Discover Cottesloe: beaches, coastal trails and culture

Crystal-clear water, white sand and shade-giving Norfolk Island pines define the main beach at Cottesloe Beach. The reef nearby makes the beach a place for swimming, surfing and snorkelling. This means you can combine a stay by the water with a wide range of activities. Showers and toilets are located beneath the distinctive Indiana building, a practical landmark at the beach.

Trails along the coast and through the region

The Cottesloe Foreshore Trail runs for 5.5 kilometres along the coast. The route passes Cottesloe’s white sand beaches and parks, and is suitable for running or walking. Its length can help you factor the trail into your day: it offers a longer coastal route without requiring you to choose a 17-kilometre loop.

The Wardun Beelier Bidi Trail is a loop of this kind: it is 17 kilometres long and runs through Cottesloe, Claremont, Peppermint Grove and Mosman Park. Along the way, there are views of Perth’s Swan River, the Indian Ocean and Grant Marine Park. Native birds such as ospreys and rainbow bee-eaters are also among the sights along the route. The trail also highlights several places of cultural significance to the Noongar people. It therefore combines sweeping landscape views with cultural points of interest. Compared with the 5.5-kilometre coastal trail, it is a considerably longer option and is also described as a loop.

Architecture, history and sculptures

The Cottesloe Architectural Heritage Trail shares architectural details of historic buildings along a 1.5-kilometre route. It was developed by The Grove Library and the Town of Cottesloe. The Grove Heritage Trails app guides visitors along the trail and uses historical images, oral histories and historical documents. These materials give the buildings a historical and narrative context.

The Cottesloe Heritage Trail is also listed as 1.5 kilometres long and has 20 stops; the accompanying app can be downloaded. These details make the short heritage trails easy to compare with the longer coastal and loop trails: the former focus on stops and historical details, while the latter highlight distance, coastal landscapes or views.

Sculptures offer a different cultural thread. The Town of Cottesloe was gifted 25 former Sculptures by the Sea sculptures. The sculptures on the Cottesloe Sculpture Trail form an evolving collection for permanent public display for everyone. Both changing artistic connections to the town’s history and a permanently displayed collection are among the cultural themes you can consider as you explore Cottesloe.

Choose Cottesloe as your base

Cottesloe station is on the Fremantle line, which connects Cottesloe with Fremantle and Perth City. When planning your accommodation, you can start by deciding which experiences will shape your trip: time at the beach, a coastal trail, a longer loop or historical and cultural discoveries. Use these priorities as a guide when searching for a hotel or other accommodation in Cottesloe. Check the location of each specific option against your planned activities rather than deciding based on accommodation type alone. If your travel group has different interests, the trails and cultural themes described here offer several ways to plan together.

Discover more destinations: Belmont, Henley Brook, Connolly, Mahogany Creek, Warnbro, Caversham, West Swan, The Vines.

Return to the main travel overview: Perth.