Fun Coast

Take some time to explore the Fun Coast region which stretches from the City of Melville through Cockburn and Kwinana down to Rockingham. From the beaches to the wetlands, with some great attractions to visit in between, this area has something to please everyone; see the Fun Coast map.

Just 40 minutes south of the Perth CBD, the City of Rockingham is a popular summer holiday destination, offering a wide range of visitor experiences and activities. The area boasts some of the most magnificent aquatic and marine-based attractions on the Western Australian coastline, from visiting the penguin-viewing facility, diving off the many neighbouring islands, recreational boat and jetty fishing or swimming amongst the dolphins that inhabit the local bays. Then you can sit back and simply enjoy the vast stretches of award-winning white beaches – Rockingham Beach was awarded the Friendly Beach Award and the Resource Management Award at the 2010 Western Australia Clean Beach Awards. Rockingham really does offer a surprising mix of urban and seaside resort lifestyles – promising a unique experience for every visitor.

The sparkling waters of Warnbro and Cockburn Sounds which surround Rockingham are ideal for all sorts of aquatic sports. Fringed with award-winning sandy beaches, these are among the best stretches of coastline in Australia. You can find coral reefs relatively close to shore as well as plentiful marine life and interesting shipwreck sites. The more sheltered northern beaches are usually calm for swimming while the southern beaches offer great sailing and windsurfing. Sea lions, dolphins, penguins and a multitude of bird and marine life abound along the coast and adjacent islands. Rockingham Wild Encounters offers a range of ecotours to see the best of the local wildlife. Tours depart daily from September to May. Phone +61 8 9591 1333.

Located between Fremantle and Perth, the City of Melville is a vibrant place with many unique attractions to visit and enjoy. From breathtakingly beautiful foreshores and delicate displays of natural settings, to a myriad of restaurants, cafes, shopping and leisure opportunities, in addition to cultural hubs featuring museums and galleries. Celebrate all Melville has to offer today. Immerse yourself in the natural settings at Point Walter, Bicton. A popular foreshore destination, perfect for family picnics, fishing, swimming or sitting back and relaxing with a coffee at the cafe. Enjoy a round of golf at Point Walter Golf Course while taking in the tranquil surrounds. Featuring a scenic nine-hole golf course, cafe, function rooms and equipment available for hire. Point Walter Golf Course offers a truly idyllic experience.

The historic Heathcote Cultural Precinct in Applecross features stunning panoramic views of the Perth City skyline and the Swan River as well as being home to one of the best children’s adventure playgrounds in Perth. Why not take pleasure in a host of other great facilities including kiosk, cafe, ample grassed areas and BBQ facilities. Discover local history and view exciting art exhibitions by talented artists at the Heathcote Museum and Gallery. Opening hours are 10.00am to 3.00pm Tuesday to Friday and 11.00am to 3.00pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Uncover an abundance of rare native wildflowers and history, at the Wireless Hill Reserve situated among pristine and protected bushland. Wireless Hill also hosts a museum celebrating the location of one of the first telecommunication stations in Western Australia. Situated on 68 hectares of natural bushland and recreational space, Piney Lakes Reserve features an exceptional sensory playground, cascades of walking tracks including the Aboriginal Heritage Trail and Sculpture Walk and an Environmental Education Centre, offering an opportunity to learn more about the environment, healthy lifestyles and sustainable living. The Piney Lakes Environmental Education Centre is an innovative education centre showcasing the latest in renewable energy technologies and a working demonstration of unique sustainable building design and development. The venue is available for hire.

If you like to shop until you drop, Melville is the destination for you, boasting an array of shopping experiences to suit every budget and taste. One of Perth’s finest shopping centres, less than 15 minutes from the City or Fremantle and only 20 minutes from Claremont, Garden City Shopping Centre offers a distinctive display of fashion, food and lifestyle stores. Riseley Square offers an abundant display of fashion, homewares and lifestyle boutiques. Not to mention the many restaurants and cafes. Applecross Village has a cosy village atmosphere with an array of boutiques to satisfy your shopping senses.

