Not every beach can make you sit willingly and wait for the sun to go down, but Cottesloe Beach can. It's not the most remote or busy beach in WA, but it's one of the most lived-in and easy to fall in love with. Every afternoon, it's as if the whole city slows down: there's a boy sitting on the shore in a towel after surfing, a couple eating a cheese platter on a blanket on the lawn, and an elderly couple holding hands as they watch the sun set. The beaches aren't the finest, and the wind can be strong at times, but it's the kind of “everyday city dweller with the ocean as their backyard” that will make you start to imagine how life would be different if I lived in this neighborhood.
Advertisement
One of the biggest differences between Cottesloe Beach and the touristy beaches is that it's a “show” every day! "You don't have to plan too much, schedule too much. You don't have to plan too much, just come to the beach at 3 or 4 pm, find a grassy slope to sit down, and the next two hours will naturally flow like a comfortable documentary of life.
Advertisement
First, the surfers come ashore one after another, carrying their boards, cheeks red from the sun, sand sticking to their legs without a care in the world; then come the residents running and biking, weaving through the coastal walkway, backs stretched out with the sunlight; by the time the sun is almost on the horizon, the people on the beach almost silently stop their movements - some applauding, others silently raised their cell phones, and others just turned their backs to the camera to take a silhouette photo and send it to their friends. “Cottesloe's Sunset” is like a theater show that opens every day on time, without tickets, with audiences from all over the world and a cast of ordinary people.
And that's what's most attractive about it: it's unadorned, but it's real, day after day.
Cottesloe Beach is not just for lazing around, but also for serious water play. The beach is in the shape of a shallow bay with shallow water and soft waves, making it suitable for beginner swimmers and snorkelers. From time to time, there are reef areas where you can see small fish, and it's not uncommon for people to bring their snorkeling masks to explore the near-shore ecosystem.
Advertisement
For those who like to take photos or art, there are two times of year of particular note:
Sculpture by the Sea exhibition in early March: this is one of Cottesloe's most special annual events. Dozens of large outdoor installations unfold along the beach and lawn, ranging from the fantastic to the abstract to the humorous. You'll see sculptures in the shape of whale skeletons sprawled across the water's edge, giant metal orbs embedded in the sand, and even pieces you can interact with and touch. The entire exhibit is usually open for two weeks with no admission fee, and photos are especially stunning at sunset.
Cottesloe Pavilion Lawn Area: this is a gently sloping platform between the sea and downtown that has an amphitheater feel to it. You'll see people taking out their sketch pads, practicing yoga, and even local bands jamming out here from time to time. With the sound of distant waves and the sunset in the background, it really has the flavor of “the most literary seaside corner in the city”.
In Cottesloe, it is not recommended to arrange the sightseeing spots in a card-carrying manner, but to make it a half-day to one-day “slow-paced experience”. Here's an easy-paced, picture-perfect one-day itinerary:
10:00am - Brunch in the city before you go
It's only a 20-minute train ride from Perth's city center (get off at Cottesloe and walk 10 minutes), so if you're not in a hurry, you could grab an Aussie-style brunch in the city at Sayers Sister or Mary Street Bakery before you head out. Street Bakery before heading out.
Noon 12:00 - Beachside Lunch + Stroll
We recommend eating at Barchetta Restaurant directly in front of the beach, with a great view, sitting by the balcony and being able to watch the sea for dinner. We recommend their grilled fish tacos and iced coffee. After eating, take a walk along the beach, step in the water and meet some seagulls.
2:00pm - Find a lawn, relax or have a picnic.
You can go to the park opposite to Cottesloe Civic Center to buy a juice or pack a coffee, put down a picnic mat and sit down for the afternoon, read a book and enjoy the sea breeze.
5:00pm - Coastal Trail + Sunset
Take a slow walk along the coastal trail back to the main beach area. The light is softer at this time of day, making it ideal for portraits and silhouettes. This is a great time for portraits and silhouettes. If you're there during exhibition season, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Evening 6:30pm - Have a dinner with an ocean view before leaving
Il Lido is a popular Italian restaurant right on the beach, order a glass of WA white wine with seafood pasta. Leave here before dark and get back to the city just in time.
Transportation:
Train: From Perth Station, Fremantle Line, get off at Cottesloe Station, 10 minutes walk to the beach.
By car: there are several parking spaces on the beach, but in high season (especially on weekends) it is recommended to arrive before 11am.
Buses are also accessible, but not as frequent and less free than train/drive.
When is the best time to go:
November to April is the best season, the weather is pleasant, suitable for swimming, and there are many exhibitions and activities;
March's Sculpture by the Sea exhibition is the “highlight of the time”, but there are more people;
Summer sunset time is around 7:00 p.m., so it is recommended to look for a good location in advance.
Suitable for people:
Couple photo shoots, family picnics, friends' gatherings, self-driving are all very suitable;
Not suitable for adventurous travelers who are too much in pursuit of “cold wilderness”, it is more like a “light relaxation spot in the city”.
Other notes:
The beach can be windy at times, so it is recommended to bring sunglasses and sunscreen spray;
Snorkeling at the water's edge is safe, and non-professionals are not recommended to stay away from the shallow end;
Temperatures can drop quickly after sunset, so it is useful to bring a light jacket.
Cottesloe Beach is not the kind of “attraction-type beach” that you will be amazed by at a glance and leave after taking photos, its beauty requires you to spend time to get closer. You may not be amazed at how special it is, but if you're willing to slow down, sit on the beach for a while, watch the sunset, listen to the passersby chatting, and smell the aroma of coffee mixed with the salty sea breeze, you'll understand why so many locals are willing to come here once a day, even if it's just for 10 minutes. It's not like a tourist place, it's more like a “place you should have lived”. So don't rush past Cottesloe, stop by, even if it's just to wait for a sunset.
