Western Australia has earned its reputation as Australia’s wild west thanks largely to its untouched coastline that spans more than 20,000 kilometres. Along the shoreline, you can snorkel around fringing coral reefs teeming with sea life, surf world-class waves, relax on sugar sand beaches, and enjoy vistas of breaching whales as they migrate past.
To explore this incredible destination for yourself, we’ve found the best beach resorts in Western Australia to use as an adventurer’s retreat.
While most beach resorts in Western Australia are set behind a main road, Pullman Bunker Bay Resort is a seaside resort in the true sense of the word. You might opt to turn your visit into a staycation. Their one- and two-bedroom bungalows are very livable with full kitchens or kitchenettes and a flat-screen TV. Pour a glass of local wine and laze away on the outdoor patio that looks out to serene bushland or a tranquil pond.
Be sure to have at least one meal at Other Side of the Moon Restaurant, where most menu items are cooked with local ingredients—all paired with a glass of wine, arguably what Margaret River does best. For a nightcap, head over to the resort’s cosy fireside bar.
When it comes time to relax, park yourself in a poolside lounge chair or venture to Vie Spa for some indulgence. The day spa offers massages, manicures and pedicures, facials, scrubs, and specialty treatments for couples, girls’ getaways, and maternity retreats. Or for a more private soak, each room has a standalone tub that’s big enough for two.
Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa in Broome is the only luxury resort on the shores of Cable Beach, where clear water gently laps a wide beach that gives way to red dirt. The architecture and design of the property feel uniquely Australian, but also have elements that nod to Broome’s relationship with Asia, a lasting bond from the pearl trade. An array of room and villa options can accommodate up to seven guests.
When kids aren’t building sandcastles on the beach, they can swim in the family pool, splash in the water playground, and perfect their hand-eye coordination at the mini-golf course. Adults can take refuge in the adults-only pool lined with shaded lounge chairs or spend time in the meditation garden, marked by a Buddha statue carved from crystal. Pampering abounds at the on-site spa, Chahoya Spa by L’Occitane, where talented massage therapists offer massages, facials, wraps, and salon treatments.
Keep an eye out for camels wandering the Cable Beach shoreline at sunset and, if you can, plan your visit during the natural phenomenon known as Broome’s “Staircase to the Moon.” For two to three days a month between March and October, the reflection of a full moon creates an illusion that looks as though there are steps leading directly to the moon itself.
Exmouth is home to the Ningaloo Reef, one of the world’s largest fringing coral reefs. Sea turtles, whale sharks, humpback whales, and thousands of reef fish take shelter in the waters off of this small town’s coastline. At Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort, discover the underwater world of Exmouth just steps away from your accommodation.
The rooms, bungalows, and apartments are modern and stylish, decorated with tones that complement the rust-coloured hues of the region. A large outdoor pool with a section just for kids is the centrepiece of the resort, though it’s tough to compete with the calm sea out front. Spend your day lounging and swimming at the white-sand beach, or, for a jaunt to Exmouth’s town centre, hop on the resort’s shuttle bus. There’s also a gym on-site at the hotel if you feel the need to burn some extra energy.
By day, the poolside restaurant serves light bites and burgers. Come sunset, it beckons you to try more upmarket fare like fresh seafood, steak, and confit duck leg. The resident bartenders are masters of their craft, so be sure to sample their Coral Bay mule with hints of jalapeño and blueberry.
Rendezvous Hotel is set in one of Perth’s best beachside enclaves, Scarborough. Once you leave its revolving glass door, you’re within walking distance to a community pool, a skate park, a seaside walking and cycling path, hip restaurants, bars, and an amphitheatre that frequently hosts community events. The beach in front of the hotel, Scarborough Beach, is arguably one of the best in Perth with a long stretch of white sand. The surf is often decent and you’re sure find a spot on the shoreline to yourself—even on the busiest of beach days.
After some time in the sun, a clean and airy room at the Rendezvous Hotel is the perfect place to recharge. Each room is bright and equipped with modern amenities including a safe, hairdryer, desk, and TV with cable channels. When booking, request an ocean-facing room to relish spectacular sunset views from a private balcony. The little ones and young at heart will love swimming in the lagoon-style pool and making use of the hotel’s game room.
When morning hunger strikes, dig into a hearty buffet breakfast at hotel’s onsite restaurant, Straits Café, where a view of the beach below is a fine addition to any meal. Come evening time, a swanky lounge bar with ambient lighting will make it easy to slow down and enjoy your stay at the best beach accommodation in Perth.
