Perth beaches, from a morning swim to an Indian Ocean sunset
- Written by: The Times
Take the train to Cottesloe, walk the coast from Scarborough to Trigg or snorkel over a shipwreck at Coogee. Perth has a beach for almost any kind of day.
One of the pleasures of visiting Perth is how easily a beach can fit into the day. You can be in the city for breakfast and on the sand at Cottesloe before lunch. You can spend a morning in Fremantle and take your towel to Leighton in the afternoon. And almost anywhere along the coast, you can finish the day facing west as the sun drops into the Indian Ocean.
The trick is to pick a beach that suits what you feel like doing. Some are made for a lazy lunch and a swim. Others are worth bringing a mask and snorkel for. At Trigg, you might be perfectly happy to stay dry and watch the surfers.
Cottesloe for a first taste of the Perth coast
If you have time for just one beach, make it Cottesloe. The Norfolk Island pines, grassy terraces and the old Indiana building give it a character you recognise as soon as you arrive. You can swim when the flags are up, pick up fish and chips and find a spot on the grass overlooking the ocean.
The Fremantle Line makes it easy to visit without a car. Get off at Cottesloe station and walk west towards the water. If you’re staying for sunset, bring a light layer. Once the sun drops and the breeze comes in off the ocean, you’ll be glad you did.
Scarborough and Trigg for a walk with a view
Scarborough suits a group that wants a bit of everything. There’s a long beachfront, places to eat and a public pool overlooking the ocean. If the surf is up, some of you can swim laps while the others head for coffee.
From Scarborough, follow the coastal path north to Trigg. The walk gives you a feel for how quickly the coast changes. At Trigg, look out for surfers taking off as the swell pushes in. It’s an exposed stretch of coast, and on a big day the view from shore is half the reason to go.
A little farther north is Mettams Pool, a natural rock pool sheltered by a reef. On a calm morning, take a mask and see what you can spot among the rocks. If swell is breaking over the reef, make it a walking stop and save the snorkelling for another day.
City Beach for a long lunch by the water
City Beach works well when you want a beach outing built around lunch. Have a walk on the sand, take a swim between the flags if conditions suit, then settle in somewhere you can still see the ocean.
With time to spare, continue north towards Floreat Beach. It’s an easy way to turn lunch into a coastal afternoon, especially if you’ve spent the morning sightseeing and want to get out of the city for a few hours.
Leighton Beach for a Fremantle day out
Leighton Beach is a natural addition to a day in Fremantle. It’s within walking distance of North Fremantle station, so you can fit in a beach visit on the same train line as Cottesloe and central Fremantle.
The appeal here is the space. Take a coffee down to the sand and walk as far as you feel like going. In summer, mornings are often a good bet if you prefer lighter winds. The afternoon sea breeze, known as the Fremantle Doctor, can change the feel of the beach in a matter of hours.
Coogee for a shipwreck close to shore
South of Fremantle, Coogee offers one of Perth’s more unusual beach adventures. The Omeo shipwreck lies close to shore at North Coogee and marks the start of the Coogee Maritime Trail. On a calm day with good visibility, confident snorkellers can explore the trail along the breakwater. Look without touching or climbing on the wreck.
If you’re after a swim and a picnic, head to Coogee Beach itself. Treat the wreck as a separate outing and check conditions before getting in. The swim may be short, but wind, swell and visibility still matter.
Make a weekend of it
For a first visit, spend Saturday morning walking from Scarborough to Trigg, then head to Cottesloe for dinner or fish and chips at sunset. On Sunday, pair Fremantle with Leighton Beach, or make Coogee your morning stop if the conditions look good for snorkelling.
Check patrol times before you set out and swim between the red and yellow flags. Beyond that, keep the plan loose. When the water is clear and you’ve found a spot you like, there’s every reason to stay for another hour.
