Eco Explorations: Dunsborough & Yallingup

South West Eco Discoveries are nature and wildlife specialists, with a range of eco-accredited family friendly tours. Their offering centres around Cape Naturaliste in the northern part of the Margaret River Region, and could include watching the aquatic life via a fish-cam, walking a stretch of the Cape To Cape Track, and enjoying a grazing board of cheese and wine overlooking the iconic Sugarloaf Rock. Depending on the time of year you could spot visiting whales, discover stunning wildflowers, or sit under a starry sky while quendas and woylies hop around your feet.

Coasteering with Margaret River Adventure Company is a thrilling must-do for adventure lovers and coastal dwellers, and will leave you on an adrenalin high. You’ll feel 110% safe with owner-operator Cam O’Beirne, as you climb ancient granite boulders and leap into swimming holes near Yallingup, exploring and learning about the landscape along the way.

Venture into Ngilgi Cave to explore a million-year-old limestone cave decorated with calcite crystal stalactites, stalagmites and shawls. Great for adventurous kids thanks to an optional crawl tunnel, you can sing a tune in the near-perfect acoustics of the amphitheatre and give your legs a walkout on the stairs.

Join Koomal Dreaming for a private twilight tour of Ngilgi Cave with Wadandi cultural custodian Josh Whiteland. You’ll be mesmerised by his didgeridoo performance and stories.

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse is a glorious spot to explore walk trails, look out for whales and hear fascinating maritime history. You can climb the lighthouse on a guided tour, taking in 270-degree ocean views and learning about the clockwork mechanism, mercury bath and Fresnal lens that work to beam a light 47km out to sea. Bookings are recommended.

Arimia operates entirely off grid, reliant on rainwater, solar power and battery storage to run their Yallingup restaurant, cellar door and guest house. Chef Evan Hayter is also a keen farmer, growing trout, pigs and sheep alongside the vines and kitchen garden, and a zero-waste approach allows him to be more creative. Produce used in the restaurant is organically or biodynamically grown on the property or sourced from similar local operators.

Lunch is enjoyed with a charming view of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge in the background, and Evan’s thriving garden in the fore. Pair it with wine for the perfect sustainable long lunch.

Aravina has so much to offer; glorious hydrangea gardens, a surf museum, vintage car gallery, sumptuous dining – all underpinned by sustainable practices in the vineyard and winery. A 99KW solar farm generates 40% of their requirements, organic herbs and vegetables from the kitchen garden, apple and pear orchard go into the chef’s seasonal cuisine, and they minimise the use of chemicals, pesticides, plastics, and single use packaging.

Petit Eco Cabin by Windows Estate is an architecturally designed sustainable cabin tucked amongst trees and organic vines. The cabin collects its own rainwater, grey water is used on nearby fruit trees, and solar panels provide energy for heating. Beautifully designed with a waterfall window for tree and star gazing, there’s day beds inside and out for lazing. Best of all is the proximity to Windows Estate cellar door, plus Chow’s Table, Gabrielle Chocolate, House of Cards and Arimia Estate all a stone’s throw.

For a sustainable stay with luxurious touches, Barn Hives is a great spot to enjoy a few restorative days. Rainwater is collected and each hive is powered by solar panels, meaning that the impact on the environment is minimal, but every care has been taken to ensure an exceptionally comfortable stay. The nifty pellet fire heater keeps things toasty in winter, and in the warmer months you can sit out on the deck overlooking the vineyard and take in the serenity.