On the 12 August 1829 Perth (Boorloo) was discovered by Captain James Stirling and was named after the city of Perth in Scotland. The city is situated on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Nyoongar people.

Lets put the spotlight on Western Australia. From its coastal-front, to the forest tree tops, to spotting new furry friends; let’s go through a few fun activities and experiences you can do in Perth and the surrounds.

Rottnest Island

Quokka joey. Image credit: rottnestisland.com

Home of the quokkas. A Dutch explorer thought they were rats when he first spotted one, so it was nicknamed the “rat’s nest”. More than 10,000 quokkas live on Rottnest Island and you’ll find the right across the island.

September is a good time to go see the quokkas because it’s baby quokka season! You’ll see baby quokkas making their first wobbly steps throughout the island. Can it get any cuter?

You learn all about the quokka on a free quokka walking tour by the Rottnest Voluntary Guides Association.

Quokkas are important on the island and are protected by the law. The Rottnest Island Authority are there look after the quokka population by conserving the island’s biodiversity. There are a few rules you should abid by when coming across a quokka to protect the quokka and yourself:

1. Don’t touch a quokka even if they approach you
2. Don’t feed a quokka. Our food makes them sick

Rottnest Island is also known for its beautiful blue-watered beaches.

The Basin is a great place for snorkeling. Its white sand and bluest water makes the Basin a super pretty place to visit. Thomson Bay is right next to the island’s main settlement and ferry depo. It’s the only swimming spot that’s roped-off for swimming so families love it there. You can spot a quokka or 2 there as well. Little Parakeet Bay is near Thomson Bay towards the northern side of the island. It’s a gorgeous picture-perfect beach that’s perfect for swimming because it’s shallow and well protected. 

To get to Rottnest Island is a short 30-minute ferry ride from Fremantle, or a 90-minute ferry ride from Perth. You can also get there by plane, helicopter, sea plane, or hire a private boat.

No car is needed to explore the island! Rottnest Island is actually car-free for the general public. You can hire bikes, walk, or take the Explorer Bus.

Shannon National Park

Great Forest Trees Drive. Image credit: southernforestsandvalleys.com

Situated 30-minutes from Northcliffe is Shannon National Park. In the 1950s and 60s Shannon was a mill town which was built to cater for a timber shortage after World War II. The settlement closed in 1968 and all the buildings were dismantled and removed.

You can do a lot of outdoor actvities in Shannon National Park like canoeing and hiking, however you should try the Great Forest Trees Drive. This 50km self-guided drive winds its way through spectacular old-growth karri, jarrah and marri forest – karri trees are one of the world’s tallest hardwood trees.

The drive starts at the recreation area on the northern side of the South Western Highway and finishes at the campground south of the highway. Have a picnic at pit stop with a nice view or stretch your legs on some adventuring with a few short or longer challenging forest walks before getting back in the car and continuing your drive.

The Great Forest Trees Drive is on gravel road suitable for 2WD and small coaches.

Shannon National Park also has 3 bridle trails for horse riders. There’s even a place to camp with your horse if you wanted to do a multiday trail.  

The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk

Tree top walk. Image credit: treetopwalk.com.au

In the heart of the Walpole Wilderness, in a place called Tingledale, The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk is a suspended sky-high walkway, 40 metres above the forest floor so you’re walking through the canopy of 400 year old tingle tree giants!

The sky walkway is designed to immerse you in the forest with a walkway that blends seamlessly into its surrounds and into the trees.

From up here you can appreciate this ancient and unique red tingle forest, with it’s giant tingle trees that trace back 65 million years ago.

It’s a short but thrilling 600 metre walk that’s suitable for kids and accessible for pram and wheelchairs.

The walk leads you down to the forest floor and onto the Ancient Empire walk, which is a 550 metre loop trail that takes you between and through 400-year-old red tingle trees.