Perth Activities

Activities in Perth run from a 1-hour jet ski hire at South Perth to a full-day sea kayak out to Penguin Island. In between sit V8 laps at Carco Raceway, horse rides in Jarrahdale, rooftop walks at Optus Stadium and tandem skydives at Rottnest Island.

Kayaking, jet skis and dolphin swims on the water

Kayaking has the widest choice. The full-day sea kayak to Seal and Penguin islands leaves from Shoalwater with lunch and snorkelling gear included, and dolphins, sea lions and fairy penguins on the route. It runs daily from mid October to the start of June. The half-day Canning River tour is a 3-hour guided paddle through wetlands, suited to beginners, leaving Kent Street Weir at 9am or 1pm.

A 1-hour jet ski hire from South Perth needs no licence and runs from November to April, with a 30-minute briefing on top. For wild dolphins, the Shoalwater swim with dolphins cruise leaves Rockingham at 8am for a 3 to 6-hour trip with wetsuits, masks and snorkels provided. Dwellingup Adventures runs fast water rafting and paddle-and-picnic tours, and Perth cruises covers the calmer options.

V8 laps, rooftop walks and flights

V8 Drive Day runs at Carco Raceway in Neerabup. The 6-lap race car drive is a sighting lap and 5 fast laps in a manual sedan or ute, with a 2-hour window for briefing and track time. Front-seat hot laps put you in the passenger seat instead, and the Perth driving and motorsports page has more.

At Optus Stadium in Burswood, the VERTIGO rooftop tour puts you on a platform suspended over the playing field, and you can lean out over the edge. The HALO tour is a 360 degree walk around the roof instead, and both run in twilight versions too. Each is a 90-minute tour.

In the air, the 15,000ft tandem skydive drops you onto a Rottnest Island beach after a 66-second freefall, and it's a popular choice. The 10,000ft jump has a 30-second freefall at most. See skydiving in Perth. A sunrise balloon flight with breakfast and a Perth transfer heads to the Avon Valley, and hot air ballooning in Perth covers the other launch options. Balloons fly from early April to late November.

Horse riding, Segway tours, sand dunes and hikes

Jarrahdale Equestrian runs 60-minute trail rides and private lessons for kids and adults, and a trail ride with a grazing platter and a glass of wine suits couples. In the city, the Kings Park Segway tour is a 90-minute guided ride, and the riverside tour is a 1-hour ride.

The Lancelin 4WD sand dunes and sandboarding tour is a 45-minute drive through dunes as high as three storeys, with sandboarding stops and an Indian Ocean backdrop. It departs from the Beacon Road carpark in Lancelin at 10am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, and it's a popular choice. Off the Beaten Track WA offers guided hikes in the Perth Hills (8-hour, with lunch and wine) and at Dwellingup (6-hour, with a train ride and pizza).

Wildlife and aquariums

AQWA, the Aquarium of Western Australia at Hillarys is a popular choice, with an underwater tunnel and touch pools. The Dryandra wildlife tour with dinner and stargazing is a 9-hour day that includes a night visit to a nocturnal sanctuary. More are on Perth animal experiences.

How to choose a Perth activity

Time sorts most choices. The jet ski, the dunes and the rooftop walks are short outings, the Canning River kayak and the V8 drive take a morning or afternoon, and the sea kayak, Dwellingup and the hikes take a full-day. Season matters too: jet skis run November to April, the Shoalwater sea kayak from mid October to early June and balloon flights from April to November.

The rooftop tours run in all weather conditions, and Perth rainy day activities lists more for wet days. The full range of things to do in Perth is on the region page.

Frequently asked questions

What types of activities can you book in Perth?

Perth activities cover water trips such as kayaking, jet skis and dolphin swims, plus V8 laps, rooftop walks, skydiving, ballooning, horse riding, Segway tours and wildlife visits.

What activities in Perth suit couples?

Couples can book a horse trail ride with a grazing platter and a glass of wine, a sunrise balloon flight over the Avon Valley with breakfast, or a Wine 101 class with a 2-course lunch for 2 at Upper Reach Winery.

What can kids do in Perth?

Kids can do a private horse riding lesson in Jarrahdale, visit AQWA in Hillarys, or join the Canning River kayak tour, which has a minimum age of 4.

Do I need a licence for a jet ski in Perth?

No licence is required for the 1-hour Perth jet ski hire at South Perth. A safety briefing comes first, so allow for a 30-minute briefing on top, and hire runs from November to April.

How long does a V8 drive in Perth take?

Allow a 2-hour window for the 6-lap V8 race car drive at Carco Raceway in Neerabup. That covers the briefing, the sighting lap and 5 fast laps.

Where do the Perth dolphin and kayak trips leave from?

The dolphin swim leaves the Val Street Jetty in Rockingham at 8am. The Seal and Penguin islands kayak tour starts at 9am from Shoalwater, with optional pickup from the Wellington Street coach stand in Perth's CBD between 7.45 and 8.15am.

Filter by the time you've got and the season, then book your Perth activity here.