés, with Shelter Brewing Co anchoring one end and the new Marine Discovery Centre (Australia’s first marine park interpretive experience) letting you explore the bay without getting wet. It’s a fine place to lose an afternoon, then watch the sun go down with fish and chips and sand between your toes.

Out on the water and watching for whales

The great gift of Geographe Bay is how calm it is, sheltered, shallow and clear, made for swimming, snorkelling, paddle-boarding and sailing, with dolphins often cruising the shallows. This is the Ngari Capes Marine Park, a meeting place of tropical and temperate waters; Ngari means salmon in Noongar, an important food source for the Wadandi people.

From around September to November, the bay becomes a resting place for humpback and southern right whales tracking along the coast on their southern migration and whale-watching tours run from the foreshore through the season with the chance to see these giants up close.

Into the forest

A short drive north, the Tuart Forest National Park (the Ludlow tuart forest) is the last natural tall tuart forest left in the world , towering trees, some over 300 years old and 40 metres high, growing where almost no other eucalypt will. Walking trails wind quietly beneath them, and if you’re still and lucky enough you might spot a western ringtail possum or kangaroos in the clearings. For something more active, Forest Adventures strings high-ropes and zip-line courses through the canopy, a good half-day for families.

Just east of town, the Vasse-Wonnerup Wetlands are one of the state’s most important waterbird habitats, alive with tens of thousands of birds and in spring, wildflowers with the historic Wonnerup House nearby for a glimpse of early settler life.

History and culture in town

Busselton’s cultural heart is the ArtGeo Cultural Complex, a cluster of beautifully restored heritage buildings , the 160-year-old Old Courthouse, the police station and j cells, and a gallery set in a former bank that shows regional and national exhibitions. Alongside it, the Merenj Boodja Bush Food Garden, created by the Undalup Association, is a quiet, generous place to learn about the plants and foods of this Country.

Nearby, St Mary’s Church , built of limestone and jarrah in the 1840s , is one of the oldest in the state, and the Busselton Museum, in the old butter factory, fills in the rest of the town’s story. To understand the deeper history, Koomal Dreaming runs Wadandi cultural tours, including a memorable fishing tour in Meelup Regional Park led by a Wadandi Cultural Custodian, sharing knowledge passed down through generations.

A drive up the cape

When the bay tempts you a little further, it’s a short drive toward Dunsborough to Meelup Beach, a calm, turquoise cove backed by shaded lawns, with rock pools that appear at low tide. It’s one of the loveliest swimming spots on this coast, and an easy, unhurried morning out. A few minutes on, Meelup Farmhouse waits under the gum trees, a working hobby farm turned restaurant, where highland cows and silkie chooks wander the grounds while you settle into brunch or a long lunch on the veranda. Good reason to let the morning stretch a little longer before the drive back.

Long lunches, breweries and bold wines

This is the northern edge of one of the world’s great wine regions, and the eating and drinking here doesn’t hold back. Shelter Brewing Co sits right at the foot of the jetty, good beer, good food, the bay stretching out through the windows. A little further along the foreshore, Rocky Ridge keeps things relaxed, a cellar door with a food van usually parked out back. For something more wandering, Origins Market gathers Busselton’s makers, bakers and brewers under one roof, worth an hour just following your nose. Over in Vasse, Cheeky Monkey’s HQ taphouse and the tiny Sophisticated Beast microbrewery are both worth the short hop, one for a proper session, the other for something smaller and a little more unusual. Back in town, Burger Bones has built a name for itself that reaches well beyond Busselton. And when a long lunch calls, the Margaret River wineries are only a little further south, among the vines.

If you do end up venturing into the Margaret River Region, truffle season runs June to August, and a morning spent following a dog through the rows at the Margaret River Truffle Farm is as much about the walk and the story as the truffle itself.

Wine on your doorstep

The easiest tasting of all is the one at home. Your cabin sits on Whicher Ridge Wines, a small-batch, family-owned winery , and its cellar door is home to a wine sensory garden, the only one of its kind in Australia, where you can taste the aromas of the wine growing around you before you taste the wine itself. A short stroll from the door, and a lovely way to ease into an afternoon.

For the little ones (and the young at heart)

Busselton is made for families. The foreshore playground is one of the best in the state, the jetty train is a gentle thrill, and the swimming enclosure means little ones can splash without the surf. Add Sunflowers Animal Farm, where kids can feed kangaroos and bottle-feed babies; Discover Deadly, a hands-on reptile and wildlife centre; Forest Adventures in the tuart canopy; and a round at the Par 3 golf course near the jetty, and you’ll never once hear “I’m bored.”

Bring the region home to the cabin

Part of the joy of an off-grid stay is cooking for yourself, slowly, with no particular place to be, and the cabins make that easy, with a kitchenette inside and a barbecue on the deck. Gather a few things from the foreshore markets, Origins Markets or a farm gate, pick up a bottle (or two) from the Whicher Ridge cellar door right there on the property and let the evening take care of itself. 

A few things worth knowing

• Whale season runs roughly September to November. If whales are the goal, that’s the window , and tours can book out in peak weeks, so plan ahead.
• The jetty train is popular and fills up, especially in school holidays; get there early, or be happy to walk.
• Opening days and seasons matter. Cellar doors, the Marine Discovery Centre and family attractions keep their own hours, so a quick check ahead saves a wasted drive.

Exploring Busselton isn’t about ticking off the famous names. It’s about letting the bay carry you, a long walk on the jetty, a swim in clear water, a cold drink as the sun drops behind the masts. That’s Geographe Bay, the slow way.

Planning a stay near Busselton? Our off-grid cabins sit on a working winery at Chapman Hill, on Wadandi Boodja, about 20 minutes from the bay and a short drive from most of the places above.

An unhurried guide to one of Western Australia’s most loved corners, the surf breaks and hidden rock pools, the limestone caves, the coastal walks, the hilltop cellar doors and long lunches and the makers whose produce tastes of the place it came from.

There’s a particular pleasure in letting a place set your pace. Limestone country and ocean air, surf breaks and quiet coves, ancient caves beneath your feet and vines at the northern edge of the Margaret River wine region, this is Wadandi Boodja, also known as Yallingup. We’ve spent a fair bit of time exploring and eating our way around this stretch of coast, and  we’ve come to a simple view: skip the guesswork. Here are the spots we return to, the icons everyone knows, and the ones you have to walk a little further to find.

If you’re staying with us, you’re well placed for all of it. Our cabins sit on the Glenmore Wines property just off Caves Road, minutes from the coast, with a small herd of cattle and a winery cellar door for company.

Yallingup Beach is really two beaches in one. To the right of the staircase is the surf break that made the town’s name, the home stretch of WA’s own Taj Burrow, with waves that draw surfers year-round. To the left, the Lagoon: a shallow, reef-ringed pool of clear water, calm enough for an easy swim or a snorkel, and well suited to families. There’s often a coffee van on the road down, and kangaroos grazing the dunes, largely unbothered by passers-by.

A few minutes south, Smiths Beach is a long, open sweep of sand, gentle stretches for a swim and walk, and the fast, shallow Super Tubes break at the northern end best left to experienced surfers. Then there’s Canal Rocks, one of the most recognisable spots on the coast, where the Indian Ocean pushes through a channel carved between huge granite boulders, with a boardwalk taking you right out over the water.

For the quieter finds: the Injidup Natural Spa sits down a rough track from the Injidup car park, where the ocean spills over a rock formation to fill a pool that froths like a spa when the waves roll in. And The Aquarium, a sheltered, glass-clear rock pool reachable only on foot via the Cape to Cape Track (about 500 metres from the Canal Rocks side), is lovely for a snorkel among the granite, quietest early in the day. Further up the coast, Sugarloaf Rock rises just offshore, a great granite sea stack that’s one of the most photographed spots here, especially at sunset, and a known nesting site for red-tailed tropicbirds in the warmer months.

Walks worth the boots

The region’s famous Cape to Cape Track runs 123 kilometres from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, and some of its most scenic sections pass right through Yallingup. You don’t need to commit to the whole thing — the stretch from Yallingup Beach to Smiths Beach, or Canal Rocks down toward Moses Rock, gives you the cliffs and ocean views in a half-day.

For a reward at the end of a walk, Quinninup Falls is a coastal waterfall about 45 minutes (3km) each way from Injidup Beach or Moses Rock, running best after winter and spring rain. Closer to town, the roughly 3km Torpedo Trail loop, easiest to start  from the heritage gardens at the historic Caves House, winds through coastal forest along Yallingup Brook to the Torpedo Rocks lookout, with long views across Smiths Beach and Canal Rocks. And the Wardanup Track climbs over Wardanup Hill through windswept heath and sheltered peppermint forest toward Sugarloaf Rock, this is the Boodja of the Wadandi people, the Saltwater People, who have held a deep connection to this limestone ridge for tens of thousands of years.

If you’d like the views without the climb, the Cape Naturaliste to Sugarloaf Rock path is a 3.5km sealed, wheelchair-accessible walkway with sweeping ocean views, and one of the best land-based whale lookouts in the South West.

Into the caves

Beneath all this country runs the limestone caves the town is named after. Ngilgi Cave is the best known, a flight of stairs takes you down into a chamber of stalactites, shawls and helictites, lit to bring out their colour, then it’s an easy boardwalk through (children tend to love the optional crawl-and-slide section). For a step-free alternative above ground, the Ngilgi Cave Ancient Lands Experience is a flat, self-guided 600-metre loop through native bushland, with interactive installations telling the 600-million-year story of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste limestone ridge.

To understand this place a little more deeply, walk into the cave with Koomal Dreaming, led by Wadandi Custodian Josh Koomal. The two-and-a-half-hour tour begins above ground with a bushwalk through the plants, foods and medicines tied to the six Noongar seasons, then descends into the cave, where the acoustics carry the sound of Josh’s didgeridoo in a way that stays with you.

Out on the water, and whale watching

This is surf country first and foremost, if you’d like to learn or sharpen up, there are local surf schools that run lessons on the gentler breaks. The snorkelling is quietly excellent too, around Canal Rocks and the Aquarium. And through the cooler months and into spring, humpback and southern right whales pass close to shore on their migration: watch from the cliffs at Cape Naturaliste, or head out among them on a boat tour with Naturaliste Charters, departing nearby Dunsborough.

Long lunches with a view

IIf there’s one thing this corner of the South West does beautifully, it’s the unhurried lunch with a view. Wills Domain is the one people talk about, set high above the Gunyulgup Valley, pairing estate-grown wine with one of the most awarded kitchens in the state (named WA Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year in 2018). The restaurant serves lunch Thursday to Monday; the cellar door is open seven days for a tasting and a cheese board on the terrace.

For a whole afternoon in one place, Aravina Estate has a cellar door, a restaurant and a taphouse pouring its own 8 Waves beer, plus the official WA surfing museum, a car museum, lake gardens and a playground. And for something more relaxed, Swings & Roundabouts is five minutes from the cabins — award-winning wines and some of the best wood-fired pizza in the region, with grass and a playground for the kids. (If you’d rather enjoy lunch by the water, Lagoon Yallingup does a fine beachfront one.)

Cellar doors & breweries worth the visit

Your cabin sits right among the vines of the family-owned Glenmore Wines property, though the cellar door keeps its own quiet hours, worth a call ahead rather than counting on it. Happily, the hills nearby are full of tastings. Rivendell is a quieter find, open Thursday to Sunday from 10am, with award-winning wines and long valley views; Vallée du Venom pours minimal-intervention wines at the Yallingup Galleries, so you can pair a tasting with the art; and Swings & Roundabouts, five minutes from the cabins, is a dependable, family-friendly cellar door.Up in the hills, Rivendell is a quieter find, open Thursday to Sunday from 10am, with award-winning wines and long valley views; and Vallée du Venom pours minimal-intervention wines at the Yallingup Galleries, so you can pair a tasting with the art.

If beer’s more your thing, Wild Hop Brewing Company is a family- and dog-friendly brew-pub in the hills, built around a wood-fired rotisserie, and a little further toward Dunsborough, Eagle Bay Brewing Co is a long-loved stop for a pint with a view. (Cellar doors and breweries keep their own seasonal hours, worth a check before you go, and read on for a note about getting home.)

Slow mornings and sweet things

For breakfast, Lagoon Yallingup sits right in front of the beach, take a coffee from the kiosk down to the sand. Commonage Coffee Co is the easy choice for a good flat white, set on the same property as Yallingup Chocolate, where chocolatiers handcraft everything on site. And it’s hard to miss Yallingup Gugelhupf Bakery, with its pink and blue panels against the bush, a German family has baked organic wood-fired bread and the crown-shaped Gugelhupf here for two decades. Further afield, Cape Lavender is a gentle stop for Devonshire tea in the hills, and Simmo’s Ice Creamery, toward Dunsborough, has been churning dozens of handmade flavours for years.

A slower afternoon: art and rest

On Caves Road, tucked into coastal bushland, Yallingup Galleries shows recognised Australian artists alongside fine furniture and a sculpture trail to wander, open daily 10am–4pm. And a short drive toward Dunsborough, Tama Wellness is a holistic studio built for slowing down, a private infrared sauna, a massage or a facial.

For the little ones (and the young at heart)

Between everything else, there’s plenty to keep younger travellers happy. The Yallingup Maze & Mini Golf is a good-natured tangle of timber hedges and puzzles in the bush; Simmo’s doubles as an outing with its mini golf and gardens; and Aravina’s playground and car museum buy you a slow lunch in return. Even Ngilgi Cave gets in on it, with that crawl-and-slide section that tends to become the day’s highlight.

Bring the region home to the cabin

Part of the joy of an off-grid stay is cooking for yourself, slowly, with no particular place to be, and the cabins make that easy, with a kitchenette inside and a barbecue on the deck. A simple plan we like: a fresh sourdough loaf from Yallingup Woodfire Bread, a wedge of local cheese, a bottle from the Glenmore cellar door, and a few vegetables from the farmers’ market. Lagoon also packs fresh local seafood boxes you can order ahead and carry back to cook as the sun goes down.

A few things worth knowing

Opening days and seasons matter here. Several of the best tables close early in the week, Wills Domain runs Thursday to Monday, Aravina Wednesday to Sunday, Rivendell Thursday to Sunday, so a quick check ahead saves a wasted drive.

Plan a driver, or don’t drive at all. With this many cellar doors and a brewery or two, the wise move is to nominate someone or book a local tour. Tannin Road run small-group and private wine tours with pick-up and drop-off right at your cabin.

Mind the swell and the tides. The rock pools — Injidup, the Aquarium — are at their best on calm days; give them a wide berth in big surf.

Distances are short but everything’s scattered, so fold a few spots into a day rather than chasing them one by one.

Eating and exploring well here isn’t about ticking off the famous names. It’s about letting the region carry you, a walk along the cliffs, a swim in a quiet pool, a long lunch with the valley falling away below. That’s the South West, the slow way.

Planning a stay near Yallingup? Our off-grid cabins sit on a working winery and cattle farm on Wadandi Boodja, minutes from the coast and a short drive from most of the places above. Explore the Yallingup cabins →

Known for its stunning beaches, calm bays studded with granite boulders, and majestic forests, Denmark is a must-visit Western Australian coastal town that has something special to offer in every season.

We’re new to the town of Denmark, but have been long-time admirers for good reason. It’s not only brimming with breathtaking natural beauty, but it’s also home to a range of experiences that showcase the very best of the Rainbow Coast.

Greens Pool

You’ll find the turquoise waters and white squeaky sands of Greens Pool at the edge of William Bay National Park, just minutes from Heyscape’s oceanfront cabins. While it’s beautiful all year round, the calm waters make it an ideal spot for a swim in the warmer weather. The large granite boulders around the pool protect it from the powerful Southern Ocean, providing the ideal conditions for snorkellers to spot fish and sea stars.

Elephant Rocks

Also located in William Bay National Park is Elephant Rocks, an iconic must-visit spot along the Rainbow Coast. Whether you’re a first-timer or repeat visitor, the sheltered waters and stunning coastal scenery make it worth the visit. From above, the huge oval boulders resemble a herd of elephants paddling in shallow waters, which is where the site derives its name from. You can check out the views from the top of the staircase before walking down between the rocks to the beautiful beach of Elephant Cove.

Madfish Bay

Another stunning beach situated in William Bay National Park is Madfish Bay. The slightly quieter alternative to the popular Greens Pool has sheltered rock reefs and groups of small beaches separated by natural rock outcroppings, that both act as a shelter from the powerful currents. It’s a great place for a dip and sunbathe, as well as a great fishing spot with whiting, salmon and bream often found in the waters.

Prawn Rock Channel

This natural waterway connects the serene Wilson Inlet to the powerful Southern Ocean. The ever-changing landscape transforms with the seasons. Sometimes it’s a tranquil estuary with the perfect calm conditions for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming or snorkelling. Be mindful of the water conditions in wetter weather, as it can be a powerful channel with strong currents. You’ll also find a dog-friendly space at the northern end of the channel, appropriately named Dog Island.

Lights Beach

Lights Beach is just a 10 minute drive from the Heyscape cabins, and is the ideal spot for all nature enthusiasts who enjoy surfing, fishing, bushwalking, or sightseeing. The beach actually consists of three distinct areas with slightly different experiences, all accessible from the same carpark. Discover the mesmerising ocean-waterfall on the eastern side, where waves crash into Princess Pool. The central beach is also a must-visit, and although the waves are too powerful to swim safely here, the views are truly spectacular. You’ll even be able to spot the Denmark Community Wind Farm on the headland from the top of the staircase.

South Coast Surfing Lessons

If you’re looking to catch some waves in Denmark, Mike’s surf lessons are the best way to experience the local break. With years of experience under his belt, Mike has honed the art of teaching surfers of all levels. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, Mike’s laid-back yet impressive teaching approach will have you riding the waves in no time. You’ll not only learn the ropes of surfing quickly but also have a blast doing it.

