Beaches

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The City of Cockburn is responsible for the management of 15km of scenic coastline in south metropolitan Perth. Beaches in Cockburn have many facilities including BBQs, playgrounds and walking trails. C.Y. O’Connor is the City’s only dog friendly beach.

Beaches in Cockburn

Cockburn’s coastline is a pristine wonderland of secluded and safe beaches that house a range of activities and experiences for residents and visitors.

Our coastline is home to a great variety of fantastic facilities including the Coogee Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, Coogee Beach Eco-shark barrier, cafes, BBQs, grassed areas, jetties and the Port Coogee Marina.

The City's picturesque beaches also provide opportunities for an array of recreational activities such as swimming, kite surfing, stand up paddle boarding, sailing and jogging.

Coogee Beach Reserve

Coogee Beach Reserve is in the suburb of Coogee and is part of the Woodman Point Regional Park. Coogee Beach is one of Cockburn’s most popular coastal spots and hosts a number of events throughout the year, including the annual Australia Day Coogee Beach Fest, Coogee Live and the Jetty-to-Jetty Swim.

In the summer time, you can float on or dive off the two pontoons which are in the water on either side of the Coogee Beach Jetty. The pontoon at the northern end is inside the safety of the Eco-shark barrier. You can snorkel around the wreck of the Omeo shipwreck. Coogee Beach is a great beach for swimmers and if you are lucky, you might see a dolphin or the occasional sea lion.
 
Facilities at Coogee Beach include:

  • Walking and cycling trails
  • Lookout
  • Toilets and showers
  • BBQ and picnic areas
  • Playgrounds.
To book one of three areas at Coogee Beach Reserve to host an event or social occasion, visit our online booking system to secure your space.

C.Y. O'Connor Reserve

Most facilities are situated at the southern end of the beach at McTaggart Cove in North Coogee. The area is ideal for swimming, diving, and snorkelling. You will find BBQ, picnic, toilet and shower facilities at McTaggart Cove. C.Y. O’Connor Beach includes a shipwreck off the coast and a designated dog beach. Facilities include walking and cycling trails, toilets and showers, BBQ and picnic facilities.  

Erosion at C.Y. O'Connor
C.Y. O'Connor has experienced persistent erosion since the late 1990s. Studies have identified that erosion will continue and the shoreline will recede further if no action is taken.

What are we doing?

  • Minor sand nourishment was completed in July 2023. Approximately 6750 m3 of sand was shifted from south of Island Street groyne to the north side of Catherine Point Groyne where it is eroding.

  • A 100m long erosion reduction reef was installed off the beach in front of the parkland area at Rollinson Road in early 2022. The reef is a trial project that aims to reduce the severity of erosion and sand nourishment requirements. Part-funded by the WA Department of Transport, the project will test the effectiveness of an engineered reef for wave reduction and erosion control as an alternative to conventional groynes and seawalls. The City is awaiting results from University of Western Australia to confirm how it is performing. The City has won a federal grant to extend the fringing reef and this will occur after the first stage’s results confirms the viability of the extension.

  • A buried Geotextile Sand Container (GSC) seawall was installed at the dunes in front of Rollinson Road park area, along with revegetation and rehabilitation of the dunes. This project, part funded by CoastWest, has been complementing the engineered fringing reef by acting as a backstop to severe storm erosion. This winter the GSC seawall was exposed and the City is currently researching how to best repair the asset before next winter.

​For more information view the Coastal Adaptation and Cockburn Sound Coastal Alliance webpage.

Dog-friendly beaches

Visit the City's dog exercise areas webpage for details of dog friendly beaches. 

Beach recreational activities

The City aims to support activity diversity in a manner that facilitates safe and enjoyable experiences for ocean users. As such, land and water-based activities classified as low to medium impact, are recommended to be permitted to occur along the City’s coastline without restriction, except in areas of significant conflict i.e. boat launching areas. This approach is consistent with feedback which was provided by several key stakeholders as part of the Department of Transport’s South Metropolitan Aquatic Use Review.
 
Land and water-based activities classified as high impact should be subject to restrictions in order to reduce the level of impact they pose to other ocean users. Designated areas and exclusion zones should therefore apply for these classified activities.
 
The Coastal Activities Map (refer to Related Documents) outlines the designated areas and exclusion zones for where high impact activities either permitted or not permitted to occur.
 
While high impact areas have been provided with designated areas of usage, this does not provide exclusive access to these areas. All beach users should still be able to access these areas should they wish, however the areas will be appropriately Each sign posted to ensure all users are aware of the associated risks.

Recreation and Leisure Traders Licence

Do you own a business which you think could enhance the City's coastline as a destination for recreational pursuits? Each Each year the City seeks applications from suitably qualified recreation and leisure traders wishing to operate along the City’s coastline and adjacent reserves.

Applications should be highly motivated in assisting the City create its vision which is to ensure that the Cockburn of the future will be the most attractive place to live, work, visit and invest in, within the Perth metropolitan area.

Some examples of the types of operators which the City would consider include:
  • Kite Surfing Lessons
  • Stand Up Paddling Lessons
  • Inflatable Playground
  • Snorkel Hire
  • Dog Washing
  • Stand Up Paddle Board/Canoe Hire.

Coogee Beach Jetty to Jetty Swim

The Coogee Beach Jetty to Jetty Swim is held each year in March. The popular annual event is organised by the Cockburn Masters Swimming Club.

More information and contact

All enquiries should be directed to the City's Recreation Services Department by phoning 9411 3654 or email.

Contact

Address

City of Cockburn
Whadjuk Boodja
9 Coleville Crescent,
Spearwood 6163

PO Box 1215, Bibra Lake DC,
Western Australia, 6965

Office opening hours:
8.30am to 4.30pm
Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

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Cockburn Nyungar moort Beeliar boodja-k kaadadjiny. Koora, yeyi, benang baalap nidja boodja-k kaaradjiny.
Ngalak kaadatj dayin boodja, kep wer malayin. Ngalak kaadatj koora koora wer yeyi ngalang birdiya.

City of Cockburn acknowledges the Nyungar people of Beeliar boodja. Long ago, now and in the future they care for Country.
We acknowledge a continuing connection to land, waters and culture and pay our respects to the Elders, past and present.