Drummond Cove: Coastline and Cottage Heritage

Drummond Cove appeals to travellers who want to experience the coast not just as a backdrop, but also as a shaped living environment. A popular beach, foreshore and coastal protection measures, and a rare ensemble of former holiday accommodation give the place several interesting facets. This offers different options when planning your holiday: the beach and its coastal landscape, or the history of the small cottages, which tell of an earlier way of holidaying.

Coast between beach and protection measures

A new groyne and a reinforced seawall protect the Drummond Cove foreshore for local beachgoers and tourists. In addition, two structures built in 2018, together with beach nourishment, have stabilised a section of the popular beach. Both the beach and the way the foreshore is managed are part of the character of the place. Those interested in coastal landscapes can include specific protection and stabilisation measures in their exploration of this coastal town, alongside the beach itself.

Cottages with a distinctive holiday history

The historic ensemble at Drummond Cove is of aesthetic significance because of the vernacular design of its individual cottages, their modest size and the use of similar building materials. These features are what give the ensemble its distinctive character: the cottages are seen as individual buildings, yet share a modest scale and similar materials. Drummond Cove is also a rare example of an earlier way of living in holiday accommodation. This is no longer found elsewhere in Western Australia as a result of rapid development and the increased commercial value of coastal property. For travellers interested in the history of coastal holidays, this is an unusual aspect of the place’s identity.

One specific historic building is Captain Drummond's Cottage (Mary Drummond's Cottage, Seaview (fmr)). It is listed as Heritage Place No. 3802 at the corner of Bayside Bvd and North West Coastal Hwy in Drummonds Cove. The cottage’s name, Heritage Place number and precise location give it a distinct place in the area’s history.

Ospreys and traces at the bay

Ospreys can be spotted at Drummond Cove. This makes the place appealing to travellers who want to look out for wildlife as well as enjoy the beach landscape. Remains of a shell deposit, a shell midden, are also located at the northern tip of Drummond Cove bay. This distinctive feature adds a different dimension to the beach and coastal protection: it complements wildlife watching and the cottage heritage with another specific connection to the bay. Those exploring the different facets of the place will find more than just a single coastal theme.

Getting your bearings around the boat launching area

An informal boat launching area is located south of John Batten Community Hall on Whitehill Road. Foreshore erosion along Whitehill Road affects access to it. If you are taking this spot into account as you get your bearings, be sure to consider the access restriction. The different interests in Drummond Cove can help guide your choice of holiday accommodation: the beach and coastal landscape, wildlife watching, or the history of the holiday cottages.

More places to explore: Woodvale, Osborne Park, Carbunup River, Kukerin, Bremer Bay, Pickering Brook, Redmond and Clackline.

For the broader travel overview: Western Australia.