Perth Leisure

Western Australia is a virtual playground for outdoor enthusiasts and beach bums. The state’s national parks are among the best in the country, packed with natural wonders like bizarre rock formations and a dearth of wildlife.

Perth’s isolated location is an advantage in this area, as most of the parks are remote and uncrowded. Some of Australia’s finest beaches and best surfing are also along Perth’s west coast. Clean, undeveloped and beautiful, the waters around the city are ideal for every kind of water sport imaginable, so be sure to bring your swimwear and hiking boots, because a big part of any visit to Perth is the amazing natural bounty which surrounds it.

Beaches

The beaches along Australia’s deserted western coast are widely regarded as some of the best in the country. From the soft white sands of Frenchman’s Bay in the south to Port Hedland in the north, you can pick and choose your spot. Within a day’s drive of the city, you can hit just about any beach along the southwest including the emerald waters of the Batavia Coast, north of the surreal Pinnacles area.

Just like in Sydney, Perth is fortunate to have a number of excellent beaches right in the heart of the city. In fact, there are 19 different beaches in the metropolitan area, stretching together along the 35km Sunset Coast, from Cottesloe in the south to Quinns Rocks in the north. The three most popular beaches in Perth are Trigg, Scarborough and Cottesloe. Mornings are the best time to hit the water, because a strong afternoon wind called the ‘Fremantle Doctor’ blows in almost every day, especially during the summer. Buses run regularly to most of the beaches in Perth throughout the summer, making it very easy to get around.

Water sports

With such incredible waters all around Perth, it’s no wonder that the locals here are seriously into water sports. Two of the more adventurous sports available are parasailing and jet-skiing. Parasailing is offered at the Narrows Bridge on Perth’s southern shore every weekend from November to May, depending on winds and weather conditions; solo and tandem flights are available. Jet-skiing can be done at most of the popular beaches within the city.

Divers have plenty of choices for underwater sites around Perth and in the surrounding areas. One of the best sites is north of the city, at Exmouth, where divers can swim with whale sharks at the Ningaloo Reef Marine Park. Just 19kms off the shore from Perth are the Rottnest Islands, with their amazing coral heads, reef fish, limestone caverns and ship wrecks. With an average visibility of 20 to 30 metres, the conditions here are ideal for divers and snorkellers alike.

Surfing

People in Western Australia take up surfing from a very young age, which is understandable given the world-class conditions right on the city’s doorstep. With warm, clean water and consistent waves, Perth is a great place to learn the sport or to develop your existing skills. The most popular surfing beaches are at Scarborough and Trigg, both of which have great year-round conditions and play host to a number of surfing events. Rottnest Island also has some good breaks. Surfing equipment is available for rent at all of the major surf spots and lessons can also be had for a reasonable price.

Australian Rules Football

Australia’s most exciting and punishing sport is played in Perth at the Subiaco Oval and the Western Australian Cricket Grounds. If you’ve never seen Aussie Rules Football, you’re in for a treat. Matches between AFL teams are played at weekends from March through September and are a lot of fun to watch.

Biking

Perth has one of the best bike path networks in the world, offering a wonderful way to get around town between the beaches, parks and urban areas. One path stretches along the Swan River through Kings Park and Fremantle before heading to the beaches. Another excellent 10km track winds around Perth Water, the wide expanse of river in front of the city’s central business district. You can pick up a very useful map of all the bike routes from bike shops and newsstands.