Feature by Max Brearley


Of Western Australia's natural drawcards, it’s perhaps the epic coastline that feels most iconic. It’s on the shorelines of the oceans and inland waterways ways that traditional custodians have lived for tens of thousands of years, the understanding of seasons focused on what happens on, under, and short of the water. For many West Australian’s the beach isn’t purely a summer pursuit, more a daily part of life, interwoven with routine, socializing, and eating year-round. With an ongoing spotlight on accessible tourism, more and more beaches, and waterways in Perth (Boorloo) and surrounds are raising the bar on accessibility.


Aerial view of Scarborough Beach in Perth

Scarborough Beach, Perth


Perth (Boorloo) Beaches

Iconic Cottesloe Beach is home to coastal eateries. A beach wheelchair is available to hire for free between 1 October to 30 April each year and can be booked via SpacetoCo.

At Scarborough, north of Cottesloe, the coastal hotels and apartments benefit greatly from a multi-million-dollar foreshore redevelopment in recent years. Beach wheelchair use is available through the City of Stirling Beach Services Team, located at the Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club, and there is also wheelchair access to an outdoor, heated, shallow leisure pool. Elevator access is from the foreshore.


Beaches South of Perth (Boorloo)

In Rockingham, 45 minutes south of the city many come for the wildlife and a day trip to Penguin Island via the ferry. Gangways make boarding these vessels accessible, and the island has a network of timber boardwalks. In Rockingham, beach wheelchair loan is available from the likes of Rockingham Visitor Centre, Perth Wildlife Encounters, and the Yacht Club. Access matting is available at many beaches on a seasonal basis. This includes Rockingham Foreshore, Palm Beach, Governor Road Reserve in East Rockingham, Bell Park, and Phoebe Hymus Park.


On a boat cruise with Perth Wildlife Encounters in Rockingham

Perth Wildlife Encounters, Rockingham


Beaches North of Perth / Boorloo

At Mullaloo Beach 25 minutes north of Perth CBD there are beach wheelchairs available, and access matting to the water’s edge. An access path runs from the main car park directly adjacent to the beaches ACROD parking bays.

Heading further north to Yanchep Beach, 50 minutes from the city is for many, one of the last stops before hitting the Indian Ocean Drive. The beach has both access matting and beach wheelchair loan.


Fremantle (Walyalup) Beaches

The famed port city offers excellent accessibility across three of Walyalup’s iconic beaches, with a free beach wheelchair available for use at Bather’s Beach from the WA Shipwrecks Museum. Available all year round from 7am - 5pm when the museum is open.

South Beach Cafe is the port of call for a similarly free beach wheelchair, again all year round from 7am -5 pm.

At popular Leighton Beach, matting has been installed from the beach wheelchair storage unit onto the beach. Head to The Orange Box café where the chair is available from 7am - 3pm. The essential West Australian morning routine of coffee and breakfast by the beach is also much advised.


Aerial view of people on Leighton Beach in Fremantle

Leighton Beach, Fremantle


Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) Beaches

Famed for its multitude of beaches and bays Wadjemup has many wide pathways, and ramps to most facilities on the island. At Pedal & Flipper, the islands go-to for beach and bike equipment hire there’s a range of mobility equipment available, including gophers, and a limited number of wheelchairs available on loan from the Visitor Centre on a first come, first served basis.


Aerial view of The Basin on Rottnest Island

The Basin, Rottnest Island


Perth (Boorloo) Waterways

As well as Perth’s expanse of coastal beaches, inland on the Swan River and other waterways there are favoured recreational spots. Sir James Mitchell Park foreshore beach and water areas in South Perth can be accessed from the city via ferry from the Barrack Street Jetty to Mends Street. A beach wheelchair for adults and children is stored close to the Scented Gardens connecting to the disabled parking bays at the eastern end of South Perth Esplanade. The park has ramp access to the quartz beach, a water fountain, picnic table and barbecues.

In the Perth Hills, Lake Leschenaultia is a popular spot for camping, canoeing, swimming, and has barbeque facilities. On 168-hectares of bushland, the lake itself was once a dam that serviced the railways. An all-terrain wheelchair is available on contacting the Shire of Mundaring.



Published May 2024.