It’s been a good two years since we’ve travelled to the land Down Under. At long last, the Australian VTL has kicked off and our travel itch is almost relieved. Those with a case of wanderlust can take solace in knowing that Western Australia is reopening its borders to travellers on 3rd March and Perth Airport is a mere 4.5-hour plane ride away.
If you’re already planning your trip itinerary, here are five new adventures in Western Australia you can check out from a thrilling bridge climb to a relaxing waterbike ride on the Swan River.
There’s something mystical about the vast Australian landscape, and the new Kalbarri Skywalk lets you see its beauty from the best vantage point. The skywalk has two cantilevered platforms perched over a cliff 100M above the Murchison River Gorge, letting you soak in the spectacular and uninterrupted views over Kalbarri National Park.
The twin skywalks stretch out 17M and 25M respectively from the edge of the cliff, and the steel mesh floor makes it feel like you’re walking over nothing.
Image credit: @gkilmaster64
If you have time, you can also take a quick detour over to the Insta-famous Nature’s Window, a natural rock formation that resembles a picture frame with the gorgeous park as its subject.
FYI: The Kalbarri Skywalk is located near the town of Kalbarri, about a six-hour drive away from Perth, so we’ll stock up on water and food for the road trip as there is no water available there.
Opening hours: 6AM-6PM, Daily
Ticket prices: $15/vehicle
Climb up the swan-shaped Matagarup Bridge or to the Optus Stadium’s roof
Image credit: Harry Cunningham
Thrillseekers after an adventure can go for a climb up the Matagarup Bridge. A fair warning for the faint-hearted: The climb up the swan-shaped bridge isn’t like other bridge climbs in Australia where it’s a leisurely stroll, but one where you’ll have to shimmy and slither across tight spaces before reaching the open-air viewing platform 72M above the Swan River.
Image credit: The Ozone Perth
If you prefer something that’s still exhilarating but not as strenuous, you can head to the nearby Optus Stadium for a rooftop climb that’s just 78 steps upwards. Not only will you get to see the city of Perth from another POV, but you’ll also get to take a short break at the stadium’s highest seats and even lean across the roof’s railing for a daredevil-esque photo-op.
Matagarup Zip+Climb
Address: Camfield Drive, Perth, Western Australia 6000
Telephone: 1800 947 546
Ticket prices: From $99
HALO at The Ozone
Address: Optus Stadium, Victoria Park Drive, Perth, Western Australia 6100
Telephone: +61 8 6247 5000
Ticket prices: $79/adult, $48/child
Image credit: GoGo Active Tours
Why stay confined in a tour bus when you can see the sights and sounds of Perth & Surrounds via a bike or kayak? GoGo Active Tours offers a good selection of tours that will cater to any group that wants to keep moving. So whether you just want to sample the craft beers at the breweries or paddle towards the limestone formations at Blackwall Reach, there’s something for you to do.
Blackwall Reach
Although these tours require some exercise, rest assured that you don’t have to be an Olympic athlete just to join the tour. The tours are adequately planned so you won’t have to rush from one site to another, although you would be required to have some experience riding a bicycle to join that tour group.
Image credit: @wamuseum
Museums are a great way to learn about the destination you’re visiting, and the newly-redeveloped Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip is just the place to get in touch with Perth’s rich history and culture.
With eight permanent exhibitions and the perspectives of over 54,000 Western Australians across more than 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language groups, the museum has one of the most diverse representations of any art institution.
Boola Bardip, translated to “many stories” in Whadjuk Nyoongar, an aboriginal dialect, is also home to the largest meteorite collection in the southern hemisphere and Australia’s oldest grapevine.
Address: Perth Cultural Centre, Perth, Western Australia 6000
Opening hours: 9.30AM-5PM, Daily (Closed on Good Friday & Christmas Day)
Image credit: @perthwaterbikeco
Did you really visit Perth if you didn’t snap a selfie by the Swan River? Rather than take a basic picture from the banks, you can elevate your social game by cycling on the iconic waterway and whipping out your phone for the ‘gram while you’re paddling over the river.
And unlike stand-up paddleboarding or cycling on land, you don’t have to worry about your balance as the catamaran configuration makes it almost impossible to topple over and drop you in the river. We’ll still leave our sneakers on dry land though, as your feet are bound to get wet.
Perth Waterbike Co.
Address: Millers Pool Carpark, Perth, Western Australia 6151
Telephone: +61 4 0232 4758
Ticket prices: From $65/hour
We get it – travelling is back on the menu now that we’re given the green light. But unless you have unlimited leave days, you don’t want to be stuck in a plane for 24 hours and deal with jet lag. Perth, being just a quick five-hour trip away, is far enough to feel like you’re going somewhere unique, but near enough that it shares the same timezone as Singapore.
And since we were all confined to our borders, there have been plenty of new attractions popping up in the Western capital of Australia. From the exhilarating bridge and stadium climbs to the swanky new museum for the culturally inclined, 2022 is the year to add Perth to your bucket list and explore the coastal city – if you haven’t already.
The Beachfront Super King Suite has a sweeping view of Thomson Bay
Image credit: Samphire Rottnest
You’re also spoiled for choice when it comes to where you choose to spend the night. Those who love the city can choose to stay in the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Perth or the convenient DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront. If you’re making the trip to Rottnest Island, there’s also the newly-opened beachfront resort Samphire Rottnest
Once you’ve nailed down your itinerary and accommodation, be sure to double-check to make sure you and your party meet all of Western Australia’s travel requirements just so you don’t have to stress at the airport.
This post was brought to you by Tourism Western Australia.
Cover image adapted from (L-R): @perthwaterbikeco, Tourism Western Australia, GoGo Active Tours, @zipclimbperth
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