Nature And Wildlife in Perth

From beautiful nature parks and reserves, unique wildlife encounters, world-class walking trails. 

There are many beautiful nature and national parks to visit within a very easy drive of Perth City.

The Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) has set up many initiatives to make parks more accessible to locals and visitors alike with the Nearer to Nature program an excellent example. Visit the nearest visitor centre for maps or visit Department of Parks and Wildlife for a full list of parks. Perth is also renowned for its stunning wildflowers in spring, fantastic walking and cycling trails and unique wildlife encounters with dolphins, seals, penguins, Quokkas and more!

Nature's Calendar

WA boasts spectacular natural events and attractions. And many of these can only be found in a handful of locations on Earth. 

Regularly occurring at particular times or seasons of the year, these natural events offer unique opportunities for visitors to be touched by nature. See some of the Perth's natural experiences below.

Swan River Migratory Birds

August - March
Swan Estuary Marine Park welcomes an array of migratory birds each year between August and November. The birds move between the intertidal flats of Alfred Cove, Pelican Point and Milyu (all within 20 minutes of the city) for feeding a roosting. Visit these locations to see how many birds you can spot and from August you may see some sporting their breeding plumage as they arrive. Information panels are available along the foreshore.

Tulip Season

August - September
In June each year, Araluen Botanic Park plant up to 100,000 tulips whic bloom from mid-August to the end of September. It is also the perfect time to see Daffodils, Azaleas, Camellias, Rhododendrons, Magnolias and many other spring flowering plants. August also marks the commencement of the Araluen Train to end October.

Wildflowers

September - November
The wildflower season is one of WA's most fascinating and precious natural treasures. Throughout Spring wildflowers are scattered across the region attracting thousands of tourists every year. There are many different walking trail and spots to see the wildflowers from Kings Park in the city, along the coast and to the Perth Hills and Avon Valley. The best way to experience the beauty of the wildflowers is by following one of the many tracks and trails.

Humpback Whales

September - November
Around April each year thousands of humpback whales leave the rich feeding grounds of Antactica to calf and raise their young in the warmer waters of the North West. On the return journey south, from September to December, they pass close to the Perth coast allowing a unique opportunity to see these amazing creatures up close on a whale watching adventure cruise.

Dolphin Swimming

September - April
Perth's warm waters are home to the playful bottlenose dolphin and from September to April you can swim with them in the protected bays and islands of Rockingham - home to over 260 wild dolphins. With Perth Wild Encounters you'll be taken on a unique experience by crew using underwater aqua scooters to glide effortlessly amongst the dolphins.

Seal Island

September - April
Seal Island in the Shoalwater Marine Park is one of the many natural wonders of the Perth region. Paddling a sea kayak is a unique and wonderful way to explore Penguin & Seal Islands and get a close up, water level view of the local wildlife. Experience the many extraordinary species of birds and marine life in their natural habitat. Guided kayak tours are conducted by Perth Wildlife Encounters and Capricon Seakayaking.

Penguin Island

September - June
Little Penguins can be found swimming freely in the Shoalwater Marine Park in Rockingham. Perth Wild Encounters operate an hourly ferry service to Penguin Island - home to WA's larges colony of fairy penguins. Capricon Seakayaking take groups on a kayak adventure to Seal and Penguin Islands.

Blue Whales

March - April
See rare Blue Whales on a tour to the Perth Canyon, located 50 nautical miles off the coast of Perth, in March and April each year. The Perth Canyon is a marine hot spot where the elusive Blue Whales go to feed each year on krill that gather there. Thought to be carved from the Swan River mouth the area is abundant with sea life that gathers for the feeding feast and is unrivalled as the epicentre for biodiversity in the West Australian summer. Tours are available with Whale Watch Western Australia.

Salmon Run

March - April

Each year between March and April, WA salmon make their annual migration from the Great Southern to the Perth region and beyond. Visitors can hire equipment to fish for salmon from the beautiful sandy beaches of Rockingham. Large schools of salmon descend on the calm waters of Cockburn sound between Point Peron and Fremantle, making ideal conditions to cast a line while the fish are biting.