Cottesloe Beach

Cottesloe is a true city beach in the best possible sense. Located only 15 minutes from downtown Perth, Cottesloe still manages to remain the quintessential laid-back Australian beach. This mile long strip of golden sand is Perth’s answer to Bondi beach yet there are as many differences as similarities.

Despite being on the edge of one of Australia’s major cities Cottesloe still manages to retain a slower pace of life. The wide grassy esplanade backed by Norfolk pine trees helps make the beach feel removed from the city behind and at times Cottesloe might feel more like a seaside village than city beach. This is a great spot to grab a bit of shade and have a picnic and is one of the many factors that make Cottesloe one of the best family beaches in Australia.

Cott, as it is known locally, is always a hub of activity and beach-goers are well catered for. Perhaps the most iconic feature on the beach is the Art Deco Indiana Teahouse building; upstairs is a restaurant whilst downstairs is home to the surf lifesaving club. There are plenty of other restaurants, cafes and bars overlooking the beach along Marine Parade. But it is the sea that people flock here for and the crystal clear, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean will not disappoint.

Cottesloe is a great spot for practically any type of watersport from swimming to surfing. It is from here that the biggest open water swimming event in the world is held - the 20km Rottnest Channel Swim. Apparently this dates back to the days when Rottnest Island was a prison and inmates would try to escape by swimming the channel to the mainland.