Day 1: Main Break, Margaret River
Day 2: Boranup
Day 3: Cowaramup Bay
Day 4: Cowaramup Bay
Day 5: Main Break Southsides, Margaret River to Cowaramup Bay
Day 6: North Point, Gracetown to Dunsborough
Day 7: Injidup
Day 8: Main Break, Margaret River
Grab your board, your mates and your wetsuit and explore Margaret River's world class waves.
There are more than 40 places to surf - conditions ranging from powerful reef breaks to fun beach breaks.
You'll find Margaret River is one of the most consistent, scenic and laid back surfing destinations in the world.
Choose the day's surf destination based on the wind and swell conditions. This itinerary begins in Margaret River - the journey from Perth is about a four hour drive.
Day 1: Main Break, Margaret River
Surf's Up!
The day begins early at the Main Break at Margaret River with 4-6 foot glassy waves. The swells here are consistent due to thousands of kilometres of uninterrupted seas between Australia and Africa.
While you're putting on your wetsuit, watch the locals pull in to perfect barrels and make radical snaps off the top. The wave itself is a super steep take off, through a round bowl section into some nice walling cutback faces as the wave peels through towards the beach. It's one that will leave your heart pounding and can make the whole trip worth it.
After an exhausting and adrenalin charged day, grab a gourmet burger from one of the local cafes and watch the sunset over the ocean.
Accommodation in Margaret River suits all budgets - from camping grounds and budget motels to forest chalets and five star hotels. Wherever you stay make sure you fall into bed early so you can be up at dawn for the big swell the next day!
Overnight: Margaret River
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Day 2: Boranup
Take your lunch with you today.
This morning as the sun comes up, jump into your vehicle and head south to the long white sandy beaches of Boranup.
The surf here provides a range of large but perfect A-frame peaks in pristine, clear water. Here you can pick the peak that best suits your style and relish in the idyllic surf conditions.
When the wind turns offshore break for lunch on the beach before driving a few minutes to the caves. Spend the afternoon exploring one of the many caves that are open to the public. Descending the stairs into the mouth of the cave, you'll be surrounded by towering karri trees.
On the drive back to Margaret River, explore the gravel roads through the Boranup Forest where you'll again be dwarfed by awesome karri trees - some up to 60 metres tall.
Head into Margaret River for dinner and drinks at a local pub.
Overnight: Margaret River
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Day 3: Cowaramup Bay
When the wind picks up, kite-surfers and windsurfers hit the waves. Spend some time watching their amazing aerobatics before travelling fifteen minutes north to Cowaramup Bay.
At South Point the waves are protected and clean from the south-west. Surfing left, you can race hollow sections and pull sharp snaps, sending spray for metres out the back of the wave. Next to South Point is Huzza's (Huzzawooee South Point, Cowaramup), a mellower wave that breaks over reef but is suitable for malibus and beginners.
Finish the day just as the sun sinks into the sea and return to your accommodation ready for a long and luxurious sleep.
Overnight: Cowaramup
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Day 4: Cowaramup Bay
Today, head around the back of Cowaramup Bay but this time, try the famous Lefthanders.
Here the perfect reef break peels for more than 100 metres across the shallow reef floor. The waves are consistent and offer long barrels and clean walls where you can finetune manoeuvres.
You can't visit Margaret River without a trip to one of the award winning wineries. After all that surfing, you've worked up a monster appetite so spoil yourself with a long lunch of fresh local seafood.
On the way back to town, drop in for wine tasting at other nearby cellar doors, before heading home for a delicious late afternoon siesta.
In the evening join the crowd at the pub to play pool and see a band.
Overnight: Margaret River
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Day 5: Main Break Southsides, Margaret River to Cowaramup Bay
Head to the south side of Margaret River for some bigger swell and surf the powerful but fun rights and lefts. These waves start with a jacking take off section breaking into solid walls. The rights fade out and the lefts shut down on to the shallow reef.
After a few hours, go back to shore, grab some fish and chips from the local shop at Prevelly and enjoy them on the grass overlooking the sea.
Margaret River offers some great diving conditions so in the afternoon explore the reef. You'll see a big variety of fish around the surf break and you may even spot some crayfish hidden in the ledges and caves.
An hour or two before sundown take a leisurely drive to Cowaramup Bay for a relaxing bit of fishing from the rocks.
Overnight: Cowaramup
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Day 6: Northpoint, Gracetown to Dunsborough
Once the big swell arrives the best option is North Point, a fifteen minute drive north to Gracetown.
North Point is one of the best spots in Western Australia, but also one of the hardest. It's a long, powerful righthander, with big open barrels that have been compared to Backdoor in Hawaii. Here the local chargers pull in to massive stand up barrels, hooting as surfers are spat out from the deep green pit. You'll need your biggest gun to make the drop, but your reward will be the ultimate adrenalin rush of your life.
After a huge morning in massive surf, a relaxing afternoon in smaller surf beckons at The Farm near Dunsborough, about half an hour north.
Spend the evening at the local pub with the crew you've met during the trip and check out the live music.
Tonight, stay in Dunsborough rather than drive back to Margaret River.
Overnight: Dunsborough
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Day 7: Injidup
Start the day with a tasty pastry from the famous local Dunsborough bakery.
On the way back to Margaret River, check out some of the breaks along the coast. In south westerly wind conditions Injidup is a good choice, offering clean waves and a few options. There's great right hand barrels at both Car Park and Pea Break, with Injidup Point offering a more mellow left that breaks along the rock lined shore at the Southern end of the bay.
After another sensational sunset, try out one of the many excellent restaurants, cafes or takeaways available in Margaret River. Overnight: Margaret River
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Day 8: Main Break, Margaret River
Looking out on Main Break on your last day take a moment to admire the incredible number of quality breaks in view. The thick, hollow wave to the right is known as The Box, aptly named because of the deadly square pit it churns out. Off to the left is the heavy bowling wave called the Bommie and the distant left of Boat Ramps.
Paddle out for a final surf at the Main Break and enjoy your last taste of the powerful lefts and rights. Once this trip has finished, you'll seriously contemplate not returning home.
Allow approximately four hours to drive back to Perth.
More information on Surfing in Western Australia.
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