6 Most Laid-Back Towns in Western Australia

Western Australia is the largest state in Australia and is lavish with breathtaking landscapes at every turn. With stunning coastlines of the Indian and Southern Oceans, charming beaches, rolling hills, vineyards, and woodlands, the scenery is always a delight. Amid these enchanting landscapes are small, laid-back towns that beckon relaxed tourists to come and grace their secluded beaches and roam their lush green forests. As a result, these towns are ideal destinations to fulfill outdoor fantasies and create beautiful memories without the crowd. From the famous Margaret River to Kalbarri with its national park, find the six most laid-back towns to visit in Western Australia.

Pemberton

Pemberton is an enchanting destination for nature lovers in Western Australia, renowned for its Karri trees, lakes, and forests. The town boasts only around 700 residents, making life here slow-paced and less chaotic for tourists seeking relaxation. The town also hosts the exciting Gloucester National Park, where the giant Gloucester Tree (which is currently closed but is planning to reopen a viewing platform) invites visitors to climb and revel in the scenic views over the park’s canopy of Karri trees. The park also hosts the Cascades, a series of waterfalls flowing from the Lefroy Brook, offering great sights as well as hiking and fishing opportunities. This waterfall spot can be reached easily via the Pemberton Historic Tram, which departs the town twice daily and travels for up to 10 km through the picturesque countryside.

Meanwhile, the Pemberton Pool is close to Lefroy Book, where visitors can swim or enjoy picnics at its banks. Otherwise, enjoy a scenic cruise on the charming and secluded Donnelly River as it winds through charming forests, coastal dunes, and wetlands. Don’t forget to dine at Hidden River Estate when hunger calls.

Augusta

Augusta is a charming community on the South western tip of Australia, where Blackwood River (the longest river in Southwest Australia) runs into Flinders Bay. Laid-back and as beautiful as they come, this town is the dream destination for anyone seeking an escape from city life. Additionally, visitors here will be presented with several iconic outdoor attractions like the nearby Cape Leewin Lighthouse located at the most south-westerly point of Australia, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Hamelin Bay Beach is also nearby, offering opportunities for sunbathing, picnicking, swimming, and sunset watching.

Away from the outdoors, visitors to this town can always experience a touch of history at the Augusta Historical Museum through artifacts, stories from the 1830s, and shipwreck exhibits. For more adventures, take a short trip to Jewel Cave to explore this magnificent underground attraction, or just grab antiques at Awhilago before leaving.

Kalbarri

The lovely coastal town of Kalbarri may be small, with a population of about 1,200 people, but it is big on natural attractions, earning it the admiration of neighboring cities. The town lies at the mouth of the Murchison River and hosts the Kalbarri National Park, a blissful world of adventures and charming sights. Kalbarri National Park is a great first port of call, and one of its prominent features is the Murchison River Gorge, offering paddling adventures with close-up views of intimidating cliffs.

Meanwhile, the park features multiple hiking trails leading to different top lookouts, including the Kalbarri Skywalk, Z Bend, Eagle Gorge, Island Rock, and Red Bluff lookouts, all offering stunning views of the area and the ocean. Beach lovers also have several options to enjoy in the area to explore, including Blue Holes Beach, Red Bluff Beach, and Chinaman’s Beach. For art lovers, visit the Kalbarri Art and Crafts to purchase fine pottery, paintings, and sculptures.

Busselton

Busselton is a prime tourist destination on the southwestern tip of Western Australia, north of Augusta. It is renowned for its world-class sheltered beaches, tourist pier, and marine life. This cozy town has quite a large population (around 40,000) due to its tourist attractions, yet it boasts a serene vibe, welcoming aura, and laid-back atmosphere. The Busselton Jetty is the town’s highlight attraction, stretching 1.8 km (6,040 feet) into the ocean, and reputed as the longest wooden pier in the Southern Hemisphere. From here, visitors can descend down to an underwater observatory to view a large reef and more than 300 marine species.

Away from the jetty, the town invites visitors to the Busselton Museum to appreciate the area’s glorious past and maritime heritage via several exhibits. More great things in and around the town visitors will love include the Busselton beach, the nearby Ludlow Taurt Forest (featuring 300-year-old trees and hiking trails), and St. Mary’s Church, the state’s oldest stone church, built in the 1840s. Before leaving town, enjoy an authentic Australian meal for breakfast or lunch at the Hummingbird restaurant.

Exmouth

Exmouth is a small touristy town in Western Australia with a laid-back atmosphere and enchanting coastal beauty. Located at the North West Cape, this pretty town boasts a handful of attractions, mainly around its shorelines, for tourists to bask in and have a good time. For starters, the town is around 40 km from Cape Range National Park, home to Turquoise Bay, one of the country’s best beaches, where pristine white sands and aquamarine waters set the stage for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Also, visitors can join the Yardie Creek Boat Tour in the park for a blissful ride on picturesque waters flanked by imposing cliffs. For hikers, the 3 km Mandu Mandu Gorge Trail in the park winds through a stunning gorge and offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.

Exmouth is also a great place to access Ningaloo Reef, one of the world’s largest fringing reefs and the largest in Australia. Located on the Ningaloo Coast, the reef is home to more than 500 tropical fish species, whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and dolphins, and there are tours from Exmouth offering once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to swim with some of the creatures.

Back in the town itself, visitors can always head to Town Beach to relax and watch the waters or head to the Whalers Restaurant in Exmouth Escape Resort for fresh and delicious seafood.

Margaret River

Margaret River, a fascinating and naturally endowed town in its namesake valley, embodies much of the geographical wonders of Western Australia. The town boasts a charming coastline peppered with exotic beaches and surfing breaks while being surrounded by caves. Yet, the atmosphere is cool and laid-back, with a population of just above 7,000 people. Once here, start an adventure from its main street by grabbing baked food and coffee at Margeret River Bakery or Riversmith. Proceed to Miki’s Open Kitchen for a final fill-up in preparation for the adventures ahead.

When all is set, hit the road to explore the region’s top attractions, from beaches with golden sands to caves. Start with the Gnarabup Beach in nearby Prevelly to enjoy swimming, fishing, surfing, and boating. For more surfing adventures, head to Surfer’s Point, also in Prevelly, to battle its thrilling surf breaks. Next, take short rides to Mammoth Cave to marvel at its ancient fossils, unique formations, and beautiful marri forest. Before leaving town, stop by one of its wineries, like Voyager Estate, to sample different wines and enjoy a satisfying lunch.

The Golden State is home to cozy, laidback towns that are havens for easygoing tourists seeking an escape from the big cities like Perth. Beyond an escape, they offer unhindered intimacy to Australia's highly prized natural attractions. Thankfully, these attractions, which include enchanting beaches, coves, and national parks, are mostly uncrowded. Additionally, pristine rivers, gorges, forests, vineyards, historic landmarks, and mouth-watering local cuisines line up, beckoning visitors for pleasant indulgences. A visit to these little, unsung towns in Western Australia is beyond an escape from the norms, but an walk into paradise.