Discover adventures in your own backyard!
Between coming out of #isolife and the cooler days of winter, it can be pretty hard to motivate yourself to get back into your old healthy routines (or into new routines better than before!). With Perth's winters being pretty mild (and our scenery being particularly lush, green and generally spectacular at this time of year), the good news is that there's plenty of reasons to get off the couch and explore the great outdoors.
In the mood for adventure but not sure where to go? Want to meet like minded people? Adventures are better together, so we've compiled a list of Perth adventure tours so you can #wanderoutyonder and explore the hidden treasures right here in our beautiful backyard!
Get Back To Nature
When people from interstate or overseas think of Perth and surrounds, it's often the pristine white-sand beaches and our super-cute quokkas; but us Perthites know there's a whole lot more than that to love about our city! Just for starters, there's all the fantastic walking trails, perhaps the most iconic of which is the Bibbulmun Track. This track is one of the world's great long distance walk trails, spanning nearly 1000kms from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany, and is on the bucket list of many nature-loving locals and visitors alike.
Of course, 1000kms is a bit of a long trek by yourself, so you might prefer to tackle it by particular sections. In that case, you're in luck: Off the Beaten Track WA offers a fully supported, all-inclusive, multi-day hiking experience with various sections and locations on offer. They provide most of your gear, as well as training and information so that you're confident and ready for the experience of a lifetime.
Looking for adventure nearby and with a touch of luxury? The Hike Collective offers award-winning, all-inclusive, premium hiking eco-tour experiences within 1 hour of the Perth CBD that you can enjoy pack-free! Whether you want to discover the hidden secrets at Araluen Botanic Gardens, trek a day on the Bibbulmun Track, take in a scenic sunset at Lesmurdie Falls, adventure on Rottnest Island, or just meander along cascading rivers in the Perth Hills, you'll find your ideal hiking adventure with The Hike Collective, with over 40 different tours in the Perth region.
Finally, 4WD adventures are an incredible way to experience nature - including areas that would be difficult if not impossible to access otherwise! Join the award-winning WA touring and training organisation Global Gypsies with a 4WD training course, or drive your own or hired 4WD to take an exciting, escorted 'tag-along-tour' to remote areas. This is a great way to get experience and training as you ready yourself for tackling some of the many scenic drive trails in Perth and surrounds!
See The Sights
Discover some of the highlights of Perth and beyond with Aussie Perth Tours, operating since 1999. Inside a comfy air-conditioned coach, you'll enjoy commentary from an experienced coach captain as you explore a variety of natural wonders and attractions like the Pinnacles, Penguin Island, Swan Valley, Lancelin and more. Whether you’re in the mood to sandboard down sand dunes, cuddle koalas or taste your way through Perth's best treats, there's something for everyone.
GPS Adventure Tours WA is another popular tour operator. If you're keen on seeing animals in their natural environments, exploring crystal clear waters by kayak, or stargazing, you'll find the tour for you. And with guides that are well-informed on Australia's native flora, fauna and Aboriginal culture and history, you'll be able to enjoy the meanings of these sights on a deeper level.
Finally, hoist the sails with Charter 1 for a magical eco-experience aboard their famous yellow sailing catamaran, a much-loved Perth icon since 2002. Their two, four or eight-hour tours depart from Fremantle or Rottnest Island, visiting incredible bays accessible only by boat and brimming full with marine life. Say hello to sea lions, enjoy a salt bath, head for a snorkel, kayak or SUP, or just kick back and enjoy the ride through the stunning protected waters off of Perth and Rottnest. A perfect day out!
Mandurah's stunning waterways and canals are world-class; we're lucky to have a little touch of Venice in our backyard. And unlike the Venetian canals, Mandurah's canals come with something very special - friendly, playful bottlenose dolphins! Mandurah Cruises has recently launched a exciting new Dolphin and Scenic Marine Cruise, where you can cruise through Mandurah's waterways and encounter the famous dolphins as they feed, watch a catch demo of blue swimming crabs and western rock lobster, and explore the city's 20+ kms of beautiful waterways as you spot birdlife on the vast wetlands.
