Recreation can be defined as those non-competitive physical activities that take place for leisure purposes in our community. It can be categorised into areas of aquatics, outdoor recreation and adventure, fitness, tracks and trails, and community recreation.

These are represented and support by their associated Recreation Representative Body.

Active recreation plays a vital role in our wellbeing and brings people together to create stronger communities. The department is leading various projects throughout the state in order to achieve this aim.

The department strives to improve the quality and level of recreation services in WA.  A healthy recreation sector provides maximum opportunities for the entire community, including people with disabilities, youth, the elderly and the disadvantaged, to participate in activities.

Adventure Activity Standards

Cycling for physical activity

Extreme sports

Off-road vehicles

Recreation Advisory Panel

Recreation bodies

Recreation Strategic Reform Agenda

Regional recreation

Research relevant to emerging trends in recreation

Activities that are undertaken outside, in areas predominantly with unmodified natural landscape and may require large areas of land, water and/or air. Examples include horse riding, jet skiing, kayaking (river and sea), trail bike riding, mountain bike riding, orienteering, scuba diving, abseiling, bushwalking and waterskiing.

Facts about active recreation

Active recreation

Activities undertaken specifically to ensure individuals are in good physical condition. Examples include weight resistance training, group fitness (aerobics) and boot camp.

Facts about physical activity

Benefits of physical activity

Trails connect people with places and provide a wonderful way to discoverWestern Australia’s unique landscapes and explore our heritage. You canhike in our national parks and see spectacular wildflowers, paddledownstream through the tranquil forest or head off on an exhilaratingmountain bike adventure.

Bernadette’s record run

$1m drives trails to health

Work to start on off-road trail in Gnangara

Provision of recreation services in a variety of community settings. Examples include recreation centres, parks and other shared amenities, fun runs and charity walks.

Be Active WA

Promoted under the be active wa banner, the Taskforce links government and community agencies to strengthen the promotion and development of physical activity programs for healthy lifestyles, for the environment and to build stronger communities. 

To assist Western Australian workplaces to improve the health and wellbeing of their employees, the Department of Sport and Recreation, in partnership with the Premier's Physical Activity Taskforce, has commenced the Healthy Active Workplaces Initiative.

The Department of Sport and Recreation provides four fantastic recreational camps situated around the greater Perth area.

The camps offer schools and organisations the ideal location forconferences, personal development, team building and participation in asafe and fun environment.

Summer holiday fun a breeze at camps