Margaret River's Lifeline to Gnarabup Beach: The $5 ticket for holiday ease

The allure of Gnarabup Beach beckons many, especially during the school holiday hussle in December and January. However, the popularity brings parking craziness. Addressing this concern is Melissa Dath, a passionate Margaret River local who has devised a solution: a new bus route from Margaret River town to Gnarabup Beach.

Operating hourly from 8 am to 2 pm and priced affordably at $5 per ticket, this bus service aims to alleviate congestion and parking overflow during peak times. The service aims to particularly aid VacSwim families, tourists, and the elderly with the set dropoff location directly out the front of White Elephant Cafe to ensure easier access to the beach. 

Photo: DG Media

Early feedback is positive, with locals and visitors commenting on its affordability and convenience. However, sustaining the service for the entirety of January requires additional funding. The Margaret River Lions have generously pledged $5000 but the cost to operate 7 days a week for the month of January is closer to $15,000. The community is actively seeking support to ensure this valuable initiative continues smoothly with online donations being made here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/margaret-river-beach-bus-pilot .

Photo: DG Media

The bus service has started already on the 4th of January and is planned to continue with the current donation amounts until the 17th of January. Melissa Dath is aiming to keep raising awareness to help continue the community crowdfunding to extend the service beyond the 17th of January to finish after the school holiday period (31st of Jan). 

This initiative shows the community spirit of Margaret River and amazing proactive problem-solving by locals for the locals and tourists alike. Through collaboration and continued backing, this service can become available every year during the school holidays and set a lifeline for every person in the local community to access the beach. 

Taxi Service: Southwest Taxis WA