Parry Beach

You’ll find Parry Beach at the far western end of William Bay National Park, with views out towards Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks. Sections of the beach are accessible to 4WDs, offering a unique way to explore the rugged coastline. The consistent swells make it a popular spot for experienced surfers. It’s also a fishing hotspot with species like salmon, herring and skipping commonly caught here.

Monkey Rock

You’ll find Monkey Rock situated within the Mount Hallowell reserve, just west of Denmark and a 13 minute drive from the Heyscape cabins. The striking rock formation sits high over Lights Beach and the surrounding Denmark area. While it’s a bit of a climb, it is well worth it for the panoramic views and interesting rock formations. The 2km trail is linked with the Bibbulmun Track and Sheila Hill, so it’s well marked and signposted.

Harewood Forest Walk

The Harewood Forest Walk can be found in Scotsdale, just a 10-minute drive north of the Denmark townsite. There are two hikes to choose from: a short 1.2km loop for an easy stroll along the Scotsdale Brook, and a longer 2.8km loop that includes a climb up the hill for broader forest views. The trail is generally easy through a tall karri forest with ferns and wildflowers to admire on your walk.

The Little Temple Spa

Rest and recharge at The Little Temple, an all-inclusive beauty and day spa in Denmark, offering a peaceful retreat for both men and women. Founded by local sisters, The Little Temple is the perfect space to treat yourself, body, and mind. The experienced team offers a range of beauty treatments including full body massages, hot stone massages, pregnancy massages, specialised skin treatments and facials, brow and lash treatments. Heyscape guests can also claim a 10% discount on any treatment. All you have to do is show your booking confirmation to a team member when making an appointment.

Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk

Walk beside the giant tingles of Walpole while 40 metres above the forest floor at the famous Tree Top Walk. Take a step back in time as some of the giant tingle trees have origins that can be traced back 65 million years. The trail is dotted with information points, offering a deeper understanding of the ancient history and unique ecosystem. The 600-meter walk has a gentle incline, making it accessible to all fitness levels.

Scenic Helicopters

Enjoy scenes of the sparkling Great Southern from above with Scenic Helicopters. Fly across the South Coast to Denmark and beyond, and marvel at Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks. Indulge in a wine tasting and lunch, or a dining experience at The Dam. Pick-up and drop-off at a Heyscape cabin is just an added bonus.

Cannabis Botanical Distillery Tours & Tastings

Try some of the locally grown and carefully crafted spirits, seltzers and ginger beers at Raintree Farm. The Cannabis Botanical Distillery located at The Dam restaurant offers complimentary tours, that takes you behind the scenes of the distillery. Join an expert guide, who will show you how the team uses sustainably grown commercial hemp to make their products. An added bonus is the complimentary tasting!

Denmark Chocolate Co

Set in the middle of a flower garden, The Denmark Chocolate Co is a peaceful space to satisfy your sweet tooth. Drop in and taste some of their handmade chocolates with unusual flavours like caramel, orange, ruby, gold and french toffee. It’s also the first licensed chocolate lounge, so you can indulge in a paired liqueur tasting, or enjoy a beer or wine out in the garden.

WOW Wilderness EcoCruises

Embark on a WOW Wilderness EcoCruise with award-winning eco-guide Garry Muir and his team for a journey through the Walpole Nornalup Inlets Marine Park. Explore pristine waters, towering karri trees, and white sandy beaches as you cruise to where the rivers in Walpole meet the ocean at the Nornalup Inlet. During the cruise, you will also be taken on a beach walk in the Nuyts Wilderness Area, accompanied by a slice of WOW Wilderness Tingle Cake and a refreshing drink.

Singlefile Wine Tasting

Nestled just outside of town, Singlefile Wines has an exceptional range of cool-climate wines in an equally as exceptional setting. The cosy and stylish cellar door overlooks the lake and vineyards which are often visited by local birds, including geese and the iconic blue wren. Visitors and their canine companions can drop in for a casual tasting or glass of wine, with a complimentary cheese board. The friendly and knowledgeable team also offer ‘A Sense of Place Tasting’, providing a behind the scenes deep dive into the vineyard, history and family heritage of Singlefile. As you taste your way through their collection of wines, you will learn about the Great Southern’s sub-regions and varieties that thrive here.

Freshwater Marron Catch & Cook

Immerse yourself in an authentic hunter-gatherer experience at Raintree’s spring-fed dams. Try your hand at marron fishing, guided by an expert team member. Learn about the health benefits of marron fed on cannabis, and take your fresh catch back to a Heyscape cabin and grill it on the barbecue. Whether you’re seeking a new experience or a foodie looking to try marron, this rustic experience is a must try. This experience is exclusive to Heyscape guests.