Gracetown: Bay, Surf and Beach

Gracetown lies on the long, curving Cowaramup Bay, which shelters the town. A trip here offers several distinct highlights: surf breaks, beach activities, fishing spots along the bay and the Cape to Cape Track. If you’re looking for a hotel in Gracetown, it can help to decide in advance whether you’re more interested in surfing, swimming, fishing or a hiking route. This lets you choose based on the specific reason for your trip. Individual coastal experiences sit alongside Gracetown’s role on a longer route.

Bay, Beach and Surf Breaks

The long, curving Cowaramup Bay shelters Gracetown and gives the town its distinct coastal character. Its white sandy areas and rocks are popular fishing spots. Gracetown Beach is suitable for swimming and surfing. This makes it easy to distinguish activities by location: fishing takes place along the bay’s sandy areas and rocks, while swimming and surfing are enjoyed at the beach. If you’d like to combine several coastal activities, this distinction provides a practical guide for planning.

Some of the most popular surf breaks in Gracetown include South Point, Northpoint and Huzza’s. In direct comparison, the sheltered waves at South Point contrast with the large open barrels at Northpoint; Huzza’s is a gentler reef break. Conditions vary seasonally. If surfing is a focus of your stay, the different breaks and seasonal conditions are relevant when deciding when to travel.

Bay Swim and the Cape to Cape Track

The Bay Swim Gracetown takes place every year on Easter Saturday. Its one-kilometre course starts and finishes at Gracetown’s main beach. This recurring event gives swimming a distinct place in your travel plans: if you’d like to take part in the Bay Swim, check the date of that year’s event before planning your stay around it.

The Cape to Cape Track offers a different connection to travel than the individual coastal experiences. Gracetown is the rest stop halfway along the 123-kilometre trail. For travellers whose main focus is the long-distance walking track, this role provides a practical reference point when choosing a destination. Gracetown can therefore appeal both for a stay focused on beach and surf activities and in connection with a longer hiking route.

Birdlife and a Local Snack

Cowaramup Brook runs through Gracetown Beach and is a hotspot for local birdlife. For travellers interested in birds, the brook adds a distinct nature experience alongside water and surf activities. Gracetown General Store is a coastal snack stop that sells pies. This gives you a specific dining option to factor into your travel plans, alongside the coastal activities.

The highlights also differ in their timing: surf conditions vary seasonally, the Bay Swim takes place every year on Easter Saturday, and Gracetown lies halfway along the Cape to Cape Track. You can weigh up whether to time your trip around surf conditions, the event date or the town’s role on the hiking route.

Discover more destinations: Pelican Point, Frankland River, Point Samson, Bellevue, Gelorup, Bibra Lake, Woodbridge, Wellard.

For the main travel overview: Western Australia.