9 Best Places To Retire In Western Australia

If you prefer avoiding the hustle and bustle of a rat race and want to escape high costs for housing and amenities, Western Australia is an ideal retirement destination. Many towns here are peaceful and relaxed, offering unmatched access to outdoor adventure spots. If that’s not enough, consider that Western Australia boasts some of the country's top beaches. You can choose a pleasant suburb near Perth, like Murdoch, or explore more remote, stunning locations such as Margaret River. Continue reading to learn about the nine best places to retire in Western Australia.

Murdoch

One of the most exciting aspects about retiring in Murdoch is its location. This vibrant college town is 16 kilometers south of Perth, Western Australia's largest city, and only 10 miles east of Fremantle. That means a retiree has fantastic access to big-city amenities, including some of the best hospitals in the region. And with the Bullcreek Shopping Centre just a blink away, all the little knick-knacks you desire are within arm's reach.

Beeliar Regional Park, home to the scenic North Lake, is perfect for walking and enjoying vibrant wildflowers, especially during spring. If you're looking for more outdoor activities, Bibra Lake and the Bibra Lake Reserve offer rustic, relaxed environments known as birdwatching havens. On the social front, 37% of Murdoch residents are aged 60 and older. Despite this, the median home price in Murdoch is $1,200,000.

Mandurah

While Mandurah has its rough areas—like any town—it's known for its excellent restaurants (likely making Flics Kitchen your go-to), beautiful beaches (thanks to the shining Indian Ocean), friendly locals, and affordable homes. In 2024, the median house price was approximately $530,000. Mandurah Forum, with over 155 specialty stores, easily meets the shopping needs of retirees. Also, Peel Health Campus, a government-run facility, has been providing top-quality medical services in the area for nearly 30 years.

Mandurah is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Retirees can enjoy swimming or relaxing at the many white-sand beaches, explore diverse nature reserves like Coodanup Foreshore Reserve, and visit excellent golf courses such as Meadow Springs Golf and Country Club, renowned for its pristine fairways and well-kept greens. Worried about feeling out of place? Not at all. Residents aged 60 and over make up 32.2% of Mandurah's population.

Wellard

Wellard is 37 kilometers south of Perth, usually a similar driving time away. Its close proximity to Perth, combined with rail connections and the 72-kilometer Kwinana Freeway, makes it highly accessible. If you need medical care, Rockingham General nearby has excellent facilities and has served the region for nearly 50 years. The median age in Wellard is 31, making it great for retirees who feel young at heart. People aged 60 and above make up 7.7% of the community. Additionally, Wellard isn’t too costly—median house prices in 2024 stood at $665,000.

For nature lovers, there is the Leda Nature Reserve, where one can enjoy an evening walk and view acacias; the beach is 10 minutes to the west — while Lake Cooloongup is also just a blink away.

Albany

With some of Australia's best beaches, Albany is a top retirement destination. Retirees can enjoy the soft, white, squeaky sand. The Whaling Museum is a must-see, showcasing authentic artifacts and memorabilia. Afterward, you can relax at the café with views of one of the region’s most scenic bays. Nearby, Torndirrup National Park offers stunning lookouts and cliffs, while the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre provides a calming sauna. For beautiful panoramic views of Port Albany, visit the Mount Melville Lookout Tower.

Keep in mind that the median selling price for houses in 2024 was $830,000, a price point that comes with doorstep access to the Albany Health Campus, the largest public health construction project in regional Western Australia. Finally, Albany residents have a median age of 45, with those 60 and above comprising 30.6% of its population.

Donnybrook

Donnybrook is situated in a region known for fresh produce, making it ideal to prepare your taste buds. Renowned for its nutritious vegetables, several wineries, and juicy fruits, it is often called the 'apple capital' of Western Australia. Barrecas Wines, which may be Ferguson Valley's best-kept secret, offers an extensive selection of flavorful whites and reds. For enthusiasts of quiet forest trails, Donnybrook is surrounded by multiple forests, including Boyanup State Forest — where you can enjoy walking among tall Karri trees — Jarrahwood State Forest, a world-famous biodiversity hotspot, and the 17,000-hectare Wellington State Forest.

