West Beach

Go on a leisurely beach walk, jump in for a swim or just laze in the sunshine at this white-sand stretch of coastline close to the Adelaide Airport.

West Beach has fine white sands that stretch out a long way, contrasting beautifully with the clear blue waters of the St. Vincent Gulf. The beach is overlooked by urban houses and gardens and by two family holiday parks. While not far from the Adelaide central business district (CBD), West Beach lacks the city-beach feel of the likes of Henley, Glenelg and Grange Beach, which makes it perfect for long beach walks and ocean swimming away from the crowds.

Make getting to West Beach part of the adventure by following the meandering River Torrens Linear Park Trail to the beach. From Adelaide CBD the trail takes you along miles of scenic riverside pathways. Ride a bike or walk along the trail to where the river meets the ocean, which marks the northern end of West Beach.

Rest a while on the beach, then set out exploring by heading south. West Beach stretches 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) down the coast to the West Beach Boat Ramp beside the Adelaide Sailing Club. Small sand dunes line the northern half of the beach and provide a great habitat for birds and lizards.

Cool off with a swim in the calm, clear waters of the St. Vincent Gulf. It’s not usually busy, making it a great spot for ocean swimming. The area is patrolled by the members of the West Beach Surf Life Saving Club, which will give you peace of mind, especially if you have kids with you.

Pop into the Surf Life Saving Club for a bite to eat with gorgeous bay views. West Beach Road, which leads inland from the club, has a couple of good cafés too. If you want to save money, bring lunch to have on the beach or on the grass of Harold and Cynthia Anderson Reserve. This small park also has a playground with a sunshade for the kids.

West Beach has two sets of public toilet facilities. Free parking lots are situated on either side of the reserve as well as beside the Surf Life Saving Club. You can also get here by bus from the city centre or the JetBus shuttle service from the airport.