The wreck of the Omeo is located about 40 metres off the coast north of Coogee Beach. It lies submerged in about 2-4 metres of water and is clearly visible from Omeo Park. Omeo Park has a viewing platform so you can climb the stairs to look down at the wreck or, if you wish to explore the Coogee Maritime Trail, a 300m dive and snorkel trail in 2-3 metre deep waters, you can access the trail by entering the water from the stairs leading down from the platform. The platform also offers magnificent views down the coast.
There are limited parking bays at Omeo Park which has lovely landscaped gardens, a picnic shelter and interpretive signage. Across the road is Socrates Park which is the start/end point of the Nyungar Tourist Trail.
From Omeo and Socrates Parks a landscaped shared use pathway winds it's way down to Coogee Beach Reserve. There are a number of beach access points if you prefer to walk with sand between your toes.
Coogee Beach Reserve is a large open space which historically was a popular picnic destination housing Poole's tearooms. In the 1930's many shacks and sheds were built along the beachfront until they were demolished in the 1960s. The heritage of Coogee Beach is reflected in the picnic shelters, lined up to represent the beach shacks of old, and decorated with mosaics depicting Coogee's past.
There are also four art works which form part of the series of seven Coogee Heritage Markers displayed around Coogee describing different activities that have occurred since European settlement. The tall limestone columns host steel sculptures and an information panel. These and other public art works form part of the City of Cockburn's Drive Thru Art Gallery.
The Coogee Hotel, opposite the Reserve, was built in 1899 and became known as the honeymooners’ hotel due to it’s popularity with newlyweds for it's gardens and proximity to the beach. After 1929 it became an orphanage which closed in 1969. Recently the hotel has been renovated as part of the Coogee Common development which includes working kitchen gardens.
Walk out onto Coogee Jetty, built in the 1960's, for stunning views up and down the beaches and across Cockburn Sound (Derbal Nara).
Coogee Beach is a lovely sheltered beach. An Eco Shark Barrier to the north of the jetty means you can swim safely.
Coogee Reserve has plenty of parking, barbecues, picnic shelters, public toilets, a cafe, exercise equipment and a large traditional playground. The Coogee Beach Holiday Park extends from the southern edge of the reserve.
From here we continued to walk south exploring Woodman Point in a loop before returning to our car at Omeo Park. Woodman Point is home to several camping grounds so keep it in mind for your summer camping trips.
The walk from the Omeo Wreck to Coogee Beach Reserve is just under 1 kilometre and will take about 15 minutes each way. It is flat and suitable for prams, bikes and scooters. On the return leg we walked along the northern section of Coogee Beach, which stretches for about 4km from the Omeo Wreck down towards Woodman Point.
To read more blogs go to:
In the spirit of reconciliation Out and About- Family Nature Connection acknowledges the traditional owners of the Wadjak boodjar (Perth land) and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
Comments