Road Tripping the Best 4WD Beaches in WA’s South West

We Are Explorers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place who have occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Western Australia is renowned for its pristine coastline, where endless stretches of sand meet the idyllic turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

Hamelin Bay

Although many of these beaches can be accessed on foot, owning a 4WD on the West Coast unlocks a world of adventure possibilities. Whether that’s beach driving, fishing, or finding a secluded wave, there’s a piece of paradise waiting for you to explore.

So when Jeep sent me a Wrangler Rubicon to take out on adventures for a month, it was only right I took it on a road trip through the South West, stopping at some of the best beaches this region has to offer.

Don’t miss these stunning beaches on your next drive through the South West!

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Beach Driving Safety Tips (For You & Nature)

• If there’s a designated track, stick to it! Particularly through the Yeagurup Dunes, do not veer off track as this will damage fragile plants and animals
• On the other beaches, do not drive on the dunes, stick to the more compact sand closer to the water – this will be easier to drive on but also be further away from nesting shore birds
• Give other vehicles a wide-berth at all times – you never know when someone (even you) could lose control of the car
• Road rules, including speed limits, still apply on the sand
• Keep a keen eye out for people on the beach and be careful of other oncoming cars when you’re outside of your vehicle
• Watch out for wildlife on the beach and keep your distance

1. Yeagurup Dunes

Location: D’Entrecasteaux National Park
Time from Perth: 4 hours
Traditional Owners: Bibbulman and Menang People

Yeagurup Sand Dunes is the largest land-locked mobile dune system in the southern hemisphere, making it a must-see for every off-road enthusiast. This vast dune system rises from the surrounding Karri forest and is constantly on the move, slowly swallowing up everything in its path as it shifts inland.

We aired down our tyres and paid the park entry fee at the rest area just before the approach onto the dunes. The initial hill up onto the dunes was the first test on this track, and the Wrangler easily handled business, making it up and onto the sand on the first run. Equipped with 32” off-road rubber and performance-driven suspension, the Jeep Wrangler smoothly motored over the uneven terrain – it felt like we were cruising down a remote desert highway. Be sure to drive within the post markers on either side, which outline the route to the beach.

The views greeting us as the track opened onto Yeagurup Beach sent a tingle down our spines and we were both blown away at how stunning it was. Here, the Warren River meets the coast, adding another element to this unique and ever-changing landscape. We parked by the river for lunch, taking in the scenes before making our way back. The return leg on this track can be as challenging as the drive in, so allow yourself plenty of daylight to make the trip.

If the hill sections along the access track aren’t challenging enough, Callcup Hill offers a demanding climb for those wanting to test their 4WD’s capabilities. If you love chucking a line in, don’t forget your rod, as this beach is well-known for its fishing.

Read more: How To 4WD For Beginners

2. Peppermint Grove Beach

Location: Shire of Capel
Time from Perth: 2.5 hours
Traditional Owners: Wadandi People

Tucked away in a sleepy seaside town, ‘Peppy Beach’ offered us easy 4WD access onto the sand, with plenty of space to park up before we soaked up the sun and dove in the refreshing waters of the Indian Ocean.

There are several beach access points, car parks, and boat ramps along the beach, and the mouth of the Capel River opens onto the coast, providing the option to cool off in some freshwater, as well as a spot to kayak.

If you’ve got time to kill, cast a line in one of the designated fishing areas or climb the 120 steps up to Peppermint Grove Lookout, where the sweeping 360-degree views of the beach and surrounding coastlines can be enjoyed.

Dogs are welcome here and can roam off-leash, so don’t forget your furry friend!

3. Myalup Beach

Location: Myalup
Time from Perth: 2 hours

For those looking for a secluded stretch of sand to spend the day not too far from Perth, Myalup Beach is the place to be.

