Looking for outdoor activities in and around the WA capital? It might be one of the world’s most isolated cities, but there are plenty of great things to do outdoors in Perth and surrounds. This is Australia’s sunniest city, so you’ll also get plenty of blue-sky days for your adventures! Visit Rottnest Island, dive underwater, go stargazing and more with our guide to the best outdoor activities in Perth and beyond.
#1 Desert sunset and stargazing
You won’t want to miss the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park, about two hours north of Perth. This park has thousands of limestone rock formations rising up from the sand. You can take the Pinnacles Desert Sunset and Stargazing Tour in the afternoon. It includes sandboarding, viewing wildflowers at Nilgen Nature Reserve (seasonal) and a guided bush tucker and bush medicine walk at Hangover Bay. Arriving at the Pinnacles for a sunset dinner is a highlight not to be missed. You’ll then enjoy a guided stargazing experience revealing the moon’s craters and distant stars through a telescope.
#2 Rottnest adventure via ferry and bike
When it comes to outdoor activities in Perth and the surrounding area, Rottnest Island is a must-visit destination. Start your adventure with a high-speed ferry ride from Freo; it takes 25 minutes to reach the island. Or, if you’re departing from Perth, take the one-hour cruise along the Swan River, to where it meets the Indian Ocean at Fremantle.
Once on Rottnest Island, a great way to explore its car-free beauty is with a rented bike. You can also access lots of cool spots on foot, and there are hop-on-hop-off shuttle buses to take people around too. The island has breathtaking views and you can see unique wildlife, including the famous photo-bombing quokkas! Food options are plentiful, with something for everyone. Be sure to search the tour options for optional upgrades, such as lunch or snorkelling.
Did you know? Known as “Rotto” to locals, “Rottnest” means “rats’ nest” and was named by Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh. The name comes from the ship’s crew thinking that the resident quokkas were actually rats!
#3 Hit the hiking trails
Perth is also a fantastic destination for bush walks and hiking trails. You can explore urban trails in Kings Park near the CBD, or the scenic and challenging tracks in the Perth Hills and Peel Region. Enjoy unique flora and fauna, including wildflowers in spring and stunning scenery with waterfalls, rivers, islands and wetlands. You can also discover the region’s colonial and Indigenous history. Here are just a few trail options of different lengths:
King Jarrah Track, Dwellingup
This is an 18km loop trail taking in forests of jarrah and banksia trees, along with the majestic King Jarrah Tree. The walk starts at Nanga Mill campground and climbs quickly to offer good valley views and continues along the ridge.
Kings Park Bushland Nature Trail
A 25-minute loop, this trail highlights Western Australia’s wildflowers, trees and birdlife. It’s also one of the outdoor activities in Perth that’s suitable for just about all groups, including people with disabilities.
Mundlimup Timber Trails, Jarrahdale
This trail is 55km south of Perth and highlights a history of logging as it passes through a jarrah forest. Starting at Mundlimup Recreation Site, it crosses a bridge over an old railway. It continues through an old sawpit area with evidence of past logging operations.
Wandoo Heights Walking Trail
Here, you can walk among wildflowers and enjoy panoramic views of the Swan Coastal Plain. Best explored from mid-autumn to late spring, the trail showcases diverse plant life like Kangaroo Paw and Bull Banksia.
Mount Dale Walk Trail
This one-to-two-hour trail follows the contours of Mount Dale to its peak, offering impressive views of the Darling Ranges. Enjoy the sights of Mount Cooke and farmland while strolling through Jarrah forests. Entry fees to Helena National Park apply.
#4 Visit Swan Valley and a wildlife park
Another great escape from the city centre is a half-day tour of the Swan Valley – or hire a car and drive there yourself to explore at leisure. This region of Western Australia is known for its food and wine – in fact, there are more than 30 wineries. Tours generally include a visit to a winery and to one of the chocolate makers or cheese makers in the district to sample local products.
At Caversham Wildlife Park, you’ll get up close with kangaroos, koalas, and other Australian animals. The knowledgeable guides share tips and tricks to ensure you see the amazing animals up close at the park. They also provide extensive knowledge about the wildlife in the park and Western Australia – not to mention giving sightseeing and dining recommendations on the bus back to the city!
#5 Fishing escapades
Whether you’re an experienced angler or looking to try it out, fishing is one of the outdoor activities in Perth that everyone can enjoy. You’ll find plenty of great spots along the city’s coast, lakes and rivers, too – and the Swan and Canning Rivers are especially popular. Here are some top spots for fishing in the region:
North and East Fremantle
North Fremantle’s Harvest Road is a hotspot for tailor, flounder, cobbler and sometimes mulloway. Over at East Fremantle’s Leeuwin Boat Ramp, the vast sand flats, covered by different water depths, are great for wading and fishing. Anglers often catch flathead and flounder here, especially early in the morning in summer when the tide is changing.
