For many Australians, the ultimate dream involves owning a home where the sound of crashing waves is your daily soundtrack. While it might seem like a fantasy reserved for the wealthy, new research shows that in Western Australia, this coastal lifestyle can still be surprisingly accessible, with a number of properties available for under $500,000.
Metropolitan Bargains Close to the Sand
Despite a sustained property boom, leading property expert Gavin Hegney confirms that budget-friendly coastal options exist, stretching from Lancelin in the north down to Walpole in the south. He suggests that Perth residents often overlook gems in their own metropolitan backyard while searching for holiday spots further afield.
"The best thing may well be under your nose," Mr Hegney remarked, highlighting that the metro area can offer a fantastic holiday experience without the long drive.
Proving his point, a two-bedroom unit on Filburn Street in Scarborough, just one street back from the famous beach, sold for exactly $500,000 in September 2025. The 66sqm apartment in a 1970s-style complex provides easy access to Scarborough's vibrant dining scene, night markets, the public pool, and surf breaks.
Similarly, in the exclusive suburb of Cottesloe, a fully renovated one-bedroom unit in the McNamara Heights complex sold for $462,000 in August. This purchase offered either an entry-level foothold in a premium area or a convenient weekender near one of the state's most iconic beaches.
Mr Hegney noted that while older flats like these aren't always seen as top-tier investments, they still appreciate in value, typically towards the end of a market upswing. He pointed out their potential, especially in smaller complexes on large blocks, where a collective sale to a developer could yield a premium.
Expansive Blocks and 'Lock-Up-and-Leave' Lifestyle an Hour from Perth
Venturing just an hour north of Perth unlocks even more space for your money. In the coastal town of Seabird, a one-bedroom home on Harold's Way sold for only $410,000 in March 2025. The property came with solar panels and a generous 800sqm block of land, offering a true slice of coastal acreage.
For those seeking a low-maintenance holiday bolt-hole, the unit market delivers. A two-bedroom unit on Atkinson Way in Lancelin sold for a mere $390,000 in November 2025, epitomising the easy 'lock up and leave' lifestyle.
Further south, the Rockingham area, which has seen increased interest since the AUKUS announcement, still holds opportunities. A two-bedroom, double-storey townhouse on George Street, located just seven streets from Palm Beach, sold for $490,000 in September.
"Rockingham used to be a place where people went on holiday, before it became a suburb," Mr Hegney observed. "Perhaps it is time we go back to that."
Southern Coastal Gems from Bunbury to the Great Southern
The affordability stretches down the coast. In Falcon, near Mandurah, a modern one-bedroom stand-alone house on a 293sqm block on Ferguson Street, roughly 400 metres from the beach, was recently listed for $495,000 and is now under offer.
South Bunbury, highlighted for its investment potential in the REA Group's Hot 100, recently saw a two-bedroom unit on Joel Crescent sell for $455,000 in November. The north-facing property, built in 1981 and featuring undercover parking, is less than 100 metres from Bunbury Back Beach.
For the ultimate escape, the Great Southern region offers remarkable value. A three-bedroom shack on a 455sqm block in Peaceful Bay, near the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, is listed for $360,000. The home is a short walk to the beach and includes a carport and cubby house.
Nearby in Walpole, a modern two-bedroom, two-bathroom home with undercover parking was recently under offer after seeking $480,000.
The evidence is clear: while the dream of a beachside home feels increasingly distant for many, Western Australia retains a collection of coastal secrets where that dream is still very much alive for under half a million dollars.
