In 1928 the Perth City Council (after acquiring the Lime Kilns Estate in 1917) changed the name of the beach formerly known as Ocean Beach to City Beach.
Access to the coast from 1918 to 1951 was by plank road from Wembley, it was known colloquially as ‘The Switchback’.
The City of Perth SLSC Club building and rock groyne were built in 1935 and it is assumed the City Beach Tea Rooms were also built at that time. The wooden Tea Rooms were located on the southern corner of the foreshore road.
From the mid-fifties to early seventies the Tea Rooms were the unofficial headquarters of the City Beach Surfriders Club. The leaseholder of the Tea Rooms gave the Club approval to dig out sand below the building and make an enclosure for Club Meetings and surfboard storage. The Tea Rooms were known as Bert’s, Fred’s, Eric’s, Colin’s & Mario’s as the proprietors changed from the mid-fifties through to the early seventies.
In 1971/72 The Perth City Council demolished the Tea Rooms and replaced it with a concrete kiosk. Sometime later the foreshore road was also removed due to constant beach erosion.
1920’s Jarrah plank road from Wembley to City Beach. Image Town of Cambridge Library – Local Studies.1930s photo of City Beach shows the foreshore road, rubber surf mat hire shed in foreground, two beach kiosks and the Tea Rooms in the background. Image Town of Cambridge Library – Local Studies.1939 City Beach foreshore featuring City of Perth SLSC (centre) and Tea Rooms (right). Photo taken from the groyne. Image Town of Cambridge Library – Local Studies.1958 Bert’s Shop (aka City Beach Tea Rooms). Photo the late Brian Cole.1958 City Board Club members sitting on steps of Bert’s Shop at City Beach. Photo Brian Cole. Incs. Garry Stewart, John Harbison, Charlie Roper and Terry Jacks (standing)1964 City Beach Tea Rooms on the beach front. Photo Robyn McDonald.1964 City Beach Tea Rooms with rock groyne in the background. Photo Robyn McDonald.1965 Hangin’ City Beach Shop/Post Office with Graham McManus’s FJ Holden. Photo Graham McManus. L-RJohn Parker 18, John McCloud 18, John Walligan 18, Graham McManus 18 and Kim Tovey 17. 1966 City Beach Tea Rooms. Photo the late Trevor Burslem.
Footnote:Bert’s City Beach(Restaurant, 187 Challenger Parade) opens on Friday 3 October 2025. The venue pays tribute to the original Bert’s shop with displays of historic foreshore photos and Surf Riders Club memorabilia.
In 1928 the Perth City Council (after acquiring the Lime Kilns Estate in 1917) changed the name of the beach formerly known as Ocean Beach to City Beach.
Access to the coast from 1918 to 1951 was by plank road from Wembley, it was known colloquially as ‘The Switchback’.
The City of Perth SLSC Club building and rock groyne were built in 1935 and it is assumed the City Beach Tea Rooms were also built at that time. The wooden Tea Rooms were located on the southern corner of the foreshore road.
From the mid-fifties to early seventies the Tea Rooms were the unofficial headquarters of the City Beach Surfriders Club. The leaseholder of the Tea Rooms gave the Club approval to dig out sand below the building and make an enclosure for Club Meetings and surfboard storage. The Tea Rooms were known as Bert’s, Fred’s, Eric’s, Colin’s & Mario’s as the proprietors changed from the mid-fifties through to the early seventies.
In 1971/72 The Perth City Council demolished the Tea Rooms and replaced it with a concrete kiosk. Sometime later the foreshore road was also removed due to constant beach erosion.
Incs. Garry Stewart, John Harbison, Charlie Roper and Terry Jacks (standing)
L-R John Parker 18, John McCloud 18, John Walligan 18, Graham McManus 18 and Kim Tovey 17.
Many thanks to Cambridge Library Local Studies and other photo contributors for sharing your images.
Footnote: Bert’s City Beach (Restaurant, 187 Challenger Parade) opens on Friday 3 October 2025. The venue pays tribute to the original Bert’s shop with displays of historic foreshore photos and Surf Riders Club memorabilia.
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