Between juggling work, friends, family and all the other responsibilities we have, it’s important to check in with yourself every now and again, and take a break to rest, relax and recharge - so why not get the girls together and treat yo’self to a well-earned wellness weekend!
Perth has so much to offer throughout the year - and we know that wellness means something different to everyone - so we thought we’d make it easier for you by putting together a checklist of wellness activities to try out over the course of a weekend (or a long weekend if you’re able to time it right).
Read on to plan and personalise your very best wellness weekend, and create your own checklist of new things you’d like to experience while you’re at it!
Reconnect With Nature
With so much time spent indoors these days, one of the best ways to reset is to get outside and into nature. Luckily there’s plenty of options for you to choose from!
One perfect option to check out is AmazingCo Experiences, whose mission is to build better human connections through unique experiences (leveraging the best aspects of technology to do so). AmazingCo’s Mystery Picnics are incredibly fun experiences to share with friends: you’ll need to solve a series of personally curated riddles and clues that will direct you to collect your gourmet picnic food (bit by bit), leading you closer to your stunning picnic location! Mystery Picnics are available in many places in the Perth region including Mandurah and Serpentine, so find one that’s closest to you, or use it as an excuse to explore a new area altogether!
If you’re looking for something a little more zen, then Mindful In Nature is just what the doctor ordered. They offer nature-based mindfulness experiences, including retreats, journaling workshops and even forest therapy (the art of taking in the forest atmosphere through all your senses). Take a guided walk through the forest to connect with nature and experience the positive effects on your mood, stress, concentration and creativity levels.
Off The Beaten Track WA is another great operator, offering a range of fun and safe hiking and nature experiences throughout the Perth Hills. Hiking has many positive physical and mental health benefits, so it’s a great way to de-stress and relax!
Salt and Bush Eco Tours also offer guided nature walks (and even kayak tours!) south of Mandurah, with guides taking you through the amazing wetlands, extraordinary bird life, and unique flora and fauna of the area. It’s the perfect opportunity to step away from your world and into nature together.
Girl’s Night Out(side)
Of course, nature doesn’t have a closing time - there’s plenty to be experienced even as the night rolls in, which is why Off The Beaten Track also offers a range of sunset or after dark activities too.
On their Sunset Yoga Hike, you’ll be taken along a 4km trail to the Golden View Lookout as the sun sets, and be guided through a relaxing yoga session under the stars (with warm herbal tea and a light supper served afterwards)!
Their Sacred Sounds Hike also starts with a short hiking trail (this time through a lush Jarrah and Banksia forest) from Sullivan Rock to Mt Vincent as the sun sets, where you’ll enjoy a guided meditation session and gourmet treats at twilight before heading back as night falls. Once back at Sullivan Rock, you’ll be treated to a unique and relaxing south bath session using a range of traditional instruments, leaving you relaxed and restored to your best self again.
If it’s the stars you’re after, then Off The Beaten Track also offer Star Grazing, a unique stargazing and food experience! You’ll start with a guided 5km sunset hike along a portion of the Bibbulmun Track to reach Golden View Lookout, where you’ll be met with a glass of bubbles and delicious gourmet delights. As the sun dips and the stars come out, you’ll get to admire the wonders of the universe with the 14 inch telescope, or just by looking up as Astronomer Rob talks you through the heavens above. Now that’s a girl’s night out.
Get Adventurous
Wellness doesn’t just have to mean slowing down - sometimes getting active and adventurous is just what you need to shake things up!
GoGo Active Tours offer bike tours all year round, with options along the Foreshore and East Perth, Matilda Bay and Kings Park, and even a guided Bike and Brew Tour of Perth’s foreshores and microbreweries! Each tour is designed to be relaxing so you and your friends can take in as much of Perth’s beautiful scenery as you go along.
