Western Australia boasts some of the most beautiful coastline in the world, and the temperate Mediterranean climate to enjoy the beach all year round.
Perth’s Sunset Coast is no exception, and with a bounty of natural beautiful space, and the pristine beaches only a stone’s throw from the CBD, so heading to City of Stirling’s Trigg and Scarborough is a must for locals and visitors alike.
Whether adventure is your thing, you’re keen to discover something unique, or you just want to unwind, the Sunset Coast offers a smorgasboard of ways to eat, play and relax your way to memorable experiences for you or your family.
With summer set to sizzle as Stirling welcomes major world-class sporting events and a bumper events season, why not plan a whole day, or even a stay?
Here are our top 7 ways to explore the Sunset Coast, and make sure you enjoy everything Trigg and Scarborough coastline has to offer.
1.Swim, surf and explore
For a good dose of the Indian Ocean, Scarborough and Trigg offer soft white sand, crystal blue waters and a variety of swimming and surfing conditions. Both beaches are famed for good surf, but also offer some great swimming and snorkelling.
Head just 2.2km along West Coast Drive from Scarborough Beach and Trigg Beach is beckoning. Famous for surf, Trigg offers all year-round waves for body boarding, kite surfing and board surfing – or from the safety of the beach, you can watch the professionals brave some of the bigger waves.
Trigg Island, a part of the beach that becomes an island when the tide is out, is famed for a cooling wade, and spotting the wildlife – birdwatching, fish spotting, and dolphins occasionally delight visitors.
For a calmer dip, Scarborough has one of the only Western Australian beachside pools which is geothermally heated so it can be enjoyed year-round. The newly constructed Scarborough Beach Pool offers 50m and 25m swimming pools overlooking the ocean.
Mettams Pool, located between Hillarys and Trigg, offers a natural bay environment – great for exploring life beneath the waves with your snorkel and fins.
Always wanted to ‘Hang Ten’? Go Surf Perth and Scarborough Beach Surf School have got you covered with lessons for all ages and abilities.
A reminder to keep safe if you are surfing or swimming, the City of Stirling offers year-round lifeguard patrols, but make sure you follow the signs including BEN signs with emergency locations and don’t forget to layer on the 50+ and swim between the flags!
2.Slow your pace - cycle, walk or scooter
With natural beauty abounding, getting out of your car is the best way to take in as much as you can and – best of all, it’s a sustainable way to explore.
The Sunset Coast offers kilometres of wide coastal pathways, all along the West Coast Highway / West Coast Drive so you can pedal, push, scoot and walk your way to a variety of activities and attractions.
Plan your trip along bike trails, head north, south or inland to Herdsman Lake or Carine Regional Open Space with cycle maps.
If hiking is more your style - Trigg Bushland offers sand dunes and bush to explore, or take these trails guided with Hike Collective, with free bubbles included.
Don’t have a bike or scooter? No problems – Neuron Mobility eScooters has you covered with shared eScooter hire as part of the City of Stirling’s eScooter hire program. Alternatively, explore the coast with Spin Way for hourly or whole day bike hire.
Taking a slower pace gives you a chance to explore all the amazing art, including the huge Scarborough Beach is OK mural. See what you can discover and then learn more about the City’s public art collection.
3. Shop ‘till you drop – markets and retail
The Scarborough Sunset Markets are a must-go, beach-based markets and on every Thursday evening, from 5.00pm to 9.00pm!
Hunt down a unique gift, or treat yourself from the offerings across a diverse array of creative stores. When shopping makes you hungry, choose from over 60 international cuisines from food vendors and grab a refreshing drink from the Market Bar.
SummerxSalt Markets comes to life each fortnight for a ‘salty’ and soulful lifestyle market experience, including dawn yoga and meditation.
Local shops in North Beach and Scarborough don’t just keep you fed and watered, check out a variety of retail and service-based businesses just a stroll up from beach.
