The Margaret River in Western Australia has some of the most picturesque beaches in the World. Here is a round-up of the best of the best.
Most people associate the Margaret River Australia with wine. But there is far more to the Margaret River than just wine, and one of our favourite things to do here is to hang out at all the best beaches in Margaret River.
We already covered loads of fun things to do here in our article about Margaret River with Kids, but this article is all about the Margaret River beaches.
Because the region really does have some of the most fabulous beaches you will find anywhere in the world.
Really.
Think long stretches of powder white sand and aquamarine blue water. If you are looking for a Margaret River surf beach, you will find it.
Want a sheltered beach where the kids can splash around in the shallow waters? You can find that too.
If you are lucky, you can spot dolphins frolicking out to sea (or perhaps a shark if you are unlucky!) – and there’s even a Margaret River beach where you can get up close (and I mean really close) to giant stingrays!
Read on to discover where.
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If you are looking for Margaret River beach accommodation – check out our pick of the best Margaret River accommodation here.
Note that none of the beaches near Margaret River have shark nets. They do however have helicopter shark surveillance and beach patrols.
You can read more about beach safety here and keep up to date with the latest WA beaches safety information on this website.
If you are planning your Margaret River holidays, you will definitely want to spend some time at the beach. Here we round up what we think are the best beaches near Margaret River.
Table of Contents
Smiths Beach Yallingup
Smiths Beach is one of our all-time favourite beaches anywhere in the world.
The wild ruggedness of the dunes that line the sand give a natural beauty to the beach, which is so long and wide that you can’t imagine it ever feeling that crowded, no matter how many people were to turn up.
Last time we were at Smiths Beach Margaret River, we even spotted a pod of dolphins off the shore – amazing!
The beach is popular with surfers, and older kids will enjoy boogie boarding here in the Smiths Beach surf, but the Southern end of the beach is calmer and is also shallow enough to take your smaller kids in for a paddle or swim too.
If you are looking for Smiths Beach accommodation, the luxurious Smiths Beach Resort is just across the road.
Click here to check prices for Smiths Beach Resort.
This Margaret River beach resort has a popular restaurant, Lamont’s, which also has a deli for stocking up on picnic supplies.
Smiths Beach has a small car park (we have never had a problem parking), which has an outdoor shower for cleaning off the sand before you jump back in your car.
Top Insider Tip: Twice when we have been at Smiths Beach we have spotted large dugite snakes – once around the boardwalk to the beach, and once near the shower in the car park.
These snakes are venomous and dangerous. I would advise you not to let your kids play in the grassy area at the dunes and stay vigilant when you are walking to/from the beach.
Bunker Bay Beach
Another ruggedly beautiful beach is Bunker Bay.
Bunker Bay is situated on the Cape Naturaliste headland, facing north on Geographe Bay, making it more sheltered than the other Western facing beaches.
It has a long stretch of fine white sand and a gentle shelving shoreline, making it perfect for swimming with the kids.
One of the best beach cafes in Margaret River, Bunkers Beach House (normally just called the Bunker Bay Café), is set just back from the beach here.
It is a great spot for breakfast or lunch pre- or post-beach, and there is a large car park here.
For Margaret River beach accommodation, The Pullman Bunker Bay Resort is located just a short walk from the beach.
It offers bungalow-style Bunker Bay accommodation perfect for families, as well as a swimming pool, fitness centre, tennis courts and spa.
Click here to check prices for the Pullman Bunker Bay Resort.
Top Insider Tip: Try to avoid Bunker Bay in November/December time, as the flies here are terrible at this time of year.
Usually by mid-January things are back to normal again, but they will certainly drive you crazy if you come during fly season!
Eagle Bay
Eagle Bay is another stunning beach offering a great expanse of white sand and turquoise waters. It is a good beach for exploring rock pools and we have found that it is often one of the quieter beaches in the area too.
If you are looking for Eagle Bay accommodation, there are several Margaret River beach apartments and holiday houses overlooking the beach here, although there is no Eagle Bay hotel.
The nearby Eagle Bay Brewery is a good choice for a relaxed post-beach lunch, offering wood-fired pizzas and gastro-pub classics, homebrew craft beer and a children’s playground.
Wine lovers should check out Wise Wine on the main road down to Eagle Bay, which has a fabulous restaurant with outdoor verandah looking out over the bay.
