Categories > Guides and Tips
This guide to Coogee Beach reveals all its treasures (underwater & on land)!
- Things to Know
- How to Get There
- Things to Do
- Take a dip
- Explore the Omeo shipwreck
- Have a staycation at Discovery Parks - Woodman Point
- Have a BBQ and fish at John Graham Recreation Reserve
- Complete the Coogee and Woodman Point Beach Walk
- Where to Eat
- Surfing Lizard
- Coogee Beach Cafe
- Amunì Restaurant
- Beachpoint Cafe
- Caffissimo Port Coogee
Not trying to sound all Area 51-ish, but Coogee Beach really does have secrets beneath its surf. We’re also not overselling it when we call this 4-km stretch a family-friendly stunner meant for sandy laps and salty escapes.
Seriously, the beach rarely has a snoozefest moment, thanks to its thriving aquatic life, snap-ready outlooks, sunken attractions, and more.
That said, it’s so much better in person than in words. Have a squiz yourself, and if you ever want a guide from folks who basically live there, here’s one, free of charge.
Things to Know
Map
Distance from the Perth CBD: 31 min (28.2 km)
Weather Forecast
Surf Forecast
How to Get There
By Train: You can get to Coogee Beach from the Perth CBD by taking the Fremantle Line. It halts at Fremantle Stn, where you must then wait for bus line 548, stopping at Cockburn Rd After Beach Rd.
From there, take a short walk to Powell Rd, which offers multiple access points to the beach.
By Bus: Coogee Beach is an easy ride from the Perth CBD via bus line 115, available for boarding at Elizabeth Quay Bus Stn.
The ride will take you to Rockingham Rd Before Hamilton Rd, where you must hop onto bus line 530 and get off at Rockingham Rd After Todd St.
To reach the beach from the said location, you can either take a 39-min walk via Duchart Wy or ride a taxi.
By Car: You’ll find major parking bays at Coogee Beach in spots like the Coogee Beach Surf Lifesaving Club (CBSLC) and at Powell Rd’s southern and northern points, both near the Coogee Beach Cafe.
By Taxi: Here’s a rundown of Perth’s general taxi fares below, updated as of June 2025.
| Tariff 1 – 6 am to 5:59 pm | |||
| Flagfall | Distance Rate | Booking Fee | Waiting Time |
| $5.10 | 2.04/km | $1.80 | $58/hr |
| Tariff 2 – 6 pm to 5:59 am (including all day Saturday and Sunday) | |||
| Flagfall | Distance Rate | Booking Fee | Waiting Time |
| $7.30 | 2.04/km | $1.80 | $58/hr |
| Ultra Peak (12 am to 02:59 am on Friday and Saturday only) | |||
| Flagfall | Distance Rate | Booking Fee | Waiting Time |
| $7.30 + $4.30 | 2.04/km | $1.80 | $58/hr |
Things to Do
Take a dip
From georgiakatee
Almost any day is a pearler for a swim at Coogee Beach, thanks to the enclosure installed back in 2013. The netted setup keeps the sharks at bay and is designed to avoid entanglement, so you can do your laps without stressing too much.
Summer is usually when I stop by to splash around with the youngsters, as it’s when the local gov rolls out the pontoons for swimmers to cannonball off or sunbake on. That said, the season is chockers, much like weekends and holidays.
Explore the Omeo shipwreck
From _mattchristie_
In my book, Coogee Beach’s true magic kicks off once you’re underwater. After all, that’s where you can wander through the award-winning Coogee Maritime Trail.
The trail’s centrepiece is undoubtedly the Omeo shipwreck, Perth’s only shore-based wreck, sitting 25 metres off the coast in about 2 to 4 metres of water. It was an 1858 steamship-turned-sailing vessel that met its end in 1905 at Fremantle Port.
These days, divers flock to this snorkelling spot to see its remains and sea-dwelling tenants, including molluscs and crabs. Most also dive to scope out the 55 sculptures around it, because who wouldn’t want to see a submerged cannon replica or an underwater sea lion statue?
Have a staycation at Discovery Parks – Woodman Point
From dagsndogs_travel_oz
Address: 132 Cockburn Rd
Contact Details: +61 8 9434 1433
Check-in: 2 pm
Check-out: 10 am
Website
Discovery Parks – Woodman Point is where I stay every time my body and soul crave a longer Coogee Beach trip. This resort-style hub simply has breather essentials—modern crash pads, old-school camping sites, a bouncing pillow, and, of course, a swimming pool.
The most banging part is that it enjoys nature’s tranquillity and is just a short walk from both Coogee Beach and Fremantle Port. You can get there by walking, though pedalling isn’t a shabby idea with all the bike tracks connected to the holiday park.
As a bonus, there are pet-friendly cabins, like the Standard Bedroom 1. Discounts also await those who stay tuned to their website.
