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Escape the city chaos with the 10 best relaxing activities to do in Perth
- Take a leisurely stroll around Kings Park and Botanic Garden
- Pamper yourself at Bodhi Wellness Spa Retreat
- Surf the waves of Scarborough Beach
- Catch an awesome film at Rooftop Movies
- Sketch some portraits at The Art Gallery of WA
- Cruise along Swan River with Captain Cook Cruises
- Grab a good breakfast at Sayers Sister
- Read an exciting story at the City of Perth Library
- Watch a candlelight concert in Perth Town Hall
- Throw axes at Lumber Punks
Living in the city is fun; don’t get me wrong. But there are just days when the honking of the cars, the bustling sidewalks, and endless work deadlines feel suffocating that you just want to run away and hide.
When I started feeling that a year ago, I knew I had to do something before I felt completely burnt out. And so I spent days and weeks just searching for some relaxing activities in Perth that could help me breathe and recharge.
After much research and several sick leaves, I’ve narrowed down my top picks here for anyone else looking to escape the daily chaos of city life!
Take a leisurely stroll around Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Location: Fraser Ave
Website: http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park
Contact details: (+61 8) 9480 3600, [email protected]
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Whenever you’re feeling the stress of city life, take a breather and commune with Mother Nature at Kings Park and Botanic Garden. This sprawling inner-city park offers endless opportunities to get lost in its beauty and forget about your daily stressors.
Stroll through one of its many winding trails or plop down on a grassy field and let your mind drift away from the chaos of everyday life! It helped us a lot in college, especially during finals week when materials tend to get overwhelming.
Pro Tip: Bring some snacks and picnic mats with you! There’s plenty of space to have a relaxed picnic with friends here.
Pamper yourself at Bodhi Wellness Spa Retreat
Location: 317-319 Pier St
Website: https://www.bodhispa.com/
Contact details: 08 6373 7770
Operating hours:
Monday to Wednesday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Bodhi Wellness Spa Retreat on Pier Street just has the right services to get all that stress out of you! With services ranging from facials to massages to body scrubs, this spa is the ultimate destination for relaxation.
Their tension-release massage, though, is one of their best services. It might be a bit intense at first, but trust us when we say you’d feel like a boulder was taken out from your back afterwards!
Pro Tip: The spa has special day spa packages for pregnant women! You can avail of them yourself or send a gift voucher to a loved one that you think needs time for themself.
Surf the waves of Scarborough Beach
From @kailawarnerr
Location: City of Stirling
Distance from Perth: 20 minutes away
There’s something very therapeutic and relaxing about hanging out near beaches, which is why they’re always among the top vacation spots for many. Luckily for us in Perth, we have Scarborough Beach, just 20 minutes away from the city centre.
The beach is a paradise for surfers as it boasts regular surfable waves throughout the year. So, go grab a surfboard, forget about everything else, and put your entire focus on riding the waves and living the best life!
Pro Tip: For those who aren’t keen on driving to the beach, you can simply ride the 990 bus from the central bus port in the CBD!
Catch an awesome film at Rooftop Movies
Location: 68 Roe St
Website: https://www.rooftopmovies.com.au/
Contact details: (08) 9227 6288, [email protected]
Opening dates: October to March
After a gruelling day at the office, there’s no better way to unwind than with a cold brew and a great flick. But why settle for the same old boring movie theatre when Rooftop Movies offer more?
This outdoor cinema offers stunning cityscape views, a refreshing summer breeze, and a movie experience like no other!
Plus, the seats here are cosier and more comfortable than the stiff ones you get in some theatres. Here, you can kick back and relax on bean bags or snuggle up on deck chairs, whichever you’d like.
Pro Tip: Bring a blanket with you! It sometimes gets windy and chilly, so you’d want a jacket or blanket to keep you warm while watching.
