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Bike Hire Guide: Riding Perth's Northern Coast (Jindalee, Butler & Ocean Reef)
Perth's northern coast might be the city's best-kept cycling secret. The shared path running from Jindalee down past Burns Beach and Iluka to Ocean Reef is flat, beautiful, and almost entirely away from traffic — and it starts practically at the front door of our Jindalee store.
We've ridden this stretch more times than we can count, so we figured it was time to put together a proper local guide: the best route, where to stop for a coffee, what to bring, and how to get the right bike under you if you don't own one.
Why Perth's North Is Made for Riding
Ask anyone who lives in Jindalee, Butler or Ocean Reef how often they drive somewhere for exercise — the answer is usually "rarely". The coastal shared path here is smooth, well-maintained and separated from traffic almost the whole way. You can ride from Jindalee Beach south to Ocean Reef with the ocean beside you and barely touch a road.
And you don't need lycra or a training plan to enjoy it:
Families love it because the path is wide and away from cars, with beaches and playgrounds as natural rest stops.
Fitness riders like the Jindalee to Ocean Reef out-and-back — about 20 km all up, with the sea breeze keeping you cool.
Everyone else just cruises. An e-bike turns the whole coastline into an easy sightseeing tour.
Unlike the river loops closer to the city, it's rarely crowded. On plenty of mornings you'll share the path with more dolphins than people.
The Coastal Route: Jindalee to Ocean Reef
Jindalee Beach and the Boardwalk
Start at Jindalee, where the beachfront boardwalk drops you straight onto the coastal path. If you're still warming up the legs, do a short loop around the foreshore first. Otherwise, point yourself south and go.
Early morning is the special time here — low sun, empty paths, the smell of the ocean. Keep an eye on the water while you ride, too. Whales pass close to this coast during their migration (roughly June to November), and the dolphins are out there pretty much all year.
Burns Beach to Iluka
Heading south from Jindalee you'll pass Burns Beach, which is worth a stop for the lookout alone, before the path tucks in behind the dunes toward Iluka. This is the quietest stretch of the ride: bushland on one side, ocean glimpses on the other, and hardly a road crossing to break your rhythm.
Ocean Reef Marina
The redeveloped Ocean Reef Marina is the natural place to turn around. Rack the bike, grab a coffee, and have a look at the new breakwater and boat harbour. If your legs are still keen you can keep rolling south toward Mullaloo, but most people find the marina is a pretty good excuse to stop.
Route snapshot
Distance: roughly 10 km each way, Jindalee to Ocean Reef Marina
Surface: shared concrete path, suitable for any bike
Difficulty: flat and beginner-friendly the whole way
Best time: early morning, before the afternoon sea breeze fills in
Butler and the Family Loop
If the full coastal run sounds like more than your crew can handle, Butler is the place to start. The shared paths there link local parks and schools to the coast, so it's easy to build a gentle 5 km loop that finishes at the beach.
It's also ideal first "big ride" territory for kids on their own bikes — lots of spots to stop for a snack, and no nasty climbs to deal with. Try it on a weekend morning and you'll see half the neighbourhood out doing exactly the same thing.
Hiring a Bike in the Northern Suburbs
You don't need to own a bike — or squeeze one into the car — to ride this coastline. Our Jindalee location has quality bikes for hire right in the middle of it all, a few minutes' ride from everything we've just described.
E-Bike or Standard Bike?
Take the e-bike if you're riding with people of different fitness levels, doing the full Jindalee to Ocean Reef run, or you'd just like to arrive at the marina feeling fresh. Mixed-ability groups are where e-bikes earn their keep — nobody gets dropped, and nobody spends the day playing catch-up.
Take a standard bike if the exercise is the point, you're sticking to the shorter Butler loop, or you've got kids who'll be setting the pace anyway.
Whichever way you go, every hire comes properly serviced and safety-checked, sized to you, with a helmet and a lock included. No boot space required.
We've also got electric scooters if two wheels with a throttle sounds more fun — popular with teenagers in the group who want their own set of wheels.
Making a Day of It
A few things we've learned from riding this coast a lot:
Beat the sea breeze. Perth's famous afternoon south-westerly turns a cruise into a headwind battle. Earlier is nearly always better.
Plan your coffee stop. Between Jindalee and Ocean Reef you're never far from a cafe, a playground or a beach. Build the ride around a stop and it becomes a day out, not a workout.
Sunscreen, no exceptions. There is basically no shade on this path. Water, sunscreen, sunglasses — even on grey days.
Weekday mornings are gold. Weekends get busy before 10 am. Go at sunrise on a Tuesday and it feels like the coast belongs to you.
Plan Your Ride
The northern suburbs coastline is Perth riding at its best — flat, beautiful, and close to home. If you're around Jindalee, Butler or Ocean Reef and want to get out on the path, come and see us at our Jindalee location, or check out all our locations across Perth. We'll sort you out with the right bike and point you toward the best coffee on the coast.
See you out there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does bike hire at Jindalee cost?
It depends on the bike and how long you want it — from a couple of hours to a full day or more. E-bikes cost a bit more than standard bikes, and most riders reckon the boost is worth it. Current rates and availability are always on our Jindalee location page.
Can I ride from Jindalee to Ocean Reef on a standard bike?
Yep, easily. It's almost perfectly flat, on shared paths the whole way, about 10 km each side at a relaxed pace. A standard bike handles it fine — an e-bike just makes it a no-sweat cruise, which matters more if you're riding with the family or in the middle of summer.
Are the coastal paths suitable for kids?
Very. This is some of the most family-friendly riding in Perth — wide, smooth, and separated from traffic the whole way. The shorter loops around Butler and the Jindalee foreshore are perfect for younger riders. Just give way to walkers at the busier beach access points.
Do you hire e-bikes as well as standard bikes?
E-bikes are our specialty. Every hire includes a helmet and a lock, and every bike is serviced and checked before it goes out. If you've never ridden an e-bike before, this stretch of coast is the perfect place to find out what the fuss is about.
Do I need to book in advance?
Walk-ins are fine when bikes are available, but weekend mornings book out fast — especially once the weather warms up. The safe bet is to reserve ahead on the Jindalee location page or give us a call, and we'll have the bike ready when you roll up.
