The Southwest Cape is a wonderful place to try some coastal photography, as well as being a great area to simply relax in. There are plenty of beaches and surfing spots, wineries and supermarkets, chocolate tasting and outdoor activities to keep yourself occupied . There are also a number of natural landmarks and areas that are great to photograph, and because of this it is one of my favourite areas to visit. Here is a fairly broad guide to some photography spots in the area of the Southwest Cape. First, let's set some boundaries. I usually consider this to be the area between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste, but I'll make a few minor exceptions for this article. I'll include Dunsborough and Busselton to the north, and any other little spots that may be sitting on the verge. I'm not above bending my own rules here, but anything that is within a relatively short drive will be included.
I can't promise that this is an exhaustive list - in fact the only thing I can promise is that this list will have many missing pieces. There are spots that I won't know about, and things that I simply have no personal interest in photographing. Perhaps this makes this article nothing more than a baseless opinion piece; but despite this, I would like to inspire and encourage others to pursue the perfect photo in this area. Hopefully this list will be updated as I revisit the area and add to my own gallery. Speaking of my own work from the area, it was some of my least favourite overall. More recently I have been able to spend more time here and now have a much better collection of photos to show for it. For my own efforts ( and my enjoyment as well ), I still persist; and will continue to do so until I get more photos that I am happy with overall.
Let's begin in the north - Busselton Jetty
Overall, this is just a fantastic place to visit even without any photographic pursuit. It is a very recognizable and remarkable landmark, and is great not only for the postcard shot of the jetty, but also for diving. The end of the jetty has a wonderful spot to explore the relatively shallow ocean floor ( around 7 metres depth ), with some sealife playing around the pilings and intriguing lighting effects as the sun shines through the jetty.
As for the regular shots of the jetty itself, it works well for both sunrise and sunsets. The jetty projects out from the shore at an off-north angle ( if there is such a thing ) with a mild western bias, and so sunsets do have an advantage here no matter the time of year. There is a smaller concrete pad and pier on the beach to the east of the jetty that is a good spot to set up for a sunset shot of the jetty buildings. A shot that takes in the length of the jetty would likely need to be taken a bit closer from the beach with a wider angle, and would suit the depths of winter more when the sun is setting further to the north. For the sunrise, the winter months would also work best, with the sun rising further to the north.
The swell here tends to be quite gentle, so including the waves in the shot is not as risky as some of the other coastal areas, if you don't mind getting you and your tripod's feet wet. The larger waves can also leave shallow pools of water on the sand, which can be perfect to reflect the colour in the sky before the water sinks away into the beach.
Quindalup Jetty
Moving further west, we have the Quindalup Jetty, which is a much smaller structure poking out from the beach on the eastern side of the town of Dunsborough. Easily accessible from Geographe Bay Road with parking at the Boat Ramp, the jetty has a nor-northeast bias, and would be good for sunrises any time of year, and also great for sunsets during the winter months. The beach immediately around the pier can be a little unattractive, with large amounts of seaweed piling up, so some wider shots with the beach may be a hit-and-miss opportunity due to any recent storms.
Moving further west are the small bays on the other side of Dunsborough. They are all quite nice in their own right and popular with the general public during the warmer months, so you can expect them to be crowded during the summer. I can't say that I've visited them all, however I can recommend visiting most of the stops along the coast, starting with Castle Rock Beach and the landmark that it is named after. This would be a good spot for a sunrise looking east, as there are plenty of small rocks and features along the beach leading toward Castle Rock itself. I have seen it photographed from further down the beach, as well as closer to it amongst the rocks. There are plenty of options, although I do prefer up close to the rock itself. You can take the walkway from the carpark to save yourself the clamber over all of the rocks - especially if you're visiting before the sun rises.
Go a little further and you will find Meelup Beach. A pleasant little bay, and although I've seen some great photos from that spot, I have not taken any worth sharing. Many of the notable photos that I have seen have been taken amongst the trees up on the grassy areas of the general area around the car park.
A little beyond that is Gannet Rock. This is a nice spot for a winter sunrise, as there are two rocks out in the waves that are either side of where the sun rises. Aside from these landmarks there are plenty of rocks to provide interesting photos with the waves crashing amongst them.
If a rocky beach doesn't send you, then Bunker Bay and Eagle Bay may be more along your style, with their clear azure water and sandy shores. Eagle Bay has a nice staircase leading down to its beach from the car park, which frames up quite nicely with the trees either side and the waves beyond. I'm not sure if the sun will ever rise up directly in line with the stairs, even in the depths of winter, so you will need some colour to be cast across the horizon to make it work.
Bunker Bay is a stardard half-cresent bay with a lazy curve in its shoreline. Plain sandy beaches don't really interest me that much, but I was fortunate to have an excellent sunrise there, and a wide-angle lens was perfect for the capture. To the north is a much smaller bay with a rocky headland and a steep beach. An ultra-wide angle might capture the whole beach, and it could be a worthwhile place for a sunrise as well.