Sketch some portraits at The Art Gallery of WA
Location: Perth Cultural Centre, Roe Street & Beaufort Street, Northbridge
Website: https://artgallery.wa.gov.au/
Contact details: +61 8 9492 6600, [email protected]
Operating hours: Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Maybe it’s the quiet atmosphere or the massive number of artworks inside, but sketching inside The Art Gallery of WA is one of the most relaxing activities you can do in Perth. There’s something about the artworks that just stimulate creative juices.
But don’t worry if you’re not artistically inclined – this place still offers plenty of relaxation opportunities. Simply immersing yourself in the 18,000+ works on display can make for a delightfully laid-back day.
Pro Tip: Make sure to bring only sketch pads that are not bigger than A3 size, or they won’t allow you to bring them in. You can also only bring pencils inside the gallery.
Cruise along Swan River with Captain Cook Cruises
Location: Barrack Street Jetty, 3 Birdiya Dr
Website: http://www.captaincookcruises.com.au/
Contact details: (+61) 08 9325 3341
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Offering stunning views of Perth’s skyline and plenty of fresh air, cruise trips in Swan River offer a soothing experience for its passengers. With the gentle rocking of the boat and its leisurely pace, you have all the time to appreciate the view and relax.
Captain Cook Cruises also offer a range of onboard amenities that make the trip more calming. The dinner cruise trip we joined had complimentary wines, a delicious buffet table, and even live music!
Pro Tip: There’s limited parking space available near the Perth dock, so we highly recommend riding a bus or taxi to get there.
Grab a good breakfast at Sayers Sister
Location: 236 Lake St
Website: http://www.sayerssister.au/
Contact details: 08 9227 7506
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM
When it comes to a cosy and relaxing atmosphere, few cafes in Perth can compete with Sayers Sister. To top that, they even have a delicious breakfast menu to ensure utmost relaxation!
The potato rosti has a crunchy exterior and fluffy filling that’s so good your mood will instantly go up when you take a bite. Pair the rosti with a hot cup of cappuccino, and you’re in for the most relaxed morning ever.
Pro Tip: If you’re coming with some friends, make sure to call them to book a table. It’s quite a popular spot, so it can get full early.
They don’t take weekend bookings, so you might want to avoid those days.
Read an exciting story at the City of Perth Library
Location: 573 Hay St
Website: https://www.perth.wa.gov.au
Contact details: (08) 9461 3500
Operating hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
With a vast collection of books covering numerous genres and topics, the City of Perth Library offers avid readers a great escape from the busy and noisy streets of Perth.
Offering comfortable seats and study nooks, the library is a place where you can enter the world of books and relax. There’s even a cafe at the ground level where you can continue reading while sipping a delicious cup of coffee.
Pro Tip: Grab coffee from the cafe and a book from the library, then head to the terrace on Level 3. The city view can help you have a more relaxing time.
Watch a candlelight concert in Perth Town Hall
Location: 601 Hay Street
Website: http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/living-community/perth-town-hall
Contact details: (08) 9461 3555, [email protected]
Concert halls tend to be loud and energetic, so they’re often the last place people who want to relax go to. But that’s not true for the candlelight concerts held in Perth Concert Hall!
The musicians performing here create their own mellow rendition of some popular hits, such as Coldplay’s Viva La Vida. Plus, the flickering candle lights from the hundreds of candles decorating the place make the atmosphere more relaxing than ever.
Pro Tip: Purchase your tickets to the show on the Fever app because they sometimes release discount vouchers there that you can use!
Throw axes at Lumber Punks
Location: 131 Kensington St, East Perth
Website: https://lumberpunks.com/
Contact details: (08) 9325 8234, [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Axe throwing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of relaxing activities, but it can actually be quite therapeutic! So, head over to Lumber Punks in Kensington Street and release all the stress and frustration you have!
The place has 20 fully enclosed lanes where you can throw axes and imagine the targets as the cause of your stress. It even has a range of non-alcoholic drinks and snacks to keep you full and happy during your stay.
Pro Tip: For those planning to go with their family, the instant digital family pass deal can help you save $100. Just purchase it on their website!
It’s valid for up to 2 adults and 2 teenagers aged 14 to 19.
