One of the main things to do in Margaret River is swim and enjoy various beach-related activities. The region has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with pristine, white sand and the perfect water temperatures for swimming. If you’re visiting the area, and are overwhelmed by all the different beaches you have to choose from, then have a look through our list of the 5 best beaches Margaret River has available.
1.) Busselton Beach
If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly day at the beach – then Busselton is the spot. Busselton Beach is located in the tranquil and sheltered Geographe Bay, where you can enjoy calm waters and a beautiful, white sandy beach that stretches into the distance. Also, the Busselton Jetty is the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere, and even has an impressive underwater observatory at the end.
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This option is ideal for families, as the water is shallow and calm, and the large, clean beach is perfect for sunbathing and building sandcastles. The amount of beach activities on offer is endless, but ‘jetty jumping’ is one that is loved by locals – and with platforms at various heights there are options for everyone. Snorkeling is another preferred activity, as the jetty itself has become a beautiful artificial reef over time, and is home to over 300 marine species.
Where is it?
Busselton Beach is located 40-45 minutes away from Margaret River town centre. It’s in the heart of Busselton, and you can walk to all the restaurants and bars straight from the beach. The Busselton Beach Shack Takeaway, located on the foreshore, has all of the tasty fish and chips classics that you will be craving after a swim, as well as a range of other lunch options.
2.) Meelup Beach
Meelup Beach is one of the most idyllic beaches in the region, situated at the base of a beautiful forest, with calm, turquoise waters and trees overhanging the sand. The trees and lush, green lawns create the perfect shady spots for picnics, and there are BBQs and picnic tables for those who want to have a cook up at the beach.
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This beach is ideal for a relaxing day out, you can take a dip, catch some rays on the beach, snorkel around the rocks, kayak along the cove, or even curl up and read under the trees. You will often see elegant yachts and other boats moored in the shelter of Meelup, as it’s a popular spot to have a swim off the boat and watch the sunset with a glass of sparkling.
Where is it?
Meelup Beach is 40-45 minutes away from Margaret River. It’s one of the best beaches in Margaret River, one that you have to include on a road trip along the coast, as there are various impressive lookouts located nearby as well. If you’re hungry after your tiring activities then nearby Dunsborough has countless cafes and restaurants on offer.
3.) Hamelin Bay
Hamelin Bay Beach is further south – close to the picturesque, yet windy, town of Augusta – it’s a secluded beach, accessed by a trip down a long, treed country road. Known for its impressive cliffs and the vast bay of turquoise water, Hamelin Bay Beach easily makes the top 5 best beaches Margaret River has to offer.
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Hamelin Bay is filled with fascinating marine life, and is popular with snorkelers and scuba divers. However, it’s most famous for the friendly sting rays which love to meander along the shoreline searching for food – this means you can get close enough to say hello and take a few pictures! Also, if the weather isn’t right for swimming, then you can take a cliff walk and enjoy beautiful views of the whole bay stretched out below you.
Where is it?
This beach is a 25-30 minute drive south of Margaret River, so it’s the ideal stop on the way to Augusta, or on the way back up the coast. If you’re craving a hearty feast after your scuba diving or snorkeling adventure, then head 20 minutes down the road to the Augusta Hotel – where you can dig into a pub meal while admiring scenic views of the Blackwood River and Southern Ocean.
4.) Yallingup Beach
There is something for everyone at Yallingup Beach. Once you descend the long staircase down from the town, you will see that to the left there is the peaceful, family-friendly Yallingup Lagoon, and to the right is the famous, crashing Margaret River surf.
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The lagoon is encircled in a reef, which protects it from the wild ocean, and this makes it ideal for relaxing dips and family days at the beach. It’s the surfing conditions that are well-known and beloved by locals though, as huge Indian Ocean waves roll in, beginning to curl over as they meet the reef. Yallingup Beach is one of surfing spots that the Margaret River region is world-renowned for.
Where is it?
Yallingup Beach is 35-40 minutes away from Margaret River, but ideal for a beach stop on the way down from Busselton or Perth. Yallingup is small, but it still has a lot to offer, with the popular Caves House Hotel only a two minute drive up the hill, across the road from the Yallingup Gugelhupf bakery – which sells the most divine, custard-filled German cakes.
5.) Gnarabup Beach
Gnarabup Beach is a long, picturesque beach at Prevelly, with a reef further out in the bay blocking the force of the waves and making it the perfect swimming location. It’s the Margaret River locals’ favourite beach for a day out, as it’s conveniently close and offers a variety of facilities.
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Gnarabup Beach features a small jetty – which is used for fishing and launching boats – and they even set up a pontoon in summer. There are peaceful cliff walks available for winter days, and the beach is dog friendly, so you’re likely to see a few happy pups playing at the water’s edge.
Where is it?
Gnarabup is the local beach in Margaret River, only a 10 minute drive from the town centre – so it couldn’t miss being one of the best beaches Margaret River provides. It also has the closest, most idyllically located cafe of any beach on this list, with the White Elephant Cafe overlooking the ocean from the edge of the beach. There is even a large deck where you can enjoy a delicious cooked breakfast with a view, or simply warm up with a steaming coffee after your morning swim.
Explore the Best Attractions in the Margaret River Region
If you’re visiting Western Australia and would like the assistance of a local expert when planning your journey around Margaret River, then Harvest Tours is the right choice. Our Margaret River wine tours visit various world-renowned wineries, as well as the best tourist attractions, beaches, and foodie hotspots around the area. To ensure your trip is a success, contact our friendly team today!