Swan River fishing spots
Narrows Bridge: On the city side of Narrows Bridge, anglers catch mulloway, cobbler and tailor right from the shore. The South Perth side offers a small beach that is popular with families. Black bream can be found near the towers during winter.
Point Walter in Bicton: The long sand spit and jetty at Point Walter are ideal for accessing some of the best fishing spots on the river. It’s a family-friendly area with adjacent lawns for picnics and barbecues. What’s biting? Tailor, cobbler, black bream, mulloway, flathead, flounder, prawns and crabs. Nearby Bicton Jetty is a great spot for junior anglers.
Mosman and Claremont Jetties: Mosman Jetty, located downstream from the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, is a quiet spot with deep water, making it a good place to catch mulloway in early summer. Claremont Jetty attracts those seeking black bream, cobbler, tailor and more. You can also scoop or trawl prawns and crabs from the beaches on either side of the jetty.
#6 Explore an underwater world
Dive into the underwater realm of Jack’s Patch off Salmon Bay at Rottnest Island. This spot is teeming with deep marine life and crystal-clear water. Whether you’re an experienced diver or just getting started, it’s an ideal destination for an aquatic adventure.
The reef runs north to south and is made of limestone, covered in beautiful hard and soft corals. The average depth is about 15 metres, but it can go as deep as 27 metres in some areas. You can swim through coral-covered tunnels and explore ledges, with a huge cave waiting at the northern end. The shallowest part of the reef is around 13 metres – perfect for beginners. At the same time, the southern and western sides go deeper, reaching 27 and 22 metres, respectively. Jack’s Patch is also a great place for underwater photography, especially on clear days with good visibility. It’s a 50-minute boat ride to reach the reef.
#7 Slide into fun with sandboarding
A few hours north of Perth, the coastal town of Lancelin is well-known for its white sand dunes – and for sandboarding! Pre-book your visit at the Lancelin website and prepare for an exciting ride from the equivalent of three storeys up. After a brief safety briefing, you’ll be free to climb up the dunes and zoom down to your heart’s content. Also, the 360-degree views over Lancelin, the coastline and the surrounding countryside are unmatched. If you’ve got friends in tow, why not challenge them to a race? Whatever way you tackle your sandboarding experience, this is a non-stop adrenaline rush and a top thing to do outdoors in Perth!
#8 Climbing Matagarup Bridge
The Matagarup Bridge Climb is another of the outdoor activities in Perth that thrillseekers will enjoy. Launched in 2021, it involves climbing at a steep 45-degree angle and navigating tight spaces – a challenge, but the reward is worth it. At the top, the SkyView open-air platform awaits, offering 360-degree views from 72 metres above the Swan River.
For the best experience, try climbing the bridge at twilight. The view of the city skyline as the sun sets is simply epic. This climb is an adventure that combines a workout with unbeatable views, making it a great thing to do in Perth. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Matagarup Bridge Climb is a way to see the city from a whole new perspective.
#9 Rottnest Island skydive
Ever thought about jumping out of a plane? Summer is the perfect time to cross skydiving off your bucket list – and Perth is a great place to do it! You can head to Rottnest Island for a skydiving experience like no other, through Skydive Geronimo. Soar high above the island, taking in breathtaking views before landing on the pristine beaches of Salmon, Thomson or Bickley Bays.
The adventure begins with an already-thrilling flight into the skies. Then, the real excitement kicks in as the jump happens at 5,000 feet. Feel the adrenaline rush as you freefall through the sky, knowing you’re about to land on one of the world’s most pristine beaches.
#10 Discover a new Perth view
Sitting inside a world-class sporting arena is one thing. But how about walking on top, and even leaning over the edge? That’s what you can do at Perth’s Optus Stadium, which allows you to enjoy views of the Swan River and the city from its highest point. The Ozone at Optus Stadium runs a rooftop walk, Vertigo, that provides 360-degree views from 42 metres above the playing surface. The experience goes for 90 minutes and is for ages 11 and up.
But that’s not all. The Ozone also runs Aboriginal cultural tours along the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) shores. Learn stories of the Nyoongar people and how they lived before colonisation. It’s a journey through time that offers a perspective on the land and its original inhabitants. Check out the website for other options and attractions at Perth’s biggest stadium, which is also the home ground of the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle AFL clubs, and the Perth Scorchers cricket team.
Enjoyed our roundup of outdoor activities in Perth? If there’s rain about, see our list of indoor things to do in Perth for some more great ideas.
