We love Margaret River beaches. The region is our home away from home. Every long weekend and even just some ordinary weekends, we are packing the car and hitting the road for Busselton, one of the most chill towns we know. There is an abundance of things to do down here and believe it or not, we still haven’t done them all.
In summer, we spend most of our time at the Margaret River Beaches, so we thought we’d put our knowledge to use and let you in on our favourite summer beaches. And yes, these differ from our top five winter beaches.
These are our ultimate swimming and sun-baking beaches! Ok, when we say sun baking, we mean sitting under an umbrella or beach tent slathered in sunscreen because even though we are in the shade, Tiff will still find a way to get sunburnt. Anyhow, let’s dive into this as we dive into the beach on a hot summer’s day!
Be sure to check out our Instagram to see all of our favourite beaches!
Meelup Beach
The best beach to spend the day at with a picnic lunch is Meelup Beach. We take down sausages and make the most of the many BBQs there. The shaded grassed area is what makes this beach so good. It’s easy to escape the harsh sun in between swims, but still enjoy those beach vibes. It also means there is no sand in our food when we have lunch (bonus!) and even when the beach is packed, you can still find a spot that’s not right on top of everyone else.
The water is so calm here, making it perfect for kids and stand-up paddle boarding! There is usually a hire company down here with plenty of boards and kayaks to make use of this peaceful bay.
If you don’t enjoy sitting on the beach for long, you can follow a walking trail to higher ground for stunning views of the bay. The hike starts at Meelup and meanders along the coast before heading into the bush and up a hill for gorgeous panoramic views. The walk is a little steep but easy enough (our young nephews have done it and didn’t struggle much). Plus, there is the bonus of finishing at the beach so you can cool off!
Bunker Bay
Another stunning beach that is relatively calm. Bunker Bay doesn’t get anywhere near as many people as Meelup. However, it is lacking in the shade department, so bring your beach shelter or umbrella if you enjoy spending a bit of time on the beach and not getting sunburnt. There are a few cool rock formations around here for exploring, too.
We love coming here after eating at Bunkers Beach House, which sits on the beach. This beach is gorgeous and perfect for a swim, especially if you prefer your beaches a little less crowded.
Just around the corner from here is another lovely little cove with shaded picnic areas and a rocky beach. The perfect spot if you want to watch the waves all by yourself. We haven’t swum here, but it looks inviting. Definitely worth stopping in if you’re already at Bunker Bay.
Hamelin Bay
You can’t go to the Margaret River Region and not visit Hamelin Bay. Not only is it picture perfect, with stunning blue water, a rocky island, and pristine white sand, but it is also home to the most friendly stingrays and eagle rays we have ever met! It is a bit of a drive from the major towns, but trust us when we say it’s worth it. Pack a picnic or visit a nearby winery and make it a day trip. You’ll easily spend half the day at the beach playing with the rays and basking in the view.
Please remember that no matter how friendly the rays are, they are still wild animals. Treat them kindly and don’t touch them or invade their space. If you stand still, they will probably approach you as they were very curious when we visited!
We found the best time to see them was in the morning or at dusk. They like to hang out near the boat ramp and feed off scraps from the fishing boats. It’s easy to tell when they are there as there are always people standing on the water’s edge watching them swim!
Busselton Foreshore
Walk up the beach away from the crowds or stay on the foreshore and play on the giant inflatable playground during the summer school holidays. We love going for walks along Busselton Foreshore.
Start from the Jetty and walk toward Dunsborough for a gorgeous stroll along the sand. The further you get from the jetty, the fewer people there are, which is always a bonus. If you keep an eye out in the shallows, you may see the odd fish or even some sting rays on your walk!
This beach is always the first one we go to when in Busso, as we can park the car and walk down to it from pretty much every accommodation we have ever stayed in here. Even if you are staying across the highway, it’s never too far to walk down to the beach. Any time of day or night, the calm waters of the bay are ready and waiting to give you some peace and tranquility. It really is our happy place down here and caps off our favourite beaches in Margaret River.
Injidup Spa
Injidup Spa is widely known as one of the most Instagram-worthy beaches in Margaret River, and rightly so! The ‘spa’ is a hidden rock pool protected from the swell of the ocean by large rock formations. As waves are swept up onto the rocks, they filter through small gaps to create waterfalls and the spa-like effect this place is famous for.
We recommend getting there early in the day and definitely try to be there outside of school holidays as it gets very busy. Pay attention to the ocean as well. This is a dangerous spot if the tide is high and the swells are big, so visit on calmer days. We have gone a couple of times only to leave before getting into the water, as it’s been too busy or too much of a swell to be safe. Whilst we love this spot and had to put it on the list for its beauty, it has its drawbacks, so just remember to be careful and patient when visiting.
There are some beautiful beaches nearby if the natural spa is too busy on the day you visit. Try to go to Injidup beach, which is great for those of us who like waves or a walk on the beach. Whilst you’re in the area, check out canal rocks as well. Not a place for swimming but a stunning rock formation that has waves crashing on it spectacularly no matter what the tide is doing!
Remember when you are exploring these beaches, they are on Noongar land. The Wadandi and Bibbulman people are the traditional owners of this land and the beaches you will be enjoining.
Please remember to be respectful of the Country you are on. Leave it as you found it and tread with care, ensuring you do not damage plants or wildlife you find on the beach. In this way, generations to come can enjoy the land.
We’d like to thank the Wadandi and Bibbulman people for welcoming visitors to their Country. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Acknowledging that this always was and always will be Indigenous land.
