18 Best Sights in Western Australia, Australia

This is the beach for loads of family fun in the sun. The calm, translucent, and turquoise waters of Geographe Bay are perfect for swimming, stand-up paddling, kayaking, fishing, and relaxing. From mid-December until the end of January, an inflatable water park (aquatastic.net) is set up and available to the public for an hourly or daily fee. The City of Busselton has invested millions of development dollars into foreshore infrastructure that includes an amazing kids' adventure park, skate park, amphitheater, plenty of bench seating, and free-to-use barbecues—a favorite Aussie dinner is fish-and-chips on the beach at sunset. Amenities: food and drink; parking; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

Perth's poster beach is as beguiling as it is relaxing, what with its soft cream sand, transparent blue waters, and strip of beachy pubs and restaurants. Naturally, it's very popular, particularly on Sunday, when people of all ages picnic on the grass beneath the row of Norfolk pines that also hosts masses of squawking birds. The water is fairly calm, though punchy waves can roll through, crashing mainly in shallow depths. "Sunday sessions"—afternoon beer drinking in two local pubs at the Ocean Beach Hotel and the swanky Cottesloe Beach Hotel, both of which have good, ocean-facing accommodations—are also held here. South of the Cottesloe groyne is a reasonable reef surf break, but it's often crowded. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; surfing; snorkeling; sunset; walking.

Make sure you pack your snorkeling gear for this one—due to Rottnest's warmer waters, created by the passing Leeuwin Current, there's a fascinating mix of tropical and temperate fish species in the clear waters. Aim to go at low tide and look out for bream, red-lipped morwong, zebrafish, and king wrasse, plus plenty of little colored fish. There are underwater plaques that guide you along a great snorkel trail and the waters are calm so you can enjoy flipping about. Coral reefs are about 330 feet out but worth checking out if you're a confident swimmer. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

If it's overcrowded, head to the next, bigger beach, Salmon Bay.

Sheltered from wind, this soft-sand haven makes for a gorgeous coastal escape. Its aquamarine blue waters attract many a visitor. Bring food with you because there are barbecue facilities and picnic tables. Amenities: showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

In a state of extraordinary beaches, this one rates high on the list. Bookended by rounded granite boulders, the caramel-hued sand sinks beneath your feet and the gentle, rolling waves beckon, daring you to cool off in the clean ocean. Edged by native bush, it's secluded and quiet but has plenty of accommodation options nearby, all hidden behind sand dunes. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunset; swimming; walking.

What's not to love about this 1.3-km (1-mile) beach at the hillside town of Yallingup? Picture-perfect views; transparent water; clean, sun-baked sand; and a gentle pool of ocean at the southern end that protects you from the waves beyond. On any given day you'll see a tribe of surfers riding the waves, while wannabes and newbies take lessons (yallingupsurfschool.com) in the lagoon. There are limited food and drink options nearby, so come prepared. Amenities: lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; surfing; sunset; swimming; walking.

High waves and rips increase north of the parking lot.

Sometimes, good things come in small packages. This flat, soft-sand beach sits hidden between the Fishing Boat Harbour and the Roundhouse and is an ideal spot to picnic with takeout fish-and-chips, or to enjoy a sunset cocktail from Bathers Beachhouse, the only restaurant licensed to serve drinks on the beach. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; sunset; swimming; walking.

Over the dunes is the whitest of white sand and the most azure waters of Geordie Bay. Photographed by many, this beach abuts a flat, motionless ocean that makes for safe swimming. A confetti of yachts spreads across the bay in the summer months (there are protected, boat-free swimming zones), and beachside accommodation mirrors the cove. Nearby, next to a minimart, find Geordie's Cafe and Art Gallery (0402-990--870), the only eatery in the bay. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it also serves many gluten-free dishes. Expect to see furry quokkas looking for scraps. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

South of busy Cottesloe and about 30 minutes from central Perth, Leighton is a relatively quiet beach loved for its sugarlike sand and flat, calm water, which is perfect for those who like to paddle. It's equally loved by wind- and kite-surfers on windy days, who tear across the tabletop surface. At the northern end of the beach, dogs are allowed to be off-leash, so expect to see lots of happy pooches running around. Amenities: lifeguards (summer); parking; toilets; food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; sunset; walking; windsurfing.

