Warm up with winter walks
When the weather cools down and the sun loses some of its bite, you get the perfect conditions to enjoy a nice bush walk. Winter in Perth is a great time of year to get out and explore nature, with an abundance of walking trails and hikes close to the city.
Kings Park
One of Perth’s most iconic locations and one of the world’s largest inner city parks in the world is Kings Park. It’s the perfect locale for escaping the sounds and commotion of the city. Criss-crossed with footpaths and walking trails, it’s a beautiful spot to surround yourself with nature without straying too far from the CBD. Whether you’re looking to walk up the hills, walk among the gum trees, or simply explore the trails, you won’t be disappointed by Kings Park.
Beach walks
Just because it’s not as warm, that doesn’t make Perth’s famous beaches any less picturesque. They’re full of bright white sand, which creates a gorgeous contrast against the backdrop of grey skies and dark water. And for those who don’t mind getting a bit wet, you can get an even more striking view of the beach when a storm rolls across the Indian Ocean.
Serpentine Falls
If you drive an hour outside of Perth, you can enjoy the majestic sight of Serpentine Falls. This beautiful, tumbling waterfall stands 15 metres high and is surrounded by lush green bushland, picnic areas, and barbecues available for public use. There’s also a 1km boardwalk loop that goes up to the falls and back, which is perfect for anyone wanting to stay a bit more active on their visit. Serpentine Falls is one of the best places to spend a nice afternoon during the Perth winter.
Lesmurdie Falls
All the way down in Mundy Regional Park, you can head to Lesmurdie Falls and enjoy one of Perth’s most magnificent walking trails. The rain throughout the winter period helps the Lesmurdie Brook to flow stronger and stronger, creating the eponymous falls. You can take a 640 metre walking trail to get to the base of the falls and get a close-up view of the lush vegetation and the water crashing down upon the rocks. And if you want to do some more walking around the area, there’s plenty of other trails in the area that thread around the park.
Rug up at the Scarborough Sunset Winter Market
The Scarborough Sunset Winter Market is the cosy, wintery counterpart to the markets that run during summer. Between May and October, you can head down to Scarborough Amphitheatre and Clocktower to join in on the fun. The markets run every Saturday afternoon from 3pm to 8pm and have an extensive collection of food vendors and retailers for you to peruse.
The Scarborough Winter Market has a collection of Perth’s best food truck vendors, with over 50 different options ranging between local and international cuisines. You can try a variety of tasty beers or wines at the Market Bar or warm yourself up with a hot beverage after sunset. Plus, the markets are pet-friendly so you can bring your dog along to join in on the fun.
Go whale watching
One of the many things that makes us lucky to live in Western Australia is that our long, rugged coastline acts as an oceanic thoroughfare for whales migrating from Antarctic waters to warmer northern waters and back. During winter, this means we find ourselves at peak whale-watching time. Between April and December, thousands of humpback whales make their annual journey along our coastline
There are plenty of places across Western Australia where you can get a great view of the whale migration, including the Perth Metro area. Whale watching tours depart regularly from Hillarys Boat Harbour between August and November. These tours take you out on the water so you can see these magnificent creatures up close and personal.
But if you’re really looking to get the best viewing site, it might be worth taking a road trip. Broome, and further afield at Exmouth, are prime whale watching locations and humpback whales can be seen in droves between June and November. Here you can watch them from the shore and if you have a keen eye you might spot them rolling on the surface, slapping their fins and tails as they play, and shooting water from their spouts above the waves.
Get out of town at Yanchep National Park
One magnificently scenic area that really comes to life in winter is Yanchep National Park. Less than an hour’s drive north of Perth, you can experience a beautiful green bushland that’s extra lush thanks to the additional rain. The area is full of activities, giving you plenty of opportunities to spend the day exploring.
Have a picnic
Yanchep National Park has plenty of picnic and barbecue spots that you can take advantage of while you’re there. You can bring a blanket, some food, some drinks, and enjoy a lazy winter picnic surrounded by nature. If you’re lucky, you may even get to see a local family of western grey kangaroos. But make sure to keep your distance, as they may not be friendly.
Check out Crystal Cave
For anyone that feels a bit more adventurous, the Crystal Cave is nearby. You can head underground and expire the stalactites and stalagmites that have formed in the cave. While you’re there, you’re able to learn about their history as well as the wider network of caves in the area.
Enjoy the walking trails
One of the best things you can do in Yanchep is explore the surrounding area by going for a stroll. There are nine walking trails that wind their way through the park, giving you plenty of directions to choose from. The trails vary from shorter walks to 12 kilometre hikes, so there’s something available for any fitness or ability level.
Go ice skating
When you’re feeling chilly, one of the best things you can do is embrace the chill and go ice skating. Whether you’re a complete newbie or a seasoned skater, you can have just as much fun by lacing up some skates and tearing up the ice solo or with a group. And when you’re done, you can choose some of the food options available at the arenas. You can choose between Cockburn Ice Arena in the South of Perth or Perth Ice Arena depending on where you’re located.
Try indoor rock climbing
If you’re looking for a way to stay active while staying out of the cold, indoor rock climbing is an excellent choice. There are a range of options available, whether you’re new to climbing or an absolute bouldering aficionado. So chalk yourself up, get that harness on, and see how high you can get up that wall.
Head to AQWA
One great option when you’re looking to get out of the cold is by taking a trip to the underwater world of AQWA. Parents, kids, and natural lovers of all ages have plenty to enjoy at AQWA. You get to see and learn about plenty of iconic sea life including stingrays, sharks, and reefs. So if you feel a hankering for some marine adventures, mosey on down to Hillary’s Boat Harbour and give AQWA a visit.
We’ll keep you warm all winter long
Perth is beautiful throughout the whole year, but there’s something truly special about getting to enjoy it during the winter. The cold weather gives everyone a great opportunity to rug up, get cosy, and experience a different side of this usually sun-drenched city. And at RAC Arena we’ve got a range of events to warm the bones and the heart. Whether it’s the rush of a sports game, the roar of a concert, or a unique experience, we’ve got you covered.
