Misery Beach, Beach in Torndirrup National Park, Australia.
Misery Beach is a 260-metre-long, up-to-40-metre-wide sandy beach near Frenchman Bay in Western Australia. It faces north and is reached by footpaths that lead down to the sand. The Cheyne Beach Whaling Station stands at its western end.
The beach was named during the 1800s when the whaling industry operated offshore, with blood and waste from processing washing onto the shore. That industrial period gave the place its stark name, though the cove is now far removed from those operations.
The beach lies in the country of the Menang people, the traditional owners of this stretch of coast. Its name comes from the Cheyne Beach Whaling Station that stands at the western end of the sand; while the station operated, the shore was said to be covered with the blood of slaughtered whales.
Misery Beach is reached on foot via several paths that lead down onto the sand; there is no lifeguard patrol, so swimmers enter the water at their own risk. The beach is 260 metres long and up to 40 metres wide, opening to the north.
The beach was selected by Tourism Australia as the nation's Best Beach in 2022, reflecting its transformation from an industrial past to a protected natural space. This recognition brought fresh international attention to the qualities that make it stand out among other coastal destinations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,149 contributors worldwide.