Sheltered from wind, this soft-sand haven makes for a gorgeous coastal escape. Its aquamarine-blue waters attract visitors and locals alike. You can bring food with you if you like and use the barbecue facilities and picnic tables. Meelup Beach Hire (meelupbeachhire.com) offers heaps of beach and water-play rentals, including stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, bodyboards, umbrellas, and snorkel sets. Amenities: showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

This is the quieter end of Cottesloe, where local residents go to walk their dogs (a section by Grant Street is a designated dog beach), dive in for an early morning dip, or share a sunset wine on the sand. The concrete walking path looks over the sandy beach and affords impressive views of the coastal mansions that look out to sea. Coastal reef fans out to the right of Grant Street and makes for good snorkeling in summer, but take caution in high waves as stronger currents form near the reef. Beware invisible jellyfish, known as stingers, which cause pain but pose little other threat. Amenities: lifeguards; showers. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; sunset; swimming; walking.

A local favorite, wide Port Beach has small, gentle waves; water the color of a Bombay Sapphire bottle; and pale white sand. It butts up against Fremantle Harbour's North Quay wharf and stretches towards Leighton. Like most of the western-facing coast, the sunsets are epic and the views of Rottnest charming. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; lifeguards; parking. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

After the West Australian premier described the Scarborough precinct as “tired and old,” the state government pledged A$30 million to pretty-up the beachfront, and things have markedly improved. The beach was always beautiful and the waves surfable, but now there are a number of busy cafés, including the Wild Fig, the Local Shack, and The Peach Pit. There's also the long-standing takeout spot, Peters by the Sea for fish-and-chips. Kids love to run wild on the beachfront playground and the Snake Pit skate park, while holidaymakers come and go from the towering Rendezvous Hotel. The more enviable locales of Cottesloe, Fremantle, and Perth CBD are all a 15- to 20-minute drive away; Scarborough is not on the train line. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; sunset; walking.

In a state of extraordinary beaches, this one rates high on the list. Bookended by rounded granite boulders, the caramel-hue sand sinks beneath your feet and the gentle, rolling waves beckon, daring you to cool off in the clean ocean. Edged by native bush, this beach that is 12 km (7 miles) from Dunsborough is quiet and secluded. Smiths Beach Resort and Lamont's Restaurant (at resort) are nearby. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunset; surfing; walking.

North of the creek has strong waves and rips (undertows) and can be hazardous.

This pool-like bay is one of Rottnest's most popular, both for its safe, shallow waters and proximity to the main settlement. Protected by an outer reef, the ocean is crystal clear, the waves are gentle, and little fish dart about. Major renovations in 2021 saw improvements to toilet blocks, shelters, barbecue facilities, and play spaces. Amenities: lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Surfers and bodyboarders favor this beach, riding the transparent blue waves from Trigg Point and Trigg Island, sometimes crashing into the sandy bottom. Swimmers don masks and paddle to the snorkeling spot of Mettams Pool that is lovely on calm days but should be avoided when the swell is up. The hip, surfer-theme coffee haunt, Yelo, and the ultracool Island Market Trigg offer healthy meals and views for days.  Across the road away from the ocean, the Trigg Bushland Reserve makes for interesting, paved bushwalking—just follow the trail and its interpretive signage. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; surfing.

There is a strong undertow off this beach, and swimmers have struck trouble.

Picture perfect views, transparent water, clean, honey-color sand, and a gentle pool of ocean that protects you from the waves beyond: what's not to love about this wide beach, out the front of the hillside town of Yallingup? Parts of the ocean have soft seaweed growing thick on the bottom, making for interesting snorkeling. Surf breaks are near but elsewhere, at Smiths, Three Bears, Super Tubes, Injidup, and Rabbits. Ask the locals for directions as only some are signposted. There are limited food and drink options nearby, so come prepared. Amenities: lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming; walking.