Cottesloe has been one of the most popular beaches in WA since the 1880s when the suburb of Cottesloe was established.
Erosion has been a problem at Cottesloe beaches since the 1910s.
Mother Nature and man-made beach management measures (at Cottesloe and beaches south to Fremantle) have impacted on the quality of waves in the region.
Cottesloe Jetty 1907-1952
The jetty was situated at the foot of Forrest Street and was completed towards the end of 1907. It was constructed of wood and stretched almost 116m out to sea and was 3m wide. It comprised a rotunda and boat landing platform. The jetty was a popular diving platform, much to the dismay of the Cottesloe Roads Board who, in the early years of the jetty’s operation, actively discouraged both the Surf Life Savers and the public from using the jetty for diving practice.
The jetty became a major attraction for the area with brass bands playing every Sunday and on public holidays at the rotunda. Passengers from the Zephyr pleasure steamer would disembark to listen to the music before heading off to Rottnest Island. A second jetty was opened in 1922. Fishing and diving were popular activities along with moonlit evening strolls.
The jetty was continually battered by storms and heavy seas. This, together with damage caused by the wood boring Teredo Worm, rendered most of the jetty unsafe for use and despite attempts by the Council to save the iconic structure, it was demolished with a charge of gelignite in 1952. (Source Grove Library)
c1920 Cottesloe jetty with Indiana Tea House in the background. Image courtesy Grove Library.1952 Blowing up Cottesloe jetty. Image courtesy Grove Library
Cottesloe groyne 1960 – present
By the 1950s the rocky beach exposed by winter storms and nor-westerly winds, was contributing to the fall in popularity of Cottesloe Beach. Recognising it did not have the money or expertise to solve the problem, the council called on the State Government to help.
After detailed study by Dr Richard Sylvester of the University of Western Australia, a design for a groyne at Mudurup Rocks was completed and building began in 1960.
1947 Cottesloe Beach looking south prior to building of Cottesloe groyne in 1960. Photo King family.1960 Aerial view of Cottesloe Beach and new groyne at Mudurup Rocks Cottesloe. Photo courtesy Grove LibraryCPM01963.
1950s Cottesloe beaches
1957 Dean St Cottesloe surfers Ron Allen, David Aylett & Keith Campbell on Hollow Ski Boards (on right). Keith Campbell pic.1959 Dutch Inn Cottesloe surfers Alan MacGilvray and Keith Campbell. Keith Campbell pic
1960s Cottesloe beaches
1964 Bombora Surf Riders body surfing & riding Malibu boards at Vera View Parade Cottesloe. Photo Nick Thomas RIP.1960s Glen Smith, Cliff Hills, Rob Birch & Graham Booth with bikes & Malibu boards in front of North Cottesloe surf club. Photo Cliff Hills1960 Mark ‘Patto’ Paterson head stand at Cottesloe. Photo courtesy Patto.1965 Cottesloe Beach featuring Centenary Bathing Pavilion before demolition in 1982. Photo courtesy Grove Library.1966 Cottesloe main break. Surfers Artie Shaw & others with the old pylon on the right. Photo Nick Thomas RIP1964 Looking south from Mudurup Rocks Cottesloe towards Isolated reef and beyond. Post card image courtesy Edgar Scheepmaker1964 State Junior Champion Mike Bibby surfing Seconds at the Cove Cottesloe. Photographer unknown. 1967 Surfers parked on the beach front Cottesloe south. Photo courtesy State Library.1967 Isolated Reef Cottesloe State Spring Titles competitors Kaye Hocking, Maureen Farrell & Carol McDonald RIP. Media photo.1967 State Junior Champion Ian Cairns surfing Isolated Reef Cottesloe. Photo Greg Woodward.1966 Surfers Paul Allen & Nick Thomas with Malibu boards at Dutch Inn Cottesloe.. Photo Nick Thomas RIP
Cottesloe has been one of the most popular beaches in WA since the 1880s when the suburb of Cottesloe was established.
Erosion has been a problem at Cottesloe beaches since the 1910s.
Mother Nature and man-made beach management measures (at Cottesloe and beaches south to Fremantle) have impacted on the quality of waves in the region.
Cottesloe Jetty 1907-1952
The jetty was situated at the foot of Forrest Street and was completed towards the end of 1907. It was constructed of wood and stretched almost 116m out to sea and was 3m wide. It comprised a rotunda and boat landing platform. The jetty was a popular diving platform, much to the dismay of the Cottesloe Roads Board who, in the early years of the jetty’s operation, actively discouraged both the Surf Life Savers and the public from using the jetty for diving practice.
The jetty became a major attraction for the area with brass bands playing every Sunday and on public holidays at the rotunda. Passengers from the Zephyr pleasure steamer would disembark to listen to the music before heading off to Rottnest Island. A second jetty was opened in 1922. Fishing and diving were popular activities along with moonlit evening strolls.
The jetty was continually battered by storms and heavy seas. This, together with damage caused by the wood boring Teredo Worm, rendered most of the jetty unsafe for use and despite attempts by the Council to save the iconic structure, it was demolished with a charge of gelignite in 1952. (Source Grove Library)
Cottesloe groyne 1960 – present
By the 1950s the rocky beach exposed by winter storms and nor-westerly winds, was contributing to the fall in popularity of Cottesloe Beach. Recognising it did not have the money or expertise to solve the problem, the council called on the State Government to help.
After detailed study by Dr Richard Sylvester of the University of Western Australia, a design for a groyne at Mudurup Rocks was completed and building began in 1960.
1950s Cottesloe beaches
1960s Cottesloe beaches
Related content
The Grove Library in the Town of Mosman Park has a wonderful collection of Cottesloe Surfing History material.
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