Categories > Guides and Tips
A Year-Round Guide to Leighton Beach (Activities for All Seasons)
- Things to Know
- How to Get There
- Things to Do
- Take a dip or have a snorkel sesh
- Let the pups run wild at Leighton Beach Dog Exercise Area
- Surf
- Unleash the kiddos at Cottesloe Nature Discovery Space
- Scout out the old firepower at Leighton Battery
- Where to Eat
- Palette Fremantle
- Bib and Tucker
- The Beach Bus
- MRKT SPACE
- Uncle Santos
‘Let’s laze off at Leighton Beach!’ has become one of our circle’s favourite lines, and we don’t even wait for the sunnier months to shine to drop it.
The postcard-worthy Indian Ocean has something to do with that. Now, toss in the snorkelling nooks, family-friendly shallows, and picnic zones, and you’ll see why the place is often crawling with Perthites and tourists.
But, hey, you have to experience Leighton Beach to know Leighton Beach. Lucky for you, we have a guide that can help you do that.
Things to Know
Address: Leighton Beach
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance from the Perth CBD: 35 mins (14.7 km)
Surf Forecast
Weather Forecast
How to Get There
By Train: To reach Leighton Beach from the Perth CBD, you must hop on the Fremantle Line. The train will stop at North Fremantle Station, which is across Curtin Ave, the path you’ll have to follow to reach the beach itself.
By Bus: For bus riders, you’ll get to Leighton Beach by boarding Bus Lines 103 and 24, stopping at St Georges Tce.
Those buses will take you to Stirling Hwy After Broadway, where you must then hop onto Bus Line 999, stopping at North Fremantle Station.
By Car: You can park at Leighton Beach Parking. Drivers can access it via Curtin Ave, and it’s near the area for dogs.
By Taxi: Our breakdown below can help you budget for taxi fares. We ensured that the info is updated as of May 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 or have a snorkel sesh
From wain.mufunga
Wouldn’t feel right starting this guide with anything other than swimming or snorkelling. After all, Leighton Beach is for dipping with the fam, as the waves are mellow enough for newbie swimmers or kiddos.
The turquoise water is also clear, so snorkelling is a goer. You’ll likely spot corals and little critters, but if your luck is maxing out, leafy sea dragons might make an appearance!
If you really don’t want to risk it, the best go-time is between March and September. That’s when lifeguards are on patrol, mainly on weekends and hols.
Let the pups run wild at Leighton Beach Dog Exercise Area
From dagwood_doodle
Address: North Fremantle
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Most arvos, you’ll see us at Leighton Beach Dog Exercise Area with our pups playing in the sand. The 2-km stretch is a designated dog zone, which means there’s an off-lead area for sprints and socialising.
Parking is also dead easy, entry doesn’t cost a quid, and there are poop bags at the ready. Of course, your pups can swim; the water down there is gentle, too.
However, we advise bringing enough sunscreen since shade is very meh. Seating options are limited as well, so packing a mat would do you wonders, especially if you’re staying until sunset.
Surf
From gosurfperth
Surfers flock to Leighton Beach, and consistency is one swell reason why. Most days, the waves’ length stays under 50 metres, and those southwest waves stay steady, particularly in winter.
On top of that, it’s a sweet spot for both rookies and hardcore surfers. Groms can stick to the gentle whitewash, while vets can chase powerful greenwalls for trickier manoeuvres.
Come summer, the waves bring kitesurfers and windsurfers too. Just avoid the weekend madness if you’re not keen on sharing space with swimmers, snorkelers, and the occasional summer surfer.
Unleash the kiddos at Cottesloe Nature Discovery Space
From cathfitz_ot
Address: Cottesloe
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Website
Nature-based play develops kids holistically, so it’s only natural we’re always at the Cottesloe Nature Discovery Centre. Our tiny adventurers seriously lose their minds over the logs and rocks installed there.
Even our artsy and curious little ones love the space. There are tons of animal carvings to peruse, though they prefer the glass portals more since the installations show natural patterns in great detail.
However, don’t rock up expecting slides or swings; the spot leans more into imaginative play. Still, your kids are in for a workout; there’s a humpback climber to scale and limestone paths to explore.
