West Coast Drive is one of Perth’s most beautiful and accessible coastal walks, perfect for families looking to combine fresh air, exercise and stunning ocean views. The paved coastal path runs along Perth’s northern beaches, forming part of a longer shared path that stretches all the way from Munster in the south to Burns Beach in the north. You can jump on the path at many points, but a particularly family-friendly section is around Watermans Bay, North Beach, Marmion and up towards Hillarys Boat Harbour.
A popular starting point is the beach car park at Watermans Bay, near the Watermans Bay Playground opposite Ada Street. From here, an easy option is to head north towards the Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club and back, which is roughly a 2.5km round trip and takes about 40 minutes at a relaxed pace. The path is shared with cyclists and joggers and can be quite busy on fine mornings, so it’s important to keep left and remind kids on scooters or bikes to be aware of others.
The path here alternates between running alongside West Coast Drive and winding away from the road through the coastal dunes and low limestone cliffs of Watermans Bay. The sections away from the traffic feel especially peaceful. There are a number of covered lookouts and benches dotted along the way, offering lovely vantage points to stop, rest little legs and soak in the sweeping Indian Ocean views.
Families are very well catered for with food and coffee options. Around Watermans Bay, The Little Bay café has a handy takeaway window that makes it easy to grab a coffee or babycino on the go, or you can sit in for breakfast or a treat before or after your walk. If you choose to walk south from Watermans Bay towards North Beach, North Beach Deli is another popular stop for a coffee, smoothie or something sweet, and kids will love an icy drink or milkshake as a mid-walk reward.
This coastal stretch is dog-friendly, with the North Beach dog beach located between Castle Street and Margaret Street. You’ll find dog waste bag dispensers and bins along the promenade, making it simple to keep the area clean while enjoying a stroll with your four-legged family member. As always, check local signage for current dog access zones and keep your dog on lead on the shared path.
There are several handy facilities along this part of the coast. Public toilets are available at Watermans Beach and Marmion Beach, and there is usually plenty of street parking along West Coast Drive and in the various beach car parks, especially outside peak beach hours. The Watermans Bay Playground is a real bonus for families: it offers shaded picnic tables, barbecues, a fenced and gated Playground, and a small but lovely beach accessible via steps, ideal for cooling off with a paddle after your walk. It’s easy to turn a simple stroll into a few hours of play, a barbecue and a swim.
Nature lovers will enjoy spotting local wildlife in and around the dune vegetation. It’s not uncommon to see birdlife flitting through the coastal shrubs and the occasional blue-tongue lizard basking in the sun. Kids often enjoy the chance to look for lizards and seabirds as they go, and the coastal plants are a good prompt for older children to learn about dune ecosystems and why staying on the path is important.
For those looking to extend their walk or cycle, the continuous coastal path means you can customise your route to suit your family’s energy levels. A more challenging option is to continue north from Watermans Bay towards Hillarys Boat Harbour, which makes for about a 6km round trip, or head south past North Beach towards Trigg for a similar distance. Along the way you’ll pass a mix of beaches, rocky coves and lookouts, making the journey as scenic as the destination. There’s also a memorial to the Centaur shipwreck along this stretch of coast, which can provide an interesting talking point for older children.
The path is mostly flat with a few gentle slopes, making it manageable for prams and younger children on bikes or scooters. Mornings are generally the most comfortable time to visit, especially in summer, before the sea breeze picks up and the day heats up. An evening walk is also lovely if you’re keen to catch one of Perth’s famous sunsets over the ocean; just keep in mind that the path can remain busy at peak times.
One of the best things about the West Coast Drive coastal walk is its flexibility. You can park almost anywhere along the coast, choose a short, pram-friendly stroll with a coffee stop and Playground visit, or turn it into a longer family adventure linking several beaches. With its combination of amenities, ocean views and easy access, it’s a fantastic, low-cost way to tick off your daily exercise while spending quality time outdoors together.
West Coast Drive Coastal Walk
Address: West Coast Drive, Watermans Bay WA 6020 (path extends north and south along the Perth coastal shared path)
Find more family friendly walks and picnic spots in Perth here.
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Amanda Carlin has her own food and travel blog. Established in 2013, (first as “The Chef, His Wife and Their Perth-fect Life”) Amanda loves getting out and about in Perth and WA for her blog ‘Simply PERTHfect’. You’ll find her checking out the newest foodie spots (brunching, tapas or something a little fancy), as well as fun family activities with the kiddos in tow, so Amanda always has plenty of family friendly eating options to recommend too! Be sure to check out Simply PERTHfect.
