Revealed: 8 WA beaches you've never heard of

Beaches as wild and wondrous as they are unspoiled.

Western Australia’s rugged coastline has always been a major drawcard – from the impossibly blue waters of Denmark to Broome’s mosaics of red and turquoise. But if you thought you knew the best spots for a dip – think again.

While WA is clearly home to countless stunning beaches, there are still a handful of hidden gems that your average Joe doesn’t know. Remote, untouched and truly breathtaking, these secret stretches of sand promise a side of WA few have laid eyes on.

Meelup Beach

As you’re winding your way through the thick coastal heath towards Meelup Beach in Dunsborough, you may be wondering where the water is. But that’s what makes this place so great – it’s completely hidden by bushland. The stark-white sand and turquoise sea is backdropped by the dusty green of jarrahs, and while a few colourful beach umbrellas may dot the shore, there’s not a tourist in sight. The best part? When WA’s wildflowers bloom come spring, turning this coastal paradise into a kaleidoscope of colour.

Bremer Bay

Bremer Bay’s position between Albany and Esperance plays to its favour – everyone drives right past it. This is the place to be if you’re an outdoor enthusiast. Not only is it perfect for swimming, surfing, and fishing, but it’s also a hotspot for wildlife sightings. The coastal hamlet is one of Australia’s top whale-watching locations, with rising temperatures between December and April bringing orcas into the bay to feed. It’s also nestled on the fringes of Fitzgerald River National Park, so be sure to pack your hiking boots, too.

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Hamelin Bay

The Margaret River region may be known for its incredible wineries, but it also boasts one of the state’s most stunning and secluded swimming spots. Hamelin Bay is just a 15-minute drive from the town of Augusta, where you’ll find Australia’s only underwater winery. A mecca for marine life, it’s the perfect snorkelling spot, known for the abundance of stingrays that call it home. Head a little further offshore to Hamelin Island to spot ancient shipwrecks, as well as sea plants and a colourful variety of fish species.

Shell Beach

Don’t let its location in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area scare you off; Shell Beach is a 100-kilometre stretch of pure bliss. It gets its name from the billions of tiny cockle shells that make up its shoreline, which give it a unique pearly sheen that contrasts with the surrounding red landscape. While Shell Beach is considerably secluded, it’s not hard to get to, located just 45 kilometres from Denham. Tack on a couple of days and make the trip to nearby Dirk Hartog Island – known as the island on the edge of eternity.

Little Parakeet Bay & Little Salmon Bay

Little Salmon Bay on Rottnest Island, WA — Little Salmon Bay is one of two hidden beaches on Rottnest Island.

Rottnest Island is famed for its scenery, but these secluded spots take it to another level. Nestled on the northern tip, Little Parakeet Bay is a tranquil haven, accessible via a short walk from Thomson Bay. Its calm waters make it ideal for a morning paddle minus the crowds. On the other side of Rottnest, Little Salmon Bay features a designated trail teeming with marine life – keen snorkellers will leave happier than a quokka munching a eucalyptus leaf.

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Mettams Pool

Located along one of Perth’s best beaches, Mettams Pool on North Beach offers a serene alternative for city dwellers looking to cool off. Protected by a natural limestone reef, the calm waters are perfect for a peaceful coastal experience. We have World War I veteran Frank Mettam to thank, who embarked on a 35-year project to transform the once sharp and rocky reef into a safe swimming area for all, just 30 minutes from the CBD.

Little Beach

Tucked within Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve in Nanarup, around 45 minutes from Albany, Little Beach offers more than just a seaside escape. Surrounded by granite outcrops and vibrant greenery, it’s a hidden haven for hikers, wildlife watchers and anyone seeking a quiet connection with nature. The calm and secluded cove invites slow walks, reflective moments and a break from everyday life.

With unhurried mornings, long, sun-filled afternoons, evenings shaped around sunset, this iconic beach offers an all-day experience (and it’s about to get even better).

As the sun slowly rises over the languid waves and fine sand of Broome’s Cable Beach, the morning colours shift from rich apricot to pale gold and frosty pearl. Remnants of life reveal themselves in the subtle shadows – crab claw marks, towel impressions, footprints. Life here is unhurried, but don’t be fooled. This town is continually shifting like the desert dunes that surround it.

And with a $75 million upgrade – offering easier and more inclusive access for people of all abilities – it’s getting even better.

Cable Beach upgrade foreshore redevelopment stage 1 — Discover the Cable Beach redevelopment.

The addition of comfortable and welcoming spaces has begun (and will continue). This means visitors will be able to spend longer enjoying this beautiful environment, while knowing that the upgrade will create a more environmentally protected setting that preserves the natural character visitors come for. Come sunset, soak it in all the better thanks to the already improved foreshore areas, made for lingering while the light changes. And for the kids, a new splash park and accessible dry playground will make it easy to while away the hours.

