Perth's Sunset Coast brings together ocean beaches, foreshore parks and harbour precincts along the coast north from Cottesloe. Destination Perth's regional guide includes places through to Two Rocks. It is a broad area, so the best starting point is to choose a stretch of coast rather than attempt every beach in one day.
The three suggested outings below suit different priorities: established beach precincts around Cottesloe and Scarborough, smaller bays and harbour food around Trigg and Hillarys, or a longer trip to the northern coastal towns. They are planning suggestions, not fixed driving itineraries.
| Choose a stretch | A useful focus |
|---|---|
| Cottesloe to Scarborough | Foreshore walks, beach facilities, food and Scarborough's separate swimming pool |
| Trigg to Hillarys | Surf watching, smaller beach stops and Sorrento Quay's shops and dining |
| Mindarie to Two Rocks | A longer northern outing with marina and coastal-town stops |
| For a shorter trip | Choose one main beach and one nearby food or walking stop |
| Before swimming | Check local patrols, beach notices and current conditions at each stop |
Cottesloe, City Beach and Scarborough
Start with this stretch if your group wants established foreshore facilities and several options for food. Cottesloe Foreshore works as a beach-and-walk base, while City Beach and Floreat Beach offer their own picnic and beach facilities. Choose one that matches the day rather than stopping briefly at all three.
Scarborough Beachfront adds a larger activity precinct. The City of Stirling identifies the Whale Playground, Sunset Hill and public art, and the separate heated outdoor pool provides an option for people who prefer pool swimming to the surf.
A practical short outing is a beach or foreshore visit followed by food in the same precinct. For a longer day, add a second stop only if it offers something different. Moving from one beach car park to another is not always an improvement on staying where everyone is comfortable.
If you are using public transport, the free Surf CAT connects Stirling Station with Scarborough Beach during its operating hours. Check the timetable and the fare for any connecting train journey.
Trigg, Watermans Bay and Hillarys
This group gives you a choice between surf, a smaller beach reserve and an inner-harbour precinct. Trigg Beach is worth considering for watching the waves and spending time at Clarko Reserve. Swimming requires care: the local surf club identifies reef, rocky outcrops and the Blue Hole.
Watermans Bay provides a smaller stop with a playground, barbecue facilities and toilets. Nearby Mettams Pool is a different destination with reef and snorkelling conditions to assess. Neither should be treated as an automatically calm or supervised alternative to Trigg.
For a meal and a browse through shops, Sorrento Quay sits inside Hillarys Boat Harbour. The open-ocean Sorrento Beach is outside the harbour to the south. Pick one as your meeting point so the group does not split between the two.
At the September 2026 check, the harbour's official upgrade page listed closures affecting the inner changerooms and northern fishing platform. General visitor parking was free, with time limits in designated areas. Check the latest works and the sign for your parking bay before adding a long lunch or beach session.
Mindarie, Yanchep and Two Rocks
Destination Perth's Sunset Coast guide includes Mindarie's marina, Yanchep and Two Rocks among the northern places to explore. Treat this as a longer northern outing rather than an automatic extension of a full day at Cottesloe or Scarborough.
Choose one main purpose: a marina meal, a coastal walk or time at a particular beach. Then plan the road or public transport route to that destination. Do not assume there is a single uninterrupted waterfront road that serves every stop, or that each town has the same facilities and patrol coverage.
The regional self-drive trail is useful for gathering ideas, but its stops are optional. Check the current information for any attraction you intend to enter, and leave room for the return journey. Adding a national park or a booked activity turns a beach visit into a different itinerary with its own timing and entry arrangements.
Walking, cycling and watching the sunset
There are coastal path options along parts of this region, including the City Beach-to-Sorrento stretch identified by Destination Perth. Choose a manageable section and an obvious turnaround point. Check works and diversions before committing to a longer ride or walk.
For sunset, select a place where you can sit or stand on an established public path, reserve or open beach entrance. Cloud and wind will decide what the evening looks like; the name Sunset Coast is not a promise of a clear horizon. Plan the return while there is enough light to see uneven surfaces, or use a well-lit route you have checked.
If dinner follows, check the business's trading hours and allow for the walk back to the car or bus stop. A pleasant view does not make an uncertain return journey easier.
Choose facilities before choosing a beach
Access matting, beach wheelchairs, Changing Places facilities, dog exercise areas and swimming enclosures are location-specific. An amenity listed for one beach should not be carried across to the next. Use the individual guides to check the entrance and arrangements that matter to your group.
Before swimming, look at SharkSmart alerts and follow local signs and patrol advice. For public transport, use the Transperth JourneyPlanner for the complete trip to the chosen entrance. A single destination often makes a more relaxed car-free visit than several widely separated stops.
For a closer comparison of beaches north of central Perth, see Perth's northern beaches. For the coast from South Fremantle towards Rockingham, use the separate southern beaches guide.
Visitor information checked 25 September 2026. Recheck access, transport and any booked activities before travelling.
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