Gracetown A beautiful bay of blue

Gracetown is built up a hill that looks down into a lapis lazuli bay of crystal clear water. The bay faces north, bringing shelter from the strong winds of summer, and making it popular with holidaymakers and surfers. It is home of two important surf breaks, one used by juniors to hone their skills, and the other for more experienced surfers. It was initially built as a holiday destination with many of the houses being erected in fibro. However, it also has a permanent population of about 200 and some of the older buildings are being replaced by more substantial homes. Old Cowaramup locals talk of the days when they battled sandy tracks to get from their farms to the bay where they would camp out and catch the most amazing array of fish from the rocky shore. In those days abalone were as big as dinner plates. These days the most taken fish at the bay are herring, and they can be caught in their numbers. Gracetown offers a secluded and relaxed lifestyle. In the off-season it is a quiet backwater, but the population swells hugely during holidays. The beaches around the bay are safe for swimming and there are some memorable walks to be taken along the rugged western coastline. There is a cafe and general/liquor store at The Bay and a range of accommodation. It is a ten minute drive to Cowaramup, the nearest settlement, and about 15-20 minutes from Margaret River. It is very close to the major wineries of the northern grape growing area including Vasse Felix, where the first vines were planted about 30 years ago. FOOTNOTE: It was at one of the surf breaks that tragedy struck in 1996 when a rock overhang gave way burying ten local people, nine of whom died. A young girl miraculously escaped, wedged between huge rocks. The people were either taking part in or watching a school surfing carnival.