Think you know what a day at this beach is like? Think again.

Morning colours

car on cable beach at sunrise — Cable Beach comes alive after sunrise. (Credit: Tourism WA)

As the sun colours the sky, Cable Beach shows signs of life (and not just the aquatic kind). Locals and visitors alike float in the cool water as it laps the shore, landlubbers explore the coast on foot, runners pace and beachside yoga classes bring quiet movement to the day.

When the sky is blue and the sun is firmly in position, head down to the well-known Cable Beach House for a long, slow breakfast overlooking the ocean. Think fresh tropical fruit, eggs cooked your way and strong coffee in the warm morning breeze.

Afternoon adventures

camel train on cable beach in broome at sunset — Join a camel train at sunset. (Credit: C J Maddock)

When you’re ready to explore, carve a path along the Minyirr Park Trail – a gentle 1.5-2km track through coastal bushland with spectacular views of the dunes. Refuel at the nearby Spinifex Brewery for lunch with its low-key, outdoor beer garden. There’s even an outdoor playground if you’re travelling with young humans.

Walk off your lazy lunch by watching (or joining) one of the beach soccer or volleyball games, or even try Silent Beats Broome – a silent walking disco through the dunes. Or book a spot on the famous camel trains, watching the sun drop below the horizon along the way. They’re a constant reminder of the fascinating history, landscape and cultural mix in this part of the country.

Evening degustation

server at Cable Beach Club — Stop into the Cable Beach Club. (Credit: Tourism WA)

As the day closes, watch the world-famous Cable Beach sunset from the appropriately named Sunset Grill at Cable Beach Club. This open-air terraced dining spot overlooking the beach is the kind of place where the view takes centre stage.

While you sip on a lychee, lime & lemonade mocktail or a local beer, enjoy the bustle of life and nature outside as the day comes to an end.

For dinner, nab a table at the Bali Hai Cafe, where they offer pan-fried crispy barramundi, Abrolhos Island scallops and deep-sea snow crab. When you’re ready for bed, check in to Pinctada Hotel Broome – a lush, tropical resort with palm-dotted gardens and a large, lagoon-style pool to cool off in.

Beyond the beach

Beyond the wide, open beach and never-ending sky of Cable Beach, there are many more reasons to visit North West Australia. These are just a few.

Unmatched experiences

Shinju Matsuri Festival's popular Long Table Dinner on cable beach — Join Shinju Matsuri Festival’s popular Long Table Dinner. (Credit: Tourism WA)

Engage with the history of the land and its people on an Indigenous cultural tour exploring everything from the local wildlife to the tastes of bush tucker. To understand the importance of pearling to this town, take a tour of Chinatown, or head outside of town to the live pearl harvests at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, one of Australia’s oldest pearl farms.

Learn why Japanese pearlers were central to Broome’s pearling success and visit the largest Japanese cemetery in Australia, where 900 Japanese pearlers were buried – a testament to the risks and rewards of this dangerous profession.

And book ahead every spring for when communal tables, freshly cooked local fare and festoon lighting fill the beach for the extremely popular Long Table Dinner on Cable Beach. It’s a highlight of the Shinju Matsuri Festival, along with the Floating Lanterns Matsuri, where you can personalise a lantern and gently release it into the sea to honour those you love.

Dining discoveries

Further your culinary adventure at the laid-back Sunday Sesh at Matso’s Broome Brewery. Chow down on smoked crocodile or Aussie barramundi while kicking back to a local DJ as the heat of the day fades.

For more tunes, the beautiful outdoor Bay Club at the Mangrove Hotel is a great choice for dinner with live music, DJs or an event that stretches on into the early hours. Still hungry? Pop by Johnny Sausage for Italian-influenced meals paired with impeccable wines.

Natural beauties

Gantheaume Point cabnle beach broome — Experience the striking colours of Gantheaume Point. (Credit: Tourism WA)

Avoid the crowds and head to Town Beach for a quieter vantage point to see the phenomenal Staircase to the Moon – a natural illusion where the rising full moon is reflected on the tidal flats, creating a shimmering ‘staircase’ stretching up to the sky.

Just south of Cable Beach are the deep red cliffs and dramatic ocean views of Gantheaume Point, where 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints can be seen, revealed at low tide. Or head to Roebuck Bay to visit the internationally significant wetlands, where vast tidal flats are home to shorebirds and coastal fauna.

Between October and March, watch turtles nesting and hatchlings emerge from the sand. You’ll be holding your breath as they make their way down to the shoreline, ready to start their life in one of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes.

For more on Cable Beach and Australia’s North West, visit australiasnorthwest.com.

Revealed: 8 WA beaches you’ve never heard of