Misery Beach – Best Beach in Albany WA 2023
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!
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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.
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.
Misery Beach Safety
When visiting Misery Beach Albany, make sure to take the following safety precautions:
- Assess the weather and ocean conditions before visiting
- Swim and snorkel in pairs
- Never swim under the influence of alcohol or after a big meal
- Don’t swim at night
- Wear sunscreen and protective clothing
- Be mindful of strong currents or rip tides, which can pose a risk even to experienced swimmers
- Bring plenty of food and water to stay hydrated (pack a picnic!)
- 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.
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.
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!
For other ideas on where to visit in Western Australia along with the best things to do, where to stay, how to get around, and other essential information, click on the link below.
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Flights ✈️
We usually fly Virgin Australia domestically due to their competitive prices and fantastic customer service and fly with Qatar Airways to Europe.
Travel Guides 📖
As well as using online resources, like other travel blogs, I like to flick through a paper travel guide too. I either rent them from our local library or buy them from Bookdepository if I want to take it with me.
Accommodation 🏩
We mainly use Booking.com for accommodation as they consistently have the lowest rates with free cancellation on most properties. We also book through Stayz for private accommodation as they are usually cheaper than Airbnb.
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, Jucy as well as smaller ones.
Tours & Attractions 🎢
We use third-party sites Viator, Get Your Guide & Klook due to their free cancellation policies, instant confirmation, price guarantees, and mobile ticketing. We occasionally book through Red Balloon too.
Accessing Money 💵
We recently started using Wise to access funds internationally, including trips to Bali and Malaysia. They offer a debit card in 50 currencies and transfers are fast and free from hidden fees and exchange rate markups. Funds can be accessed through ATMs too. Wise has saved us a lot of money compared to our usual credit card and debit card.
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.
