8 Things to Do in Perth This Autumn

Autumn is a beautiful time to be in Perth. The leaves change colour across the city and while the weather finally begins to cool down, there are still plenty of sunny days to enjoy. Whether you’re in love with the autumnal colours or simply making the most of the cooler weather, here are all of the best things to do in Perth while autumn is still here.

Visit a winery

With rolling hills, colourful autumn leaves and cosy restaurants, vineyards play a key role in tourism in Perth, especially in autumn. Once you visit some for yourself, it’s easy to see why! Take a day trip to the Swan Valley wine region and make the most of the free tastings before settling in with a tasty cheese platter. Ugly Duckling Wines, Lancaster Wines and Sittella Winery are just a few beautiful spots to get you started. 

Go apple picking

The summer stone fruit season might be ending but the autumn apple season is just beginning. Head to The Fruit Corner in Pickering Brook for a chance to pick your own apples. It only costs $5 to get in and then you simply pay for what you pick. Alternatively, you can go apple picking at the Core Cider orchard and enjoy a refreshing glass of apple cider afterwards.

Hit the hiking trails

If you’re looking for more active things to do in Perth, why not go for a hike? Autumn’s milder weather offers the perfect conditions for this type of outdoor activity. Just beyond the city, you will find an abundance of beautiful national parks and hiking trails to try. Whether you’re set on finding a waterfall or spotting some native wildlife, exploring these trails is the ultimate autumn activity. We recommend starting with some of the shorter trails in Bells Rapids National Park, Serpentine National Park and Ellis Brook Valley Reserve before heading further afield.

See the blue whales

Autumn is a special time for Perth’s sea life as this is the season when the elusive blue whales make their annual visit. Usually spotted around 30 nautical miles off the coast of Perth, the whales migrate to an area of the ocean called the Perth Canyon to feed on krill between March and May. The Perth Canyon is the only place in Australia where you can see the whales feeding and you can catch this magical sight by hopping on a whale watching tour.

Attend the S&R Orchard Autumn Festival

Head out for a day in the country at the S&R Orchard Autumn Festival. Located in the pretty Perth Hills region, the orchard hosts seasonal festivals throughout the year. The autumn festival takes place in the scenic orchard grounds, where you can stroll through the autumn leaves, grab a coffee and take some fun pictures for Instagram.

The 2022 festival will run on 21, 22, 28, 29 May as well as 4 to 6 June, with more details on the S&R Orchard Facebook page!

Catch the autumn leaves at Hyde Park

Nestled in the inner-city suburb of Highgate, Hyde Park is one of the best places to see autumn colours in Perth. When the season arrives, the park’s trees burst into rich shades of red, orange and gold. To truly enjoy the spectacle, it’s worth packing a picnic or grabbing some treats from one of the nearby bakeries before taking some time to relax under the trees.

Kayak along the Swan River

It might be too cold to get in the water but there’s no reason why you can't be on top of it! Kayaking is one of the best things to do in Perth in autumn, as you get to stay dry while still experiencing everything the waterways have to offer.

In Perth, the Swan River offers plenty of kayaking routes. You can hire kayaks from About Bike Hire in East Perth and make your way around Heirisson Island. Alternatively, you might choose to enjoy the views from South Perth with kayaks from Funcats Watersports.

Chase the sun north

With the weather cooling down in Perth, many people take the opportunity to travel north and enjoy some of the warmer weather before winter sets in. As the north of the state is often too hot to explore during summer, autumn is an ideal time to take a road trip.

Take the scenic Indian Ocean Drive highway and stop at Lancelin for the chance to go sandboarding on the giant sand dunes, before travelling another hour to the famous Pinnacles Desert. If you want to take a longer trip, take a few more days and head up to Kalbarri, Monkey Mia and Coral Bay.