11 Best Places To Retire In Western Australia
As home prices continue to rise throughout the country, many Western Australian adults have begun to worry about retirement. But savvy residents can find excellent retirement destinations that are affordable and offer plenty of attractions. Take Morawa, for example. This tiny town of fewer than 500 people is affordable and offers residents an art gallery, racetrack, and plenty of outdoor recreation for an active retirement. Elsewhere is Kalgoorlie, which gives you all the perks of a bigger town, like museums and large art galleries, without the massive price tag. No matter what you’re looking to do, these are 11 of the best places to retire in Western Australia.
Carnarvon
Carnarvon is an ideal retirement community for anglers hoping to spend many of their days casting a line into Australia’s beautiful waters. You’ll have no shortage of places to fish, though Dwyer’s Leap often leads to the best results. You’ll have plenty of space to fish in the Gascoyne River with a chance to catch flathead, whiting, bream, and mangrove jack. Bring your catch home for a nice dinner, especially when paired with some local produce from the Gascoyne Growers’ Market. The market sees local farmers and anglers sell some of the freshest produce in Western Australia at reasonable prices.
And if you need a break from fishing, there’s still plenty to enjoy in town. Motorsports fans will spend plenty of Saturday nights at the Carnarvon Speedway. The racetrack hosts all your favorite dirt track cars, like street stocks, sprints, and super mods. Retiring to Carnarvon gives you a front-row seat to the annual Gnulli Festival, where the town comes together to celebrate its culture and unity. The event sees Yinggarda and Baiyungu culture on full display with art, music, and more.
Geraldton
What’s a better way to enjoy your retirement than sitting on the beach enjoying the waves of the Indian Ocean while still enjoying a reasonable cost of living? If that appeals to you, consider putting down roots in Geraldton. Geraldton Beach is the best beach in town, though you’ll have several to choose from. The beach offers clean, white sand and plenty of space to set up a beach chair, read a book, and catch up on some reading. Geraldton’s beaches are also the site of the biggest event of the year: the Shoreleave Festival. The festival sees chefs from across Western Australia descend on Geraldton to prepare unbelievable seafood dishes with fresh fish straight from the ocean.
Once you head home from the beach for the day, there’s still plenty to do in town that makes it a worthwhile retirement destination. The Museum of Geraldton provides an overview of Geraldton's history and the role the maritime spirit played in putting it on the map. And for a taste of art, you’ll find the works of many of Western Australia’s best artists at the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery.
Morawa
Morawa is one of Western Australia’s tiniest towns, with under 500 permanent residents. But if you want a quiet and affordable retirement, you can’t do much better than this peaceful town. For a chance to meet fellow retirees and get some exercise, consider joining the Badminton Club that meets at the Morawa Sports and Rec Centre. The club meets a few times a week for ladies' matches on Tuesdays and mixed games on Friday evenings. And if you enjoy racing, you’ll see some excellent track action at the Morawa Speedway. The track hosts dirt races throughout the year and brings in many of the community members for an enjoyable Saturday evening.
And the town has a burgeoning art scene that comes alive each year for the Morawa Art Awards & Exhibition. Attend, and you’ll get to meet many local artists, see their work, and enjoy gourmet food as well.
Northam
About 100 kilometers from Perth lies the friendly town of Northam. Retiring here puts you close enough to a major city for convenient day trips for fun or a checkup at the hospital, while still enjoying rural Australia and scenic views. If you have family in town or just want to experience something truly unique, book a tour with Liberty Balloon Flights. You’ll ride on hot air balloons that take you over the Avon Valley so you can see the landscape as a bird would. It’s a memorable experience and the perfect trip to take your grandkids on for a childhood memory they’ll never forget.
Back on the ground, there’s still plenty to enjoy in Northam. Bernard Park offers several trails that are excellent for staying active throughout your retirement, with views of the Avon River to boot. The town comes alive in August for its annual Northam Bilya Festival. The festival celebrates Aboriginal culture with a street parade, cultural performances, and live music.
Merredin
Head east on the Great Eastern Highway to find Merredin, a small inland town that offers retirees several cultural centers to explore. The Merredin Military Museum hosts a collection of military vehicles and weapons and exhibits that detail how the country’s military developed and the role Merredin played. For a more peaceful look at history, you’ll keep coming back to the Merredin Railway Museum. The museum is volunteer-based and takes you through the story of how the railroad helped shape Merredin in its early years.
But visiting museums isn’t the only thing you’ll be doing during your retirement in Merredin, as it is home to one of Western Australia’s best arts scenes, all centered around Cummins Theatre. The theatre hosts live music throughout the year, so there will always be something to bring you back to this quaint venue.
