The southwest of Western Australia became one of the world’s busiest holiday destinations, and if you’ve been down there recently you’ll know it’s full of essentially fellow Western Australians rediscovering corners of the state forgotten in the past in favour of overseas trips.
Along with wineries, Margaret River is lined with must-visit beaches featuring the WA staples – clean, white sand and crystal clear, blue waters. Make sure you pop in to the ones below, but don’t be afraid to do a little more searching to find your own little slice of paradise.
For our full guide to Margaret River, head HERE.
Hamelin Bay
It’s not the crystal clear waters or pristine white sand that make Hamelin Bay the number one pick on our list, the real highlight for us are the friendly stingrays that come right up to the shoreline and swim around your feet! Hamelin Bay is also home to a public boat ramp and has a great full service caravan park right on its doorstep.
Photo by @discovermargaretriver
Eagle Bay
Located at the start of the Meelup Regional Park, Eagle Bay is a popular family beach with safe swimming and plenty of rock pools to explore. It’s only a five minute drive from Eagle Bay Brewing Co and Wise Winery, both of which we can highly recommend for a pre/post swim lunch!
Meelup Beach
Meelup Beach is unquestionably one of most picturesque beaches in the region and continues to be a fan favourite for both locals and tourists alike. The beach gets very little waves or wind and has surf life savers present in summer, making it the perfect swimming beach for people of all ages. There are a few nice little shady grassed areas just above the beach with picnic tables and barbecues for those wanting to make a day of it.
Gnarabup Beach
Gnarabup Beach is only a 10-minute drive from the Margaret River town centre and is one of the most popular swimming beaches in the region. The highlight for us is the charming White Elephant Café (pictured below) located just above the beach, which serves up delicious breakfasts and lunches with table views overlooking the ocean!
Busselton Beach
Busselton Beach is another great family beach with clear calm waters. The star attraction is it’s 1.84 km long jetty, making it the longest timber piled jetty in the southern hemisphere.
Doggos are allowed on several sections of the beach. Check our full guide to Busselton HERE.
Bunker Bay
Bunker Bay is a beautiful 2km long white sandy beach that offers something for everyone, with different parts of the beach suited for fishing, surfing or calm swimming. If you’re looking for accommodation nearby, the luxurious 5-star Pullman Bunker Bay Resort is only a 5-minute walk from the shore.
Castle Rock
Castle Rock is the most private and “secret” beach on our list. Although it continues to gain in popularity each year, being the home of the Gourmet Escape’s Beach BBQ. Castle Rock has some very scenic walking tracks, large rock formations and its own little whale lookout spot – get the full rundown HERE.
Injidup Beach
Most famous for it’s very Instagram worthy natural spa (pictured below, read our full guide HERE), Injidup Beach, located only a 15-minute drive south of the centre of Yallingup has a lot more to offer. It’s also a great spot for surfing, snorkelling and sliding down sand dunes.
Yallingup Beach
Best known for its waves and surfing competitions, Yallingup Beach has remained a popular surf spot since the 1950s. But don’t get scared off by the waves – it also has a calm and shallow section of the beach suited to those of all swimming abilities. Doggos are allowed at the northern end of the beach, between the Dawson Street steps and the Rabbits car park.
Smith’s Beach
With big waves, a long wide stretch of white sand and crystal clear water, it’s easy to see why Smith’s Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the Margaret River region. South of the creek is the safer place to swim and is patrolled in summer, however strong waves and rips are still common throughout the whole beach so be careful!
Rivermouth
Just north of the famous Margaret River Mainbreak you’ll find the Rivermouth, where the Margaret River meets the sea. The surf can get pretty big in the bay, which makes the river a safer alternative when the swell’s up. A great spot to enjoy all the surfing action at mains and The Box too, along with excellent SUPing/kayaking in the river.
Redgate
If you’re chasing something a little away from the crowds, a short trip down to Redgate Beach should be on the list. It’s not quite the long, white stretches of sandy beach you’ll find elsewhere, but it’s got some awesome rocky outcrops to explore and on smaller-swell days it’s a beautiful beach to relax on.
The southern regions of Western Australia, while lined with epic beaches in summer, take on a certain kind of magic during the winter months… Cosy fireside stays, soul-warming wines and cool, fresh air make for the perfect escape from the rain and rat race in Perth.
One of the best ways to find epic places to stay down south, whether it’s luxury Margaret River accommodation, a quaint farm or rural hideaway stay in Wilyabrup or family-friendly accommodation, is via locally-owned accommodation provider Exclusive Escapes.
And they’ve just launched a competition to help get you on your way, teaming up with some great businesses in the South West and allowing you to experience some down south magic.
To enter, all you need to do is follow THIS LINK and submit a short (up to 100 words) love letter to the southwest of WA – it can be a poem, short story, moment, memory…anything that sends a little bit of love and warmth to the South West this winter.
The winning entry will receive:
• $1000 voucher to book with Exclusive Escapes accommodation of your choice
• 2 x Bodhi Spa Injidup Restore Journeys (pictured below)
• Degustation lunch for two at Rustico at Hay Shed Hill and a private wine blending experience at Hay Shed Hill Wines
• Mr Mustang Hire private chauffeur for lunch pick up and drop off
So, what are you waiting for? Enter now at winterescape.exclusiveescapes.com.au – entries close 12am, Wednesday 15 June, 2022.