You can also head a little inland to an all-in-one lifestyle shopping destination. Experience big brand stores, bars, restaurants, cinema, and arcade games all in the one spot at the recently upgraded Karrinyup Shopping Centre
4. Make it a family day out
Keep the kids happy for hours on end. Beyond sandcastles and body surfing, there are adventure playgrounds, skate facilities, rock climbing, shaded picnic areas and snack options galore.
The unique Whale Playground at Scarborough, inspired by Nyoongar culture and connection to the environment, offers loads of creative play elements that will keep the kids busy for hours. For the intrepid and curious, the nearby Tjunta Trail brings to life the enchanting Nyoongar story of spirit woman Tjunta, who helps find a group of missing children.
The rock ‘n roll inspired Snake Pit is one of Australia’s biggest multi-use outdoor recreation parks, offering skating and rock climbing. More adventurous skaters can take a dip in the 3.6m skate bowl or climb 198m2 of climbing surface, while the nearby half basketball court offers the chance to enjoy an informal game.
Trigg is also a kid’s paradise – with heaps of space and parking right near the beach, it’s great for bringing down your beach ‘set up’ for the day.
Pack a picnic and head to Clarko Reserve – located 200m north of the beach, with a grassed park, free BBQ facilities, picnic tables and a large playground. Kids can swim near the reef for a calm, protected shallow area paddle.
5. Unwind, destress and stay a while
The coast is rejuvenating – just talking a swim or walk can really help you unwind, but you can make a whole day, even a week, of trying to do as little as possible!
The Sunset Coast also offers the perfect opportunity to step off life’s superhighway – discover a quiet part of the beach, take a walk through native bushland, or treat yourself to a spa treatment.
With an array of nearby hotels, short stay accommodation or staycation packages on offer, you can take in the view, without the hustle and bustle. Ask about escape and spa packages for a little pampering or check out local day spas. To properly de-stress, stay a night or more, and enjoy a leisurely breakfast from a balcony overlooking the sea.
Check out the SummerxSalt community (https://summerxsalt.com/) to explore community yoga, pilates or meditation – even breath and freeze ice baths. Yoga Garage can also help you make a healthy and peaceful escape.
6. Take in a show or event
Chances are, something is happening on the Sunset Coast. With a regular calendar of events, why not plan your visit around music, art, festivals, sport… the mind boggles?
Scarborough Beach boasts a revamped foreshore, adding to the natural coastline beauty with vibrant entertainment area of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs and there is always something to do.
Catch one of the sporting events, concerts or festivals that are regularly held at the open-air Scarborough Amphitheatre or check out a Sunday night session to enjoy some local music. You might even want to join a cultural extravaganza like the Brazilian and Latin Dance nights run by WAZouk and learn some new moves.
This coming summer is set to impress, as Stirling welcomes major world-class sporting events – including the 2023 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships (or The Aussies as they are well known), PLUS a bumper summer events season on the horizon, get planning now!
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered to help make your shortlist. Head to the City of Stirling events calendar to see what’s on.
7. Nibble, sip and feast
Buttery fresh baked goods, fresh caught fish, gourmet ice-cream, a ‘Skandi’ style crisp cocktail, vegan and healthy salads, gourmet burgers, locally roasted coffee, a New York-style barbecue, wood fired pizza, or fresh cloud-like bao buns…
Long gone are the times of greasy take away at the beach, the Sunset Coast has blossomed into a bustling array of boutique, casual and formal dining and beverage options for all appetites.
From sandy, barefoot beach kiosks to international food trucks at the markets, cool little bars and funky cafes through to formal bars and restaurants – Scarborough and Trigg promise to take your taste buds on a journey.
And to finish up your day? You can still enjoy the classic Australian beach fare of yummy fish and chips (the gourmet version if you want), but why not take it up a notch and enjoy your meal on your picnic rug, as the sun goes down on top of the aptly named Sunset Hill?
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