Meelup Beach Guide: Discover This Family Friendly Beach
Meelup Beach is a popular calm beach near Dunsborough in Western Australia’s South West. Why go there? Well, it has to be one of the most picturesque beaches in this region. The white sand and turquoise water make a stunning combination.
As Perth locals, we visit the Margaret River region frequently and enjoy spending time on this family-friendly beach.
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Location of Meelup Beach
Meelup Beach is in Meelup Regional Park, Western Australia’s South West, off Cape Naturaliste Road. It’s less than a 10-minute drive from Dunsborough and 15 minutes from Yallingup.
Meelup Beach
Geographe Bay protects Meelup Beach, which means the water is often calm, making it the ideal place for kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding.
Lifeguards patrol during the summer, so it is a very safe beach for young children. There are clean public changing rooms with showers and toilets, too, if you want to get changed before or after visiting the beach. The grassed area, adjacent to the pristine beach, has shady trees, making it a great spot for a family picnic. Free BBQs and picnic tables are also scattered around.
Bushland surrounds Meelup Beach, and there are coastal trails through Meelup Regional Park, providing you with stunning ocean views. The tracks are easy and suitable for families too.
We have seen whales from this beach during their annual migration. Both times it has been around the end of September, so bring a pair of binoculars if you are here during whale-watching season.
This beach is a perfect addition to your family holiday. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed, though.
Weather near Meelup Beach
The driest month is January and the wettest is June.
February is the hottest month with an average of 21.6 °C while July is the coolest when it’s around 13.2°C.
The average for the water temperature is 19.7°C with the highest being 21.8°C in February. The lowest is around 17.30°C in September.
The best time to visit Meelup Beach is late December to late March if you are there for water-based activities. However, winter can be lovely for coastal walks and you may see whales close to shore in spring.
WA school holidays are always busy.
Fishing at Meelup Beach
Meelup Beach is a fantastic place to fish. You can catch salmon, herring, whiting, skipjack, and blue swimmer crabs from the beaches of Geographe Bay at various times of the year.
However, you do need to be aware of the bag limit, sizes, and where you can fish within Meelup Regional Park.
You can find out more by reading the ‘Department of Fisheries Recreational Fishing Guide.’
Surfing at Meelup Beach
Surfing is best left to the winter months when there’s a big swell. There are several surfing spots, including Rocky Point, Point Piquet, and Castle Bay.
Safety at Meelup Beach
Despite what you might think, shark attacks are rare in Australia. To minimise your risk, swim at patrolled beaches, avoid cloudy days and dusk/evening time, and don’t swim a long way offshore or near deep water drop-offs. I would avoid spearfishing too. More information can be found on the Surf Lifesaving site.
Swim at patrolled beaches and between the red and yellow flags. Try to swim with a buddy so you can keep a lookout for each other and signal for help if needed. Also, check the boards at the entrance to the beach, as they will give you important and up-to-date safety information.
Marine stingers are a part of life for us in Perth. The two most common types are the bluebottle (physalia) and hair jelly (cyanea). Most of the time, they cause discomfort but can also be very painful. These are non-tropical stingers and aren’t fatal. Again, check with the Surf Lifeguards to see if any are present, and they can advise you on what to do if you get stung.
Mosquitos can transmit the Ross River virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest virus (BFV) in Western Australia. The best defense is to avoid being bitten by applying repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, and avoiding peak biting times (dusk). Fight the Bite have a good article if you want more information.
When going to the beach, ALWAYS apply sunscreen. The Australian sun is brutal, and you can burn in 15 minutes without it. It’s also good to wear a hat, long sleeve top, sunglasses and seek shade.
Meelup Farmhouse
This Meelup Beach Cafe is on Sheens Road, just off Meelup Beach Road (please note that Sheens Road is unsealed, and you may not be covered if you have a hire vehicle).
Meelup Farmhouse offers a brunch and lunch menu as well as picnic hampers. It is an outdoor venue, so make sure to bring something warm when it is cooler.
They are open Friday to Tuesday from 9 am (bookings are advised).
Tours
We use mainly Viator and Get Your Guide for all our tour bookings as they are competitively priced and often offer free cancellation.
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