Cottesloe Beach

Overview

Cottesloe Beach is Perth's most beloved coastal strip, a crescent of fine white sand flanked by Norfolk Island pines and the grassy Marine Parade. Its calm, turquoise water and Indian Ocean sunsets have made it a local icon since the early 1900s.

Highlights

• Sunset viewing: The west-facing aspect delivers some of Australia's finest ocean sunsets.
• Sculptures by the Sea: Each March, the beach hosts a major outdoor sculpture exhibition along the foreshore.
• Indiana Tea House: A heritage 1906 boathouse converted into a restaurant perched on the beachfront.

History

Named after the Cottesloe suburb, itself after Baron Cottesloe, the beach became popular in the Edwardian era with the opening of the Cottesloe railway station in 1886. It remains one of the most visited metropolitan beaches in Australia, drawing roughly 1 million visitors annually.

Visitor Tips

• Best time: Early morning for calm swims, late afternoon for the sunset glow.
• Getting there: 15-minute train ride from Perth Station to Cottesloe, then a short walk.
• Duration: 1.5–3 hours.