Little Adventurers
If you're exploring with kids, do it in style in a way they'll never forget: on a pirate ship! The Pirate Ship Mandurah is a custom built open air vessel designed for Mandurah's inland waterways and canal system (and by the way, it's also adorable). This 45 minute cruise ventures through Mandurah's famous inland waterways and canals on a fantastical pirate adventure beloved by the young and young-at-heart alike. Try your hand at steering the pirate wheel and ringing the bell while dressed in an awesome pirate hat (yep, you too mum and dad), or sit back and enjoy the scenery while you keep your eyes peeled for Mandurah's beloved bottlenose dolphins. Fun for the whole family!
Rottnest Island has been a family playground island for generations, and with the Rottnest Express, it's never been easier to wander out yonder! Kids travel free when they sign up to the Quokka Club, and there's a variety of tour options so that you can really get to know the best of the island. With the Adventure Rottnest Tour, you can jump aboard a high-powered vessel for a 90 minute journey to the island’s wild side. Explore Rottnest's rugged coastline, turquoise waters and witness the beauty of its abundant wildlife up close!
Looking for more? Prepare to be spoiled by choice - we've compiled an extensive and exciting family-friendly tour list.
Adventures In Appetite
Looking for a foodie adventure? Perth's world-class food and wine doesn’t disappoint! From cheese to chocolate, wine to gin and olives to macarons, your taste buds are in for a treat. Find your new favourites with d'Vine Wine Tours and Hidden deTours, two Perth food tour operators offering taste explorations galore.
d'Vine has a Swan Valley winery focus, with tour options including premium wine tastings and plenty more to choose from - chocolates, cheese, olives and more (and of course, beautiful scenery that's a feast for the eyes!).
Hidden deTours are dedicated to uncovering the best hidden gems of Perth, and create exclusive food and beverage experiences in a "meet the maker" style with behind-the-scenes opportunities. They're particularly known for bringing gin tours to Western Australia and are strong advocates for the local craft gin industry; their Perth craft beer and Bickley Valley wine and cider tours are fantastic as well, introducing you to the fascinating processes behind your newly favourite tipples.
And for a very different taste of Rottnest Island, enjoy the ultimate sea-to-plate adventure and experience the freshest seafood you will ever eat on a 3-hour catch-and-dine tour – the Wild Seafood Experience by Rottnest Cruises. Relax on a private cruise boat and take in views of Rottnest Island's stunning coastline, dotted with beautiful beaches, bays and reefs. Catch your own Western Rock Lobster and watch it be freshly cooked for you by an on-board seafood chef, before indulging in a 5-course deluxe banquet complete with oysters, prawns, octopus, crabs and more. Includes unlimited drinks, with still and sparkling Howard Park wines, beers and soft drinks served as you cruise. You'll even have a chance to jump off the boat for a swim or snorkel, or try your hand at fishing!
Challenge Yourself
Whether you're working on being your fittest, healthiest self, trying something new or jumping out of an airplane, Perth tours deliver!
GoGo Active Tours is great for getting outside and working on your physical and mental health while seeing Perth's scenic spots. This bike and kayak tour business provides safe and organised guided tours to some of Perth's well-known highlights as well as some special, hidden locations. Kayak the Canning River wetlands, bike around the Swan River foreshore, investigate the magnificent limestone formations of the Blackwall Reach cliffs towering 8 metres above, or visit some of Perth's newest breweries along the foreshore while enjoying tasting paddles and learning about the products and processes.
Further afield, the picturesque Avon Valley is a countryside paradise, a comfortable drive or train ride away from Perth City. Explore the region in a whole new way through Windward Balloon Adventures, guided hot-air balloon tours operated by commercial pilots, affording the company an unparalleled safety record. The quaint rural scenery of the Valley looks incredible by air, making this an unmissable experience.
Finally, the ultimate challenging and exciting way to enjoy scenery by air - but not for the faint-hearted! Skydive Geronimo is based on Rottnest Island, which looks pretty spectacular when you’re tandem skydiving towards it from 15,000ft in the air. Enjoy the beautiful views from the plane as you head into the skies, and then, for the biggest rush.... secured to your Instructor, you'll feel the adrenaline pumping as you spread your wings at 200km/hour for 60 seconds. What a thrill!
We hope we've inspired your sense of adventure: whether you're thrill-seeking or cheese-seeking, getting in touch with your inner pirate or enjoying the serenity of nature, Perth has a tour for you. Turn this winter into the greatest adventure yet and check out some great holiday promotions here!