Speaking of the scenery, why not experience the sweeping views of the Perth skyline by pedalling along on a waterbike with Perth Waterbike Co! They offer a range of package options, including Sunset Bike, Bubbles & Brews, Pedal & Coffee, and even Pedal & Picnic, where you can enjoy a gorgeous picnic together on the banks of the Swan River - perfect for any girls day out (or wellness weekend)!
Nothing says relaxation like the beach, so why not learn something new while you’re there too! Perth Stand Up Paddle School will teach you how to use a stand up paddleboard from a few of Perth’s amazing beaches (Leighton, Bicton Baths and Coogee). It’s a great way to test your balance, and then you can go back to chilling on the beach afterwards.
If you’re looking to pair adventure and relaxation, then Mandurah Cruises have just the thing for you, with their Dolphin & Scenic Canal Cruise. This 1 hour cruise will take you and the gang through the calm waterways of Mandurah where you’ll have the chance to spot wild, playful dolphins as they rest, feed and play!
Markets & Food
If you’re planning your very own wellness weekend, then you can’t forget about food and drink!
The Summer X Salt Markets offer a range of delicious food trucks - as well as coffee and juice carts - so you’ll have plenty to choose from when you start getting peckish! Of course it’s not just the food and drinks that make this place great: operating every second Saturday (9am-1pm) at Clarko Reserve in Trigg, this beachside market has plenty of stalls, products, activities and local music to explore and experience together.
Over in Chittering you’ll find the Little Eeden Farm and Apiary, offering a range of products based on their natural and unprocessed honey. They also have The Hive Cafe, where you’ll be able to grab a tasty homemade meal by their resident cook, and even a delicious coffee or smoothie!
Speaking of honey, the House of Honey in the Swan Valley also offers a range of honeys and products (such as teas, meads and even beauty products) from their store, as well as plenty of tasty treats (and ice cream!) from The Sticky Spoon Cafe. It’s a great place to drop by for a bit of exploring and a light lunch with the gals.
If you’re looking for a unique food and drink experience, then Off The Beaten Track’s Kayak, Wine & Dine Experience is something you should definitely check out. Enjoy a private wine tasting and delicious woodfired pizzas, and then set off on a guided tour along the gorgeous Swan River in a double kayak. This is a half-day experience, so get ready to relax!
One Stop Retreats
If you’re looking to truly get away and get the most out of your wellness weekend, then why not book a stay at a retreat, a resort or a room with a view?
Amaroo Retreat & Spa is nestled away in the gorgeous Perth Hills, with 8 luxurious chalets each fitted with a private outdoor spa bath. It’s an adults only retreat, so you can relax in peace and quiet, take in the views, and enjoy gourmet food and drink from their on-site restaurant.
If you’re exploring the York area, then Laurelville is a great place to relax and spoil yourself with luxurious accommodation and beauty spa treatments, whereas The Sebel Mandurah is ideal for any getaways south of the river - putting you right in the heart of Mandurah and everything it has to offer (including markets, cafes, restaurants and pubs, cinemas and golf courses, and long white sandy beaches).
Keen to try your hand at a few rounds of golf? Joondalup Resort has 70 rooms and suites to choose from (as well as an in-house endota spa), but what sets this place apart is that it’s right alongside a 27 hole championship golf course! Similarly, The Novotel Vines Resort in the Swan Valley offers a 36-hole championship golf course, as well as sensational food and drink and the award winning Keishi Day Spa! So if you and the girls want a place to hit the links, relax at the spa, then wine and dine yourselves, these are the spots!
Crown Metropol Perth, The Ritz Carlton and COMO The Treasury are perfect options if you’re looking to have a city staycation, offering luxurious rooms and facilities, gorgeous views and of course, easy access to the heart of Perth and everything the city has to offer!
If a wellness weekend is well and truly needed, then use the above ideas and activities to start planning your perfect getaway with the girls!
There’s obviously too much to do and see in one weekend, so it doesn’t hurt to have a few different itineraries built for future weekends too - that way when you’re feeling like you need a break in the future you’ll be ready to go, courtesy of Destination Perth.
