Ride along the Sunset Coast:
Ride 5 - City Beach to Cottesloe
A good place to commence your ride or walk is at the City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club premises adjacent to the car park.
Take the red-paved shared path which leads south from the last car parking area. This path goes down the beach side of Challenger Parade and crosses a number of beach access sand tracks so cyclists should ride slowly.
The area between the shared path and the beach is part of a large A-class reserve called Bold Park and cyclists are not permitted to go off the designated path.
At a Perth Bicycle Network sign indicating that Cottesloe Beach is 6.7 kilometres, the path changes to bitumen. A further 500 metres along it begins to skirt the western side of West Coast Highway. In one place (near the junction with Rochdale Road), the shared path abuts this very busy road so care should be taken not to go over the dividing kerb and into oncoming traffic.
Continue south where the shared path becomes concrete and moves closer to the coast. It skirts the eastern side of a military rifle range that is guarded by a high fence. Do not enter the rifle range under any circumstances. |
The route travels through picturesque western suburbs such as Swanbourne. |
South of the rifle range the path crosses Alfred Road. About 150 metres further on and it changes to a red-paved surface. Care should be taken crossing the access road to Campbell Barracks (this is a signalised intersection). Further on again and you will see a path branching off to the left and going under West Coast Highway. This leads to the old Swanbourne Senior High School site.
Continue south on the shared path and begin a steep descent as the path runs downhill on the eastern side of Langoulant Road. Climb up a slight hill and make a right turn into Lynton Street. Ride down Lynton Street and at the bottom make a right and then a quick left turn into Sayer Street.
Note: Pedestrians can use a footpath that runs down the northern side of Lynton Street and the southern side of Sayer Street.
About 100 metres down Sayer Street on the left you will see the commencement of a shared path. Follow this as it winds along a wide bitumen section through the bush and comes out on the western side of Kirkwood Road.
Head south on the concrete shared path past Allen Park. The shared path bends to the right and climbs up the side of Clement Street past a row of tall pine trees and the Allen Park Tennis Club. The shared path continues along the side of Odern Crescent. Care should be taken crossing an access road to the Swanbourne Bowling Club near the top of a hill. At the peak of this hill you will see the ocean again for the first time since departing City Beach.
At the bottom of a fairly steep descent the path skirts the car parking area for Swanbourne Beach so watch for traffic entering and leaving. Follow the concrete path around to the left and along the beach front. This goes all the way along the promenade past North Cottesloe Beach to Cottesloe and bike racks are strategically placed at several beach access points along the way if you wish to stop for a swim.
Cottesloe Beach is one of Perth's premier recreation areas and is a very popular swimming spot with many facilities including hotels, restaurants and a good range of shops.
Remember Cycling Courtesy:
Give way to pedestrians - remember they are slower and can be unpredictable.