Kalgoorlie
Continue to the end of the Great Eastern Highway, and you’ll eventually reach Kalgoorlie, an affordable mid-sized town. Its affordability, combined with a strong cultural scene, makes it one of the best places to retire in Western Australia. The town exploded in population at the end of the 19th century due to the gold rush, and the town keeps that history alive at the Museum of the Goldfields. The museum has free admission and will take you through several exhibits explaining how the gold rush shaped the town and how Kalgoorlie, in turn, shaped Western Australia. It’s a fun visit by yourself or with your grandchildren to help them understand local history.
If the history and museums draw you into Kalgoorlie, the parks and art will keep you there. The Karlkurla Bushland Park is a great place for an afternoon stroll or a walk with your dog through some of the area’s most beautiful scenic views. And you’ll get a front-row seat to the best of Western Australia’s local artists at the Goldfields Arts Centre. There, you’ll find a gallery and stage for live performances throughout the year.
Esperance
Esperance is another beach town at an affordable price. Sitting on the Great Australian Bight, retirees will find no shortage of beaches and natural areas to explore to stay active and enjoy the great outdoors. Esperance Beach right in town is a great place to relax on the sand and soak up the sun. The beach is conveniently right off the Esplanade, making it easy to reach by car or on foot. For a different kind of outdoor adventure, head a little bit out of town to see Stokes National Park. The national park’s trails will take you through the beautiful countryside to the Stokes Inlet, where you can birdwatch or do some fishing.
If you need to cool off after a day on the beach, pay a visit to the Esperance Museum. The museum contains artifacts from the area’s past dealing with many different topics, such as the maritime industry, railroads, and industry. And if you want more natural beauty, you can’t afford to miss the Djilba Wildflower Festival. It is the only wildflower festival in Australia organized by Aboriginal people, and it provides a chance to learn more about their culture and see breathtaking wildflowers.
Katanning
Nothing is better in retirement than being in a town where there’s always something happening. Katanning is just that kind of town, with a community calendar full of events that showcase its strong cultural scene. The Katanning Harmony Festival is a two-day event that highlights the many cultures that make up the town and celebrates them with music, dance, and food. For a different kind of festival, mark your calendar for October and the WAMMCO International Katanning Agricultural Show. The festival shows off the agricultural industry and spirit of Katanning and has rides for your grandkids for a fun-filled day.
In the few weeks when there are no festivals, it’s the perfect chance to head to the Katanning Public Library and Art Gallery. You can borrow a new book, check out the local art pieces on display, or meet with fellow seniors.
Narrogin
Narrogin is an ideal retirement community if you plan on spending plenty of time outside enjoying Western Australia’s vistas. Foxes Lair Nature Reserve is a great place to spend a day in nature. The trails work for either cycling or walking, and you’ll have a chance to spot birds, wildlife, and wildflowers throughout the reserve. For a different kind of outdoor experience, spend your summer nights at the Narrogin Speedway. The dirt track hosts races on Saturdays and keeps the racing tradition in Narrogin, which dates back to 1957, alive.
October is often the best month of the year in Narrogin, as it is time for the annual Narrogin Agricultural Show. The event highlights local farmers and artisans creating crafts, and it’s always looking for volunteers if you’d like to help. Whether you come as a visitor or volunteer, there are always plenty of vendors to visit and food to enjoy.
Collie
Many retirees choose to move to Collie due to its combination of outdoor recreation and art scene. Not far from Black Diamond Lake, Collie is the home of Minninup Pool. This body of water is excellent for swimming to get some exercise or fishing to try and catch something for lunch. With several picnic tables around, it also makes for a nice spot to grab a bite. Golfers can get outside and enjoy one of the state’s best courses at the Collie Golf Club. They offer 18 holes of challenging golf and competitive membership prices so you can golf throughout the summer without breaking the bank.
If the weather isn’t conducive to fishing or golf, there’s still plenty to enjoy in Collie that doesn’t involve going outdoors. The Collie Art Gallery highlights local artwork and artists. They often rotate exhibits and host classes, so you’ll want to keep coming back to see what’s new and get inspired.
Manjimup
Manjimup is a nature lover's dream, and it comes at an affordable price for retirees. The town is home to the King Jarrah Tree, one of the most impressive sites in all of Australia. The old tree stands at 50 meters tall and is thought to be at least 500 years old. The surrounding park is perfect for bushwalking. For a fun day outside with your grandchildren, head to Manjimup Heritage Park. The park combines bushlands with a museum, offering plenty of space for walking and exhibits that teach your grandchildren about the town and how it developed. Grill up some lunch on the free BBQs to complete the trip and send your grandkids home happy.
For a fun date night out on the town, grab a ticket to see a show at Gatsbys Skyline. The venue hosts artists performing the hits of some of your favorite artists, like Neil Diamond and Pink Floyd. No matter what kind of music you enjoy, you’re sure to find an excellent band playing it at Gatsbys.
Enjoy A Wallet-Friendly Retirement In Western Australia
Retirement doesn’t have to break the bank if you know where to look. So whether you want to spend your golden years exploring nature, watching dirt racing, or taking in local art and festivals, you’re sure to find your ideal home in one of these best places to retire in Western Australia.
