Affluent Cottesloe centres on busy Marine Parade, where laid-back cafes and gelato shops overlook a sandy beach that's popular for water sports. Pizza and seafood are served at landmark Indiana Cottesloe Beach restaurant, a former tea house from 1910, while oceanfront pubs with beer gardens host “Sunday Sessions” with live music. Inland, Napoleon Street has hip bakeries, designer jewellers and surf-wear stores.

With more than a kilometre (0.6 miles) of pure white sand, Cottesloe Beach is one of 's most popular spots for swimming, snorkelling and surfing. Generations of West Australians have spent summer days diving into the ocean from the distinctive floating bell just offshore.

Cottesloe Beach is halfway between Perth and Fremantle, about 14 kilometres (8.7 miles), or less than 30 minutes drive, from Perth city centre. Public buses leave frequently from Perth's Elizabeth Quay Bus Station.

Things to do and see in Cottesloe

Sculpture by the Sea

Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe is staged on the beautiful Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia. The exhibition is featured from the sea wall all the way along the sand towards North Cottesloe and on the surrounding grassed areas creating a beautiful sculpture park. Access to Cottesloe Beach can be made from the ramps or stairs at different locations along Marine Parade.

Learn to surf

Cottesloe is the birthplace of surfing and surf lifesaving in Western Australia. Grab a board and learn to hang 10 with. Western Australia's only family owned and operated surfing school offers a Safe Surfing Program for people of all ages and abilities.

Picnic on the beach

The wide grassy Cottesloe Esplanade, shaded by giant Norfolk Pine trees, offers lovely spots for picnics or just watching the ocean. Outdoor music concerts are often held here. Enjoy the noisy chatter of the colourful rainbow lorikeets that live in the trees.

Scarborough Sunset Markets

The awesome sunset markets return to Scarborough Beach this month! The event kicks off on Thursday 1st November 2018 and runs thereafter, every Thursday night until 25th April, 2019. From 5.00 pm until 9.00 pm. Bring along a picnic or buy some realistically priced food from the many market stalls here on the beach. Mark it in your calendar, the sunset markets are not to be missed this November in Perth!

Sleep by the sea

Cottesloe offers plenty of accommodation options, including charming seaside hotels, serviced apartments and other short-term holiday house accommodation.

So start packing an head of too sunny Western Australia.