Think autumn in Perth, think adventure!
The heady days of summer are now firmly behind us, and we're well into autumn; here in Perth, we've just started the Noongar season of Djeran, which marks the end of the hot weather cycle, with cool nights, light breezes and a gorgeous floral display of red flowers like red flowering gums and banksia. It's a magical time, which you can enjoy outdoors in comfort for hours as you pack up your beach gear, bring out your woolies and get ready for autumn fun.
Adventurous types in particular are in for a treat: whether you're into hiking or biking, jetski, paintball or all manner of active pursuits - there's certainly something to be said for skipping the schvitzing by doing it in the milder weather. And if even on the rainy days, there's plenty of adventuring to be had. We live in an exciting city, so let's make the most of it with our guide to autumnal adventures in Perth!
Swan River Experiences
The Swan River is a big part of our story as a city, and holds a special place in the heart of Perth peeps young and old. From mums and dads strolling around the South Perth foreshore with pram in tow, to catching the good ol' Transperth ferry from Elizabeth Quay on your way to a day at Perth Zoo.
Those are the classic rhythms of life by the river, but if you're after something a little more adventurous why not join Water Wanderers on a kayaking adventure on the Swan River. Experienced kayakers can head out on their own with four self-guided route options available. Or you can join a tour, and let the experts guide you to some of the river's most magical spots. From their early morning Rise & Shine Burst and Morning Meander that will take you past some of Perth's most picturesque parklands, their two-hour City Sunset Tour, that takes you along the South Perth shoreline as the sun goes down over the water with the city lights as a backdrop, this is the perfect way to explore our stunning Swan River.
Next up, the amazing bike tours delivered by GoGo Active Tours are a great way to learn about the history, culture, plants and animals of the Swan River area as you bike around the Foreshore, Matilda Bay and Kings Park, as well as the legendary Bike & Brew and Whiskey & Wheels tours of Perth's foreshores, microbreweries and a whiskey distillery. The tours aren't designed to be strenuous, making it an inclusive, entertaining and educational adventure in the great outdoors. You'll make great memories, and see the Swan River in a whole new light!
You'll find a great riverside accommodation at The Peninsula Riverside Apartments, Aloft Perth and Pagoda Resort & Spa.
Swan and Avon Valleys
Together, these lush, gorgeous and green regions are some of the most picturesque places you can visit in Perth in autumn, perfect for picking up some farmgate produce and cellar door wines, and of course meandering through seriously stunning walking trails. And they're not short on adventure, either!
The Avon Valley is renowned for its gorgeous scenery, and what better way to experience it than a hot air ballooning experience, courtesy of either Windward Balloon Adventures or Liberty Balloon Flights (both departing from the quaint historic town of Northam). Enjoy the oldest form of flight, and the sense of being up in the air with no barriers; it's truly a special experience. Next up, the family-friendly Pioneer Challenge is an online pioneer adventure game to be played in our real-life WA backyard, as you learn about the pioneers, ordinary men and women who built Western Australia as we know it today.
In the Swan Valley, you'll find adventures of a more physically intense kind, in the form of Paintball Skirmish! Paintball is an excitingly competitive sport where players shoot paintballs at each other. It's a thrilling bonding activity suitable for all ages from 12+, involving strategic thinking and tactical skills. Paintball Skirmish offers numerous playing fields to choose from including the famous Double Decker Bus siege and Storm the Castle.
Mandurah and Peel
The gorgeous Lane Poole Reserve (between Dwellingup and Waroona) has been a favourite for generations of adventurous West Aussies, whether you're boating or kayaking on the river, bushwalking, or doing a bush camp. And thanks to Trees Adventure, it's an even more adventurous place to be! An exhilarating eco-adventure weaving through the sublime canopy of Lane Poole, this involves 100s of tree-top obstacles and flying foxes, and there's awesome things to do for the whole family - from easy courses that are perfect for the 4-7 year old set, to the thrill-seeking Extreme Black Runs. A truly adventurous way to enjoy the beauty of Peel nature!
