Explore Capel Highlights

WELCOME

Top things to do

Peppermint “Peppy” Beach – Walk on the sand, visit the lookout at sunset, or take the 4WD and find your own spot, it’s beautiful any time of day.

Ironstone Gully Falls Located 17kms south-east of Capel, this historic picnic area was reserved in 1903 for use as a recreation area for the Capel River settlers. Although not an official trail, the site is famous for the rich red rock over which a small tributary from the Capel River tumbles.

Kids will love the Capel Skate Park and Playground.

Wander through the world’s only remaining tall Tuart forest in the Tuart Forest National Park. It’s also home to towering 40-metre Tuart trees and the rare western ringtail possum. Go bushwalking, have a picnic or check out the Tuart Discovery Trail.

Get swinging at Capel Golf Club. Established in 1928, the 18-hole par 72 championship course offers a spacious layout with flat terrain and bending fairways. While challenging to veterans, this course is also a great start for beginners since there is no troublesome water. You’ll also tee-off to an audience of local kangaroos.

Mountain bike adventurers can put pedal to the metal on the Boyanup to Donnybrook or Boyanup to Wellington Forest sections of the famous Munda Biddi trail. Pick up and drop off services are available in the region.

Take a walk along the Preston River Ramble, a delightful 1.3km walking trail alongside the Preston River, starting at Boyanup’s Lions Park on Bridge St. The trail follows the Preston River, and through interpretation signage visitors can catch a glimpse of the area’s history, observe conservation principles, and engage all five of their senses.

Keep walking on the edge of town and you’ll find the Joshua Lake Walk – the circuit caters for both cyclists and walkers, with high quality flat concrete paths. The walk features interpretive panels, and includes several artistic shelters, a bird hide, bench seats, and tables.

Lions Park is the departing point for the Boyanup Heritage Trail. You will uncover 15 historic sites and buildings along the trail, including the South West Rail and Heritage. On the fourth Sunday of the month, the Rail & Heritage Centre opens its doors to the public. View the historic trains and carriages, plus see the Capel Men’s Shed and the blacksmiths working in the traditional way.

The Boyanup Farmers Markets held on the fourth Sunday of the month are considered the best produce markets in the BunGeo. Their farmers are passionate about the food, produce and very little food miles – think fruit in season, from apples, pears, stone fruit and beautiful fresh vegetables, goat’s milk and cheese, sheep cheese, honey, olives and olive oils, macadamia and pecan nuts products. Not only can you buy fresh eggs at the market you can purchase chooks in all shapes and sizes. The preserve stalls have a large variety of jams, chutneys, pickled onions and African-style preserves for those that like them a little spicy and a special salt blends stall. Plus, there’s Geographe Wine available for tasting and purchasing.

It’s also the perfect place for an early lunch. There are goat meat and lamb vans with high quality pasture fed meat products on offer. Finish with a coffee and French pastry and more.

Rustic French Living is located in an old Methodist church, it’s literally oozing with all things Gallic. Think French-inspired furniture, homeware, antiques and ladies clothing. They also have an extensive range of recycled furniture plus traditional bed linen, quilts and cushions. While you’re shopping partake in freshly baked goodies perfectly paired with a coffee or a tea. Our favourites include their Blueberry-Filled Vanilla Cupcakes, Melting Moments, and Pineapple and Coconut Cupcakes.

Dalyellup Beach, lesser known but just as stunning. Descend the staircase, to find a beautiful beach that stretches for miles. 4WD vehicles can access the beach here and drive south and there’s a dog-friendly section too. Above the beach there is a lawn picnic area with BBQs and toilets

Kids, and big kids at heart, will have a jumping good time at Gravity ETC trampoline centre. Gravity is a world-class family and youth venue that is all about fun; home to 1,800 sqm of trampoline floor area, with seven different activity zones, plus 200sqm mezzanine level, parent retreat, café, and a free soft play area for kids under three.

ITINERARY

DAY ONE: PERTH TO PEPPERMINT GROVE

Allow a little over two hours to reach the region.

Travel south from Perth for an hour and 20 minutes taking a break at the Crooked Carrot on the Forrest Highway, they have great food, coffee and produce and play areas for kids and dogs. Carry on another 43 minutes until you arrive in Capel. Head to Capel Vale winery for a tasting before heading to the coast and Peppermint Grove Beach. Book into your accommodation and take a walk along the beautiful beach. Make sure you check out the lookout for amazing views.

