Cottesloe, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cottesloe Perth, Western Australia
View of Cottesloe Beach in summer 2006/07
• Density	2,256.9/km2 (5,845/sq mi)
Established	1870
Postcode(s)	6011
Elevation	11 m (36 ft)
Area	3.856 km2 (1.489 sq mi)
Location	11 km (7 mi) WSW of Perth CBD
LGA(s)	Town of Cottesloe
State electorate(s)	Cottesloe
Federal Division(s)	Curtin
Suburbs around Cottesloe: Indian Ocean Swanbourne Claremont Indian Ocean Cottesloe Peppermint Grove Indian Ocean Mosman Park Mosman Park

Cottesloe is a popular beachside suburb in Perth, Western Australia. It is known for its beautiful beaches, cool cafes, and relaxed way of life. The suburb is located about halfway between Perth's city center and the port of Fremantle.

Cottesloe was named after Thomas Fremantle, 1st Baron Cottesloe. He was a well-known politician. His brother, Sir Charles Fremantle, is who the city of Fremantle was named after. The nearby suburb of Swanbourne also has a connection to the Fremantle family. It was named after their family home in England.

A famous Australian Prime Minister, John Curtin, lived in Cottesloe. The house he built is still standing today. It is now looked after by the National Trust of Australia (WA) and Curtin University.

About Cottesloe

Cottesloe is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the west. To the south, it meets Mosman Park. The eastern side is next to the Perth-Fremantle Railway and Stirling Highway. North Street forms the northern border.

Most of Cottesloe is residential, meaning people live there. There is also a main shopping area. This area is found near Cottesloe railway station.

Who Lives in Cottesloe?

In 2016, about 7,375 people lived in Cottesloe. Most of them (68.8%) were born in Australia. Other common birthplaces included England (8.6%), South Africa (1.8%), and New Zealand (1.6%).

Most people in Cottesloe (86.6%) speak only English at home. When it comes to housing, most homes (66.9%) are separate houses. About 18.1% are flats or apartments.

Cottesloe Beach and Landmarks

Cottesloe Beach is a very important part of Perth's history. Pictures and paintings show how much beach activities have meant to the community for over 100 years. It's a popular spot for beach cricket. There's also an oceanway for walking and cycling along the beaches.

It is one of Perth's most loved beaches. In 2009, the travel guide Lonely Planet called Cottesloe Beach the second-best beach in the world for families.

The Indiana Tea House is a famous building that overlooks Cottesloe Beach. It is an important symbol of the suburb. In 2021, it was added to the Western Australia Heritage Register.

There have been some changes to town planning in Cottesloe. New rules allow buildings up to five storeys high along Marine Terrace. The Ocean Beach Hotel site can even be eight storeys tall. This decision came after a long debate that lasted two decades.

In 2020, there was also a lot of discussion about building a skatepark in Cottesloe. This led to strong debates between local residents and skateboarders.

Cottesloe Beach and the iconic Indiana Tea House

Getting Around Cottesloe

Cottesloe has several train stations on the Fremantle Line. These include Swanbourne, Grant Street, Cottesloe, Mosman Park, and Victoria Street.

Buses also run along Stirling Highway and through different parts of the suburb. These buses connect Cottesloe to Perth and Fremantle. All public transport services are run by the Public Transport Authority.

Beach cricket being played at Cottesloe Beach

Kayaking competition at Cottesloe beach on a Western Australian Sunday

Famous People from Cottesloe

John Curtin, who was the Prime Minister of Australia during much of World War II, lived in Cottesloe. He was the local Member of Parliament for the area from 1928 to 1931 and again from 1934 until his death in 1945. He lived in Cottesloe from 1918 until he passed away.

Curtin's house on Jarrad Street is now looked after by the National Trust of Australia (WA) and Curtin University. There was talk of moving the house to the university, but it was decided to keep it in Cottesloe. In 2009, the government provided money to help restore the house.

Kathleen Hope Barnes was a leading Australian nurse. She was born in Cottesloe in 1909. She received an MBE award for her important work.

Claude de Bernales was a businessman who worked in mining. In 1911, he bought a large house called Overton Lodge. In 1936, he rebuilt it into a huge 30-room mansion. The Town of Cottesloe bought this house in 1950. They renamed it the Cottesloe War Memorial Town Hall and Civic Centre.

Chris Mainwaring, a former player for the West Coast Eagles football team, also lived in Cottesloe. He was part of a team that won a championship.