Western Australia is a wild playground if you love adventure, adrenaline, and unforgettable natural beauty.
Whether you’re diving into crystal-clear waters, taking the views in from above or testing your limits on land, WA has no shortage of epic experiences to share with your partner or best adventure buddy!
Here are our recommendations for 10 Best Things to Do in Western Australia If You Love Adventure.
Quick Highlights:
- Sea Lion in Jurien Bay
- Skydive over Rottnest or Jurien Bay
- Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree
- Hot air balloon in Avon Valley
- Mountain biking in Margaret River
- Sandboarding in Lancelin Sand Dunes
- Swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef
- Optus Stadium Vertigo Experience
- Busselton Jetty snorkel
- Bike around Rottnest Island
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1. Swim with Sea Lions in Jurien Bay
This is easily one of the BEST experiences we have ever had in Western Australia.
Jumping in the water to swim with these curious and playful creatures is something we would recommend everyone to do at least once in their lifetime.
The tours run from Jurien Bay, a couple of hours north of Perth and can be booked all year round.
The largest known breeding ground for the sea lions in Western Australia is located a short boat ride from Jurien Bay. The tour guides will take you there, provide wetsuits and snorkel gear.
We personally went with Jurien Bay Oceanic and have nothing but positive feedback for them. They were so knowledgeable, ensured everyone felt safe and comfortable and showed so much care for the animals. They do not entice the sea lions to enter the water in any way, they only come out to play if they want to and Jurien Bay Oceanic made sure everyone understood how to act around the sea lions once in the water.
Booking in advance is necessary, especially in peak season. Visit Jurien Bay Oceanic’s website here and grab your tickets.
2. Skydive Over Rottnest Island or Jurien Bay
Skydiving has to be one of the ultimate bucket list experiences and one of the best things to do in Western Australia if you love adventure.
Choose between the incredible views over Rottnest Island or Jurien Bay, you can’t go wrong with either one. Tour prices are pretty similar for either of them, so it comes down to a personal preference and what fits in best with your travel plans.
Skydive Jurien Bay offer a certificate of achievement and a free drink at Kakka Alley Brewer if you book with them. Find more information and book your tour here.
Photos and videos are not typically included in the price of the ticket but can be purchased at an extra cost after the tour.
It’s also worth noting that transport to and from Rottnest Island with the ferry is not included in the ticket price, so this would be an additional cost.
You can purchase package tours from Get Your Guide, which includes ferry transport and the tandem skydive ticket here. Otherwise, sky diving tours without the ferry transport can be booked here.
3. Climb Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree, Pemberton
This one is not for the faint-hearted but is a fun way to test and challenge yourself or each other.
Located near Pemberton, about 4 hours from Perth CBD or 1.5 hours from Margaret River, you’ll find this 75 meter tall karri tree.
The tree was originally pegged to be used as a fire lookout for the whole forest and it used to be climbable all the way to the top. You are still able to climb to the first platform, which is about 20 meters from the ground, but getting to the top is no longer possible, unfortunately.
4. Float Over the Avon Valley in a Hot Air Balloon
What could be better than incredible 360 degree views of the serene landscape underneath you? Hot air ballooning over the Avon Valley at sunrise is an unforgettable experience and is definitely one of the 10 best things to do in Western Australia if you love adventure.
The best time to go on a hot air balloon journey is during the cooler months (April – November) as the weather is most suitable for flights during this season.
Windward Ballooning offer a sunrise tour including a transfer vehicle from the launch and landing site, book it here.
5. Mountain Biking in Margaret River
Margaret River and surround is home to some really fun trails for mountain biking and is one of the best things to do in Western Australia if you love adventure.
Wooditjup National Park is a great spot and their mission while creating these world class trails was to make it as eco-friendly as possible, how good is that!
There are multiple trails to choose from catering to different levels so everyone can participate. Our recommendation for the most beginner friendly trail is the Cut Cork, the Bender for intermediate riders and Cash and Karri for advanced riders.
The best place to start the ride is Margaret River trail hub near the Rotary Park.
You can find more information about Wooditjup and read about all the different trails here.
6. Sandboarding the Lancelin Sand Dunes
This activity is both fun and budget friendly as you can hire your board for just $10 an hour or $16 for two hours.
Lancelin Sand Dunes is located about an hour and a half from Perth CBD, so it’s an easy day trip and a great activity to cross of your list of 10 best things to do in Western Australia if you love adventure.
We rented our sandboard at Lancelin Surf who are open 7 days a week for walk-in sandboard rentals. You can also book a 4WD tour or a quad bike tour if you prefer something with a motor!
If you don’t feel like riding up and down the powdery slopes, it’s still a fun experience to visit Lancelin Sand Dunes and enjoy the views of the enormous sand dunes.
7. Swim with Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, and Dolphins in Exmouth
This is definitely at the top of many people’s lists of best things to do in Western Australia if you love adventure and for a good reason.
Swimming with these marine animals is the most sought after activity at the Ningaloo Reef, particularly during high season which is between March and August.
The Ningaloo Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2011 for its outstanding natural beauty and incredible diverse biological diversity, so it’s safe to say this part of the cost in Western Australia is exceptional and definitely worth a visit.
There are many tour operators located in Exmouth that offer full day trips to experience swimming with the friendly whale sharks. It is essential to book your tour well in advance as most tour operators book out.
8. Take on the Vertigo Experience at Optus Stadium
If you’re after a more local experience then the Vertigo Experience at Optus Stadium is a fun activity to do together if you love adventure.
You will be going on a harnessed walk on the rooftop along the outer edge of Optus Stadium and if you dare, you can even lean over the edge. Yikes!
Get Your Guide offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before and their tour includes digital images as you aren’t allowed to bring cameras and/or selfie sticks.
9. Snorkel Underneath the Busselton Jetty
Did you know that 8 meters underneath the ocean surface and at the end of Busselton Jetty, there’s an underwater sculpture park? The longest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere isn’t just impressive above water!
For just $4 you can obtain a dive and snorkel pass and explore the world underneath Busselton Jetty. This can be purchased either online or at the Interpretive Center at the base of the jetty.
You will also be required to fill out a waiver form which can be done when purchasing the tickets at the center or you can prefill it if buying your pass online.
10. Bike Around Rottnest Island
No listicle of 10 best things to do in Western Australia if you love adventure is complete without mentioning Rottnest Island, aka Rotto as locals call it.
Visiting Rottnest Island is an absolute must if you are around Perth.
With no cars around on the island (only buses and service cars) it’s the perfect destination to rent a bike and ride around the island.
Spend the time exploring the scenic coastline, find hidden coves and white sandy beaches and remember to stop and snap a selfie with the world’s happiest animal, the quokka.
You can catch the ferry from Fremantle which takes about 25 minutes or Hillary’s Boat Harbour which takes about 45 minutes.
Ferry tickets and bike rentals can be booked together from Fremantle here or from Hillary’s Boat Harbour here.
This completes our list of 10 best things to do in Western Australia if you love adventure and we hope you found some inspiration on what to do for your next adventure!
If you are looking for more things to do around Perth, check out our list of day trips from Perth next.