Overlooking Smiths Beach—a stretch of flour-soft sand with clear water in Yallingup—Smiths Beach Resort is one of the best luxury escapes from Perth. Its remote location makes it a place where you’ll likely to spot kangaroos hopping among the greenery while you’re gazing out your room’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
The resort features beach villas and apartments—ranging from one to four bedrooms—some of which embody a beach shack vibe, while others feel like a full home away from home. Whichever you choose, the chic, modern interiors are bathed in natural light, thanks to the abundance of windows.
All guests can play a game on the tennis court, swim in the infinity pool, and get pampered with an in-room massage. When it comes time to eat, delve into the creations of celebrated chef and cookbook author Kate Lamont, who uses local and seasonal ingredients to craft the resort’s menu, paired with local wines.
The Smiths Beach region is famous for its wineries, art galleries, and quaint restaurants, so you’ll find plenty of ways to occupy your day. The resort also sits on one of Western Australia’s most important trails that connects Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste, so you can treat your lungs to some fresh sea air as you stroll along the nearby portion of the coast.
The port city of Fremantle is alive with innovative restaurants, markets, heritage buildings, parks, craft breweries and white, sandy beaches. The Esplanade Hotel Fremantle is in the centre of it all, making it an ideal base for those who love to spend their holidays exploring a mix of both cities and beaches.
The plot of land that The Esplanade stands on once hosted the first convicts from Great Britain – until the Fremantle Prison was built and finished. The Esplanade Fremantle was constructed over the former prison site and has been welcoming hotel guests since 1895. The Ball and Chain bar inside the hotel is a cheeky nod to this fun fact.
Inside its white walls, you have the choice of checking into a room or a suite. All are simply decorated and equipped with a flat-screen TV, WiFi access, a minibar, and 24-hour room service. Upgraded rooms feature balconies that look out to a pool area or to the park, where busy scenes of Fremantle unfold. Around the hotel, you can swim in its two heated outdoor pools, sweat in the fitness centre, and unwind in its gardens. Bathers Beach is just a five minute walk away, a prime spot to wade in the ocean and feel the salty air against your skin.
Though Fremantle is a popular spot for foodies, the two on-site restaurants at The Esplanade Fremantle are worth spending a meal or two. The Atrium Garden Restaurant hosts buffet meals with carvery and dessert stations, while The Harbour Master, a popular pick among locals, serves steaks and strong cocktails.
The beach town of Busselton embraces a leisurely pace of life—and the atmosphere at The Sebel Busselton is no different. The resort comprises serviced one- to three-bedroom apartments, all designed with a contemporary vibe. The recently refurbished apartments are equipped with giant bathtubs as well as a kitchenette or full kitchen. It’s a great compromise for those who like to keep the comforts of home while being on holiday.
You can also engage in some healthy competition with your travel companions in the games room and on the tennis court. A spacious outdoor pool offers a nice change of scenery from the beach, but if you can’t resist the appeal of the saltwater, a quaint dirt path takes you to a wide beach, where you can swim and lounge without worrying about anyone crowding your patch of sand.
Eight kilometres from the hotel is the Busselton Jetty, one of the world’s longest piers, where you can walk the two kilometres along the pier or hop aboard the Busselton Jetty train. And if you’re feeling intrepid, grab a snorkel set and fins to see all the sea creatures that take refuge in the pier’s pillars.
For a different Busselton accommodation experience, Aqua Resort is a cluster of self-contained beachside holiday abodes surrounded by peppermint trees that are home to western ring-tail possums. The contemporary, minimalist beach houses range from one to five bedrooms, all with a kitchen, entertainment systems, air-conditioning, WiFi, and a laundry area. Some even have a private garden with a barbecue, ocean views, and a plunge pool.
There’s a good chance you won’t be inside for long while staying at Aqua Resort. An outdoor tennis court with complimentary balls and rackets are available to all guests. And in between swimming in the 25-metre heated infinity pool, soaking in the outdoor hot tub, and sweating it out in the sauna, there isn’t time for much else. Ah, but then again, the beach is just a short walk away.
Margaret River is a magical place with forests of karri trees and walking trails that weave along a tranquil coastline. Offshore from its beaches, the ocean’s world-class waves tumble towards the white sand.
Many of the nation’s best surfers hail from Margaret River, and they use the area in front of Margarets Beach Resort as their saltwater playground. Nearby surf breaks include Main Break, Boat Ramps, and The Box.
Margarets Beach Resort has a variety of self-contained apartments that can host up to eight guests and are great for long stays. Each is self-contained with kitchens or kitchenettes, a flat-screen TV, and WiFi and there’s an outdoor pool for those who want to avoid the waves.
You’ll find it hard not to feel relaxed when you’re immersed in the resort’s casual and laid-back ambience. Just a short walk away is White Elephant Café, a popular beachside locale where you can get your caffeine fix and gaze out over the beach beyond.
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