Gracetown at a Glance
- Where — on Cowaramup Bay, off Caves Road between Margaret River and Yallingup
- Known for — a rare north-facing sheltered beach, and the surf breaks either side of it
- Size — a few hundred houses and a general store; no fuel, no supermarket
- Best for — swimming with children, surfing if you know what you are doing, and doing very little
Gracetown is one street of houses on a hillside above Cowaramup Bay, and it is deliberately small. There is a general store, a beach, a boat ramp and not much else, which is precisely why people keep coming back. The bay faces north, which on this coast is unusual and valuable: when the southerly wind is ruining everything else, Gracetown is calm.
It sits roughly midway between Margaret River town and Yallingup, a few minutes off Caves Road. Most visitors come for the day, park above the beach and walk down.
The Beach
Cowaramup Bay is the reason to bring a family here. The northern aspect and the reef across the mouth of the bay take most of the swell out of the water, leaving a sheltered stretch of sand that is genuinely swimmable for much of the summer. There is a boat ramp at the eastern end, grassed areas above the sand, and shade if you get there early enough to claim it. It is not patrolled, so the usual caution applies.
The Surf
North Point
A short, heavy right-hand reef break off the northern headland with a serious reputation. It needs a solid swell to work and it is not a place to learn.
South Point and Huzzas
South of the bay, a cluster of reef breaks that hold a range of conditions. Huzzas in particular picks up swell when the bay itself is flat. Access is by dirt track and short walk, and the parking is limited.
Stay off the cliffs
The limestone and sandstone cliffs along this coast are undercut and unstable, and a section at Gracetown collapsed in 1996, killing nine people who had gathered beneath it to watch a surf contest. Signs mark the risk. Do not shelter under an overhang, do not climb the cliff faces, and keep well back from the edges above them.
Eating and Staying
The Gracetown general store handles coffee, basics and takeaway food, and that is the extent of it. There are no restaurants and no fuel. Accommodation is holiday houses and short-stay rentals, which book out well ahead over summer and school holidays. For a wider choice of food and beds, base yourself in Margaret River town or Cowaramup and drive in.
Getting There
Turn off Caves Road onto Cowaramup Bay Road and follow it to the coast. The road is sealed and the descent into the settlement is steep but straightforward. There is no public transport.
More of this coast
Gracetown is one stop on a coastline of bays, breaks and headlands.
Beaches & Surfing GuideFrequently Asked Questions
Is Gracetown good for swimming?
Yes. Cowaramup Bay faces north and is protected by reef across its mouth, which makes it one of the calmer beaches on this coast and a good choice for families. It is not patrolled, so check conditions and keep children within reach.
Where is Gracetown?
Gracetown is on Cowaramup Bay, a few minutes off Caves Road roughly midway between Margaret River town and Yallingup. Turn onto Cowaramup Bay Road and follow it to the coast.
Are there shops or restaurants in Gracetown?
There is a general store selling coffee, basics and takeaway food. There are no restaurants, no supermarket and no fuel — the nearest of each is in Cowaramup or Margaret River town.
Why are there cliff warning signs at Gracetown?
The coastal cliffs here are undercut and prone to collapse. In 1996 a section of cliff at Gracetown fell onto a group sheltering beneath it and nine people died. Stay off the cliff faces, never shelter under an overhang, and keep back from the edge.
Can beginners surf at Gracetown?
The named breaks — North Point, South Point and Huzzas — are reef breaks for experienced surfers. Beginners should take a lesson with a local surf school, which will pick a beach to suit the day's conditions.