Attraction
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
A 400-hectare park of bushland, lawns and a botanic garden of Western Australian plants on the city's western edge, free to enter every day.
Cottesloe Beach
Perth's best-known ocean beach, about 15 minutes' drive from the city, with clear water, snorkelling reefs, shady lawns and sunsets over the Indian Ocean.
At a glance
- Type
- Beach
- Area
- Cottesloe, Perth, Australia
- Official site
- westernaustralia.com
Good to know
- Free
- Snorkelling
- Lawns and picnic areas
- Train access
Why we recommend it
Cottesloe Beach faces the Indian Ocean around 15 minutes' drive west of the city centre and has drawn Perth's beachgoers since the suburb grew up in the 1880s. Refreshment stalls and bathing pavilions appeared in 1898, and the Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club, opened in 1909, was the first lifesaving club in Western Australia. A jetty built in 1904 was wrecked by storms the same year, and a 100-metre pier followed a few years later. The beach is free to visit at any time.
The water is usually clear and the swell consistent, which suits swimmers, bodyboarders and kite surfers, and the rocks and reefs offshore are good for snorkelling. A concrete pylon built in 1935 as an anchor for a shark net has become a local landmark and a diving platform, and was restored in 2008. The Indiana building, a beachfront pavilion dating from 1996, replaced earlier structures on the same spot and remains the beach's best-known building.
Behind the sand, Norfolk Island pines shade terraced lawns that work well for a picnic, and Marine Parade is lined with cafes and restaurants with sea views. The beach is also known for its sunsets, and many visitors pick up fish and chips and watch the sun go down over the water. Shops and boutiques are found on Napoleon Street and Station Street a little inland, and the pubs and bars along the coast host live music and DJs, with Sunday sessions a local tradition.
The beach has a place in Western Australia's sporting calendar too. The Rottnest Channel Swim first started from here in 1991, and the outdoor exhibition Sculpture by the Sea has been held on the beach since 2005, attracting large crowds.
Cottesloe suits families, couples and anyone wanting a classic Perth beach afternoon. To get there by public transport, take the Fremantle Line train to Cottesloe station and walk down to the coast; on summer weekends the Cott Cat shuttle bus runs between the station and the beach. Bring sun protection and something to sit on for the lawns, and if you are driving, allow time to find a space on busy days.
Cottesloe Beach FAQs
How far is Cottesloe Beach from Perth?
It is about a 15-minute drive from the city centre.
How do I get to Cottesloe Beach by train?
Take the Fremantle Line to Cottesloe station, then walk to the beach or use the Cott Cat shuttle on summer weekends.
Is Cottesloe Beach good for snorkelling?
Yes. The rocks and reefs off the beach are well suited to snorkelling.
Is Cottesloe Beach free?
Yes. There is no charge to use the beach.
Is there a surf lifesaving club?
Yes. The Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club opened in 1909 and was the first in Western Australia.
Where can I eat near the beach?
Marine Parade has cafes and restaurants with ocean views, and fish and chips are popular for sunset.
What is the pylon at Cottesloe?
A concrete pylon built in 1935 as an anchor for a shark net, now a landmark and diving platform.
When is the best time to visit?
Late afternoon is popular for watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean.