8 Best Small Towns To Retire In Western Australia

Western Australia’s small towns offer a relaxed and rewarding way to retire. In Albany, retirees can enjoy the flat path between Emu Point and Ellen Cove, then visit the National Anzac Centre at Albany Heritage Park. Busselton offers the famous jetty, a solar-powered train, and the Underwater Observatory, with accessible facilities for visitors. In Margaret River, Cape Mentelle is a welcoming stop for wine tasting, while Denmark has scenic streets, local galleries, and access to sections of the Bibbulmun Track.

These towns make it easier to stay active, social, and engaged. Whether you want beach walks, museums, cafés, markets, or nature trails, these eight towns in Western Australia have welcoming communities that make retirement feel both peaceful and full of things to do.

Albany

Albany is a great place to retire, as it has many recreational and national parks, along with an easy-to-follow grading system from easy to difficult. One of the more accessible parks is Emu Point to Ellen Cove and Port Albany. The path between Emu Point and Ellen Cove is about 4.6 kilometres. It also leads to Binalup and Middleton Beach, with several beach access points and parking lots. The best part, most of the paths are relatively flat.

For a blast from the past, the Camtrans 2026 Albany Classic features races from vintage to post-vintage classic cars. This includes big muscle cars and open-wheel racers.

To learn more about the region's history, take a walk at Albany Heritage Park. It blends both natural and historic attractions. The park is a 250-hectare parkland reserve, but you can head directly to historical landmarks like the National Anzac Centre or Princess Royal Fortress, which have parking lots with accessibility ramps.

Busselton

Busselton is home to the longest tourist jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and the second-longest in the world. Visitors can take the solar-powered Jetty Train over the Indian Ocean to the Underwater Observatory, one of six in the world. The attraction has wheelchair ramps, doors, washrooms and more.

The town is also home to the Festival of Busselton, a month-long festival for all ages. The festival starts off with a bang on New Year's Eve. All month long, there are fitness activities like pilates, outdoor cinemas on Mondays, fishing tutorials, art in the park, live music and much more.

To learn more about the town's history, visit the Busselton Museum, which is housed in an old butter factory. There are display rooms filled with photographs, equipment, and memorabilia related to the town's social and commercial life.

Margaret River

Margaret River is home to many caves, which retirees can explore. The great part is that they have a variety of caves, and some, like Mammoth Caves, have wheelchair access. The Calgardup Cave in Forest Grove has boardwalks and handrails suitable for all ages. They also offer self-guided tours to explore the views at your own pace. The best part is that they are only a few minutes from town.

The town has been making wine for only 50 years, but the quality is world-class. Try some wine at Cape Mentelle, which is wheelchair-accessible and offers delivery. The town has a Mediterranean climate, which helps to produce great Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays.

Explore the Old Settlement Museum, with a small 1890s steam locomotive named "Old Kate". The museum showcases a collection of artefacts dating back to the 1920s, including farming and blacksmith tools, spring carts, a school, and a dairy milk shed. Nearby, the museum connects to the Margaret River Heritage Trail, or Bunjiitj Biddi (formerly the Ten Mile Book Trail).

Denmark

The Bibbulmun Track runs right through the city of Denmark. Although the walk from Perth to Albany is 1,000 kilometres, the one from Denmark to Albany is easier. For retirees, that is still a great distance, so just take a walk through town and walk sections of the trail at a time. You can access the track through a car park, and the Reminisce Cafe is conveniently located for refreshments and a break if necessary.

Demark offers two shopping streets for the shopaholic in you. Browse through South Coast Highway and Strickland Street. For handmade Ugg boots, try Jassi. The Riverfront Gallery has award-winning and emerging artworks to purchase. Tiny Treasures has board games, puzzles and a hobby store.

For a mix of history and nature near Denmark, take the 450-metre Ancient Empire Walk at the Valley of the Giants in Walpole-Nornalup National Park.

Esperance

Lucky Bay has the honour of being named Australia's whitest beach. It is also in Cape Le Grand National Park. Retirees can take a gentle stroll along the coast, and kangaroos would walk up to visitors for a friendly greeting. Take a swim, put your feet into the famous turquoise waters, or just lie on the beach and soak up the sun. Just a few minutes out of town is the famous Pink Lake.

Dine at the Taylor St Quarters, where you get a taste of local produce inside a historical building. It was originally the Wellard Hospital in Perth and was relocated to Esperance in 1931. In 2017, it was converted into the restaurant you see today, serving coffee, cakes, beer, wine, and cocktails, with the menu constantly changing.

For a historical tour, visit the Esperance Museum. Opened in 1976, the museum was originally the railway marshalling yards. The main building consists of the goods shed and office. The collections consist of the NASA Skylab memorabilia, locomotive W919, maritime vehicles and machinery and much more.

Kalbarri

The Kalbarri Skywalk is a must-see for anyone, as the platform hangs mid-air 100 metres above the gorge in Kalbarri National Park. The architecture is influenced by Aboriginal heritage, and local Indigenous artists contributed to the artwork on display in the area. It is a 37-kilometre drive from downtown, and the parking lot also features wheelchair-accessible ramps. There is also a seniors group that meets at the Sport and Rec Building on Porter Street every Thursday at 9:15 AM for carpet bowls, cards, games and more.

For some traditional fish and chips and beer, try Finlay's Kalbarri. If you need to find gifts for friends, family, or yourself, stop by the Kalbarri Souvenir Shop and Kalbarri Newsagency.

Visit one of the more famous shipwrecks in the area, the Zuytdorp from the Dutch East India Company, carrying approximately 250,000 minted silver coins. Hundreds of coins were recovered, and a memorial was built in 2012 near the town.

Geraldton

Come visit the Geraldton Foreshore, an excellent place to take a walk or a gentle bike ride. Along the path, you can see the Geraldton Multipurpose Centre with senior group activities, the Dome Cafe for some refreshments, or the Geraldton Marina, where you can sit and watch the boats float by.

If you feel like shopping, check out Latitude Jewellers for the perfect accessory for any occasion. Yamaji Art is great for finding the special decor for your home. Stirlings Central is excellent for a wide array of retail shops in a modern shopping centre.

Learn the local history at the Museum of Geraldton, which showcases exhibitions on unique native flora and fauna. Or discover the rich history of the Yamaji peoples before and after European exploration. The museum also features the shipwreck gallery, which includes the most famous shipwreck, the Batavia.

Northam

Take an epic air balloon ride over the Avon Valley. If you like a more down-to-earth activity, walk across the Northam Suspension Bridge, a scenic and easy walk over the Avon River.

Visit the Northam Village Square for all the essentials, including a pet store, nail salon, and barbershop. Try the shops and Northam Boulevard, with gift shops, retail shops and covered parking with accessibility.

Train and history enthusiasts would love the Old Northam Railway Station Museum. The wooden station was built in 1886, and today more than 1,000 items are available for the public to see. The centrepiece is a PMR Steam Class Locomotive, No. 721, built in 1950 and in service until 1972.

Western Australia's small towns are some of the best places to retire. They have a blend of attractions, including natural, commercial, and historic. The best part is that the sites are often accessible for people with mobility issues. You can see it at the Kalbarri Skywalk, suspended 100 metres in the air, but just 150 metres from a park with accessibility ramps. Try some Australian wine in Margaret River. The Ancient Empire Walk mixes natural scenery with 400-year-old trees. No matter what you are looking for, Western Australia has it, making retirement more enjoyable.