Have a BBQ and fish at John Graham Recreation Reserve
From coogeejettytojetty
Address: Nyyerbup Cir
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
John Graham Recreation Reserve is built for rolling out a picnic rug and slowing down with a sandwich in hand. The grassy area, free-use BBQs, and shaded seats allow that luxury.
You won’t be labelled daft for breaking a sweat, though. In fact, I frequently cycle there with my kiddos, as the paths are flat and well-maintained, with coastal panoramas trailing behind.
Lastly, it’s a quick stroll from Woodman Point’s Ammo Jetty, which is among Perth CBD’s most well-known salmon hotspots. Other scaly regulars you might just reel in there are tailor, herring, and snapper.
Complete the Coogee and Woodman Point Beach Walk
From ke.elliott
Length: 5.5 km
Estimated Time: 1 hr and 5 min
Elevation Gain: 36 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Circular
When I want to absorb the beach fully without getting wet, I hit the easy-going Coogee and Woodman Point Beach Walk, starting and ending at John Graham Recreation Reserve.
What I love most about it are the shifting outlooks. The trail kicks off with parkland and bush sights before offering beach scenery, such as coastal vegetation and the historic Ammo Jetty, once a loading site for explosives.
However, there are a couple of snags to note, primarily the strip’s feral winds and busy periods. You might also encounter snakes during the hotter months (because…Australia), so don’t just ramble mindlessly.
Where to Eat
Surfing Lizard
From surfinglizardcafe
Address: 20/21 Poore Grove
Contact Details: +61 415 604 496
Operating Hours: Daily – 7 am to 3 pm
Pricing: $$
Facebook
Surfing Lizard is that classic beachfront joint for catch-ups, espresso, and fantastic bites that won’t break the bank.
Pho is one of their best offerings (and my personal favourite). The chicken version is especially satisfying, with its layered, heavily aromatic profile that swings between umami and vibrant.
A very close runner-up is their duck fat fries. If you haven’t had the pleasure yet, it’s super crispy and packs full-bodied richness, some even comparing it to Foie Gras’ buttery notes.
Coogee Beach Cafe
From dirtyforchai
Address: Coogee Beach Reserve, 4 Powell Rd
Contact Details: +61 8 9434 9466
Operating Hours: Daily – 6:30 am to 1 pm
Pricing: $$
Is it really a Coogee Beach trip without indulging in Coogee Beach Cafe’s fish and chips? Nah. You’d be mad for missing this flaky best-seller, loved for having generous portions and cheap prices, starting at $14.50.
Other than that, they whip out classic snacks, like burgers, wedges, and calamari. There’s also a seafood basket for the more minted, and it mostly stacks fish tempura and crumbed prawn.
Amunì Restaurant
From amuni_restaurant
Address: 6 Calypso Parade, North Coogee
Contact Details: +61 8 9434 3078
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Thu – 5 am to 9 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 9:30 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 9 pm
Pricing: $$$
Website
Modern and exquisite, Amunì is a fine bet for chowing refined Mediterranean cuisine, namely Egyptian, Italian, Greek, and Spanish masterpieces.
Their lamb ragu, for example, is a crowd-puller that features a 12-hour slow-braised Margaret River lamb and velvety San Marzano sugo. Flavour-wise, it’s naturally tangy and savoury, with fragrant herbs and salty pecorino giving it more depth.
They also have gourmet pizza that complements their wines. I’m talking about creations like the buffalo mozzarella-topped Queen Margherita and the truffle cream-laced Tartufella.
Beachpoint Cafe
From beachpoint.cafe
Address: 47 Perlinte View, North Coogee
Contact Details: +61 8 9418 4955
Operating Hours: Daily – 6 am to 2 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
Honestly, just knowing brunch at Beachpoint Cafe awaits you on this trip should be all the convincing you need.
For one, the place has a $7 French toast that has all the appealing bits: a custardy base, a sweet-warm profile, and an abundance of toppings. If you ask me, though, you just can’t top homemade strawberry jam or honey spread on Turkish bread.
In terms of drinks, milkshakes are their pièce de résistance. The Oreo Megashake is a particular favourite—quite expected in a drink that has Oreo bits and ice cream.
Caffissimo Port Coogee
From caffissimoport
Address: Port Coogee Village Shopping Centre, shop T1/6 Calypso Parade, North Coogee
Contact Details: +61 424 665 696
Operating Hours: Daily – 8 am to 4 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
Caffissimo gets my vote if we’re talking artisanal and locally-brewed coffee. Their brews get flavour from 100% Arabica beans, so each sip pops with cocoa-ish and floral notes.
That’s not to say their bites are an afterthought. I’m a fan of the cafe’s light snacks, mainly the furikake omelette, a sharper and nuttier version of the timeless brekkie dish.
Now and then, I switch it up by having their no-frills avo smash or berry-crowned pancakes. I also tend to diet-break when the Filipino spring rolls are around, which are pure magic with matcha coffee on the side.
