Whether you’re seeking A-frame waves or sheltered coves, WA has no shortage of great beaches. Here are five of the best.
1. Cable Beach, Broome
Watching the sun tint the sky and sea tangerine while plodding along Cable Beach on a camel is quintessential WA. The 22-kilometre-long beach, just a 10-minute drive from the heart of Broome, was named after the telegraph cable that connected Australia’s north west to the rest of the world in 1889. And while it’s justifiably famous for its camel rides at sunset, the sandscape is also a popular spot for playing beach cricket and enjoying a sundowner after spending the day dipping in and out of the sea. Download the dinosaur coast track guide app to find 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints at low tide.
Cable Beach was named after the telegraph cable that connected Australia’s north west to the rest of the world in 1889. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
2. Greens Pool, Denmark
Zebra fish, six-spined leatherjackets, mosaic sea stars and silver drummer fish are just some of the marine creatures you might encounter while pin-balling around the large granite boulders that rise out of Greens Pool. This popular swimming spot delivers on both beauty and geographical drama. Located in William Bay National Park, Greens Pool is one of the most popular destinations in Denmark for families as it’s sheltered from the pounding surf.
This popular swimming spot delivers on both beauty and geographical drama. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
3. Hellfire Bay, east of Esperance
Dulux called and wants to know how to match the particular shades of teal and turquoise on show in the waters off Hellfire Bay. This picturesque crescent of sand is located between the broad shoulders of two rocky headlands, on the fringes of Cape Le Grand National Park. And while Hellfire Bay is already on the map for tourists thanks to its regular inclusion on lists of the area’s best beaches, you are still likely to find moments of solitude here. Hellfire Bay also lures cyclists who hug the coastline along the 1.9-kilometre-long Hellfire Bay Trail.
This picturesque crescent of sand is located between the broad shoulders of two rocky headlands, on the fringes of Cape Le Grand National Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
4. Misery Beach, Torndirrup
Misery Beach was named Australia’s Best Beach by Tourism Australia in its 2022 list of Australia’s Top 20 Beaches. Although the name of the remote stretch of sand hints at its grim history as a whaling station and hideaway for convicts, the secluded beach has been busy rebranding thanks to its turquoise waters, as pretty as sea glass, and powder-white sands. The beach is bookended by dramatic granite outcrops.
Misery Beach was named Australia’s Best Beach by Tourism Australia in its 2022 list of Australia’s Top 20 Beaches. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
5. Turquoise Bay, Coral Coast
Turquoise Bay beach is fringed by stunning coral reef gardens just metres from the shore inside Cape Range National Park on the Coral Coast. Enter the water at the bay’s southern end and float with the current at the same speed as the tropical fish moving through this section of the Ningaloo Marine Park (a marine superhighway). Turquoise Bay was No. 1 on TripAdvisor’s list of World’s Best Beaches in the South Pacific in 2022 and you’ll understand why when you enter its waters.
Turquoise Bay was No. 1 on TripAdvisor’s list of World’s Best Beaches in the South Pacific in 2022. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.
Livistona palms soar out of chasms the colour of Valencia oranges. Shady waterholes beckon travellers daring to venture off the bitumen. From the air, fruit farms give way to vast plains that meet rolling hills and fascinating geological formations centuries in the making. The East Kimberley is one of Australia’s most treasured wilderness areas, but don’t be fooled by its rust-coloured roads. This north-eastern corner of Western Australia is home to some of Australia’s most iconic stays by Discovery Resorts that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Dine in the heart of nature.
Your guide to Lake Argyle
The backstory
With rolling hills that glow amber at sunrise and glassy water that reflects the Kimberley’s bright blue sky, a visit to Lake Argyle is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As Australia’s second-largest man-made freshwater lake, travellers flock here to soak in the views from boats, helicopters and Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle.
The latter is a lakeside oasis, a resort where travellers crossing from Western Australia into the Northern Territory (or vice versa) converge. Fifty minutes’ drive south of Kununurra, the property is perched atop a cliff overlooking the sprawling Lake Argyle.
Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle was originally built in the late 1960s to provide accommodation for builders of the Ord River dam, which formed Lake Argyle. In the decades that followed it had several owners, until a Kununurra local took the reins in 2004 and reinvented the property with luxury villas and its now world-famous infinity pool. The iconic property was added to the Discovery Resorts portfolio in 2021, undergoing a major upgrade that took the resort from a beloved campground to an all-encompassing resort with premium waterfront villas.
Glide across the vast, shimmering waters of Lake Argyle.
The rooms
A lakeside resort like no other, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle offers something for everyone, from campsites to villas and cabins . The Deluxe Lakeview Cabins have views of the opposing cliff and are surrounded by bush, ensuring plenty of privacy, while both the Deluxe and Standard Cabins are ideal for families, with contemporary furnishings and one, two or four bedrooms. The campsites also come in a variety of sizes.
The facilities
There’s no doubt the biggest drawcard to Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle is the lake, 20 times the size of Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to experience it is on the Kimberley Durack Sunset Explorer Cruise , during which you’ll see freshwater crocodiles nesting along the banks (it’s home to 30,000 freshies) and even get the chance to swim in their waters. The cruise also takes in Mt Misery, towering above the original and now submerged Argyle Downs Homestead.
If you have young children who need to get to bed early, a great alternative is the three-hour Lunch Explorer Cruise . You’ll tour around the lake’s bays as you learn about the local wildlife before stopping at a remote island for a swim.
Refuel between adventures at the onsite pub-style eatery, The Lake Argyle Cafe. The cafe is the heart of the resort, bringing together friends new and old over a steak, cold beer and live music. Hours vary with the seasons, but rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy a good feed year-round, with a well-stocked general store also open during the day.
Cool off from a day of exploring in the striking infinity pool with some of the best views in the country (you’ll find sweeping views of the lake below). Or enjoy a flight with HeliSpirit, or clear your mind during a yoga class on the lawn.
Take a dip in the infinity pool and soak in breathtaking Lake Argyle views.
Your guide to El Questro
The backstory
One of the most famous stays in Australia is El Questro . A former cattle station, it’s evolved into one of the country’s most recognisable tourism destinations over the past 30 years, and is now embarking on a new chapter to elevate the region’s rich First Nations culture.
The property draws travellers seeking to reconnect with nature and the beauty of this country. Wild in spirit but immaculate in style, El Questro is a 283,000-hectare property like no other; surrounded by dramatic gorges, impressive mountain ranges, thermal springs, secluded waterfalls and even rainforest, it’s the perfect base for adventurous souls.
Float along Zebedee Springs and immerse in nature.
The rooms
Across the sprawling El Questro are three properties catering to the wide variety of travellers who journey this way. The most impressive is the luxurious Homestead , where 10 suites perch at the edge of a burnt-orange cliff, with cantilevered bedrooms over the peaceful Chamberlain River. The adults-only, all-inclusive Homestead is a member of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection and offers a backdrop of thick bushland; riverside, you’ll find an immaculate lawn and a shaded pool that lures guests out of their rooms.
At Emma Gorge , travellers will be immersed in the beauty of the Cockburn Ranges, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife in safari-style tented cabins. This is where you come if you want to completely connect with your environment while retaining a few creature comforts. The Emma Gorge Tented Cabins sleep three or four people and feature private ensuites and ceiling fans.
Families also love The Station , home to simple yet comfortable air-conditioned rooms, as well as a large, leafy campground. Sitting by the Pentecost River, The Station is open from April to October and has a range of accommodation, from unpowered and powered campsites to air-conditioned tents for two people and a Gardenview Family Room for five.
Take a breather with stunning views of nature all around.
The facilities
Located in the heart of the Kimberley, El Questro retains its strong connection with its Traditional Owners, the Ngarinyin people. A highlight of a stay here is the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience ; over two hours, guests are immersed in the soul of Country by witnessing ancient healing rituals, listening to generational stories and learning about the land’s ancestral heritage.
Other experiences include bird watching, cruising through Chamberlain Gorge, hiking through Emma Gorge, horse riding, four-wheel-driving and soaking in Zebedee Springs. At the properties, you can also cool off in the pools, and relax in the restaurants or at private dining locations. A bonus of staying at The Homestead is the exclusive service of El Questro’s dedicated reservations team, who will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your travel tastes.
