Perth is blessed with one of the finest urban beach coastlines in the world, with pristine white sand and Indian Ocean water stretching north and south of the city for hundreds of kilometres. The difference between having a hire car and relying on public transport is the ability to reach the quieter, less crowded beaches beyond the main city beaches, to stop when something looks good, and to explore the coast at your own pace.
Burswood Car Rentals has been helping Perth visitors discover Western Australia for over 42 years. Hire a car from Burswood and take your pick of the Perth coast.
Hire a Car and Hit the BeachBurswood Car Rentals: from $25/day, no hidden fees, near Perth Airport. Call (08) 9362 4777. |
The City Beaches (10 to 15 km from Perth CBD)
Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe is Perth’s most iconic and photographed beach. Norfolk Island pines frame the foreshore, the historic Indiana Tea House overlooks the water, and the beach is well-serviced with facilities, cafes, and a good surf break. Ocean swimming conditions are generally calm and family-friendly. Cottesloe hosts the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition every March.
City Beach
City Beach is a broad, open beach approximately 10km from the CBD, popular with families for its excellent facilities including a large playground, kiosk, cafe, and ample parking. Conditions are good for swimming and the beach is less crowded than Cottesloe on most days.
Scarborough Beach
Scarborough, approximately 14km from the CBD, is Perth’s main surf beach, with consistent Indian Ocean swells that attract beginner to intermediate surfers. The Scarborough foreshore has been significantly redeveloped in recent years, with a new amphitheatre, restaurants, bars, and a water playground. It has a livelier atmosphere than the more sedate city beaches.
North of Perth (20 to 60 km)
Trigg Beach and Mettams Pool
Trigg Beach, just north of Scarborough, offers a quieter alternative to the main surf beach, with a rocky reef break popular with experienced surfers and a small sheltered area at Mettams Pool that is excellent for snorkelling in calm conditions. The natural reef just offshore creates a protected swimming area.
Sorrento and Mullaloo
Continuing north along the coast, Sorrento and Mullaloo beaches offer suburban beach atmosphere without the tourist crowds. Both have good facilities, a beachfront cafe or kiosk, and consistent swimming conditions. Sorrento is adjacent to Hillarys Boat Harbour, which has a marina, restaurants, and the departure point for the Rottnest Island ferry.
Yanchep Beach
Approximately 56 kilometres north of Perth, Yanchep and the nearby Two Rocks area offer beaches with a significantly quieter atmosphere than the city beaches. The drive north along Marmion Avenue and then the Mitchell Freeway extension is straightforward. Yanchep National Park is adjacent and has a population of western grey kangaroos and a cave system, making it worth a combined beach and park day trip.
South of Perth (20 to 40 km)
Rockingham Beaches
Rockingham, approximately 47km south of Perth via the Kwinana Freeway, offers calmer swimming conditions than the open ocean beaches north of the city, as parts of the Rockingham coastline are sheltered by nearby islands. Point Peron and the Palm Beach area offer white sand and clear water in a more sheltered environment. Rockingham is also the departure point for tours to Penguin Island, where a colony of little penguins can be observed.
Mandurah
At approximately 72km south of Perth, Mandurah is at the outer edge of a day trip but is worth including in a longer coastal drive south. The Mandurah Estuary and the beaches along the Dawesville Channel offer a different coastal experience to the Indian Ocean beaches, with calm, warm estuary water popular with families.
| Beach | Distance from Perth | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottesloe | ~12km | Iconic, heritage foreshore, calm water | First-time visitors, families, photography |
| City Beach | ~10km | Broad, well-facilitated, family-friendly | Families, swimming |
| Scarborough | ~14km | Lively, surf beach, redeveloped foreshore | Surf, dining, younger visitors |
| Trigg/Mettams Pool | ~17km | Quieter reef beach, snorkelling | Snorkelling, experienced surfers |
| Sorrento/Mullaloo | ~24km | Suburban, uncrowded | Quiet swim, locals atmosphere |
| Yanchep | ~56km | Remote feel, adjacent national park | Half-day trip, wildlife |
| Rockingham | ~47km | Sheltered, penguins nearby | Families, calm swimming |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Perth beach is best for young children?
City Beach and Rockingham both offer calm, well-supervised swimming conditions with excellent facilities that suit young children. Mettams Pool at Trigg is also excellent for children as the reef creates a partially sheltered, shallow lagoon with calmer water than the open ocean beach.
Are there beach parking fees in Perth?
Most Perth beach carparks are free, which makes exploring the coast by hire car very accessible. Some popular areas like Cottesloe and Scarborough have a mix of free and paid parking, with free options within a short walking distance. Burswood Car Rentals’ hire cars carry no rental stickers, so you blend in with locals at all parking areas.