If you’ve not been to Cottesloe, you’ve
not been to Perth.
Cottesloe is a beach-side suburb located west of Perth, 15 minutes from the city centre, roughly midway between the Perth central business district and the port city of Fremantle.
Cottesloe is renowned for its relaxed lifestyle and has been a popular seaside holiday destination for Perth. Its village atmosphere and rich maritime heritage entice exploration beyond its golden sands which extends from Mudurup Rocks to the north and Swanbourne Beach to the south.
Its crystal clear waters and consistent waves make Cottesloe Beach a popular one of the city’s favourite beaches for swimming, body boarding, snorkelling, surfing and watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean. Cottesloe Beach is also a popular place for beach cricket.
One of the largest open-water swimming events in the world, the Rottnest Channel Swim held annually, covers a distance of 20 kilometres from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island off the coast.
The wide Cottesloe Esplanade, shaded by giant Norfolk Pines, offers lovely spots for family picnics, beach and cricket. Outdoor music concerts are often held there. There is a buzzing boulevard of restaurants, cafes and bars along Marine Parade where you can enjoy a delicious beachside meal. An oceanway allows pedestrians and cyclists to move between beaches easily. Each year Cottesloe beach is trans- formed by the free public exhibition Sculptures by the Sea, featuring works by local artists.
Historically the beach and its panorama are reflections of the changes in the last 110 years of Perth’s history. The photos and paintings of Cottesloe Beach that are either in collections or published, give tangible evidence of the importance of beach-oriented activities in the Perth community.
In 2009 Lonely Planet named Cottesloe Beach the world’s second best beach for families.
A new town planning scheme was approved for Cottesloe allowing developers to build to five storeys high along Marine Terrace with the Ocean Beach Hotel site allowed to reach eight storeys. The decision followed a two decade-long debate.
‘Cott’, as it’s affectionately known by the locals, can be easily reached by car, bus or train from Perth.
