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.

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.

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.

WA might be enormous, but the right insider knowledge brings its mysteries a whole lot closer.

“Western Australia is a land of record-breakers,” says Carolyn Tipper, a Travel Director working on AAT Kings Western Australia tours. “It has the second-longest fault line, the second-largest meteorite crater, the second-fastest flowing river—it just keeps surprising you. And every area has its charm.”

From tropics to deserts, Australia’s largest state is a land of extremes. You can’t see all of Western Australia in a lifetime, but with the right guide, you can discover its hidden pockets of magic.

Carolyn wishes to reach her guests’ hearts. “I want them to enjoy and be in awe,” she says. “I want them to have the holiday of a lifetime.”

1. Mimbi Caves

You wouldn’t expect a Great Barrier Reef in the outback – but that’s what you’ll find at Mimbi Caves. Once part of a 350-million-year-old reef, these caves hold marine fossils, ancient Indigenous rock art, and Dreamtime stories shared by a Gooniyandi guide.

“That’s when the real connection happens,” says Carolyn, who has taken guests through on the AAT Kings Wonders of the West Coast and Kimberley tour . “When guests connect, not just with the land, but with the people who have called it home for tens of thousands of years.”

Eye-level view of traveller exploring Mimbi Caves. — Walk through ancient limestone passages. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

2. Kalbarri National Park

Nothing prepares you for the Kalbarri Skywalk: a 25-metre platform jutting over Murchison Gorge, 100 metres above the red cliffs and river below. From July to October, join the AAT Kings Untamed Pilbara and West Coast tour to see over 1000 wildflower species paint the park, and listen as an Indigenous guide shares their uses, bush foods and medicine plants.

“I want our guests to have an emotional experience,” says Carolyn. “It’s not just about seeing the land, it’s about stepping into the stories.”

An aerial view of the Kalbarri Skywalk, one of the secret places in Western Australia, with visitors on the edge. — Stand on the Kalbarri Skywalk in Western Australia. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

3. Hamelin Bay Wines

Margaret River isn’t just a top wine region – it’s a winner in every category. Where the Indian and Southern Oceans collide, granite cliffs rise, limestone caves sprawl and Karri forests tower. It almost distracts from the world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Almost.

Out of over 100 cellar doors, AAT Kings pick Hamelin Bay Wines as a favourite. Hosted tastings of small-batch wines on the Western Wonderland tour end with a group meal. The menu shifting with the seasons.

“Get off the beaten track to one of WA’s most relaxed venues for some amazing red and white signature wines,” explains Carolyn, “accompanied with upmarket pub food.”

Spectacular views.

A person raising a glass of Chardonnay against a glowing Western Australia sunset. — Sip world-class wines at Hamelin Bay in Western Australia. (Image: Getty)

4. Wildflower Guided Walk, Kings Park

Western Australia is home to 12,000 native plant species – 3000 bloom in Kings Park’s Botanic Garden. Stroll past Kangaroo Paw, Banksia and blooms from the Goldfields, Stirling Ranges and Kimberley. “The diversity of Western Australia is immense,” says Carolyn, who leads guests through on the South Western Escape tour .

Couple enjoying the view from the Lotterywest Federation walkway at Kings Park and Botanical Garden. — Wander among thousands of native plant species. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

5. Hoochery Distillery

Did you know that between Kununurra and Emma Gorge lies the state’s oldest continuously operating distillery? Well, the oldest legal one. Set on a family farm, Hoochery Distillery was hand-built using materials found on the property, conjuring up award-winning rum from local sugarcane, wet season rainwater and yeast.

Today, visitors can sample a hearty nip of rum, along with whiskies and gins – all crafted using traditional, labour-intensive methods. It’s the ideal way to soak up the ‘spirit’ of the Kimberley on the AAT Kings’ Untamed Kimberley tour .

People enjoying a rum tasting at one of the secret places in Western Australia. — Sample award-winning rum. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

6. Geraldton

The wildflowers of the Midwest will make your heart blossom. In Geraldton, the Helen Ansell Art Gallery brings the region’s botanicals to life in vivid colour and intricate detail. In nearby Mullewa, wander bushland trails lined with everlastings and native blooms. Further afield, Coalseam Conservation Park bursts into carpets of pink, white, and yellow each spring. Do it all on the Wildflower Wanderer tour with AAT Kings.

woman walking through Wildflowers, Coalseam Conservation Park — Chase vibrant wildflower trails. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

7. El Questro

Wake up after a night under the stars at Emma Gorge Resort, ready to explore the mighty beauty of the El Questro Wilderness Park. With deep gorges, thermal springs, and cascading waterfalls, time slows here.

Join the AAT Kings’ Wonders of the West Coast and Kimberley tour to drift through Chamberlain Gorge, where sheer sandstone walls glow burnt orange in the sun, archer fish flick at the surface, and rock wallabies peer down from ledges above. Then, step into Zebedee Springs, a secret oasis of warm, crystal-clear pools among prehistoric Livistona palms – a moment of pure, wild stillness.

Emma Gorge Resort at El Questro. — Wake to adventure at Emma Gorge Resort. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

8. Lake Argyle

Once vast cattle country, Lake Argyle now sprawls like an inland sea – Western Australia’s largest freshwater lake, created by the damming of the Ord River. Scattered with over 70 islands, its glassy waters teem with life, like freshwater crocodiles, barramundi, bony bream, sleepy cod and over 240 bird species. That’s nearly a third of Australia’s avian population.

Glide across the lake’s surface on a cruise as part of AAT Kings’ Untamed Kimberley tour , where the silence is only broken by the splash of fish and the call of birds. For Carolyn, this place is a perfect example of how WA’s landscapes surprise visitors. “Lake Argyle is a big puddle of water that became a game-changer,” she says. “Seeing it from a boat, coach, and plane is mind-blowing. It puts time, isolation and the sheer scale into perspective.”

Aerial View of Triple J Tours on the Ord River, near Kununurra. — Glide past islands on Western Australia’s largest freshwater lake. (Image: Western Australia)

Discover more of Western Australia’s hidden gems and book your tour at aatkings.com.

Revealed: 8 WA beaches you’ve never heard of