Castle Rock is a scenic granite outcrop and coastal landmark situated at Castle Rock Bay, on Cape Naturaliste’s eastern side in Meelup Regional Park, close to Dunsborough. With its turquoise waters, white sand, and many picnic tables and barbeques, the beach makes an ideal place for a lunch break. Nearby walking paths are available, among them a short 1.2-kilometre trail leading to Meelup Beach, one of the best-known beaches in the South West. The walk can take longer than expected thanks to the many photo opportunities along the way.
Castle Rock
A brief, moderately steep ascent from the coastal track brings you to a timber bench and a summit with a 180-degree panoramic view across Geographe Bay and the Indian Ocean. During the 1840s, local whalers relied on this high vantage point as a lookout for the Castle Bay Whaling Company. These days, it is an excellent place to watch humpback and southern right whales as they migrate between September and December.
Set at the end of Castle Bay, this sheltered turquoise bay offers calm water that is perfect for swimming, snorkelling, and fishing. Gas barbecues, picnic tables, and walking access are all available in the area.
In spring, the tracks come alive with a rich variety of native flora, such as trigger plants, sundews, spider orchids, mustard orchids, and donkey orchids.
How to Get There
From the Dunsborough town center, drive a few minutes toward Cape Naturaliste along Cape Naturaliste Road, turn right onto Meelup Beach Road, then take the first right onto Castle Rock Road and follow it down to the small beach-side car park. Take a walk along the scenic coastal Meelup Reserve Trail (part of the Meelup-Dunsborough Coast Walk) starting from Old Dunsborough or Meelup Beach.
Well-maintained tracks trace the park’s stunning coastline, ideal for casual strolls or longer hikes:
