Caves Road

The road

Caves Road is the Margaret River region's back road - the road locals use to avoid the main highway and the one that shows what the region actually looks like. The 87-kilometre sealed run from Dunsborough to Augusta winds through karri forest, vineyard country and coastal heathland on a two-lane road with good corners and almost no heavy vehicles. The karri sections in the middle section are the highlight - the trees are one of the tallest eucalyptus species in the world and they line the road closely enough to create a proper forest experience. The vineyard sections between the forest give the whole drive a variety that the main highway misses entirely. Augusta at the end sits at the confluence of the Blackwood River and the Southern Ocean, with Cape Leeuwin lighthouse marking the point where two oceans meet. The road quality through the Margaret River wine region is notably good - the tourism economy demands it.

The region

The Margaret River region is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the west, the Southern Ocean to the south and the Blackwood River to the east. It produces premium wine from around 200 wineries in an area of about 100 square kilometres, which makes it one of the most concentrated wine-producing regions in Australia. The karri forest that covers the inland sections of the region grows to 60 metres and is endemic to the wetter south-west corner of Western Australia. The coastline carries world-class surf breaks and the caves system under the limestone give the road its name.

Before you go

Fuel at Dunsborough, Margaret River town and Augusta. The road is open year-round. Some sections pass directly through working wineries - tasting rooms are accessible from the road shoulder at marked entry points. The caves themselves (Mammoth Cave, Lake Cave, Jewel Cave) require separate entry fees and guided tours - book ahead in school holidays.

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