Winter Staycation On The Sunset Coast

The Sunset Coast is calling this winter!

Fall in love with the coastline of metropolitan Perth, where white sand beaches stretch 50 kilometres from the city’s western suburbs of Cottesloe and City Beach to the northern neighbourhoods of Yanchep and Two Rocks.

Enjoy a family staycation on the Sunset Coast this winter at the Quality Resort Sorrento Beach. Explore underwater at AQWA, eat fish and chips at Hillarys Boat Harbour, play mini golf at the Wanneroo Botanic Gardens and escape the winter weather with a visit to the entertainment precinct at Karrinyup Shopping Centre for bowling, arcade games and a movie.

Here’s the ultimate itinerary for three days on the Sunset Coast this winter. 

Day 1 | Let The Epic Urban Adventure Begin

Settle in by the seaside at the ultimate beachfront escape located just a 20 minute drive northwest of the Perth CBD. Situated only 76 steps from the calm waters of Sorrento Beach, Quality Resort Sorrento Beach has earned the title of being the closest resort location to the beach in Western Australia. Quality Resort Sorrento Beach is the ideal location for couples and families, with plenty of things to do while staying alongside the white sands of Sorrento Beach on Perth’s Sunset Coast. 

Within Quality Resort Sorrento Beach, choose from a range of luxurious 4-star hotel room options. The resort offers romantic studios and luxury spa suites for couples and spacious self-contained two and three-bedroom apartments for families and groups. Each renovated room has a balcony overlooking the lush resort gardens or panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. The extra perks? The resort offers a range of facilities, including a solar-heated swimming pool, spa and sauna, barbecue area, and fully licensed restaurant and bar: 76 Steps.

Still looking for a reason to start planning the ultimate winter staycation? For a limited time only, when you book two nights at the Quality Resort Sorrento Beach, you'll receive every third night of your stay for free. This offer includes a complimentary continental breakfast for two, free WiFi and free parking.

Located at the Hillarys Boat Harbour, the Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA) is WA’s most iconic marine attraction. AQWA celebrates this uniqueness and takes you on an underwater journey to witness the iconic, the unusual and the deadly as you explore WA’s diverse coastline. AQWA is one of the very few aquariums worldwide that doesn’t use artificial corals in its exhibits. Spend hours with the family exploring endless exhibits, displays and touch pools, or take your visit to new depths and splash out on an unforgettable experience, such as diving with big sharks.

To entice you to take the plunge, AQWA is offering 20% off all shark swim adventures this winter. Plunge into the beautiful world of AQWA’s Shipwreck Coast in Australia’s largest single aquarium (it holds an incredible three million litres of flowing seawater!). You’ll be surrounded by giant sharks, stingrays, turtles and hundreds of stunning fish. To sweeten the deal, you can bring along spectators at a discounted rate, so your nearest and dearest can watch you come face to fin with AQWA’s diverse ocean creatures.

AQWA

Situated on the water and hosting a range of boutique stores, delicious dining destinations and thrilling adventure experiences, there’s lots to love about Hillarys Boat Harbour. It’s an idyllic destination for families, with beautifully kept public parklands, a playground and an accessible beach. For adventure lovers, there are boat cruises, seasonal whale watching, jet skiing, fishing platforms, diving, jet boarding and helicopter flights. Come for the day and stay for the evening with dinner at The Breakwater or one of the many waterfront restaurants. 

Day 2 | Explore And Entertain

Enjoy a leisurely coastal brunch at Lot One Kitchen. Open seven days from 6:30am for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Lot One Kitchen is a vibrant café dishing up fresh, local produce a stone's throw from the water. Treat yourself to breakfast pavlova, slow-cooked brisket benny or house-smoked salmon with lemon caper ricotta. On Fridays and Saturdays, Lot One Kitchen hosts an indulgent high tea with an afternoon of sweet and savoury delights alongside a glass of bubbles to start and tea or coffee to finish.

After brunch, hit Whitfords Nodes Park and tackle the exercise stairway that extends up the dune landscape and ends with unbeatable coastline views. The stairway is linked to running tracks and a dedicated outdoor fitness equipment area. 

Karrinyup Shopping Centre

If the weather turns, head to Karrinyup Shopping Centre’s entertainment precinct for hours of indoor fun. Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq features arcade and ticket games, XD Theatre and dodgems for hours of entertainment. Throw in its full-service cocktail bar and gourmet kitchen into the mix, and the fun is covered for everyone. Enjoy a game of bowling at Strike – it’s not your average tenpin bowling alley with 8 bowling lanes, two karaoke rooms, two mind-bending escape rooms and laser tag. Or simply relax and unwind while watching the latest blockbuster at Hoyts. 

In the evening, get ready for Perth's favourite winter beachside event, the Scarborough Sunset Markets Winter Season. Delight in a diverse selection of global cuisines from your favourite food vendors, while artisan market stalls line the winter oasis. Every Saturday evening in Scarborough, up to 50 vendors and retailers gather, offering flavours and trinkets from around the world. Whether you crave BBQ meats, authentic Indian dishes, Lebanese specialties, Moroccan delicacies, soul-warming soups, French crepes, hot beverages or delectable crème brulee, there's something to please everyone. Groove to the beats of the local market DJs, adding an extra layer of warmth to this winter experience.

Day 3 | Get Out Into Nature 

Spend the morning discovering koalas, caves and indigenous culture at Yanchep National Park. The beautiful, diverse bushlands of Yanchep National Park feature a koala sanctuary, incredible limestone caves and educational experiences of Aboriginal culture. Visiting Yanchep National Park is free if you are a City of Wanneroo resident or if you walk or cycle into the park. 

Wanneroo Botanic Gardens

Next up, the renowned Wanneroo Botanic Gardens is a must-visit destination in the northern suburbs. Established in 1981, lose yourself in the beauty of nature as you wander among enchanting gardens, towering trees and cascading waterfalls. Wanneroo Botanic Gardens is home to Australia’s largest outdoor mini golf complex, offering 36 holes spread across two courses. Whether you’re a seasoned mini golf enthusiast or just looking for a fun outdoor activity, mini golf at the Wanneroo Botanic Gardens promises endless fun. After a round, discover love at first bite at Leapfrogs, the garden’s onsite restaurant. Leapfrogs is a super relaxed, all-day dining venue dishing up fresh, high-quality pub favourites crafted from locally sourced ingredients.

Want more ideas? Discover more free things to do along the Sunset Coast.

Warm up with Destination Perth - your guide to quality experiences to do and see in Perth this winter.