Travel & Touring | WA Things to Do
By: Fleur Bainger
Great spots to take the family for a fun day out, with some extra attractions and conveniences nearby - to make your day by the water even sweeter.
A love of beaches seems to be stamped into every West Australian’s DNA. And while we’re spoilt for choice in Perth, when you have kids in tow, finding a stretch of white sand with clear waters that’s calm and also has good amenities nearby can help make your beach trip a better day out.
We’ve found 11 local beaches that fit the bill for families with younger children. While this list is certainly not exhaustive, it covers a range of spots that are calm, easy to access and have good facilities within an easy walk.
1. Kwillena Gabi Pool, Mandurah
Unlike any other public swimming hole in WA, Kwillena Gabi Pool looks like a giant O-ring on water. Made from a collection of floating pontoons, it encircles a pool of water that reaches 4.5m in depth. Opening on Christmas Eve, 2021 at Mandurah’s Eastern Foreshore South Precinct, the estuary pool is part of Mandurah’s $22 million Waterfront Project.
Little swimmers should stick closest to shore, where the natural pool is shallow and flat; bigger kids jumping in the deep end at the far side of the circle can get out using submerged ladders. Families are welcome to bring noodles and floaties to play with and can walk hand in hand around the entire pontoon, with its handrailed edge.
There’s no net, so wildlife such as dolphins are often seen, reflecting the name given by Bindjareb Boodja Traditional Owners: Kwillena Gabi means ‘dolphin waters’.
There’s ramp access to the water, a shaded area, a toilet block, parkland, free barbeques and cafes nearby. Lifesavers are on duty only during peak times.
For something extra fun, go at night: the pool rim lights up in shades of neon – a great attraction by WA’s Top Tourism town for 2022.
2. Rockingham Beach
Rockingham’s colourful, revitalised foreshore precinct is well worth a visit. The first stage of improved facilities was completed in summer 2019, going on to be awarded Community Facility of the Year at the Parks and Leisure Australia 2020 Awards of Excellence.
Now, timber-slat daybeds splashed with orange, yellow, red and blue face the fine sand. They’re topped with equally colourful sun umbrellas and sit beside a climbing rope net and shaded concrete slide. The space is edged by a boardwalk, grass terracing perfect for picnics, a grassed ‘beach bowl’ amphitheatre and plenty of cafes.
The long, north-facing beach is often protected from wind, resulting in calm conditions for families wanting to splash into the transparent waters.
There are free barbecue facilities to the south, in Bell Park and Churchill Park, a ship playground and several beach carparks along the shoreline, as well as public toilet facilities. Wheelchair and pram access are possible thanks to beach matting. But note that Rockingham Beach is not patrolled by surf lifesavers.
3. Yanchep Lagoon
A swimming hole seemingly made for children, Yanchep Lagoon is formed by a sweeping reef that lies about 20m out to sea. On calm days, the water is flat and crystal clear, with incoming waves breaking out on the reef. Southside, the reef’s patchwork of sea grasses means great snorkelling, and fisherfolk can also throw in a line away from swimmers.
There’s great accessibility, with ramp access to the beach. Rinse off the salt at the beach shower, at the top of the sand. The beach is patrolled on Sundays between April and October, with Little Nippers and Vacswim both run at the lagoon.
The large parking lot across the road from the beach gets tight during peak times, but you can usually find a spot. Just next to it, find Orion Café and a small, grassed playground, as well as a toilet block with showers and changing facilities.
4. Coogee Beach
The review at the top of Trip Advisor’s page on Coogee Beach says: “Blue like Fiji” and it’s hard to find a better descriptor. The nearly 4km beach starts with the Omeo shipwreck and seawall at its northern tip, and leads to sugary sands, a long jetty and oodles of sparkling blue water.
The circa 1905 Omeo wreck lies 25m offshore and forms part of a snorkelling trail called the Coogee Maritime Trail that runs along the breakwater. Further south is a 300m eco shark barrier, summer pontoons and shaded grass area. The jetty has a jumping platform that kids love.
It’s easy to see why it was named as one of Australia’s top 20 beaches for 2022, by Tourism Australia. The beach is patrolled north of the jetty, over weekends and public holidays between October and April. Beware, parking can be tricky.
5. Lido Beach, Dolphin Quay Mandurah
A pontoon with two water slides. A pirate ship. Fish visible in the shallow water. There’s a lot for families to love about Mandurah’s Lido Beach - also known as The Children’s Beach - right in the heart of the water-woven town.
The floating pontoon is only accessible to capable swimmers, but little kids are just as happy splashing in the clear water along the man-made shoreline. There are two towering shade shelters, a freshwater shower to rinse sandy bodies and the Keith Holmes Reserve playground is right next door, drawing kids in like a magnet with its pirate ship that’s leaning to the side.
There’s parking aplenty, public barbeques, and the pedestrian-friendly marina that’s jammed with restaurants and cafes is only a short stroll away. There’s no Surf Life Saving presence at this beach though.
6. Hillarys Boat Harbour
White sand, still water and oodles of shops within cooee. What’s not to love about Hillarys Boat Harbour? This popular family spot, which is sheltered from waves and currents, is patrolled every day during summer.
Older kids can swim out 50m to the pontoon and zip down the two slides, or do bombies off the jetty, while little tackers can stick to the translucent shallows or head to the nearby shaded playground. There’s a grassy picnic area with free barbeques as well as change rooms and public toilets within easy access.
7. South Beach, Fremantle
Depending what time you arrive at South Beach, you could be greeted with a fire-twirling carnival atmosphere, the joy of off-leash dogs playing, or the relaxed vibes of millpond water. The popular sandy stretch has a groyne on the northern end – often with food trucks parked up – while the southern shore is edged by lawn and Norfolk pines, a playground and the South Beach Café.
The wide grass area also has free barbeques, picnic tables, timber gazebos and outdoor showers, plus there’s a basketball court and loads of parking.
The tranquil waters make it a perfect paddling spot for kids and swimmers developing their confidence; it’s also great for little ones learning to SUP and kayak, and there’s a swimming pontoon.
Free-to-use beach wheelchair access is available by booking with the City of Fremantle. South Beach is not patrolled by surf lifesavers.
8. Bathers Beach, Fremantle
Despite being slotted between two of Fremantle’s most popular areas – the Fishing Boat Harbour and the WA Maritime Museum precinct - Bathers Beach remains somewhat of a secret. Measuring 300m wide and lapped by gentle waves, it’s a haven for families and helpfully close to a number of fish and chipperies.
For extra fun, lead your little ones through the Whalers Tunnel, from High Street to the sand. Hidden beneath the Round House, it was the first tunnel constructed in WA as part of an early whaling station; a new canopy has recently been added to one end. Parking is coveted, but it’s not far from the Fremantle train station.
9. Mettams Pool, North Beach
Flanked by abalone-rich reef on all sides, Mettams Pool is a favourite spot for snorkellers of all ages. Water gets as deep as 2m, so inexperienced swimmers should stay close to the sand, as the swell surges towards the outer edge of the reef.
Going early in the day ensures best visibility and generally, the calmest conditions and lowest tide. Rocks edging the beach can be sharp, but are worth exploring for the sealife within – reef shoes are a great idea.
There’s an easy-access ramp right to the waterline, and toilet, changeroom and shower facilities above the beach on a shaded grass terrace, where there are also picnic tables.
There’s a medium-sized parking bay on the beach side to the north of Mettams Pool, and there’s limited street parking along West Coast Drive, where you’ll also find several nearby cafes. There are no beach patrols along Mettams Pool.
10. Mandurah Town Beach
Mandurah’s beautiful beaches are a great WA secret. Creamy sand that stretches wide, rippling blue water and lofty beach shelters by the dunes make up Mandurah Town Beach.
At the eastern end, the beach curves gently towards a breakwater wall. Families with small children particularly love the tranquil water and occasional dolphin spotting. Not far from the shoreline and behind the carpark (next to Seashells Hotel) you’ll find public barbecues, picnic tables, a playground and toilet facilities painted with blue stripes. There are also cafes and resorts nearby.
Over summer, Town Beach is flag patrolled on Sundays and public holidays from 9am to 12.30pm; extra patrols are run over Christmas, from 24 to 27 December. Town Beach has accessible beach matting and there’s a beach wheelchair available, booked through the City of Mandurah.
11. Palm Beach, Rockingham
The knee-deep water barely moves on a sunny day at Palm Beach, drawing families like a magnet. The north-facing beach has a jetty perfect for beginner fishers and a lower platform that helps little ones get closer to the water. In summer, beach matting makes it easy for anyone to get down the sand, or back up to the nearby cafes and public toilets. There are no beach patrols here.
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