Top Insider Tip: The most picturesque way to reach Eagle Bay, is to follow the coastal road from Meelup to enjoy stunning views out to sea and to pass by several secluded coves.
This is one of our favourite coastal drives in Margaret River region.
Yallingup Beach
Yallingup Beach is not the most picturesque beach in the area – although don’t get me wrong; it is still beautiful. Everything is relative here!
It is however, a great option for families. The Yallingup surf makes this beach popular with surfers, but it also has a large shallow area that is perfect for the little ones.
It also has a large carpark, a shop selling ice cream and best of all – a great kids playground and grassy area right next to the beach.
Another advantage of Yallingup beach is that it is close to Dunsborough and Yallingup, making it one of the easiest beaches to get to.
There are a few options for Yallingup accommodation close to the beach here. Yallingup Beach Resort is just steps from the beach and has luxury apartments perfect for families.
Click here to check prices for the Yallingup Beach Resort.
Seashells Yallingup offers 1- and 2-bedroom serviced apartments. It is set in beautiful gardens and is just a 10-minute stroll from the beach.
Click here to check prices for Seashells Yallingup.
For families looking for budget Yallingup beach accommodation, the Yallingup Beach Holiday Park has cabin accommodation and caravan parking and camping areas.
Gnarabup Beach
Close to Margaret River town, Gnarabup Beach is the next beach down from Prevelly Beach. This is a popular Margaret River beach with families, as the reef here keeps the water calm.
But the highlight for many here is the White Elephant Café, a casual beach café serving fresh juices, good coffee and great breakfasts (lunches too), with fabulous views over the beach.
Gnarabup Beach is a good option to call into if you are visiting the show caves in the area – Lake Cave and Mammoth Cave are just a short drive away.
It is also close by to three of Margaret River’s most famous wineries – Leeuwin Estate, Voyager Estate and Cape Mentelle.
Gnarabup accommodation is really restricted to private holiday homes, with the exception of Margarets Beach Resort, which offers 2-bedroom apartments and town houses and 4-bedroom beach houses just 500m from Gnarabup beach.
The facilities at this Gnarabup beach accommodation include a heated outdoor swimming pool and children’s playground.
Click here to check prices for Margarets Beach Resort.
Hamelin Bay
Further South, almost at Augusta, you will find Hamelin Bay beach.
It is a bit of a trek if you are staying in the Dunsborough or Yallingup areas, but could easily be tagged on to a visit to the show caves – particularly if you are visiting Jewel Cave or Moondyne Cave.
It might take a while to get here, but it will be worth it.
Not only is it a stunningly beautiful beach with soft white sand and crystal clear water – but Hamelin Bay offers something very special that you won’t find at any other beach in the world – the Hamelin Bay stingrays!
Big, beautiful sting rays that come right into the beach and swim around your feet!
For accommodation here, the best option is the Hamelin Bay Holiday Park. This Hamelin Bay caravan park has 95 powered sites for camping, including several bigger sites suitable for caravans.
It also has 2-bedroom ocean view cottages, sleeping 6 people, which are just a stone’s throw from the beach.
Top Insider Tip: When you arrive at Hamelin Bay, make your way to the boat ramp where the fishing boats come in and you will see all the sting rays and eagle rays swimming around hoping to score some food scraps off the fishing boats.
If you stand in ankle deep water and get the kids to shake their fingers on the surface, the rays will swim right up to them in search of food and tickle their feet! An amazing experience. The kids will LOVE it!
Also check out our pick of the Best Accommodation in Margaret River and the best child-friendly wineries in the Margaret River.
Wow, you can’t go wrong visiting any of those amazing beach, fluffy white beaches, I need that today on a cloudy, yucky day!
Thanks Noel – yes it can sometimes be a bit depressing writing these posts, lol. Lucky I’m heading to the beach in Vietnam tomorrow 😉
Thanks Ankita – I’ll come check out your blog 🙂
Very useful post – I was looking for resorts outside of Perth. Thanks for sharing!
Stunning! We also stayed at Bunker Bay resort. Perfect combination with their ‘tree’ and ‘sea’ outlooks!
Hi, thanks for the great travel tips, the reviews, and the hints, around Margaret River in Western Australia.
Pictures are really excellent also.
It certainly helps when we can read a blog such as yours, and be guided by it. Many adventures to be had by all.
Cheers Sharon…