West Coast Drive, Perth
Encyclopedia
West Coast Drive is a scenic north-south route along the Indian Ocean
in the northern suburbs of Perth
, Western Australia
. During the summer its entire length, which is mostly a single-carriageway road with one lane in each direction and many curves, is served by Transperth
bus routes ferrying passengers between the beaches, including Mettams Pool at Trigg
, Watermans Beach, Marmion Beach and Sorrento Beach. In recent years, two- and three-storey houses, often with wide front windows and balconies, have been constructed along the east side of the road.
The road was initially a street which formed part of North Beach
, which from the 1920s onwards was a coastal village which served as a holiday destination for Perth residents. During the Great Depression
a tent city was located at the North Beach Road intersection. The road had to navigate around the original Hamersley family
residence at Beachton Street, but this was demolished in 1961 under Town Planning Scheme No.14 which was drafted in 1959 by the Shire of Perth in order that the road could be straightened. In 1967, the road was extended north to the newly-built Sacred Heart College in Sorrento.
Prior to 1985, West Coast Drive was part of West Coast Highway
and connected through to Scarborough
. However, the demands of massive urban growth in the northern suburbs necessitated the extension of Marmion Avenue
to Scarborough. West Coast Drive was cut off in Trigg and southbound traffic directed onto Karrinyup Road.
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
in the northern suburbs of Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. During the summer its entire length, which is mostly a single-carriageway road with one lane in each direction and many curves, is served by Transperth
Transperth
Transperth is the brand name of the public transport system in Perth, Western Australia. It is operated by the Public Transport Authority.-History:...
bus routes ferrying passengers between the beaches, including Mettams Pool at Trigg
Trigg, Western Australia
Trigg is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Stirling. Trigg is also the name of a small island off the coast of the suburb of Trigg....
, Watermans Beach, Marmion Beach and Sorrento Beach. In recent years, two- and three-storey houses, often with wide front windows and balconies, have been constructed along the east side of the road.
The road was initially a street which formed part of North Beach
North Beach, Western Australia
North Beach is a northern coastal suburb of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, and is located from Perth's central business district via Mitchell Freeway and Reid Highway. Its Local Government Area is the City of Stirling.-History:...
, which from the 1920s onwards was a coastal village which served as a holiday destination for Perth residents. During the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
a tent city was located at the North Beach Road intersection. The road had to navigate around the original Hamersley family
Hamersley family
The Hamersley family were a wealthy and well-connected family of early settlers in the colony of Western Australia. Members of the Hamersley family emigrated to Western Australia from England in 1837.Prominent members and connections of the family include:...
residence at Beachton Street, but this was demolished in 1961 under Town Planning Scheme No.14 which was drafted in 1959 by the Shire of Perth in order that the road could be straightened. In 1967, the road was extended north to the newly-built Sacred Heart College in Sorrento.
Prior to 1985, West Coast Drive was part of West Coast Highway
West Coast Highway
West Coast Highway is a major arterial coastal road located in the western and inner northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia, commencing slightly inland in Swanbourne and heading north via the SAS Campbell Barracks and rifle range to City Beach, Scarborough and Trigg, terminating at the...
and connected through to Scarborough
Scarborough, Western Australia
Scarborough is a coastal suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located approximately 14 km northwest of the city centre in the local government area of the City of Stirling...
. However, the demands of massive urban growth in the northern suburbs necessitated the extension of Marmion Avenue
Marmion Avenue
Marmion Avenue is a major arterial road in Perth, Western Australia, designated State Route 71.It runs through the northern coastal suburbs of Perth from the end of West Coast Highway in Trigg and Karrinyup, to the outer northern suburb of Yanchep...
to Scarborough. West Coast Drive was cut off in Trigg and southbound traffic directed onto Karrinyup Road.