9 Best Places To Retire In Western Australia
If you do not picture yourself slogging it out in a rat race and, while at it, paying through the nose for houses and amenities, Western Australia can serve as a perfect retirement destination. Many towns in Western Australia are quiet and laid back — and feature unmatched access to outdoor adventure venues. If that is not appealing enough, consider that Western Australia features some of the best beaches in the country. You can pick a nice suburb that is close to Perth (such as Murdoch) or venture out to beautiful, far-flung spots such as Margaret River. Read on to discover the nine best places to retire in Western Australia.
Murdoch
One of the most exciting aspects about retiring in Murdoch is its location. This vibrant college town is 16 kilometers south of Perth, Western Australia's largest city, and only 10 miles east of Fremantle. That means a retiree has fantastic access to big-city amenities, including some of the best hospitals in the region. And with the Bullcreek Shopping Centre just a blink away, all the little knick-knacks you desire are within arm's reach.
Beeliar Regional Park, which features the beautiful North Lake, is a nice place to walk and admire stunning wildflowers, especially in spring. There is Bibra Lake — if you are interested in more outdoor options — and the Bibra Lake Reserve, a rustic, laid-back space well-known as a birder’s paradise. On the social side, 37% of Murdoch residents are aged 60 and above. That said, homes in Murdoch sell for a median price of $1,200,000.
Mandurah
Although Mandurah has its fair share of rough areas — like every town in the world — it boasts excellent restaurants (you will likely become a regular at Flics Kitchen), pretty beaches (thanks to the shimmering presence of the Indian Ocean), friendly residents, and sweetly priced homes. The 2024 median price for houses in Mandurah was around $530,000. Mandurah Forum, which boasts over 155 specialty stores, will meet the most exaggerated shopping expectations of a retiree. Keep in mind that Peel Health Campus, now a government-operated facility, has been providing excellent medical services in the area for close to 30 years.
Mandurah is an outdoor lover's paradise. A retiree will enjoy swimming or swinging at the many white-sand beaches, exploring the delightful array of nature reserves in the area — including Coodanup Foreshore Reserve — and sampling fantastic golfing venues, such as the nearby Meadow Springs Golf and Country Club, which is loved for its manicured fairways and well-maintained greens. You fear you will be out of place? Not likely. Mandurah residents aged 60 and above comprise 32.2% of its population.
Wellard
Wellard is 37 kilometers south of Perth, a distance that typically takes an equal number of minutes to drive. With its proximity to Perth — as well as its rail links and the 72-kilometer-long Kwinana freeway, Wellard provides unmatched accessibility. If under the weather, the nearby Rockingham General is well-resourced and has provided excellent medical services in the region for nearly 50 years. Wellard residents have a median age of 31, meaning it is ideal for retirees who see themselves as young at heart. Residents aged 60 and above comprise 7.7% of the population. Another good thing is that Wellard is not overly expensive. The median property price for houses in 2024 was $665,000.
For nature lovers, there is the Leda Nature Reserve, where one can enjoy an evening walk and view acacias; the beach is 10 minutes to the west — while Lake Cooloongup is also just a blink away.
Albany
Boasting some of the finest beaches in Australia, Albany is easily among the best places to retire. This is especially true if a retiree wants to enjoy sand that is so white and fine — it squeaks when you walk on it. One of the town's most interesting spots is the Whaling Museum. Once in a while, you will enjoy wandering through an extensive space filled with authentic whaling artifacts and memorabilia. Typically, what follows is a relaxing view from the café overlooking one of the region’s most picturesque bays. You also have the Torndirrup National Park — with its jaw-dropping lookouts and cliffs — the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre for a soothing sauna bath, and Mount Melville Lookout Tower for some beautiful views of Port Albany.
Keep in mind that the median selling price for houses in 2024 was $830,000, a price point that comes with doorstep access to the Albany Health Campus, the largest public health construction project in regional Western Australia. Finally, Albany residents have a median age of 45, with those 60 and above comprising 30.6% of its population.
Donnybrook
Donnybrook is in a fresh-produce region — so prep your taste buds appropriately. Popular for nutritious vegetables, several wineries, and succulent fruits, Donnybrook is the 'apple capital' of Western Australia. Barrecas Wines, for instance, which could be Ferguson Valley's best-kept secret, produces a wide, tongue-tingling range of whites and reds. For those who love quiet forest trails, Donnybrook is surrounded by several forests, including Boyanup State Forest — you will love wandering through its tall Karri trees — Jarrahwood State Forest, a world-renown biodiversity hotspot, and the 17,000-hectare Wellington State Forest.
