Biking [

Perth's superb bike-track network stretches for miles along the Swan River, through Kings Park, around Fremantle, and all the way along the beaches. A great 9.5km (6-mile) track enables a complete loop around Perth Water, the broad expanse of river in front of the central business district. The state's cycling division, Bikewest, publishes a range of useful bike-route maps to the city. They are available in bike shops, from most newsdealers, and at Perth Map Centre, 900 Hay St. (tel. 08/9322 5733).

Rental from About Bike Hire by the Swan River at Point Fraser Reserve (Causeway Carpark; tel. 08/9221 2665; www.aboutbikehire.com.au), about 2km (1 1/4 miles) from the city center, is A$10 for an hour, or A$36 for a 24-hour day for adults, and A$7 or A$22 for children under 12. The day rate, which reduces the longer you have the bike, includes a helmet (required by law in Australia), lock, and pump. Road racers, tandems, kayaks, and other specialized bikes can also be hired. It's open daily 9am to 5pm (8am-6pm in summer).

Golf

Most convenient to the city is Burswood Park Public Golf Course, adjacent to (but not part of) the Burswood International Resort Casino, across the river on the Great Eastern Highway, Burswood (tel. 08/9362 7576 for bookings; www.burswoodparkgolfcourse.com).

Even more scenic are the 27 championship fairways at Joondalup Resort, Country Club Boulevard, Connolly, a 25km (16-mile) drive north of Perth (tel. 08/9400 8811 pro shop; www.joondalupresort.com.au); and the Vines in the Swan Valley (tel. 08/9297 3000 resort, or 08/9297 0777 pro shop; www.vines.com.au), which has two 18-hole championship bushland courses. Bookings are essential at both courses, and dress standards apply at all courses (in general, shirts with collars, closed footwear and socks; no jeans or running suits; dress shorts are acceptable).

Sailing

The tallest Tall Ship in Australia, the barquentine (three-masted) SS Leeuwin II  (tel. 08/9430 4105; www.sailleeuwin.com), sails from B Shed at Victoria Quay, Fremantle, when it is not on voyages around Western Australia. You get the chance to try your hand at sailing the way it used to be, even clambering up the rigging. The ship takes 3-hour daytime, twilight, or brunch trips at A$95 adults or A$60 children 3-13. Check the website for longer, live-on-board ocean voyages.

Experienced sailors can sometimes find a spot in Thursdays' summer twilight events with members of the Royal Perth Yacht Club, Australia II Drive, Crawley (tel. 08/9389 1555, ask for the sailing administrator), if there is a place available. It's not spinnaker sailing, so the action is at an easy pace. Dress standards apply.

Funcats Catamaran Hire & Sailing Centre (tel. 04/0892 6003; www.funcats.com.au) rents simple, small catamarans from the South Perth Foreshore.

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Just 19km (12 miles) off Perth, Rottnest Island's corals, reef fish, wrecks, and limestone caverns, in 18-to-35m (59-115-ft.) visibility, are a gift from heaven to Perth divers and snorkelers. Contact Perth Diving Academy (tel. 08/9344 7844; www.perthdiving.com.au), to rent gear and/or join a dive trip.

Surfing

You will find good surfing at many city beaches, Scarborough and Trigg in particular. See the "Hitting the Beaches" section, earlier in this chapter. Rottnest Island also has a few breaks. Surfing WA (tel. 08/9448 0004) runs classes in Perth and around WA; check http://www.sasurfschools.com.au/wa-surf-schools.php.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.