Small waves, shallow water and a huge grassy park across the road. Here's why Mullaloo is my pick for an easy family beach day in Perth's northern suburbs.
Why I keep coming back to Mullaloo
When my nieces and nephews want a beach day and I want a quiet one, I head north to Mullaloo. It’s about 30 to 40 minutes from the city, and on most mornings the water is about as calm as Perth’s ocean beaches get.
The waves here are usually small, the sand shelves gently, and there’s a big shady park right behind the dunes. That combination makes it one of the easiest beaches in Perth to spend a lazy few hours with kids.
Quick facts
- Where: Mullaloo, about 30 to 40 minutes north of the Perth CBD.
- Swimming: Patrolled by volunteer lifesavers in season. Swim between the red and yellow flags.
- Best time: Before 11am, before the sea breeze picks up.
- Shade: None on the beach. Tom Simpson Park across the road has big shady trees.
- Facilities: Playground, barbecues and toilets in Tom Simpson Park, plus cafes and takeaways across the road.
- Parking: Along Oceanside Promenade. It fills up quickly on hot weekends.
“A calm and quiet beach about 35-45 minutes north of Perth.”
catkid3, Tripadvisor review
Swimming at Mullaloo
The main swimming area sits in front of the surf club. Volunteer lifesavers patrol it during the season, so look for the red and yellow flags and swim between them.
Go in the morning if you can. Like most of Perth’s coast, the sea breeze usually picks up after lunch and the water gets choppier. Before 11am the water is often glassy and perfect for little ones who are still finding their feet.
“Theres shallow, turquoise waters for kids and a long stretch of pure white sand to stroll along.”
nobleglobal, Tripadvisor review
Tom Simpson Park
Across the road from the beach, Tom Simpson Park is the reason Mullaloo works so well for families. There’s a lot of grass, big shady trees, a playground, barbecues and toilets, so you can set up for the day without fighting for a patch of sand.
My usual routine is a swim first, then a picnic under the trees once the sun gets too strong. The City of Joondalup keeps a list of its parks and playgrounds if you want to check what’s at each one before you go.
“The grass is so green it look professionally taken care of”
Mark W, Tripadvisor review
Coffee, fish and chips and ice cream
You don’t need to pack much food. There’s a small strip of cafes and takeaways across the road from the beach, with coffee, fish and chips and ice cream all within a short walk. It’s handy for a post-swim treat or a quick lunch.
Tips for a good day
- Arrive early on hot weekends. The car parks along Oceanside Promenade fill up quickly in summer.
- Bring shade. The beach itself has none, so pack a beach tent or umbrella, or set up in the park.
- Walk it off. The coastal path runs right past the beach, so you can stroll north towards Ocean Reef or south towards Sorrento.
If you’re making a weekend of it, Hillarys Boat Harbour is only 10 minutes down the coast, and Neil Hawkins Park at Lake Joondalup is a short drive inland. Want to stretch your legs? The coastal walk from Burns Beach to Mindarie starts just up the road, and the Wanneroo markets and gardens are close by for a weekend morning.
Featured image: Agrobert, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The waves are usually small, the water is shallow near the shore and Tom Simpson Park across the road has grass, shade, a playground, barbecues and toilets.