Scout out the old firepower at Leighton Battery
From helloperth
Address: Buckland Hill Reserve, Boundary Rd
Contact Details: +61 459 783 871
Operating Hours: Sun – 10 am to 3 pm
Website
Gun and history buffs might never leave Leighton Battery, so keep that in mind before visiting. You see, this heritage-listed landmark is one of Australia’s most historic, as it shielded Fremantle Harbour from invaders during WWII.
Up top is where you’ll find the firepower: a 6-inch coastal defence gun and 3.7-inch anti-aircraft weaponry. As a bonus, there’s an immersive lookout where you can take in the panoramic Indian Ocean.
More interesting turns await underground, down at the 10-metre-deep tunnels of limestone rocks. There, visitors get to witness history firsthand by entering WWII ammunition rooms and rest areas, for a small price, of course.
Where to Eat
Palette Fremantle
From palettefreo
Address: 1 Freeman Loop, North Fremantle
Contact Details: +61 8 9335 4159
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Sat – 6:30 am to 3:30 pm
- Sun – 7 am to 3:30 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
Palette Fremantle is one of those joints that can’t decide if it’s going to be an art gallery or a coastal restaurant—so it does both, exceptionally, I might add.
Lunch and brekkie staples are their crowd-pullers, especially the $34 steak sandwich. We smashed it on our last run here, and the grass-fed striploin was to die for; it was umami, a tad earthy, and somewhat herby, thanks to salsa verde.
If you’re a morning person, though, the $25 Turkish eggs might hit better, especially if you follow it with a matcha latte. The combination is a gift to the taste buds—spicy, creamy, and tangy without going overboard.
Bib and Tucker
From _bibandtucker_
Address: 18 Leighton Beach Blvd, North Fremantle
Contact Details: +61 8 9433 2147
Operating Hours: Wed to Sun – 8 am to 10 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
We’re usually off to Bib and Tucker to make our Leighton Beach jaunt extra spesh. Their modern Australian eats are mouthwatering, and those ocean, golden hour outlooks? Chef’s kiss.
We often start with lobster tacos, each at $14. Every piece is buttery and sweet, but you can also pick up light smoky notes courtesy of Espelette peppers.
For the main, our vote goes to the $22 pork hock—every time. A red miso glaze covers this crackling number, and while it’s mainly savoury, there are gingery and apple tart hints to savour.
The Beach Bus
From thebeachbus_
Address: 1 Curtin Ave, Mosman Park
Contact Details: +61 466 343 244
Operating Hours: Tue to Sun – 7 am to 2 pm
Pricing: $
Website
Watching dogs zoom through the sand while scoffing cheap acai bowls at The Beach Bus is pure Leighton Beach energy.
Sixteen bucks gets you a loaded one, like our go-to Berry Ripe. Granola gives it some weight and crunch, while strawberries and coconut bits freshen the deal.
Acai smoothies are also on the menu, ideal for when Perth is red-hot. Grabbed the $11 cup last time, and what can I say? Pineapples and mangos blended in coconut water taste fan-freaking-tastic.
MRKT SPACE
From mrktspace
Address: 19 Freeman Loop, North Fremantle
Contact Details: +61 403 839 464
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 6:30 am to 8:30 pm
- Fri to Sat – 6:30 am to 9 pm
- Sun – 6:30 am to 8:30 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
That textbook Leighton Beach sunset hits differently with pizza from MRTK Space. Their slices are Roman-style, so expect thin, airy, but crisp bases.
Unsurprisingly, the $26 margherita is one of the most talked about. You just can’t go wrong with the holy trinity: basil, Fior di latte mozzarella, and crushed Italian tomatoes.
And, of course, when there’s pizza, there’s vino—reds, whites, and bubbles specifically. If your budget isn’t ready for wines, though, their Negronis and margs still slap.
Uncle Santos
From uncle.santos
Address: Mosman Dog Beach, Carpark 2, Curtin Ave
Contact Details: +61 414 002 806
Operating Hours: Tue – 9 am to 5 pm
Pricing: $
Website
There are kebab-mad folks in AvenuePerth who can’t stop talking about Uncle Santos, and I’m one of them. You’ll get the hype once you’ve had a fill of their authentically Lebanese meat.
Be it chicken, lamb, or beef, they season it with traditional spices like coriander and garlic, resulting in a savoury and aromatic ensemble. The same profile is present in the vegan options, although they’re mintier, particularly the falafel kebab.
Another thing we love is their Lebanese mint lemonade. It’s downright tangy and citrusy, a refresher with no syrupy nonsense.