In Bull Creek, visit the RAAFAWA Aviation Heritage Museum which has planes, planes and more planes and works hard to promote and preserve our aviation history, both military and civil. The displays are interesting, dynamic and informative, with over 30 complete aircraft to see, including a Lancaster, Spitfire and Tigermoth. Complementing the aircraft are numerous exhibits and displays, tracing our conquest of the air and space and preserving some of Australia’s military history. Perfect for aviation experts or just interested novices. Bull Creek Dve Bull Creek. Phone +61 8 9311 4470.

The Town of Kwinana, just 25 minutes from Mandurah and Perth, has a wealth of natural reserves and wetlands, the perfect environment for nature walks and picnics. Located in the Beeliar Regional Park, the Spectacles Wetlands are part of a major ancient trade route following freshwater swamps and lakes which link the Aboriginal people of the Murray and Swan rivers. The Spectacles Yargan Tours feature local guides sharing their culture, language and history with guided walks, dancing and traditional storytelling. The wetlands also feature more than 100 species of birds and animals and a diverse range of wildflowers and paperbark trees. Tours run from October to April. Phone +61 8 9439 0200.

Heading south from Perth, the City of Cockburn (pronounced ‘Co–Burn’) is home to areas of clean and inviting coastline including Coogee Beach and Woodman Point, which offer a variety of activities for boating and fishing enthusiasts. There are many parks and reserves to explore; Manning Park is home to the Azelia Ley Homestead Museum, the old Wagon House and the Davilak Heritage Trail. Also in the area are the exciting Cockburn International Raceway. In Bibra Lake, experience the excitement of Adventure World, Perth’s premier fun park. Cockburn is also home to Jandakot Airport, where you can take a range of sightseeing flights via plane or helicopter to really see the city of Perth.

In Baldivis, make sure you visit MacNuts WA and see for yourself the secrets of a working macadamia nut factory. Take a guided tour, enjoy the tranquil atmosphere, relax with a cuppa and sample fresh nuts in assorted flavours, oils, spreads, honey or homemade cookies. A range of body care products is available.with their amazing range of macadamia nut products, phone 9524 2223. Bonneys Park Ski Shop has all the water skiing fun you can handle. With five man-made lakes and four slalom courses, tube rides, ski jump plus cafe and barbecues this is a great leisure destination. 136 St Albans Rd Baldivis. Phone +61 8 9523 2200.

Penguin Island in the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, just 45 minutes from Perth, boasts spectacular coastal scenery and diverse wildlife. It is home to the largest colony of little penguins on the west coast, as well as more than 30 species of birds, and is managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management to conserve its uniqueness for present and future generations. The significance of the island as a sea-bird breeding site creates a focus for wildlife and scientific research. This is the largest colony of little penguins, also known as fairy penguins, in WA, containing an estimated 500 to 700 breeding pairs. The penguins are nocturnal on land, coming ashore in small flocks after sunset. Noisy courtship activities signal the start of the breeding season. Both parents will incubate the eggs, which are laid any time between mid-April and mid-October. The penguins feed on bait fish and squid, and may travel many kilometres from the island to feed. Rescued and rehabilitated penguins are housed in a viewing enclosure in the Island Discovery Centre within the park, and are regularly fed throughout the day. Nearby Seal Island is home to a group of protected rare Australian Sea-lions, and is often a home away from home to groups of visiting dolphins, who can be seen frolicking in the tranquil waters.

Transperth operates services in the region and trains on the Mandurah line connect with regular bus services throughout the area. Catch the train to Rockingham from Perth, then bus route 555 to arrive at Kent Street, one street back from the waterfront. Catch a train on the Mandurah line to Cockburn Central or take the Fremantle line to Fremantle. Bus route 520, which connects these two stations, can take you to Adventure World.

If you plan to explore this area by car, you can leave from the city by several routes. The Kwinana Freeway will take you inland beside the Mandurah train line, or you can head west from the city centre along Stirling Highway to Fremantle, then south along Hampton Road then Rockingham Road.