Cottesloe Suburb Profile 

Jaw-dropping ocean views and burnt sunsets are year-round drawcards in this affluent seaside suburb. As Marine Parade weaves its way along the coast with a café strip on one side and Cottesloe Beach on the other, the lucky residents relish the laid-back lifestyle and endless vistas.

Understandably, this coastal hotspot holds a special spot in the heart of many a local. Fish and chips at sunset is a Perth rite of passage and many a childhood memory has been formed along Cottesloe Esplanade.

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Framed by Norfolk Pines planted in the early 1900s, Cottesloe Beach is an Instagram haven for its powdery white sand and azure sea. Perfectly positioned grassed terraces take in the golden hues as the sun magnificently slips into the Indian Ocean. Sprawling heritage homes are interspersed with townhouses, low-rise apartments, and several historic buildings such as the Cottesloe Hotel, Ocean Beach Hotel, Cottesloe Civic Centre and the imposing Indiana Tea Rooms, one of the few buildings constructed along the shoreline. You can download the Cottesloe Architectural Heritage Tour app for a guided tour following the architectural highlights.

Living in Cottesloe means enjoying the beauty of this stunning beachside location every day, with easy access to everything the area has to offer. A destination in its own right, Cottesloe Beach is often frequented by visiting celebrities. So it’s hardly surprising this coastal neighbourhood has earned itself notoriety through the sardonic Cottesloe Barbie Facebook page, the custodian of whom remains a mystery, unlike the author of the book titled Cottesloe: A Town of Distinction by Ruth Marchant-James. This magnificent stretch of coastline recently made the big screens when How To Please A Woman was filmed a couple of kilometres south at Leighton Beach, in nearby Fremantle.

Living in Cottesloe offers a unique combination of vibrant coastal living and historical charm, making it one of the most sought-after locations in Perth.

Area Features

Cottesloe Beach And Esplanade

Famed for its beauty as much for its offshore reefs, Cottesloe Beach stretches for 1.5 kilometres, attracting swimmers, snorkellers and picnickers as it’s one of the few beaches offering grassed areas shaded by Norfolk pines. Home to the Surf Life Saving Club, the first of its kind in Australia, the beach is well patrolled by two clubs at Cottesloe and North Cottesloe. Punctuated by the Cottesloe Pier, Cottesloe Beach is the starting point for the Rottnest Channel Swim and the outdoor art gallery Sculptures by the Sea in March. Regardless of the weather, the esplanade is popular for its dramatic vistas as much for its sunny disposition.

Seaview Gold Club

The Seaview Golf Club is one of the most picturesque spots to tee off in Perth. Situated opposite Cottesloe Beach, it’s not uncommon for bathers to duck for cover from stray golf balls flying overhead. One of the oldest golf courses in the state, members and non-members at all levels are welcome, and diners at the Links Grill adore the uninterrupted ocean views.

Indiana Tea House

Sitting pride of place on the ocean side of Marine Parade, this landmark neotraditional building has been rebuilt and hosted restaurants several times over the decades. Much uproar occurred in 2020 when it was purchased by a property developer and deemed for demolition, but since then and after public demand, it has since been earmarked for redevelopment to include fine dining, boutique accommodation, a spa and a boat shed. In the meantime, pop-up eateries have been making the most of the prime beachfront location.

Cottesloe Civic Centre

Set on two acres of manicured grounds and originally built in 1897 as a private residence in the Queen Anne style, the Cottesloe Civic Centre was remodelled in later decades and has operated as a civic centre from 1949 onwards. With a jarrah-lined function room, sunken lawn and secret garden, this landmark property is a popular wedding venue, but its public spaces are also available for picnics.

The beach isn’t the only drawcard for Cottesloe’s empty nesters and families, given its proximity to excellent public and private schools, Perth’s CBD and Fremantle accessed by train, bus and Stirling Highway. The summer breeze known as the Fremantle Doctor treats the locals to a reprieve during the warmer months, particularly those fortunate enough to have invested in opulent seaside mansions.