While you're in the region, head into Mandurah and cruise around the Mandurah Ocean Marina and Venetian Canals aboard an electric donut-shaped boat - an Eco BBQ Boat! Seating up 6 or 10 people, you can enjoy a BBQ on board with BYO food and drinks - all the cooking equipment is supplied! A great way to sit back, relax and have the ultimate 360-degree dining experience on the water.
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island (or "Rotto", as us locals know it) has a well-deserved reputation as Perth's adventure playground island, and there's plenty of adventure to enjoy here year-round.
If you've ever wanted to try glamping, Rotto is a perfect place to get that camping experience with the benefits of creature comforts. Discovery - Rottnest Island is an eco-resort with a difference, offering a low-impact glamping experience as you sleep (almost) under the stars in a luxury eco-tent. Perfect for the great Aussie family holiday, as you disconnect from the hustle and bustle and reconnect with nature, and what really matters!
Fremantle
We've just entered Blue Whale-watching season, and you'll have a whale of a time (literally) on a Perth Canyon Blue Whale Experience tour courtesy of the experts at Whale Watch Western Australia! Departing from Fremantle, you'll head to the Perth Canyon, an extraordinary marine hotspot 30 nautical miles off the coast, where the elusive Blue Whales go to feed each year on krill that gather in the Perth Canyon (which is larger than the Grand Canyon… just under water!) The Whale Watch research team of marine specialists and scientists will educate you in the Language of the Whales™ with onboard live commentary. Included in the expedition is a delicious morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea with all drinks provided along with our legendary VIP service. Celebrate with a complimentary glass of champagne, wine or cold beer on the journey home.
Looking for something the whole family can enjoy? Jump aboard a three hour sail on a replica tall ship with Leeuwin Ocean Adventure and experience an escapade you and your family will cherish for years to come. Departing from Fremantle, they also offer 7-day voyages for the more adventurous sailors!
Sunset Coast and Northern Beaches
Perth's seemingly-endless and supremely gorgeous coast is the stuff dreams are made of, and there's plenty on offer for adventurous types on the Sunset Coast and Northern Beaches.
Start up north in the coastal town of Lancelin, where you can enjoy quad biking on its renowned otherworldly sand dunes courtesy of Perth & Lancelin ATV UTV Tours. And if you've ever wanted to learn to surf, head to WA's most famous beach Scarborough Beach, where the Scarborough Beach Surf School have been changing lives one wave at a time since way back in '86. Or for an adventure that'll have your tastebuds tingling, why not give deep sea fishing a go? Blue Juice Charters offer fishing tours from Hillarys Boat Harbour that are perfect for novices and experienced fishers alike. Learn more on our Fishing Tours feature.
Perth Hills
You probably already know how incredibly scenic the Perth Hills are, with their meandering trails, stunning forest views, and amazing vistas of the city.
But there's so much more to see if you go off-road, and with Adventure Offroad Tours, you'll learn how to do just that. They provide 4WD training and unique touring experiences, with plenty for beginners through to more advanced drivers to enjoy. They offer a Bush 4WD course that's usually held in an area 40km inland from Midland called Ngangaguringguring Hill, a hidden gem within the Darling Ranges. You'll find details on inclusions and more here, as well as other available tours on our Four-Wheel Drive Tours feature.
For a truly intimate way of experiencing nature, it's hard to beat the pure bliss of mountain biking; but it's also usually pretty hard work. Fortunately, Perth Hills Mountain Bike Tours offers all that bliss without as much sweat thanks to their fantastic guided pedal-assisted e-bikes, so you can experience nature a fair bit more easily as you learn about the local history and discover the history of the Aussie bush accompanied by their expert local guides.
Rockingham
Popularly referred to as Perth's marine playground, Rockingham is just the spot for adventurous types to give watersports a go! Check out West Oz Kiteboarding to learn the thrilling and deeply freeing sport of kiteboarding, and Jet Ski Tours Perth who explore the gorgeous waterways of Rockingham in a whole new way (and likely encounter marine animals like dolphins, sea lions, penguins and seabirds during your jet ski adventure!)
Don't let the cooler weather stop you from having a whale of a time this autumn - there's plenty of adventure to be enjoyed in Perth year-round. We're lucky to live in such a thrilling city, and we're always delighted to be able to share it with you!
