10 things to do at Prevelly and Gnarabup

It’s a Hellenic Chapel built and then opened in 1979 by Geoff Edwards as a way of saying “thank you” to the Preveli Monastery and surrounding villages and villagers of Crete, who helped shelter him and other Allied Servicemen in the grim days of the Second World War.

Years later, after the war and back in Australia, Geoff came to Prevelly to live.

It was a cold winter’s day in 1953 when Geoff, his wife and their daughter drove their truck along a narrow, winding, badly corrugated gravel strip past historic Wallcliffe House and onto a fishing track leading down to Gnarabup. At the foot of the hill, the truck and caravan sank into black sand, at the place where Geoff would later build a shop and residence, which would form the beginning of his dream; Prevelly Park, a holiday resort, and the surrounding village we know as Prevelly today.

What a different world it must have been back then. When Prevelly first opened as a holiday park, kangaroos were probably more prevalent than people, and rutted tracks took the place of bitumen for a long time to come.

So when you visit Prevelly, and maybe camp at Prevelly Caravan Park, have a drink at The Sea Garden Cafe, or buy snags for your sunset barbie, don’t forget to visit the little old chapel on the hillside and learn more about the interesting history that goes with it.

Gnarabup and the Margaret Rivermouth have beautiful sandy beaches located about a 10-minute drive from Margaret River township.

Gnarabup offers a boat ramp, should you wish to launch a boat, and the Rivermouth is great if you’d like to launch a canoe on the river. Both are considered reasonably safe swimming beaches and have car parks and facilities.

Looking out to sea from Gnarabup you can spot the surf breaks The Bombie and Boatramps, which hold big swell and attract professional surfers. The name ‘Bombie’ comes from Bombora, an Indigenous term for an area of sea waves breaking over a shallow area.

Further along the coast, Surfer’s Point is known as one of Australia’s big wave hot spots and is home to the world-renowned Western Australia Margaret River Pro surf competition, held every March/April.

1. Visit the beautiful old Greek chapel on the hillside at Prevelly
2. Paddle up the Margaret River – hire a canoe from Margaret River Kayak and Canoes daily.
3. Walk a section of the Cape to Cape Track; either from the Margaret Rivermouth at Prevelly towards Cape Mentelle or from Gnarabup towards Redgate Beach.
4. Go snorkelling at the protected Gnarabup beach – ask the staff at The White Elephant Beach Cafe for a snorkel card.
5. Launch your paddle ski, grab your surfboard or go ocean kayaking.
6. Have a beer and a hearty feed at The Common – there’s often live music here too, and regular surf on the TVs.
7. Amble on an art walk and discover the interesting sculptures near the little park in Prevelly, and the Prevelly Coastal Art Trail.
8. Take the time to go watch the glowing sunsets and gutsy surfers at Surfer’s Point.
9. Check out the iconic surfboard fence at The Sea Garden Cafe, and reward yourself with a cocktail and pizza with ocean views.
10. Have breakfast or lunch or grab a cappuccino at the beachfront White Elephant Beach Café.