Cape Naturaliste
Driving further east brings us to Cape Naturaliste, and its lighthouse. This is also the northern starting point for the Cape To Cape Track, which I completed a few years ago. The lighthouse is quite nice, and I have seen it integrated into sunset and even Milky Way photos. The lighthouse compound is locked and access is restricted for the public. Unfortunately the gates close at 5 o'clock sharp, so even in the depths of winter you will not get a sunset there, and neither do the gates open early enough for sunrise. There are a few spots around some of the walks that get distant views of the lighthouse, but you will need to push through the bush to do so ( not recommended ). There are walkways exploring other spots around the Cape, but I don't recall seeing anything that piqued my interest too heavily; but I'm definitely bookmarking this for later!
Sugarloaf Rock
Moving down the western coast, we now get to the really good stuff - and the object of my love/hate relationship with this area. Sugarloaf Rock is one of my favourite places to attempt to photograph - yes I did put that in italics. Like Natures Window in Kalbarri, my number of visits to the Rock is likely in the double digits now, and it now holds a rather curious compulsion for me. I must get a good sunset photo here, and as of April '21, I finally got one!
As a landmark, it is quite distinct, and the surrounding area is wide and diverse enough that there are quite a number of different view points of the rock that are perfectly suitable for a good sunset composition. There is of course the dedicated viewing platform for an elevated view, and then there are also pathways that lead down to the rocks below and a number of other options for gaining a lower perspective. As for the time of year, I would recommend late March or early April for sunset. Here, the coastal shrubbery is in flower, and it adds a bit more magic to the scene. The sun is also setting in the gap between Sugarloaf Rock, and the outcrop to the south.
And if you happen to visit it and get a great sunrise, enjoy the privilege - it is an exclusive club that I have finally joined!
Further south is the town of Yallingup. The beach here is very nice, and with a bit of an elevated vantage point, Smiths Beach to the south makes for a composition that one photo can encapsulate. I have stated before that I'm not good with beach photos - I can't really seem to get a good shot with a landscape orientation; but during the spring months the wildflowers bloom, and that adds a bit of extra punch and colour to the already vibrant hues of the coastal brushes.
Canal Rocks
Further down the coast brings us to the other iconic rock formation - Canal Rocks. This curiosity is a relatively big area that presents plenty of opportunity for different viewpoints and compositions, even if you are not trying to capture the rift in the rocks that forms the canal. I have taken a number of different photos here, but again I have not really had a decent sunset yet. Sunsets aren't the only game in town, and I have had a couple of nice sunrises intead. The pre-dawn glow cast some really nice colour against the rocks, and it was definitely worthwhile getting up early for it.
There is a walkway that leads out onto the north-eastern rock, and the bridge itself is quite a nice subject to shoot - either looking along it or to the west with the water moving underneath. but you are free to clamber wherever you like - just be aware that the rocks near the canal can be extremely slippery, and the waves and motion of the water can be quite violent. You can even walk out across the smaller channel north of the bridge on the north-eastern "island", however I have often found the waves far too violent for me to want to either cross the channel or get anywhere close to the edge for a shot ( not to mention the sea spray getting all over the camera ).
For a good sunset photo, a wider angle view from the southern end of the rocks looking north will capture the canal and the setting sun during the winter months, or take a view from the northern end looking south-west. The possibilities are numerous, and I have shot from a bunch of different locations and I don't feel that I have yet exhausted my options here. You can shoot from a vantage point up on the higher rocks, or from the edge of the mid-channel where it is calmer, or from the very southern point where the canal naturally terminates in the ocean.
Another fun thing to consider is the Milky Way. We are quite lucky in Western Australia that the Milky Way sets to the west in a near-perfect north/south orientation. This nicely mirrors the Canal, and can make for some really nice symmetry in a full panorama!
Lastly are all the little individual spots around the Canal. These are perhaps not spots that are immediately recognizable as being such, but are still nice compositions nonetheless. Give yourself time to wander and explore, and plan to come back again, as Canal Rocks has a lot to offer. Oh, and as always, watch your step!
There is also a small jetty next to the boat ramp that recently had a refurbishment of sorts. I hadn't exactly paid it much attention compared to Canal Rocks themselves, but for a sunrise the rocky beach just beside the jetty does have a nice eastern outlook with the headlands in the background. Even at sunset it's quite nice with the cliffs getting the last of the day's light and afterglow colours.
Injidup Rocks - the Spa Pool
Down Wyadup Road is the Spa Pool, which is a fun spot if you can find a time when the crowds aren't around! It is a rock pool sheltered from the outside swell by a wall of rock. Within this wall is a fissure that will allow the occassional wave to push water over into the pool, creating a bubbling effect. This is a fantastic spot for sunsets, as the dusk lights up the background while a gentle trickle pushes ripples into the pool in front of you. Summertime is probably the worst time to pursue this spot, largely because of the crowds who like to swim there, however the sun is in a better spot for photography at this time of year. There is also a bit of a gamble regarding how much sand is in the pool, which can make a big difference to the colour of the water - the deeper the pool, the more aqua colour there will be in the water. How the sand gets deposited and how it gets flushed out is a mystery to me, and I suppose it's just a matter of chance due to storms or swell. Some days I have visited and the sand is piled high enough to breach the water and create a small beach. Other times the pool is nearly bare of sand.
Beyond this is mere luck for the waves as well. You may only get the occassional trickle coming over, or instead face huge bursts of water shooting over into the pool. If things are particularly rough, it's also not uncommon to find the pool full of unsightly yellow sea-foam that collects in the nooks and crannies around the edges of the pool and refuse to leave - especially if the wind is coming from the north, which will hold the foam in the pool. The foam does not disappear quickly, and my efforts using a branch taken from a burn pile did only the most mild of jobs to remove some of the foam. Unless you need to be shooting there on that particular day, I would suggest finding another spot to shoot at and hope the weather will be calmer on your next visit.
As for viewpoints, the classic view is straight-on facing the small channel where the water spills over. However, during winter the sun will set further to the north and you may simply have to work with whatever colour you get! Climbing up on the rock wall can yield a different view, which is also worth keeping in mind.
Nearby to the Spa Pool is a long, curving cove that peals away to the south. This would be a great place for a late afternoon golden-hour panorama, with the rocks and shrubs in the foreground.
Quinninup Falls
Further down the coast is Quinninup Falls, which is normally accessed via walking from the Moses Rock Road carpark. The falls themselves are quite impressive, but it is not a very easy waterfall to photography, owing to the confined area. A wide angle lens is recommended, and although it's a nice spot, it's way down the list of priorities for me in the area. I have tried a couple of sunrises here, but with no luck either time. The flow is also a bit varied, and your best bet would be to visit from mid-winter through to springtime to get some decent flow.
Wilyabrup Cliffs
Down near the end of Wilyabrup Road is a parking area that begins the 15 minute walk to the Wilyabrup Cliffs. This is a favourite spot for abseilers, as the cliffs have permanent anchor points installed, and access both the top and base of the cliffs are fairly simple. The cliffs have a good view along the northern coast, where the shore is rocky and rugged. A walked down to the beach on the southern side of the cliffs leads to a beach that is ringed in by a rock shelf, complete with tidal pools of water. The view from the cliffs would be fantastic if you were expecting colour in the sky to the north or the golden light from the late afternoon, and with a bit of scouting I'm sure a great composition could be found on the beaches below. Again, I have tried several sunsets here without much luck.
The coastline south of here is a mixture of rock and sand. Some of it is relatively remote, but the Cape To Cape walkway traverses its length - mostly along the top of the cliffs or beach-head. Beyond walking past these beaches, I have not explored any further.
Redgate Beach & Elephant Rocks
Further south is Redgate Beach. This is a very popular destination with sealed road access which is usually quite busy during the summer months. You will often see surfing lessons being conducted here, and the beach itself is very nice, being a mixture of boulders on the northern headland and a sandy bay. The beach is also home to the Elephant Rocks. These are offshore rocks that catch the swell and create brilliant bursts of spray as the waves move past. This whole area would be rich for photography, not only of surfers, but also of landscape and sunset potential.
In all the times that I have visited Redgate, I don't think I've actually had a calm afternoon there. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as some swell is good for catching waves in the rocks, but not so great for avoiding getting sea spray all over your lens and interrupting your shooting. Drama is sometimes a good thing, and angry skies can make for a fun photo as well.
Margaret River
I have not-so-fond memories of Margaret River, as it was the longest ( and most miserable ) day of when I did the Cape-To-Cape. The weather was wet, my feet hurt fiercely, and I lost the designated track in the area leading up to the river mouth. Thankfully, the river had not broken through to the ocean, and I was able to walk around it rather than back-tracking.
As for photography, there is opporunity here. I was fortunate enough to have an excellent sunset here when the river had broken through, with low wind and nice reflections on the river itself. The rocks in the bay also are worth photographing, as the waves occassionaly crash over them in a cascade.
A little further south is the town of Prevelly. I especially like the small bay that is a short drive south of the township. I'm not entirely sure of its name, however it seems to be simply known as Gas Bay. There is a long staircase that leads down to the beach, and I simply love the outlook from it, with the bay curving in the distance and the headland neatly framing it. The beach itself is quite nice, and since it's quite a small bay you can get the full curve in a photo without too much hassle. I have taken shots from both the northern and southern ends in vertical orientation, which suits my photographic style neatly.
We then come to Conto Beach. This can be accessed on the unsealed Conto Road near Lake Cave. This bay made a huge impression on me while I was completing the Cape To Cape, as the view from the track on the northern side of the bay down over the sweep of the bayitself is impressive.
Boranup Forest
Moving inland, we come to Boranup Forest, which is a fantastic area to photograph. Point Road campsite is just south of Conto, but you will need a 4WD to access it. It is a beautiful camping area ( fees do apply ), and I would heartily recommend it as a stop. Moving a little closer to civilisation, on Caves Road - which is the sealed road heading south to Augusta - you will drive through the middle of some mature Karri tree Forest, and it is phenomenal! Driving south is simply breathtaking, as with little to no warning, you will drive out of scrubby bushland into the mature forest - trust me, you'll know when you're there! There is a pull-off area to park, a viewing platform, and pathways through the forest once you cross the road.
Unfortunately in recent times, a large bushfire swept through the area and left everything looking very bare-bones. Most of the trees look like they have survived, however it will take time for the area to recover. The shrubbery on the ground is beginning to grow back, but the trees aren't regenerating their canopy yet, and are instead putting out smaller leaf-laden branches further down their trunks. This isn't that photogenic, but once the ferns return I'm sure it will look stunning again.
Despite the damage, this has to be one of my favourite areas to wander and look for locations. I tend to walk across the road and up onto the hill, where there are some nice elevated view points looking south out into the trees. The light here can be incredibly harsh, despite being filtered by the trees, and I would recommend a Circular Polarizing Filter to cut down on the glare highlights on the trees and the plants on the forest floor. An overcast sky can help further, but I prefer a partially cloudy day where the clouds just temper the sun's light, rather than cut it out completely. As for the time of day, I can only recommend around midday; as that's the only time of day where I've had success. I've been there for sunrise, but there is little colour to see through the trees. I am curious to know what the area looks like with some mist hanging around, and a cool, calm morning may bring that.
Hamelin Bay & Cape Leeuwin
Down the coast from here is Hamelin Bay, which is accessible on a sealed road. There is a campground and moteling unit accommodation here, so the nearby beach can be pretty busy. The notable landmark here are the ruins of what I assume is an old jetty. The pilings poke out of the sand, and with a high tide and a nice sunset could produce some wonderful photos. Due to its northwest outlook, winter would be best for this. Unfortunately the last time I visited the beach was underneath half a metre of seaweed, so not much to photograph there! Lastly, we have the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse to the south. The rocky shoreline on either side of the cape has potential, and is easily accessible view road and a short walk to the beach. The lighthouse is kept behind a fenced compound, and is not accessible without paying a fee. It is also on a broad patch of flat, grassy land, and I would not consider it necessarily worthy of photographing by itself, outside of the historical significance of the lighthouse and its older style of construction. The view from the beachland on its eastern side is very nice, but a longer focal length and some focus stacking may be necessary to bring the lighthouse closer to your foreground. Summer and early autumn would work best for sunsets here.
Unfortunately the last few times I have visited the lighthouse has been under maintenance and refurbishment. To paint the exterior of the lighthouse there is a full scaffold set-up around it, meaning that the lighthouse is nearly completely hidden! Hopefully they finish this soon and the lighthouse will be on display again.
Other notable landmarks in the area
There are a couple of other things worth mentioning, to do with some notable attractions that are relatively ubiquitous with the area. The first are the Wineries themselves, of which there are many. I can't say that I've explored this option very much in my travels; it's not something that has really interested me. I haven't engaged with any of the owners, or made an effort to scout any areas of potential.
Next thing worth mentioning are the wildflowers. They can be prolific around the months either side of October, and even though I did the Cape To Cape in December, they were still present ( albeit starting to wither ) on many of the coastal cliffs and headlands. Unfortunately, I do not believe that there is any sort of guarantee that the wildflowers will be good from year to year, but it is a good time to visit and walk sections of the Cape To Cape. Lastly, there are the Caves. I do like exploring caves, and I believe that I have visited all of them in the area. There are some incredible natural formations to be viewed, but due to the caves being set up as friendly for visitors as possible, much of the photography opportunity here does not really interest me. There was no water remaining in the caves that I recall, so there were no reflections there to view. Saying this, it was still fun to walk through, as long as you're not claustrophobic, as some of the walkways can be a little restrictive.
In summary . . .
This is a wonderful area, and I would heartily recommend having a look over a few days at least. Also if you've the time, pop into Christian Fletcher's gallery in Dunsborough. In contrast to my lack of good material from the area, his work is absolutely wonderful, and I've gained a lot of enjoyment by popping in and browsing his work - it's refreshing and re-energizing to see great landscape photos printed big!