Travel & Touring | WA Things to Do
By: Vanessa Pogorelic
Some are legitimate water sports others are just a little bit kooky, but they’re all super fun ways to enjoy the water over the summer.
Enjoying time out on the water is a way of life for Perth locals, with a river system that winds through so much of the metro area and more than 100km of pristine coastline.
But paddling, surfing and boating are far from the only options when it comes to enjoying the aquatic lifestyle in Perth.
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This summer, get on board with something a little different and explore our amazing waterways from a whole new angle.
Here are seven interesting, unusual, and even offbeat ways you can hit the water this summer.
1. Flyboarding
Soar high above the water on a jet propelled flyboard. It’s similar to jetpacking, but rather than having a jetpack strapped to your back, you’re strapped into a pair of boots on top of the board. You can then control your flight by the way you move your feet.
In Perth you can experience flyboarding with Jetpack Adventures at the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre, a 55-hectare purpose-built lake, where the calm waters are ideal for flyboarding. You’ll be given full instructions before your flight so you’re ready for lift-off. The Champion Lakes Regatta Centre is on Henley Drive in Champion Lakes where picnic facilities are also available so you can make a day of it.
2. Swan boats
The Swan River’s black swans are a common sight on the Bicton foreshore as they glide along close to the water’s edge, but in this part of the river they’ve got some competition when it comes to local icons.
In addition to the resident population of black swans, a resident population of giant white swans can also be seen gliding along the calm waters. Swans on the Swan are large, swan-shaped pedal boats that you can hire to explore this interesting part of the river.
Two adults can fit in a swan or one adult and one child, and you don’t need any previous swan paddling experience. Life jackets are included, and you’ll be given a full safety briefing before you tackle your giant swan.
Swans on the Swan are based at Point Water Reserve in Bicton, next to Walters River Café.
3. Gondola ride
Arguably just as elegant as getting around the river in a giant white swan are the Gondolas on the Swan. This one is a little less work than paddling a giant swan though, as your gondola comes fully equipped with your own gondola paddler.
Perth’s own gondola is a one-of-a-kind and was designed and handcrafted in WA. It faithfully reproduces an authentic Italian gondola in great detail and is complete with venetian drapes, and a velvet-lined interior.
The gondola leaves from Elizabeth Quay and heads across the river towards the South Perth foreshore where you can take in views of the city. You can book a cruise for a full hour or take a shorter 30min or 15min trip.
4. BBQ boats
Mandurah’s canals may not have their own hand-crafted Venetian gondolas, but they do have something just as exciting – self-drive barbeque boats.
The donut-shaped barbeque boats have cushioned seating around a central table with a charcoal barbeque. As you slowly cruise Mandurah’s waterways, everyone on board gets 360-degree views.
The eco-friendly electric boats are fitted with an in-built umbrella for shade and a bluetooth sound system, and include all tableware. You just need to bring your barbeque or picnic food.
Standard barbeque boats fit six people and large boats are able to take up to 10 people, with hire available for up to two hours.
5. Water bikes
Take your love of cycling out on the water with a water bike. You can hire one to paddle around Matilda Bay from SUP Central. The water bikes have a very stable catamaran-style hull so there’s no real balance required. All you need to do is get pedalling.
You can explore the river around Matilda Bay, heading either north-east towards the blue boathouse in Crawley or south-west towards the bird sanctuary. SUP Central is located not far from the pontoons on the Matilda Bay foreshore.
6. Hydrofoil surfboard
Hydrofoil surfing has become increasingly popular over the past few years, and one of the most exhilarating forms of hydrofoil surfing would have to be on an electric board.
They don’t need a wave or a wake to get moving so you can ride them on flat water. Electric hydrofoil surfboards are now available to hire in Perth at Port Beach from AquaFlights.
Beginners can hire a Flightscooter which has handlebars attached to the deck, much like a scooter, for added stability. Or hire an eFoil board that rides a little more like a surfboard, without the handlebars.
You’ll be provided with instructions on how to operate the boards before you set off.
7. Wingfoiling
Combing a hydrofoil surfboard with a handheld wing, wingfoiling will see you skimming above the water propelled by the breeze. It’s a little like kitesurfing in that you catch the wind with a wing much like a kite and manoeuvre it with your hands, with the wing either completely handheld or attached to you via a harness.
It's an exhilarating sport and, as with all wind-propelled activities in Perth, there's plenty of wind to catch with our strong summer sea breezes.
SoulKite hire wingfoils from their location on the Applecross foreshore and also provide lessons for those new to the sport. Hire is available for one hour or half-day hire is 3.5 hours.
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