Is there anything more glorious than Perth in spring when that first temperate September day hits?
Here are our favourite ways to enjoy the best of the outdoors in Perth and a little further afield.
Climb the Matagarup Bridge
Nervous travellers beware – this experience isn’t for the faint of heart.
The Matagarup Bridge, with its curving white arches, is an iconic Perth landmark. When climbing, you will be led by a guide up 314 steps, which sit at a gradient of 45 degrees. Once you reach the top, you will then climb, crawl and squeeze your way onto the SkyView platform, suspended 72 metres above the water. This open-air glass-bottom viewing platform offers breathtaking views of the city and Swan River. For those brave enough, you can take the 400 metre zipline back to home base, travelling at speeds of up to 75 kilometres per hour.
Families will love the entertaining and informative commentary from their guide, as well as the insta-worthy photos. For an even more unique experience, try hiking the bridge at twilight and watch the sun set from way up in the sky.
Tour Kings Park
Spread across 400 hectares of lush green, Kings Park and Botanic Garden is the ideal place for a morning stroll with a cup of coffee, or a sunset picnic. It contains more than 3,000 species of unique flora, bushland walking trails, manicured gardens and several playgrounds for kids.
Karrgatup (Kings Park) is an important cultural site for Perth’s Indigenous people, and several groups offer walking tours where you can learn more. At Go Cultural, you will hear stories of the Whadjuk Noongar people, interact with traditional tools and artefacts, and walk through the botanical gardens while sampling traditional bush foods including saltbush and banksia. The guides have a strong connection to country and a deep appreciation of the land, which they are happy to share with visitors.
In the Kings Park bushland, you are free to wander and take in the 327 species of local plants, as well as 96 native bird species and 30 native reptiles.
Swim at Matilda Bay
Located on the Swan River, this pretty bay is ideal for an afternoon of swimming, kayaking and chatting with friends.
Nearby, you can order food from the Bayside Kitchen, or enjoy a glass of wine at the Matilda Bay Restaurant. For a more relaxed atmosphere, there are several barbeques free for public use.
At the end of the jetty, the iconic boatshed is a great spot for photos, and you may even see the 20 or so dolphins that live in the Swan River, often visible from shore. With a fantastic backdrop including both the Swan River and Perth skyline, Matilda Bay is a popular spot for parties, birthdays and weddings.
Surf at Cottesloe Beach
One of the best places for swimming, snorkelling and surfing in Perth, Cottesloe Beach is an iconic tourist destination for good reason.
On the boulevard, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants, cafes and bars to enjoy a beachside meal. During March, Sculpture by the Sea transforms this bustling boulevard into an outdoor arts show featuring some of the best local talent.
The clear blue water and great swell makes Cottesloe popular with surfers and body boarders year-round, with snorkelers sticking to the rocks and reefs along the side. From the CBD, there are plenty of public transport options including buses and trains that will take you right to the shore.
If swimming is your thing, you can take part in the Rottnest Channel Swim, which sees participants from around the world brave the 20-kilometre swim through open ocean from Cottesloe to Rottnest Island. Even if you’re not feeling up to this heart-pounding race, spectating can be just as exhilarating, with family-friendly activities all day long.
Visit the Pinnacles Desert
The Pinnacles Desert of Nambung National Park is a national reserve only two hours’ drive from Perth. Here, you will find thousands of giant limestone pillars reaching out of the yellow sand, dating back 25-30,000 years, with some stretching up to 3.5 metres tall.
For a closer look, drive the 4-kilometre loop trail, which winds its way through these otherworldly structures and passes a viewing platform where you can spot the sand dunes eventually meeting the blue ocean on the horizon. Keep your eyes out for native wildlife such as kangaroos and emus, especially if visiting at dawn or dusk.
If you feel like stretching your legs, the 1.6km return walking trail takes you between the Pinnacles for an up-close look. Plus, don’t forget to stop at the Pinnacles Discovery Centre and gift shop before you drive home.
Explore the Dwellingup Forest
A short 90-minute drive from Perth, Dwellingup Forest is full of ancient trees, wildflowers, mushrooms and more. Here, there are plenty of tracks and driving trails to discover, with several leading visitors right to lakes perfect for fishing, boating and even waterskiing. There are also lots of bushwalks to choose from, whether you’re looking for a few hours of fun or an overnight adventure. Powered and unpowered campgrounds dot the landscape, as well as bush cafes for a morning treat. Here, dogs are welcome to join the family fun, as long as they remain on a leash.
While you adventure, keep an eye out for the native wildlife that call this place home, including kangaroos, wallabies, bandicoots and echidnas.
Hike the Bibbulmun Track
One of the world’s top long-distance walks, the Bibbulmun Track stretches over 1,000 kilometres from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to the historic town of Albany on the south coast. Once you’ve laced up your hiking boots, you will find yourself wandering through the karri and tingle forest, along coastal headlands and over granite boulders. Visitors are welcome to complete small sections of the walk at a time on day or overnight walks, or join one of many guided tours that take eager hikers from start to finish over eight weeks to join the ranks of the ‘end-to-enders.’
There are several charming towns that offer accommodation and a hot meal along the way. Be on the lookout for the beautiful karri forest, home to the second tallest flowering gum in the world, as well as mist-covered valleys and crystal-clear rivers perfect for an afternoon dip. All walkers are encouraged to use the official Bibbulmun Track map, which features car access points, campsites, terrain profiles and more.
Be aware that you will be walking through the lands of the Noongar people, who ask that you respect their spiritual, emotional and physical connection to the land when visiting.
For more to explore in sunny Perth, check out our guides to the best things to see, do, eat and drink.
Travel to Perth
Rex flies to Perth. Book your tickets here and check out the route map below.