On amenities, a retiree here has access to Donnybrook Hospital, a long-running establishment that has been providing medical services to the area for over 70 years. Moreover, Donnybrook residents have a median age of 46, with those aged 60 and above comprising 32.5% of the population. This, however, could be one of Donnybrook’s most appealing aspects: It is enticingly affordable, especially considering that the median selling price for houses in 2024 was just $535,000.
Fremantle
With its lovely little walkable areas, Fremantle will strike any would-be resident as livable. Moreover, it boasts fantastic access to public transport services —and is only half an hour's drive from Perth — meaning awesome access to big-city amenities, including top-range hospitals. Keep in mind that Fremantle — or simply Freo — is almost always full of life, especially with all its art exhibitions, markets, and stores. Fremantle Markets, for instance, which boasts more than 150 stores, is reputed to be Western Australia's premier market.
Some fun, pleasure spots to keep one busy here include the iconic Swan River, several white-sand beaches (check out the aptly named Bathers Beach), and the impressive WA Shipwrecks Museum, the foremost maritime archaeology museum in the Southern Hemisphere. The median price for houses in Fremantle for 2024 was $1,280,000. However, considering what it offers, most will view this as good value for money. Finally, Fremantle's residents have a median age of 42. In the same vein, those aged 60 and above comprise 26.6% of the population.
Bridgetown
If your ideal retirement venue is some laid-back spot with a river, plenty of trees, and beautiful hills, then start looking for property in Bridgetown. As an adventurous empty nester here, you will have access to the Blackwood River (it is the largest in the South West region), Blackwood River Park, a fun spot for mingling with white-faced herons, and Hester State Forest. If you are into golfing, however, you have the Bridgetown Golf Club, which features a nice 18-hole course with excellent fairways.
What is more? You can dash to the Bridgetown Hospital, whose history goes back more than 100 years — just in case you feel under the weather. The median age of residents in the Bridgetown-Greenbushes area is 51, meaning you will not feel woefully out of place. Residents aged 60 and above comprise 36.7% of the population. As to its affordability, houses in Bridgetown sold for a median price of approximately $580,000 in 2024.
Yallingup
Do not do a reconnaissance tour of Yallingup because chances are you will not want to travel back. So, what is the big deal with Yallingup? Well, brace yourself for heart-stirring ocean sunsets, world-class wines, and stunning white-sand beaches. For a sunset view, Yallingup Hill is magical and addictive. You will want to come here every single day. And when it comes to wine-tasting spots, one will be spoilt for choice. From Cape Naturaliste Vineyard to Windows Estate, there is so much here to sample and enjoy. There is also the beach, the many surrounding forests, and Yallingup Maze & Mini Golf, which is perfect for a family day out.
There are good hospitals in Margaret River and Dunsborough, both of which are short drives away. Moreover, since Yallingup residents have a median age of 48, it is easy for a retiree to fit in and find a social support network. For perspective, residents aged 60 and above comprise 30.5% of the population. Finally, although Real Estate does not provide median prices for houses in Yallingup, other sites show that it is upwards of $1 Million.
Margaret River
It is fine to retire in Perth, but if you want a place with a higher quality of life, few spots will beat Margaret River. From upbeat, live music shows to delicious wineries, there is so much to enjoy here — so much to always look forward to. Once in a while, you will want to sip a delicious Chardonnay at the Stella Bella Wines or head to Walsh & Sons for a reasonably priced range that resonates with a variety of palates. There is the Margaret River Farmers Market, where local vendors peddle fresh produce; Keenan State Forest, famous for its historic brick mill; and Wooditjup National Park, which is traversed by scenic mountain bike trails. If you want to be surfing till you drop, Margaret River is specifically designed for you.
If concerned about healthcare access — as every empty nester should — the highly rated Margaret River Hospital has a history that goes back to the 1920s. That means about 100 years of excellent service delivery. On the social side, residents here have a median age of 40, a sweet spot between old and young. That said, with those aged 60 and above comprising 20.3% of the population, there is little chance for an empty nester to feel out of place. Finally, in 2024, houses in Margaret River sold for a median price of $784,000.
If you want to enjoy spectacular sunset views, walk through dancing wildflowers, and explore some of the best beaches in Australia — consider retiring in Western Australia. Sydney is amazing, and the East Coast has its vibe, but if you are looking for a more relaxed retirement life and are an avid fan of the outdoors, Western Australia provides an unparalleled experience. To a large extent, this is where adventure meets relaxation.
