Enjoy a swim in cool waters and learn about a famous 19th-century shipwreck at this secluded beach area in the Margaret River Wine Region.
Redgate is a gorgeous slice of the coastline of Western Australia, with small sandy beaches, a granite headland and rocky outcrops. On calm sunny days the turquoise waters are inviting for swimmers and bathers. During windy weather, the area is a popular surfing spot.
Spend some of your downtime on Redgate Beach, an attractive 350-metre (1,148-feet) stretch of sand bordered by granulite rocks and boulders. In addition to swimming, paddling and snorkelling, enjoy some aquatic fun on a surfboard. The beach is the main location of the Margaret River Surf School. It offers surfing lessons and courses for all ages and abilities as well as stand-up paddleboard tuition.
While you are at the beach, find the SS Georgette memorial. Read the information plaque, which provides details of this 1876 shipwreck and the heroic rescue of survivors. The story is well known in the area. A 16-year-old girl, Grace Bussell, and an Aboriginal man called Samuel Isaacs both rode into the waves on horseback and saved many lives.
Go walking along the tracks behind Redgate's beaches to the Redgate headland. Search for marine life in the rock pools. On days when the water is clear you may be able to see the remains of the SS Georgette from here. They lie just below the surface, a few metres out to sea.
Come back to Redgate’s beaches towards the end of the day to watch the sun sinking slowly over the horizon.
Redgate is approximately 13.6 kilometres (8.5 miles) south of the town of Margaret River and is an easy drive from there. An alternative way to reach the area is by taking the Cape to Cape Track. This is a long-distance walking track between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin.
Redgate is close to many other sites of interest that are well worth visiting. These include several caves that are open to the public and wineries such as Leeuwin Estate and Xanadu Winery.
