The exceptionally beautiful area of Bremer Bay has been one of our long-standing favorite destinations in Western Australia. The area has everything you need for an amazing holiday, from stunning beaches to brilliant wildlife. Add in nearby Fitzgerald River National Park, some good diving and surfing, plus some world-class fishing, and it is a surprise more people don’t visit the area.
In this guide on Bremer Bay, we’re going to be examining the top 10 best things to see and do in the area. From beaches to wildlife spotting, you’ll find all the top attractions in this comprehensive guide. Regardless of your budget, interests, and age, we’re totally confident you’ll find plenty to keep you busy in this exceptional destination.
Bremer Bay is a superb location that can easily keep you entertained for a week or longer. Here are 10 of the best things to see and do in the Bremer Bay area:
Bremer Bay is probably best known for its sensational beaches, and there are over twenty in the surrounding area. Perhaps the most spectacular is Bremer Beach, which lies just across the estuary to the northeast of town. This stunning beach with squeaky soft white sand and azure waters, backed by vast sand dunes, is a sight to behold.
One of the most delightful aspects of visiting Bremer Bay is the opportunity to escape the crowds and find your very own deserted beach. There’s a handful of beaches to the north of town in Fitzgerald River National Park that can only be reached via 4WD tracks and offer exceptional isolation. House Beach and Trigelow Beach are two of our favorites. South of town, Foster Beach and Stream Beach are two of the very best.
If you’re planning to visit the beaches in Bremer Bay, they are best enjoyed from October to April when the days are largely warm and dry. You can learn more about the best time to visit Bremer Bay in our dedicated guide. You can also find extensive details on the best beaches in Bremer Bay in our other bespoke guide.
If you’ve not come to Bremer Bay for the beaches, then the chances are you’re here to spot the magnificent migrating whales that populate the area. Three main types of whales can be found in Bremer Bay: southern right whales, humpback whales, and sperm whales. While all can be spotted from the shoreline to varying degrees at certain times of the year, you can’t beat getting out on the water and up close to these magnificent creatures.
Southern right whales frequent the area during the winter months between June and August. They come to Bremer Bay to meet and calve. They are characterized by their playful behavior, and it’s not uncommon to see them approaching the shore.
The window for seeing humpback whales is slightly larger, and they can be seen in the Bremer Bay area between June and early December. However, they’re most prolific during the period from August to October. While Bremer Bay represents a major stop on their migration journey, they’re still more difficult to spot than southern right whales.
Sperm whales tend to visit at the same time as orcas, attracted by the migrating schools of fish. They’re typically seen during the summer months, although they’re in the area from January all the way through to April.
There are a number of whale-watching tour operators in town, and Whale Watching Western Australia is the pick of the bunch. They offer a variety of tours, which depart from the pier at Fishery Beach.
The other star attraction in the waters of Bremer Bay is the orcas (killer whales) that visit the area from January to April. They’re drawn to the area by migrating schools of fish, particularly Australian salmon. The influx of orcas looking to feed on their preferred prey is one of the biggest drivers of tourism in the area.
The best way to see the pods of orcas is to take a tour, and there are a number of reputable operators in town. The pick of the operators is Whale Watching Western Australia, which offers a number of different tour options. You can also see sperm whales in the water during this time of year.
Sitting on Bremer Bays’ doorstep is the vast Fitzgerald River National Park. Covering an area of 330,000 hectares, the park is the centerpiece of the UNESCO-listed Fitzgerald Biosphere. This biodiverse haven is renowned for its unique plant and animal species, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
Across the park, you can explore a mosaic of landscapes, from rugged coastal cliffs and pristine beaches to expansive heathlands and dense forests. The park is a paradise for nature enthusiasts, providing numerous hiking trails that showcase the breathtaking scenery and allow you to immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity of the region. Some of the best hikes in the park include the short hike along the Point Ann Heritage Trail or the West Mount Barren hike. More extensive hikes over several days can also be undertaken along the Hakea Trail and Mamang Trail.
Elsewhere in the park, you’ll find a multitude of other activities to enjoy. The estuary is the heart of many of these, and it’s possible to fish, birdwatcher, and kayak in this incredibly tranquil and unspoiled setting.
While Bremer Bay isn’t a classic surf destination, it’s still got its fair share of decent breaks, so it’s worth packing your board. One of the biggest benefits of surfing in the Bremer Bay area is the sheer volume of beaches on offer. This means whichever beach you choose to visit, it’s unlikely to be too busy, allowing you free reign in the sea.
Some of the best surf beaches in the area include Blossom Beach and nearby Native Dog Beach. Both beaches occupy an idyllic setting and have a good consistent break. It’s worth noting both beaches have strong rip tides, so you should only get in the water if you’re an experienced surfer. Closer to town, Back Beach is a popular surfing spot, while Foster Beach is perhaps the quietest and least visited of all the major surfing beaches in the area. It’s also possible to surf on the main Bremer Beach in the right conditions.
