In the spirit of new experiences, the running theme for this list is outdoors, nature, wildlife and positive challenges. Also, a few coffee breaks slipped in for good measure.  52 outdoor activities and micro adventures to try from Perth, so that is one every weekend for an entire year. A little trip may give you the same happiness and satisfaction as a longer one, the mental challenge refreshing your mind and all the while seeing the beauty of Western Australia.

Short bursts of travel, let’s go!

Overnight on a sheep station in the West Australian outback and try some prospecting

Long weekend in the forest and along the coast, hiking the Bibbulmun track from Walpole to Denmark, visiting the Tree Top Walk

Camp in the Karri Forest at Warren National Park and experience the magic of a sunrise and sunset in the forest

Tree spotting and wandering around Kings Park Botanical Gardens, pick up a small guide for tree locations from the gift store

Cycle around Rottnest exploring the endless swimming bays, find a secluded bay and set up for the afternoon

Sunset picnic or BBQ at City Beach under the Sheoak trees (pick a windless day)

Snorkel the coogee beach trail, south of Fremantle

Stay at Boshack Outback.  Experience star gazing, yabbi netting, canoeing, Australian billy tea and more

Go on a twilight guided walk at Karakamia Wildlife Sanctuary. Keep an eye out for Woylies, Quendas, and Tammar Wallabies

Walk the sand bar at Point Walter Reserve (on good conditions)

Tree Top adventures rope experience near Dwellingup at Lane Poole Reserve

Star watch at the Perth Observatory  and airbnb a night in a cottage in the Perth Hills, next morning have breakfast or cider at The Core Cidery

Cycle the coastal path from Fremantle to Burns Beach, bring the bathers for a dip in the ocean and stop in for coffee at Cottelsoe, Swanbourne or City Beach

Camp at Lake Leschenaultia, cycle to Mundaring for dinner, maybe Little Caesars pizza and beer, then cycle back (Don’t forget the lights!)

Camp under the forest canopy at Honeymoon Pool in Wellington National Park

Walk the Trigg Heritage trail near Trigg Beach

Mountain bike cycle the Marrinup Trail in Dwellingup and camp the night at Marrinup or Nanga Brook

Evening cycle around the Swan River in Perth’s CBD, views of the sparkling city skyline from South Perth foreshore cycle path

Go winter waterfall chasing, Lesmurdie Falls, Serpentine Falls and at John Forrest National Park

Participate in the Karri Cup in Northcliffe, a chance to ride ‘off the beaten trails’ in a social event, ending the day with a buffet dinner

Fremantle Prison tunnel tour followed by drinks and food at Little Creatures Brewery

Black Cockatoo open day at Kaarakin Conservation Centre, get up close to these large birds, endemic to Western Australia

Free discover sailing days at one of the yacht clubs along the Swan River. Hillarys Yacht Club.  Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club

Weekend in the forest close to Perth, hike the Bibbulmun track, from Perth Discovery Centre, camping overnight at Helena campsite

Explore the caves at Yancep Park and spend the night camping in Yancep National Park

Hike the Numbat trail in Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary, start early for a chance to see the local wildlife

Discover why Western Australia is a biodiversity hot spot in spring with some Wild Flower spotting, try the trails in Ellis Brook Valley

Check out a bush reserve, discover native trees and wildlife at Star Swamp Reserve along the coast

Picnic at Araluen during the Tulip Festival, Perth’s largest display of tulips

Visit the Tuart Forest National Park, Perth’s gigantic tree species, this is one of the last Tuart forests close to Perth, located near Busselton

Visit one of Australia’s most haunted places, Midland Town Centre

Visit WA’s largest arboretum, the Golden Valley Tree Park in Balingup. In autumn see the beautiful fall foliage. Plenty of cafes in town.

Hike or mountain bike the Old Timberline Trail from Nannup and camp at the Hewer Hut in St John Brook Conservation Park, breakfast and coffee from Pickle & O back in town

Visit Lake Claremont, what was once a rubbish fill is now a nature reserve and a great example of an environmental rehabilitation program. Cycle or walk around the perimeter and finish with coffee and a French pastry from Choux Cafe or a swim at the local pool on Davies Road.

The Cape to Cape MTB weekend, an epic multi day ride through Margaret River

Catch the train to the historical town of Northam and cycle the 75 km or so Kep Track to Mundaring

Take a free guided walk at Bold Park outside of Perth, keep an eye out for birds of prey. On a windy day, the noise through the hilly park is pretty incredible.

Picnic in Kings Park Botanical Gardens and walk the Bushland trail, end the day with a movie at the outdoor cinema within the park

Blackwood River canoeing in Nannup

Flying Trapeze in Alfred Cove along the Swan River

Visit the Wheatbelt.  Nocturnal tour at Barna Mia and camp the night in one of the campgrounds in the Dryandra Woodland

Visit the local Hamelin Bay Stingrays in Margaret River

Abseil in Kalbarri National Park and spend the night in Geraldton, morning coffee from The Jaffle Shack

See the birds of prey at Eagles Heritage Wildlife Centre in Margaret River and have one sit on your arm

See a King Jarrah Tree, along the King Jarrah and Lane Poole walking trails

Archerytag on Rottnest Island, a cross between Lasertag and Paint Ball, however with specially designed low impact Archery equipment

Experience camping in a National Park without buying the equipment at WA Wilderness

Stay at Evedon Bush Park Retreat, light the pot belly fire in winter, fish from the lake, go bushwalking from the retreat

Climb the 3 historic fire look out trees to dizzying heights in Pemberton

Log onto meetup.com and try a new outdoor adventure like mountain biking, SUP or hiking with like minded people

Breakfast picnic along the Swan River at Matilda Bay Foreshore, Point Walter or Keane’s Point Reserve, with access to a coffee serving kiosk

Camp overnight at Mt Gibson, 131,710 hectares of semi-arid woodland and keep an eye out for the Western Spiny-tailed Skink