Cottesloe Beach towards sunset, pastel colours of winter, Western Australia

Canon 40D, Canon 10-22mm, F22, 1 second, ISO 100

Cottesloe beach is famous for its beautiful beaches, sunsets, cafes and laid back lifestyle. The distinctive avenues of Norfolk Island pines, the colonial style splendour of the Indiana Tea House and the Spanish-style Cottesloe Civic Centre with its magnificent gardens all add to the culture of ‘Cott’. Generations of Western Australians have spent summer days and evenings diving into the Indian Ocean from the distinctive floating bell in the ocean at Cottesloe Beach. Fishermen line the Cottesloe Groyne and surfers and board riders line the Indian Ocean either side of the Cottesloe Groyne. The wide grassy Cottesloe Esplanade offers shady spots for family picnics and concerts are held there. Cottesloe Beach was the venue of choice for many West Australians to celebrate the new millennium. Families and friend picnicked as the sun set over the Indian Ocean for the last time in the 20th century; boats sailed along the beach and the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra serenaded the new millennium from the sands.