DAY TWO: EXPLORING THE TUART FOREST

Get Sand Between Your Toes

Lock the car into 4WD and hit the beach highway. Bring the fishing rod, boat, snorkelling gear, surfboard or kayak and spend the morning getting wet and salty. Or take an early morning beach walk and enjoy the beautiful scenery while finding 30.

Berry Breakfast

You’ve earned your breakfast, so head to Capelberry Cafe in the main street of Capel (only a 10-minute drive from Peppy Beach).

If you have kids in tow, spend a few moments at the nearby Capel Skate Park and Playground.

Walk Among Spectacular Trees

Wander through the world’s only remaining tall tuart forest in the Tuart Forest National Park. It’s also home to towering 40-metre tuart trees and the rare western ringtail possum. Go bushwalking, have a picnic or check out the Tuart Discovery Trail.

Another picturesque walk meandering through rare tuart forest (that only locals know) is situated at the northern end of the Capel region between Dalyellup and Usher (South Bunbury). The 1.27kms trail of high quality, flat asphalt path (perfect for walkers, cyclists, skaters, and parents with prams) is surrounded by majestic tuart trees. The trail features two interpretive shelters at either end, as well as numerous interpretive panels throughout the Walk.

For a quick, casual bite, the Capel Bakehouse specialises in traditional baking – think pies and pasties and delicious lick-your-lips choccie eclairs. We recommend you grab some of their famous charcoal bread to take home with you. Pack a picnic and head to the picturesque Ironstone Gully Falls, off Goodwood Road.

Sporting Adventures

Get swinging at Capel Golf Course. Established in 1928, the 18-hole par 72 championship course offers a spacious layout with flat terrain and bending fairways. While challenging to veterans, this course is also a great start for beginners since there is no troublesome water. You’ll also tee-off to an audience of local kangaroos.

MTB adventures can put peddle to the metal on the Boyanup to Donnybrook or Boyanup to Wellington Forest sections of the famous Munda Biddi track. Pick up and drop off services are available in the region.

The 19th Hole

Finish your golf game or MTB adventurers with drinks at the Capel’s historic tavern – its sunny beer garden is an afternoon ritual.

DAY THREE: CAPEL TO PERTH

After breakfast in your cottage, pack up and drive five minutes to Boyanup. Located on the Preston River, Boyanup is a Noongar name, said to mean “a place of quartz” as “Boya” means “rock” or “stone”.

Kickstart the morning with a caffeine boost from drive thru Coffee Joy. You’ll find freshly brewed Rubra artisan coffee, real fruit smoothies and the best almond milk lattes around. Your kids will love the homemade cookies and baby chinos. Still hungry? Select from the toastie or croissant menu, Gaby’s Muesli with yoghurt and mixed berries or a vege frittata.

Morning Walk

Start the day in nature, with a walk along the Preston River Ramble. Keep walking on the edge of town and you’ll find the Joshua Lake Walk.

Lions Park is the departing point for the Boyanup Heritage Trail where you can uncover 15 historic sites and buildings, including the South West Rail and Heritage.

If you happen to be in Capel on the fourth Sunday of the month, head to the Boyanup Farmers Markets, considered the best produce markets in the BunGeo.  It’s also the perfect place for an early lunch. There are goat meat and lamb vans with high quality pasture fed meat products on offer. Finish with a coffee and French pastry and more.

All Things French & Beautiful

Less than 200 metres walk from the markets, you’ll find Rustic French Living which is literally oozing with all things Gallic. Located in an old Methodist church, Rustic French sells French-inspired furniture, homeware, antiques and ladies clothing. They also have an extensive range of recycled furniture plus traditional bed linen, quilts and cushions. While you’re shopping partake in freshly baked goodies perfectly paired with a coffee or a tea. Our favourites include their Blueberry-Filled Vanilla Cupcakes, Melting Moments, and Pineapple and Coconut Cupcakes. Don’t say goodbye, just “à bientôt”.

Fossickers Rejoice

In an unsustainable world of fast fashion, perhaps it’s time to swim against the current and try some pre-loved goodies from Quirky Too. A five-minute walk from Rustic French, Quirky Too is the perfect place for fossickers to uncover unique vintage, retro, art and salvage finds.

Say goodbye to Boyanup and hit the road.

More Wonderous Beaches

For another lesser known yet fabulous beach, try Dalyellup Beach.

Find a Bit of Gravity Kids, and big kids at heart, will have a jumping good time at Gravity ETC trampoline centre. Gravity is a world-class family and youth venue that is all about fun; home to 1,800 sqm of trampoline floor area, with seven different activity zones, plus 200sqm mezzanine level, parent retreat, café, and a free soft play area for kids under three