Western Australia may not be the Golden State or even the Sunshine State, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy a day out in the sun on the sand and the surf. In fact, Perth has some lovely beaches of its own, and while they might not be world famous, they’re still more than worth a visit.
A quick note before you visit any beaches: Australia has strict rules about beach safety, and all visitors should take care to adhere to these rules, such as looking out for signs and swimming between the red and yellow flags that indicate the safe zone of the beach.
Cottesloe Beach
Perhaps Perth’s most famous beach, Cottesloe Beach, known as the Cott to locals, is located just under half an hour from the city centre, in the beach-side suburb of Cottesloe. This beach is unquestionably picturesque, with its soft blond sand and clear aquamarine waters, and it’s at its prettiest before 10 am when the wind, known to locals as the Fremantle Doctor, blows in.
There’s a lot you can do at this beach, not least of which is walking down Marine Parade, which is parallel to the coast, is where you’ll find some great dining options for your beach day if you didn’t already pack yourself a picnic to enjoy in the late afternoon sun. Local favourites include The Beach Club, which features a sunken lounge, and Barchetta, a restaurant serving up excellent Mediterranean cuisine that’s only made better with their spectacular beachside views.
Spend your morning with a peaceful walk or a refreshing swim on the main Cottesloe Beach, followed by an afternoon of surfing in South Cottesloe, or snorkelling in North Cottesloe, where you might spot an endangered leafy sea dragon. Spice things up a little by climbing The Pylon, the only surviving concrete pylon of three originally built to hold a shark net in place, and diving into the water from its peak.
For those of you who aren’t adrenaline-junkies, let your creative side out by building sandcastles, or if you visit in March, take a walk along the beach to see the amazing sculptures and installations that are a part of Cottesloe Beach’s annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition.
Mettam’s Pool
A natural rock pool protected by a surrounding reef, Mettam’s Pool is located in a protected marine park, and is a popular spot for snorkelling, beginners and experts alike. Initially filled with limestone reef that made it difficult for people to swim or walk, the pool was created by World War I veteran Frank Mettam, who started removing the limestone reef using explosives and a large crowbar in the 1930s, with the goal of creating a “natural beach pool” for the entire community.
Thirty years later, with the help of his children and grandchildren, Mr Mettam achieved his goal, and the pool was named after him. Today Mettam’s Pool is where you can swim or snorkel in the fairly shallow waters on a calm day, finding brilliantly pattern marine life and leafy seagrasses, and take to the surf with a board when the waters become choppier in winter. All in all, a lovely, community-oriented beach.
City Beach
Sitting right in the middle of Perth’s northern suburbs, just 15 minutes away from the city centre, City Beach is known for its two purpose-built gyrones, which are barriers built out from the beach into the sea to keep erosion and drifting in check. They also serve to give the beach good fishing spots and safe waters for swimming.
Spot people engaging in a variety of activities, such as surfing, kitesurfing, playing beach volleyball and matkot, a paddle ball game similar to beach tennis. After a day of playing on the sea and in the sea, hit the showers by the beach, and treat yourself to some award-winning Western Australian wines at the Hamptons City Beach Bar and Kitchen, or a classic fish and chips at Clancy’s Fish Bar.
Leighton Beach and Port Beach
Though they are technically two separate beaches, Leighton Beach and Port Beach sit on the same unbroken continuous strip of sand, running for more than 1.5 km up to South Cottesloe. Don’t forget to bring your sunnies to this beach, as the powdery white sand and azure blue sea can become blinding under the sun.
The water here is calm and flat, making it a popular choice for Stand Up Paddleboarders (SUPers), as well as kitesurfers and windsurfers when the breeze comes in. If it gets too hot, take a dip into the ocean, but remember to bring a snorkel with you, so you can take a closer look at the marine life.
Make like the locals and bring enough things to set yourself up for a day, like an umbrella and towels, as well as a cooler full of drinks and a basket of goodies, and kick back until sunset, which is stunning against the backdrop of Rottnest Island.
South Beach
The water at South Beach is always calm, due to its outlying reef and the positions of the Carnac and Garden Islands off the coast, which create a breakwater for the incoming ocean waves. Surrounded by lovely parkland full of ancient coastal trees and wide grassy patches, South Beach is a calm, quiet and peaceful place to spend your day, or have an evening doing that most Australian of outdoor activities, a barbeque. Bring some steaks, wings, prawns and maybe even clams, and claim one of the public BBQ pits to make your very own surf and turf.
Alternatively, South Beach is located just a few minutes away from South Terrace, otherwise known as the Cappuccino Strip, a bustling street lined with cafes serving up the state’s best coffee, alongside delicious pasta and pizza, the result of Fremantle’s Italian influence.
Whichever beach you end up going to for the day or even just the afternoon, remember to apply and keep re-applying sunscreen so you can enjoy your time at the beach without worrying about sunburns.
