Surf, Sourdough, and a Gorgeous Sunset: A Local's Guide to the Perfect Day in Western Australia's Margaret River

""I've had my fair share of beach vacations, but I'm telling you, there's no place like Margaret River," Hardy, the vice president of Friends of the Cape to Cape Track, shares in his tour of his home region. "You don't have access to waves like this anywhere else in the world." While Hardy happens to be a seasoned local, he explains that it's still a wave for everyone, especially at spots like Gnarabup Beach, with plenty of surf schools around to show you the ropes."

"There's an easy, breezy energy to this stop, where ocean views abound, locals and tourists mix and mingle, and where the dishes are unfussy but wildly delicious. "This is the only cafe, really, right on the beach," Hardy says. And, as our local noted, when you're here, you can't go wrong with a plate of bacon, eggs, sausage, and tomato, all on some sourdough toast."

Gene Hardy is vice president of Friends of the Cape to Cape Track and a Margaret River local. Margaret River offers distinctive waves and accessible surf at Gnarabup Beach, supported by surf schools for all levels. White Elephant Cafe sits right on the beach and serves unfussy, flavorful breakfasts such as bacon, eggs, sausage, tomato on sourdough. Visitors are encouraged to forgo cars and walk the Cape to Cape track to better know the region. The track runs from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin with views of Contos Cliffs, Boranup Forest, and the Rivermouth, typically traversed over a week as a journey that connects walkers with the land.

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