Surfing in Bremer Bay is best undertaken during the winter months when the swell and offshore winds are most favorable. Water temperatures at this time of year drop to a fresh 17°C, so make sure you’re kitted out accordingly.
Just to the south of town lies the Wellstead Heritage Museum, which is a slightly different type of attraction. This ramshackle treasure trove of historical items documents the Wellstead family’s time in Australia from 1850 onwards. The museum houses over 6,000 exhibits, including vintage cars, tractors, and motorbikes. There’s also a vast amount of memorabilia on display. As you wander through the various buildings, you can’t help but imagine what life must have been like in years gone by. Admission to the museum is $10.
As well as the museum, there’s an excellent cafe on site, which is open daily from 8 am to 2:30 pm. The coffee, breakfast, and Friday night wood-fired pizzas all receive rave reviews from visitors. It’s conveniently located if you’re visiting the beaches immediately to the south of Bremer Bay such as Blossom Beach or Native Dog Beach.
One of the reasons Bremer Bay is so attractive to orcas and whales is the abundance of fish in the pristine coastal waters. This also makes the area a very attractive proposition for anglers. Possibly the best overall area is Dillon Bay, which is known for its abundant marine life, including tailor, herring, and salmon during the summer months.
The best place to fish on Dillon Bay is at Little Boat Harbour Beach. This small beach drops away quickly and has deep waters. This makes it an ideal spot for launching boats and for fishing. On the other side of the peninsula, both Short Beach and the aptly named Fishery Beach offer good fishing opportunities. Fishery Beach is where the whale and orca watching boats depart, and the small pier here provides an excellent opportunity to get out over the water. Closer to town, the rustic Back Beach provides ample opportunities to fish from the shore.
As well as sea fishing, there are also opportunities for freshwater fishing in the estuary and in Fitzgerald River National Park. In this area, you can catch both Bream and Flathead. If that’s not enough for you, then you can also venture offshore for some deep-sea fishing. Dhufish, tuna, and snapper are all common catches.
While the whales and orcas tend to steal the wildlife show in Bremer Bay, there’s plenty more to discover in the underwater world. Whether you’re an experienced diver, a beginner looking to complete your PADI certification, or just someone looking to snorkel, there are plenty of options open to you in the area.
The dive sites around Bremer Bay are located at a variety of different locations and coves. With headlands facing in different directions and sheltered from the wind, it’s possible to dive in almost all weather conditions. Diving is also possible all year round in Bremer Bay, as the temperate water temperatures vary little by season.
By far the most popular dive site in the area is the dive trail in Little Boat Harbour. At this location, you can see stingrays, neon slugs, numerous fish species, and seadragons. In the wider area, you’ll also find sponges, both hard and soft coral, as well as nudibranchs and various tropical fish.
If you’re looking to dive in the area, then check out Bremer Bay Dive and Sports, the oldest and best company in the area. They offer a variety of courses and tours. They also have an office conveniently located in the center of town.
Bremer Bay’s relatively remote setting makes it an off-roaders paradise. With plenty of dirt tracks leading to remote beaches and rolling sand dunes, you won’t be short of places to visit. In fact, having access to a 4WD vehicle is essential if you want to see the best of Bremer Bay and navigate the wilds of nearby Fitzgerald River National Park.
Many of the beaches close to town can be accessed via paved roads, although vehicles are still permitted on the beach. This includes the main beach, Bremer Beach. As you get further from town, the beaches become less accessible, and a 4WD becomes mandatory.
One of the best beaches to access via 4WD is Stream Beach. This idyllic beach southwest of town is set amongst a number of steep hills and can only be reached by a challenging 4WD track. The beach rewards those who make the journey with a stunning setting, including a freshwater stream that’s perfect for kids to play in. Further to the west lie Foster Beach and Reef Beach, both of which are only accessible by 4WD.
To the east of Bremer Bay is where the 4WD tracks really kick in. There are numerous tracks in the Point Ann area to the east of Bremer Beach. There’s also a challenging and scenic drive to Tooregullup and Trigelkow Beaches. If you’re not familiar with the area, then bring a GPS as the undulating dunes can make navigation exceptionally tricky.
Located to the east of town on a hill, the Bremer Bay Lookout Tower provides unparalleled 360° views of the surrounding areas. The views encompass the town, Bremer Bay, the dramatic coastline, and out over Fitzgerald River National Park. The tower is reached via a short drive up Progress Drive, a steep gravel track that heads towards the wind turbine. You can park on the side of the road or in a small car park located nearby. You’ll then need to hike for a couple of minutes through the bush to reach the tower.
The tower itself is a mid-sized metal structure with a series of steps leading you to the top. It’s a wonderful vantage point, and the views of Bremer Bay and the estuary are superb. There are a few benches if you want to sit and take in the sensational views. If you want to walk, it’s a short 15-minute hike from the centre of town.
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