On amenities, a retiree here has access to Donnybrook Hospital, a long-running establishment that has been providing medical services to the area for over 70 years. Moreover, Donnybrook residents have a median age of 46, with those aged 60 and above comprising 32.5% of the population. This, however, could be one of Donnybrook’s most appealing aspects: It is enticingly affordable, especially considering that the median selling price for houses in 2024 was just $535,000.

Fremantle

Fremantle, with its charming walkable areas, appears highly livable to any potential resident. It also offers excellent public transportation options and is only a half-hour drive from Perth, providing easy access to city amenities, including top hospitals. Fremantle—commonly called Freo—is vibrant and lively, especially with its art exhibitions, markets, and shops. For example, Fremantle Markets, which features over 150 stores, is known as Western Australia's leading market.

Some fun, pleasure spots to keep one busy here include the iconic Swan River, several white-sand beaches (check out the aptly named Bathers Beach), and the impressive WA Shipwrecks Museum, the foremost maritime archaeology museum in the Southern Hemisphere. The median price for houses in Fremantle for 2024 was $1,280,000. However, considering what it offers, most will view this as good value for money. Finally, Fremantle's residents have a median age of 42. In the same vein, those aged 60 and above comprise 26.6% of the population.

Bridgetown

If your ideal retirement venue is some laid-back spot with a river, plenty of trees, and beautiful hills, then start looking for property in Bridgetown. As an adventurous empty nester here, you will have access to the Blackwood River (it is the largest in the South West region), Blackwood River Park, a fun spot for mingling with white-faced herons, and Hester State Forest. If you are into golfing, however, you have the Bridgetown Golf Club, which features a nice 18-hole course with excellent fairways.

What is more? You can dash to the Bridgetown Hospital, whose history goes back more than 100 years — just in case you feel under the weather. The median age of residents in the Bridgetown-Greenbushes area is 51, meaning you will not feel woefully out of place. Residents aged 60 and above comprise 36.7% of the population. As to its affordability, houses in Bridgetown sold for a median price of approximately $580,000 in 2024.

Yallingup

Do not do a reconnaissance tour of Yallingup because chances are you will not want to travel back. So, what is the big deal with Yallingup? Well, brace yourself for heart-stirring ocean sunsets, world-class wines, and stunning white-sand beaches. For a sunset view, Yallingup Hill is magical and addictive. You will want to come here every single day. And when it comes to wine-tasting spots, one will be spoilt for choice. From Cape Naturaliste Vineyard to Windows Estate, there is so much here to sample and enjoy. There is also the beach, the many surrounding forests, and Yallingup Maze & Mini Golf, which is perfect for a family day out.

There are good hospitals in Margaret River and Dunsborough, both of which are short drives away. Moreover, since Yallingup residents have a median age of 48, it is easy for a retiree to fit in and find a social support network. For perspective, residents aged 60 and above comprise 30.5% of the population. Finally, although Real Estate does not provide median prices for houses in Yallingup, other sites show that it is upwards of $1 Million.

Margaret River

Retiring in Perth is fine, but for a higher quality of life, few places compare to Margaret River. It offers lively music shows, excellent wineries, and countless enjoyable activities—providing plenty to look forward to. Occasionally, you might enjoy a glass of Chardonnay at Stella Bella Wines or visit Walsh & Sons for a reasonably priced selection that appeals to diverse tastes. The area also features the Margaret River Farmers Market with local vendors selling fresh produce, Keenan State Forest known for its historic brick mill, and Wooditjup National Park with scenic mountain biking trails. If surfing is your passion, Margaret River is the perfect destination for you.

If concerned about healthcare access — as every empty nester should — the highly rated Margaret River Hospital has a history that goes back to the 1920s. That means about 100 years of excellent service delivery. On the social side, residents here have a median age of 40, a sweet spot between old and young. That said, with those aged 60 and above comprising 20.3% of the population, there is little chance for an empty nester to feel out of place. Finally, in 2024, houses in Margaret River sold for a median price of $784,000.

If you want to enjoy spectacular sunset views, walk through dancing wildflowers, and explore some of the best beaches in Australia — consider retiring in Western Australia. Sydney is amazing, and the East Coast has its vibe, but if you are looking for a more relaxed retirement life and are an avid fan of the outdoors, Western Australia provides an unparalleled experience. To a large extent, this is where adventure meets relaxation.