The 4WD access track has routes of varying difficulty leading to the shore – hug the leftmost track for the easiest route down. We decided to put the Jeep through its paces by taking one of the steeper tracks to the right. Once again, the steep initial hill proved no issue for the Wrangler, and though shorter than some other access tracks on the list, this one was packed with fun as it twists and turns down to the water.

There’s heaps of room to drive down the beach while searching for the perfect place to park up and relax. After jumping in for a swim, we headed up to find an elevated vantage spot on the dunes to try our luck at spotting dolphins that are known to frequent this stretch of coast.

Read more: How to Stay Safe at the Beach

Like most beaches in the region, there’s great fishing to be had here, and anglers with a baited line can hook onto popular species such as Tailor, Yellow-fin Whiting, and Bream.

All this exploring made us hungry, so we stopped by the Miami Bakehouse on the way out for a delicious treat. Boasting a range of innovative gourmet pies, we indulged in a couple of their award-winning coconut chicken curry pies in the grassy outdoor area before jumping back on the freeway.

4. Boranup Beach

Location: Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Time from Perth: 3.5 hours

Boranup Beach is one of the longest beaches in the Margaret River region, and there‘s great 4WDing, surfing, and fishing along this remote stretch of coastline (and it meets up with Hamelin Bay listed below).

Starting in the forest but gradually opening up towards the beach, this long access track is both undulating and challenging, but the reward is well worth it. Be prepared with recovery gear and lower your tyre pressures accordingly before taking this one on. We took our time navigating the track down to the coast, especially when we came across the rocky and steeper sections, all while taking in the breathtaking landscapes.

The beach driving here is truly special and the contrast between the forest backdrop, the white sand, and the turquoise water is breathtaking. There were plenty of shore breaks to pick from as we cruised down the coast, and we were kicking ourselves for not packing our surfboards. If you’re lucky on a quiet day, you may just find a wave to yourself down here!

On the way back from the beach, we took advantage of the Wrangler’s Downhill Assist Control for the steeper descents on the access track. This feature was convenient and allowed us to preset a speed for the Wrangler to inch downhill over rocky terrain in a controlled manner, all while reducing the chance of slippage under the tyres.

5. Hamelin Bay

Location: Ngari Capes Marine Park
Time from Perth: 3.5 hours
Traditional Owners: Wadandi People

If you’ve made it all the way to Boranup Beach, you’d be silly to skip Hamelin Bay. Although a 4WD isn’t required to access the beach here, Hamelin Bay gets a special mention thanks to its chance to brush with nature. Famous for the abundance of friendly stingrays that can be spotted along the shores of this serene bay, the chance to interact with these rays in their natural habitat is reason enough to make the pit stop.

Park up and wander down to what remains of an old jetty, which was used for transporting Karri and Jarrah logs for export before being destroyed in 1900. Keep your eyes peeled for Smooth stingrays and Eagle rays as you stroll by the water’s edge.

The Smooth stingray is Australia’s largest ray, growing up to two metres wide, and is quite curious. The Eagle ray is more cautious around humans but is easily distinguished by the white spots on its back. Though stingrays are generally docile and friendly, when disturbed, they may defend themselves with dangerous barbs on their tail. To ensure the safety of everyone involved, observe them from a safe distance and don’t touch or feed them.

The Hamelin Bay Holiday Park is located just up from the beach, providing a great range of accommodation options with amenities. Since we’d folded down the back chairs and packed the boot with camping gear, we decided to spend the night here to catch a sunset from the beach before heading out for a classic pub feed at the nearby Karridale Tavern.

The Freedom of Beach Driving

The coastline of Western Australia offers the perfect backdrop for off-road exploration, combining stunning coastal views with the freedom to explore remote and untouched locations.

Being able to explore secluded stretches of pristine sand and crystal-clear waters in the Jeep Wrangler added another layer to this road trip, and gave me a greater appreciation for the natural beauty on display on this stretch of coast.

If you love getting into nature and away from crowds, I promise, the feeling of driving along an open beach with tunes cranked is as good as it gets.