Australia is blessed with thousands of stunning beaches scattered around its coastline, but arguably the best of them all are located in Western Australia. The state capital, Perth, has a long coastline that is filled with beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise water. In the summer, the city enjoys hot, sunny weather that is perfect for hitting the sand. From trendy inner-city beaches to remote island paradises, Perth has beaches for everyone.
If you’re looking for a destination for your next summer holiday, book with AccorHotels for a beach stay in Perth. Make sure to visit some of these beaches during your stay.
Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe is the most popular beach in Perth and has always been at the top of the list throughout Perth’s history. This historic beach has long been a local favourite, located close to the city, with a gorgeous crescent of white sand, gentle clear waters and amazing facilities. This is a patrolled beach where you can safely swim between the flags. The pavilion here really catches the eye, as does the lovely grassed terrace where you’ll always find people sun baking. Grab some fish ‘n’ chips and sit beneath the Norfolk Pines on a hot summer’s day, and then cool off in the warm, clear waters of this Perth icon.
Scarborough Beach
Heading north from Cottesloe, you’ll come across another of Perth’s most popular beaches. If you’re looking for that city-meets-beach experience, this is the place to go in Perth. Scarborough has a strip of high rise hotels and apartment buildings, shops, restaurants and cafes, all located along the beach front. The beach itself is beautiful with white sand and blue water, and you’ll find more waves here than at Cottesloe. It is still a great swimming beach with patrolled areas and gentle dropping sand.
Trigg Beach
The next beach north of Scarborough is Trigg Beach, quite possibly the most popular surf beach in Perth. The waters here are a lot rougher than its gentle neighbours, so this is one more suited to experienced swimmers, beach walkers, and of course, surfers. Surfing is huge in Western Australia, so you’ll always find people on their boards bobbing up and down on the waves at any of Perth’s surf beaches. Trigg gets some good, consistent swell and is a great spot to watch the surfers.
Mettams Pool
This beautiful northern beach is no secret to the locals, but it feels like you’ve stumbled upon a secret little cove when you get there. Just north of Trigg Beach, Mettams Pool is gorgeous thanks to its perfect white sand, rocky outcrops and flat reef that provides calm, sheltered water that is perfect for swimming. On a fine day, Mettams Pool is one of the best spots in Perth to go snorkelling thanks to its reef that is home to a plethora of interesting marine life.
Leighton and Port Beach
South of Cottesloe, you’ll find a long stretch of beautiful white sandy beach that basically runs all of the way from Cottesloe to Fremantle. This starts off as Leighton Beach and then becomes Port Beach as you head to Fremantle Harbour. These beaches are great spots to go to escape the crowds as there is so much beach to choose from, and they aren’t as popular as the more crowded beaches to the north. Leighton Beach is also dog friendly, so bring your four-legged friend along for the holiday.
Bathers Beach
If you’re in Fremantle and don’t want to leave the city centre, Bathers Beach is a small stretch of sand located right in the middle of the city, perched between the harbours. Not as pretty as other beaches in the area, what Bathers Beach lacks in looks, it makes up for in convenience. You can just walk here from downtown Fremantle for a quick dip and a sunbake, and all the restaurants of Fremantle Harbour make a great spot for lunch.
South Beach
A nicer beach to go to in Fremantle is South Beach, located in South Fremantle. This beach is popular with locals and families as it has sheltered water that is great for swimming, and good facilities including grassed areas with tall shady pine trees. It’s the perfect spot to go to in Fremantle for a picnic and a day on the beach. Just south of South Beach is CY O’Connor Beach, a quieter alternative that is also dog-friendly.
Rottnest Island
Off the coast of Fremantle is one of the highlights of a visit to Perth. A 30-minute ferry ride from Fremantle brings you to Rottnest Island, a place that feels like it should be somewhere in the Mediterranean. This limestone island is full of gorgeous, postcard perfect beaches with white sand and turquoise water. Rent a bike and ride around the island, finding a hidden little beach all to yourself. Hidden little coves and bays surround the island, and you’ll often find yourself in paradise. Some of the best beaches on Rottnest Island include The Basin, Ricey’s Beach and Little Salmon Bay.
Rockingham Beach and Point Peron
Heading south from Fremantle, past the industrial port of Kwinana, you will come to the pleasant beachside suburbs of Rockingham. The foreshore in Rockingham has some lovely beaches that sit in a sheltered bay. You will often find pods of dolphins swimming around in the bay and if you’re lucky, you can swim with them as well.
Just beyond Rockingham Beach is the rocky outcrop of Point Peron, where you’ll find old WWII bunkers, and lots of hidden coves with small sandy beaches that are great for snorkelling and a bit of seclusion.
Shoalwater Bay
On the other side of Point Peron in Rockingham is the picturesque Shoalwater Bay Marine Park. A narrow, sheltered beach follows along the shoreline, but perhaps more intriguing are its offshore islands. The bay has several islands and reefs that are teeming with wildlife. Hire a kayak or join a cruise to visit Penguin Island, with its cute Fairy Penguins, and Seal Island with its colony of male Sea Lions. Penguin Island is another nice little island that is worth visiting for its little coves and beaches.
As you can see, Perth is full of amazing beaches to explore and relax on. Consider this interesting city for your next summer beach break.