Southwest Coast
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Positives
- Massive swell exposure
- World-class reefs
- Lots of power
- Dramatic coastline
Negatives
- Cold and wet winters
- Isolated, dangerous reefs
- Windy
- Sharky
Southwest Coast surf travel guide
The Margaret River area of W.A. is perceived as Australia's most consistent and challenging big wave forum, where pretensions and pretenders are quickly washed away. Whilst the NW conceals Indo-like lefts, the area S of Cape Naturaliste is littered with rocky ledges and pointbreaks, that get battered by giant Roaring Forties swells. The scenic Caves Road skirts the coastline, meandering through forests, gentle hills and around vineyards that overlook the sea where a truly hardcore crew shreds dozens of world-class spots.
Surf spots in Southwest Coast
Research the 18 surf breaks in Southwest Coast and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 18 breaks in Southwest Coast.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Southwest Coast
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Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Southwest Coast.
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Population
- 2,589,000
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- AUD
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 1.27 AUD AUD
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +61
- Dialing out
- 0011
- Language
- English
Electricity
- Plug Type
- i
Visas
Everyone except Kiwis needs a visa before arriving in OZ so get one in good time before arriving. European countries, USA, Canada and Japan can get a free tourist visa online (some nations maybe charged a A$20 “service charge”). Visas last for 12 months but you can only stay for a total of either 3 or 6 months within the 12 month period. As always check carefully for any updates before you travel.
Getting There
Southwest Margaret River is a further 270km (167mi) from Perth. There are bus and train options through Bunbury which take 5hrs and cost circa AU$50, which is what the fuel costs to drive there.
Getting Around
Hiring a car in Perth is essential if you want to get to all the best spots - expect to pay $40/d. The coastline is rugged, with many high cliffs and long dirt tracks, a 4WD is the only way to reach some spots, especially after heavy rains. However many great spots have nice, surfaced roads leading to them. The traffic is slow, the kangaroos are not.
Accommodation
WA is full of campsites and caravan parks and the towns have plenty of cheap hotels. Recommended ones are in Gnarabup (Surf Point Lodge: AU$100/dble, 3 nights min stay), Margaret River (Innetown Backpackers: AU$44); Gracetown Chalets sleep 5 people and Yallingup has Chandlers Smiths Beach Villas (from AU$165/n in winter). A decent meal costs $20.
Activities
The Margaret River area produces great wine, so a vineyard tour is a good way to kill a day on the unlikely chance of it ever going flat. The Mammoth Cave is a good visit. Take a boat to Flinders Island to see the bottlenose dolphins and the fur seal colonies.
Hazards & hassles
The waves can be big and powerful, more suited to experienced surfers. Getting caught inside can be really heavy and many reefs are super-shallow and urchined! The bush is full of spiders and snakes; watch out for the deadly Tiger snake. Locals are hardcore and don't like bad wave manners, but because the waves are so plentiful, there's rarely a problem. The WSL come to Margaret River with the pro tour circus straight after the Bells Easter competition.
Handy Hints
Take a gun or buy cheap, quality boards from many local surf shops in Dunsborough, Yallingup and Margaret River. Lots of opportunities to try wind/kiteboarding in the afternoons.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.