Winter in Perth just got a whole lot better - with Destination Perth coming in hot with the best winter experiences.
Below is a list of the top winter activities in the Perth region, giving locals the chance to try something blazing new this season. From cave exploration to scenic flights and swimming with big sharks, there’s something to inspire every adventurer.
Matagarup Zip + Climb
Ever wondered what it would be like to scale a huge bridge not originally designed for climbing? Here's your chance. Matagarup Zip + Climb is no ordinary bridge walk. Climb 314 steps then shimmy and squeeze through tight spaces to reach the glass-bottom Sky View Platform. After taking no longer than a moment to catch your breath, descend towards the launch platform, clip onto the 400 metre zipline and get ready to soar across the iconic Swan River at 75km per hour. Strap yourself in for Perth’s ultimate thrill ride this winter.
The OZONE at Optus Stadium
THE OZONE at Optus Stadium is a must-visit destination for Perth locals. Feeling brave? Face your fears with VERTIGO. Step off the roof and out of your comfort zone as you traverse 10 metres from side-to-side. Harnessed from above, you’re free to take this experience as far off the edge as your senses allow. Think you've seen every level of Optus Stadium? Think again! The HALO experience invites you to walk on top of the world's most beautiful stadium. Included in this experience is access to the new Western Viewing Deck, where you can enjoy the sights of the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River), the Matagarup Bridge and Perth city. This is Perth like you've never seen it before.
Hotham Valley Tourist Railway in Dwellingup
All aboard! Step back in time with the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway in Dwellingup. This is your chance to experience a ride aboard a heritage train in the style of years gone by. This is one of the most popular attractions in the region. Weave through the heart of the Dwellingup forest on the original rail tracks with magical views of the towering Jarrah trees. After the rail journey, visit the Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre for everything there is to experience during your visit to the wild at heart town of Dwellingup.
Belmont Park Racecourse
Head to Belmont Park Racecourse for Perth's winter racing season, running every Wednesday and Saturday from May to September. Following an $8 million transformation, the fully enclosed venue features a state-of-the-art Superscreen, premium and casual dining, and nine bars, so you can watch the thoroughbreds from the warmth of the grandstand. Conveniently located opposite Optus Stadium, it's an easy pick for a winter afternoon out with friends.
Yanchep Crystal Cave Tours
This winter, embark on a 45 minute guided tour of the Crystal Cave in Yanchep National Park. The park is open every day of the year and hosts spectacular underground structures of shawls, helictites, stalactites and stalagmites. This is Perth’s only metropolitan tourist cave with enough natural beauty to warm every heart during the cooler months. Explore the cave and discover koalas, hiking trails and more at one of WA's oldest national parks.
Perth Hills Pedal and Pint Trail
Escape to the wilderness this winter with Perth Hills Pedal and Pint Trail. This heritage trail is your ticket to many of Perth’s allures including John Forrest National Park, Hovea Falls and Swan View Tunnel, just to name a few. The best part? The trail takes you past seven heritage listed pubs along the way. For the ultimate experience, book the Pedal, Pizza and Pint Tour with Perth Hills Mountain Bike Tours on a Friday night and explore the trail under a starry night sky, starting and finishing at the Parkerville Tavern.
Dive with sharks at AQWA
For a winter adventure worth getting wet for, head directly to AQWA. Did you know Australia's largest single aquarium is located right here in Perth? Make the most of something so special right in your own backyard. Muster up the courage to take the plunge on a breath-taking tour with real, up close and personal encounters with sharks, loggerhead turtles, the world’s largest stingrays and schools of WA’s most famous fish.
Gravity Discovery Centre & Observatory
Longer winter nights mean more time for stargazing! Head north to the Gravity Discovery Centre & Observatory in the Northern Valleys for an Evening Astronomy Tour beneath the dark skies of Gingin. Kick things off with a presentation before heading outside for a laser-guided tour of the constellations, then peer through specialised telescopes in the Observatory to discover celestial bodies, distant galaxies and cosmic phenomena. Don't forget the warm layers – winter nights out here get cold!
Fremantle Prison Tunnels Tour
Escape the winter weather by heading underground at Fremantle Prison. Suit up in overalls and a hardhat before descending 20 metres beneath the Prison into a labyrinth of tunnels built by prisoners. Explore the dry sections on foot, spotting original blast holes, bores and artefacts along the way, before climbing aboard a replica convict punt to paddle through submerged passageways accessible only by boat. Part history lesson, part underground adventure, this is one winter experience that takes you well below the streets of Fremantle.
Motor Museum of Western Australia
Rainy winter day? Head indoors at the Motor Museum of Western Australia in Whiteman Park, where more than 200 cars, motorcycles and trucks trace motoring history from the late 1800s to today. The collection includes over 15,000 scale models, but the headline act is Daniel Ricciardo's 2014 Red Bull RB10 – the only winning F1 race car on permanent display in Australia. Allow an hour or two to explore before heading out to discover more of Whiteman Park.
Hot Air Ballooning in the Avon Valley
Winter is the perfect time to tick hot air ballooning off your Perth bucket list. Rise before the sun and head to the Avon Valley, the only place in Western Australia offering commercial hot air balloon flights. Floating gently with the wind, watch the sunrise transform rolling farmland, winding rivers, bushland and country towns below. Depending on the time of year, you might even catch the brilliant yellow of the canola fields. Choose from Liberty Balloon Flights or Windward Ballooning and prepare for an early start that's well worth getting out of bed for.
Rotto Rackets Sports
Work up a winter sweat with a game of pickleball on Rottnest Island. Set beside Bathurst Lighthouse near Pinky Beach, Rotto Rackets Sports has four outdoor courts with fresh air and coastal views thrown in for free. Never picked up a paddle? You're in good company – around 95% of players here are trying pickleball for the first time. Hire a court with family or friends, join a social game or book some coaching and discover a fun new way to experience the island without the summer heat.
Destination Perth is your guide to an epic winter in Perth. Discover your next adventure right here, right now.
