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Australia🇦🇺 | beachesLittle BeachGranite cove, Two Peoples Bay, Mount Gardner, southern right whales | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Little Beach
👀 For curious travelersbeach ranked #25
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

Little Beach is a bay with no shop, no cafe and no signal worth mentioning, so bring your own lunch. It sits in Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, in the southwest of Australia, east of Albany. The sand squeaks, the water runs clear, and granite boulders frame the cove. A host in Albany told me to pack water and skip the noon rush. Best for picnickers and photographers, and a poor fit if you need beach bars.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #25 beach in AustraliaWhy Little Beach should be on your travel list

Backpackers stop here because it makes a free, easy break from Albany's town sights. The squeaky white quartz sand and clear water look like they belong on a tropical postcard, yet the car park is a short walk away and the crowds stay thin. Ocean swimming is a bonus when the cove is calm. The reserve also protects the noisy scrub-bird, once thought extinct, so birders and bushwalkers get a second reason to linger. Pack food, because nothing is sold on the sand, and spend an afternoon rather than an hour.

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

  1. Little Beach itself: White sand that squeaks underfoot and a cove of pale turquoise water, ringed by smooth granite. It is the shot everyone comes for, and the sheltered bay is easy to wander in.
  2. Granite boulder scrambles: The rocks at either end of the cove make good perches for photos and quiet lunches, with small pools in between for paddling.
  3. Snorkeling the sheltered corners: On calm days the clear shallows near the rocks show fish and weed beds. Bring your own mask, as nothing is rented here.
  4. Baie des Deux Peuples Heritage Trail: An easy to moderate bush walk from the visitor centre, with coastal views over Two Peoples Bay. Walk as far as you like and turn back.
  5. Whale watching from the headlands: In the cooler months, southern right whales come into these bays to calve. Binoculars from the
… read more 👉
  1. Little Beach itself: White sand that squeaks underfoot and a cove of pale turquoise water, ringed by smooth granite. It is the shot everyone comes for, and the sheltered bay is easy to wander in.
  2. Granite boulder scrambles: The rocks at either end of the cove make good perches for photos and quiet lunches, with small pools in between for paddling.
  3. Snorkeling the sheltered corners: On calm days the clear shallows near the rocks show fish and weed beds. Bring your own mask, as nothing is rented here.
  4. Baie des Deux Peuples Heritage Trail: An easy to moderate bush walk from the visitor centre, with coastal views over Two Peoples Bay. Walk as far as you like and turn back.
  5. Whale watching from the headlands: In the cooler months, southern right whales come into these bays to calve. Binoculars from the lookouts beat any boat tour for price, which is zero.
Walk the Heritage Trail early, then drive on to Little Beach for a late swim and picnic.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Little Beach

Kalgan Queen Scenic Cruises a four hour sheltered water wildlife tour daily fun.

Kalgan Queen Scenic Cruises a four hour sheltered water wildlife tour daily fun.

5.0(537) 4h
From €79
per personViator
National Anzac Centre General Entry Ticket

National Anzac Centre General Entry Ticket

4.7(224)
From €15.73
per personViator
Albany Wildlife and Scenic Cruise

Albany Wildlife and Scenic Cruise

5.0(81) 4h
From €79
per personViator
Albany's Historic Whaling Station Admission Ticket

Albany's Historic Whaling Station Admission Ticket

4.3(103)
From €23
per personViator
The Gap and Natural Wonders

The Gap and Natural Wonders

4.6(34) 3h 30m
From €72
per personViator
Granite Skywalk Porongurups

Granite Skywalk Porongurups

4.5(29) 5h
From €106
per personViator
Mt Barker Grape Escape

Mt Barker Grape Escape

4.9(18) 6h 30m
From €151
per personViator
Tasting Delicious Denmark WA

Tasting Delicious Denmark WA

4.7(17) 6h 30m
From €151
per personViator
Kinjarling’s Killer Coast: A Self-Guided Drive Through Albany

Kinjarling’s Killer Coast: A Self-Guided Drive Through Albany

5.0(1)
From €13.58
per personViator
Kinjarling Mounts Explorer - 1.5hr Segway Tour

Kinjarling Mounts Explorer - 1.5hr Segway Tour

0.0(0) 1h 30m
From €50
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Summer (Dec to Feb): Warm and dry, 14 to 26°C (57 to 79°F), with daylight past 7:30 pm. Swimming is best now, but it is also the busiest and priciest period.
  • Autumn (Mar to May): Calmer, 11 to 22°C (52 to 72°F), with quieter sand and cheaper beds.
  • Winter (Jun to Aug): Cool and wet, 6 to 16°C (43 to 61°F), with short days. Southern right whales pass from about June to October.
  • Spring (Sep to Nov): 8 to 20°C (46 to 68°F), wildflowers out in the hills.
Book Albany stays early for January and Christmas.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Albany is the place to stay, about 35 to 40 km west of Little Beach by road, since there is no accommodation at the beach itself. The town has the region's hostels, guesthouses and caravan parks, plus supermarkets and cafes along York Street and Stirling Terrace. Dorm beds typically run A$35 to 50 a night, and caravan or tent sites A$35 to 60. Staying in town means you meet other travelers over dinner and can split fuel costs for a rental car.
Best hostels in Australia


Best quality hotels in Australia

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Little Beach in Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is a sheltered, white-sand cove, and swimming is usually gentle, though the Southern Ocean can send surf and swell with little warning. There are no lifeguards, so swim near the sheltered end, avoid rocks at the headlands, and skip it when waves are building. The water stays cold for most of the year. Sun is strong in summer, and there is little shade. Sharks live in these waters, as everywhere on this coast, so keep out of the water near fishing activity or at dusk. Lock valuables out of sight in your car.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

You need a car to reach Little Beach, which sits inside Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve about 35 to 40 km east of Albany, roughly 40 to 45 minutes' drive via Lower King, Nanarup and Two Peoples Bay roads. The final stretch is sealed and ends at a car park near the Little Beach walk trail. There is no public transport to the reserve, so rent a car in Albany or share a ride with other travelers.
Swimming is the main draw, since the cove is sheltered and the water is clear, though it is cold, about 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F) depending on the season. There are no lifeguards, so use caution when swell is up. Surfing is not practical here, and snorkeling is only worthwhile on calm summer days near the rocks. Bring a wetsuit for anything beyond a quick dip.
Little Beach is free to enter, but Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve charges a park entry fee for vehicles of A$17 per car, paid at the self-registration station or online. Check the current rate with Western Australia's Parks and Wildlife Service. Camping is not available at the beach itself, and facilities are minimal, so bring water and snacks.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Australian beaches near Little Beach

Explore more nearby:

  • Yallingup—Reef left-hander, calm lagoon, Cape to Cape Track, Ngilgi Cave| 327 km away
  • Lucky Bay—Beach kangaroos, squeaky sand, Frenchman Peak, campground stars| 386 km away
  • Cottesloe Beach—Norfolk pine lawns, groyne snorkel, Indian Ocean sunset, March sculptures| 401 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Little Beach

Most visitors stay on the main strip of sand and miss the rocky ends of the cove. Walk to the far boulders with a snack and a camera. I would also pack a bag for rubbish.

✈️ When did I visit Australia?
On my trip to New Zealand in 1993, I had a short stop in Australia as well.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Australia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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