the long sandy misery beach albany western australia with turquoise water

Misery Beach Albany: Beaches of Kinjarling

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Misery Beach near Albany/Kinjarling, Western Australia. Located on the southern coast of WA, this stunning beach is perfect for those looking to escape from their hectic lives.

Its crystal clear turquoise waters and white sandy beaches make it a paradise for anyone who loves nature. In fact, it’s one of my favourite beaches in Western Australia! And it’s not just me, Misery Beach took out the title of Best Australian Beach in 2022 by Tourism Australia!

This post may contain affiliate links (of companies I book through). This means I may receive a small commission if you book through them. You can read the disclaimer for more information.

What to Expect

Misery Beach is stunning, with sandy shorelines and crystal clear turquoise water stretching for 200 metres. This protected cove features majestic granite outcrops that provide a beautiful backdrop.

Where is Misery Beach?

Misery Beach, Albany is located in the south-west corner of Western Australia, within the Great Southern Region on Menang Noongar boodja. The beach lies within Torndirrup National Park (along with the Natural Bridge and the Gap). Fees apply to enter the National Park.

long sandy misery beach albany wa

How can I get to Misery Beach?

Misery Beach is about 20 km from Albany via Frenchman Bay Road. The only way to visit this beach is by vehicle.

Misery Beach Parking

The parking area for Misery Beach is gravel surface without marked bays.

Accessibility

Access from the car park to the beach is via a path with lots of steps, ending with a wooden ramp with ridges for steps.

Misery Beach Facilities

There are no facilities or amenities at Misery Beach, including toilets.

calm crystal clear ocean at misery beach albany

Misery Beach Safety

When visiting Misery Beach Albany, make sure to take the following safety precautions:

  1. Assess the weather and ocean conditions before visiting
  2. Swim and snorkel in pairs
  3. Never swim under the influence of alcohol or after a big meal
  4. Don’t swim at night
  5. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing
  6. Be mindful of strong currents or rip tides, which can pose a risk even to experienced swimmers
  7. Bring plenty of food and water to stay hydrated (pack a picnic!)
  8. Take notice and adhere to any fire restrictions or notices by Emergency WA.

No lifeguards are on duty, so it’s important to swim within your abilities.

Weather at Misery Beach & Best Time to Visit

Albany enjoys a moderate and temperate climate all year round.

In summer, the temperature typically ranges between 18°C and 24°C; during winter, it can get down to 8°C. Rainfall is usually heaviest between May and August and lightest from December to February.

Beach swimming in Albany is best between January and May as the water temperature doesn’t drop below 20°C. The average water temperature in winter is 18.4°C, in spring 17.6°C, in summer 20°C, and in autumn 20.3°C.

turquoise calm water at misery beach albany wa

Things to do at Misery Beach

Swimming

The swimming conditions at Misery Beach are generally quite calm. Thanks to its sheltered location, the beach is protected from the harsh Albany winds, making it a great spot to spend some time. However, the beach is not patrolled, and rips and strong currents may be present.

Snorkelling

Misery Beach is a great spot for snorkelling, with its sheltered waters perfect for exploring the local marine life. Just remember to check the tides and never snorkel alone!

Fishing

This bay is usually protected from big swell and is good for whiting/herring.

Kayaking

When the water is calm, kayaking at this beach can be an amazing experience – look out for playful sea lions and dolphins!

Camping at Misery Beach

No camping or overnight parking is allowed at Misery Beach. However, Panorama Caravan Park is nearby or choose one of the many holiday parks in Albany.

the curved bay with white sand of misery beach western australia

Beach Etiquette

When visiting the beach, adhere to the Leave No Trace Principles, which include not disturbing any wildlife, picking wildflowers, or leaving any rubbish.

FAQs

What is the history of Misery Beach?

King George Sound has a bloody history in its tranquil waters. In the 1840s, whaling operations began next to Misery Beach- aptly named for the horror of whales being slaughtered along its shoreline.

Are there any attractions near Misery Beach?

Misery Beach lies within Torndirrup National Park, which has many natural attractions like The Gap, Blowholes, and Natural Bridge.

What wildlife can you find at Misery Beach?

Some marine life you may encounter at Misery Beach are seals, dolphins, whales, fish, and maybe even a shark!

Are there sharks at Misery Beach?

The Australian coast is home to over 170 species of sharks, but luckily only a handful are to cause any danger. Although a few people are injured by shark attacks yearly, an alarming 100 individuals tragically drown along our coastline annually.

For helpful safety tips about shark safety, visit Beachsafe.

Can you drive onto Misery Beach?

Misery Beach access is only by a path with steps down onto the beach.

Can I take my dog to Misery Beach?

As Misery Beach is in a National Park, dogs are not permitted.

We hope you enjoy this Albany beach as much as we do – remember to stay safe!

Save Money Planning Your Trip

Click on the links, which will take you directly to the website.

Flights ✈️

We fly Virgin Australia domestically due to their competitive prices and fantastic customer service, and fly with Qatar Airways to Europe.

Accommodation 🏩

We mainly use Booking.com for accommodation as they consistently have the lowest rates with free cancellation on most properties.

For pet sitting in Western Australia and worldwide, we are members of Trusted Housesitters. Free accommodation for pet and house sitting.

Car Rental 🚘

To compare rental car company prices, we use Discover Cars, an award-winning car rental comparison website. They offer competitive pricing in over 10,000 locations worldwide and are highly rated.

Campervan/RV Rental 🚐

DriveNow is a good resource to compare campervan hire in Western Australia as it includes all the large companies like Britz, Maui, and Jucy as well as smaller ones.

Travel Insurance 🌏

Cover-More and Travel Insurance Direct are our preferred travel insurance companies for domestic and international travel.

See this Travel Insurance for Australia guide for more information.