The best outdoor adventures in Perth

Stand Up Paddle Perth

With the summer holiday season almost here, there’s plenty of reason for getting outdoors and exploring Perth’s magnificent coastline, rivers and the many natural wonders that Australia’s sunniest capital has to offer.

To get you started here are thirty-two fun outdoor activities in Perth where you can try something new and get active. 




1. Pack a picnic and head to one of the many outdoor cinemas in Perth. Try the Sommerville film festival at The Pines at UWA, Moonlight Cinemas at Synergy Park in Kings Park, the quaint Kookaburra cinema in the Perth hills, Rooftop Movies in Perth city or head to Perth’s last drive-in cinema in Kingsley. Find a full list of Perth’s outdoor cinemas here.

2. Head to Caversham Park and get up close to Australia’s famous wildlife. Pat a koala, hold a wombat, feed a kangaroo, and watch cattle dogs muster sheep.

3. One of the best outdoor activities in Perth is a swim with wild dolphins with Rockingham Wild Encounters in the beautiful waters of Shoalwater Marine Park.

4. Explore Penguin Island and Seal island on a kayak where you’ll see sea lions, fairy penguins, dolphins, pelicans and thousands of seabirds.

perth outdoor adventures

5. Travel the Bickley Valley wine trail and end the day at the Core Cider House. Find out more about the Bickley Valley here.

Plume Estate Bickley Valley

6. Rent a bicycle at Scarborough Beach and explore the gorgeous beaches along the northern suburbs on a bike. Bikes are available for $1.40 per hour with Spinway WA on the western entry to the Rendezvous Hotel.

7. Do the same in Fremantle and explore the port city on two wheels. Bikes are available at several locations around Fremantle including at the Visitor’s Centre and The Esplanade Hotel.

8. Rent a surfboard at Scarborough Beach or take surf lessons.

9. Go on a day trip to the Swan Valley for wine, beer, gourmet food and all the other finer things in life. Find out here how to spend a perfect day in the Swan Valley.

Lancaster Wines Swan Valley

10. Enjoy the vibe at South Beach in Fremantle followed by a casual beachside dinner at the Saturday night Sunset Markets.

11. Take a drive to Serpentine National Park where you can swim in the rock pool at the waterfall or go on one of several beautiful hikes around the National Park.  Get there early on weekends and public holidays as the Rangers shut the gates when it gets full.

12. Grab some Fish and Chips and eat them anywhere that has a view of the sunset.

13. Go Stand Up Paddleboarding. Board rentals and lessons are available on the river and coast including Pelican Point, Point Walter, Safety Bay, South Perth Foreshore, and Mindarie.

14. For a unique thing to do in Perth rent a catamaran on Coode Street Jetty with Funcats on the South Perth foreshore, sail the beautiful Swan River and enjoy the views of the Perth skyline.


15. Get an indigenous perspective with the Fremantle Indigenous Heritage Tour or the Aboriginal Tours at Elizabeth Quay.

16. Go on a kayaking adventure and explore the Canning or Swan River at your own leisure or take a guided tour. Kayaks tours and rental are available with  Rivergods and About Bike Hire located on Riverside Drive, near the Canning Bridge.

17. Cycle around the Swan River and discover Perth’s riverside suburbs. Bikes can be rented here.

Cycling Swan River

18. Have a seaside brunch overlooking the stunning Indian Ocean. Views are guaranteed at Coast on Port Beach, The Shorehouse in Cottesloe, Bib and Tucker overlooking Leighton Beach, Odyssea in City Beach and The Mullaloo Beach Hotel in Mullaloo.

19. Hit Kings Park where you can explore WA in one day at the Botanical Gardens, go on a treetop walk and climb to the top of the DNA tower for 360 views of Perth.

20. The obvious – a trip to Rotto but where in the world can you find more beautiful beaches!

21. For one of the ultimate outdoor activities in Perth, go skydiving and land on the beach at Rottnest Island with Skydiving Geronimo.

Skydive Geronimo Rottnest

23. Go to a farmer’s market for local produce and brunch. Try Grower’s Green in South Fremantle, Stirling, Kalamunda, Subiaco or the Perth City Farmer’s Markets.

24. Take a scenic river cruise on the Swan River or take the ferry from Perth to Fremantle.

25. Go on a stargazing tour at the Perth Observatory and look at the night sky through their huge telescopes.

Perth Observatory

26. Enjoy a free concert by leading performers local and overseas acts inside the idyllic courtyard at Fremantle Arts Centre. Concerts run every Sunday from 2-4pm, October to March.

27. Take kiteboarding lessons – Perth beaches have the best conditions in the world with plenty of schools offering excellent lessons.

Fun ideas for getting outdoors

28. Explore the gorgeous coastline between Trigg Beach and Hillarys Boat Harbour. Cycle, run or walk along the coastal path, go snorkelling, take a swim at the idyllic Mettams Pool or find your own little private cove anywhere along this strip.


29. Head to John Forrest National Park. Take a picnic, go for a hike, have a beer at the tavern and check out the kangaroos that are usually in the beer garden.

30. Go on a self-guided walking tour of Fremantle or Perth. Maps can be picked up from the Visitor’s Centre in Perth or Fremantle and let you explore the best attractions, cultural heritage and art at your own pace.

31. Go bush without leaving the city. Natural bushland reserves with hiking trails are scattered around the city, including the 437 large hectare Bold Park where you get both city and beach views, Trigg Bushland Reserve in Trigg and Star Swamp in North Beach to name just a few.

32. Head to beautiful Lake Leshenaultia where you can swim to the pontoon, rent a kayak, walk around the lake or simply relax.

Lake Leshenaultia

That’s it! A few ideas for fun things to do in Perth and have an outdoor adventure at the same time. So you have any other to add to the list? Let me know in the comments below.

West Australian Explorer is the Outdoor Guide to WA. Subscribe to the newsletter for travel inspiration straight to your inbox. 

10 Comments

  1. Casey says:

    I love this! The weather is finally looking good for outdoor activities 🙂

  2. Julie says:

    You missed hang out with you!!! I wish I could print your blog posts and make a book!! You have amazing ideas. Love your work ?

  3. Anne says:

    So any things to do in our beautiful city!

  4. […] 32 Fun Ideas for getting outdoors  in Perth  […]

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