Mandalay Beach, WA
When compared to the East Coast, Oz's Western Australia is relatively
under-visited, and that's sometimes a shame as in many places it's no less
beautiful or enjoyable as its eastern brother. A prime example of this is WA's
Mandalay Beach, which lies several hundred kilometres to the south of capital
city Perth amongst the greenery of the Walpole-Nornalup National Park.
The isolated location of the beach only helps contribute to
its beauty, as the rugged, untouched nature of the so-called Rainbow Coast with
its rocky headlands and untamed wilderness make for a wholly different - yet
still wildly impressive - beach location that largely differs from many of the
other entries on this list. The beach itself inherits its name from the wreck of
the Mandalay - a Norwegian shipwreck that was beached back in the year 1911 and
the skeleton of which is sometimes still visible when tides are at their lowest.
One of the highlights of Mandalay Beach that adds to the
spectacle is nearby Chatham Island that lies just a few miles off the coast and
sports a class 1A nature reserve, with the juxtaposition of the island's
greenery with the crashing white crests of the waves at high tide forming quite
the picturesque scene. If you're looking to make the hike to Mandalay Beach,
you're going to have to work for it; the closest major settlement is Walpole
which is isolated in itself, and around 17 kilometres to the west of the beach.
Mandalay Beach has only two entry points that are suitable for regular "2WD"
vehicles as well, but if you're looking for one of the most unique beach
experiences in Australia (as well as bragging rights), it's well worth it.
under-visited, and that's sometimes a shame as in many places it's no less
beautiful or enjoyable as its eastern brother. A prime example of this is WA's
Mandalay Beach, which lies several hundred kilometres to the south of capital
city Perth amongst the greenery of the Walpole-Nornalup National Park.
The isolated location of the beach only helps contribute to
its beauty, as the rugged, untouched nature of the so-called Rainbow Coast with
its rocky headlands and untamed wilderness make for a wholly different - yet
still wildly impressive - beach location that largely differs from many of the
other entries on this list. The beach itself inherits its name from the wreck of
the Mandalay - a Norwegian shipwreck that was beached back in the year 1911 and
the skeleton of which is sometimes still visible when tides are at their lowest.
One of the highlights of Mandalay Beach that adds to the
spectacle is nearby Chatham Island that lies just a few miles off the coast and
sports a class 1A nature reserve, with the juxtaposition of the island's
greenery with the crashing white crests of the waves at high tide forming quite
the picturesque scene. If you're looking to make the hike to Mandalay Beach,
you're going to have to work for it; the closest major settlement is Walpole
which is isolated in itself, and around 17 kilometres to the west of the beach.
Mandalay Beach has only two entry points that are suitable for regular "2WD"
vehicles as well, but if you're looking for one of the most unique beach
experiences in Australia (as well as bragging rights), it's well worth it.