If you’re looking for a new adventure or memorable moment, these fantastic experiences will certainly take your mind off school lunches, tidy homes and bath-time.

We’ve received thousands of entries from our Not Thinking About Gas competition and to highlight some of the particularly unique moments, we thought we’d capture some experiences here.

1. Skydiving

For many, skydiving can be a bucket list item. While there are various destinations around the world that would vie for ‘best skydiving experience’, WA also offers skydiving in a number of locations that allow you to see land or land and sea from on-high.

Take the plunge in Perth’s CBD, Applecross, Rottnest or Jurien Bay. There are also few skydive options in the Peel area, including Mandurah and Myalup, or into the south west in Busselton.

And if you’d rather experience skydiving in an indoor, completely simulated environment, try iFly Indoor Skydiving.

“My moment would be. Sky diving. I think the moment you jump out of that plane looking at the world around you. Feeling the wind in your face. The exhilaration of free falling until the parachute opens. Total freedom.” – Tanya O., sharing her ‘not thinking about gas moment’.

2. Fishing and exploring the Blackwood River National Park

   

The Blackwood is the longest river (400km) in the south west of WA and begins its journey near the Wheatbelt town of Wagin. The river meanders through Boyup Brook, Bridgetown and Nannup before finally meeting the ocean in Augusta.

Apart from fishing, you can follow trails, enjoy a picnic, camp and canoe or kayak your way along the river. The Blackwood River National Park is a great place to base yourself for DIY fun or to join a tour of the area.

You can even go houseboating on the Blackwood River. Closer to Perth, Mandurah Houseboats also offer houseboating in and around Mandurah as well as along the Murray River starting in Ravenswood.

“My not thinking about gas moment is when I’m fishing on the Blackwood River with my two boys catching black brim.” – T. O’Brien, sharing his ‘not thinking about gas moment’.

3. Island hopping Mid West style

The Houtman Abrolhos Islands lie 60km west of Geraldton and boast 122 islands popular for fishing, bird watching, snorkelling and diving. The Abrolhos Islands can be accessed by fast ferry, flight or charter boat.

There are a variety fishing boat charters you can join including, Abrolhos Adventures. If you aren’t too interested in fishing, and are short on time, try a flyover with a scenic flight, with Shine Aviation or Geraldton Air Charter.

“Being part of a fishing charter on the Abrolhos Islands, including  an overnight stay on one of the islands is my dream.” – Richard W., sharing his ‘not thinking about gas moment’.

4. Off-grid camping

Ningaloo is WA’s most accessible destination for experiencing our beautiful intact reef system and marine life. Many West Aussie’s are familiar with the experiences that the popular Coral Bay and Exmouth offer to visitors.

However, going ‘off-grid’ camping in this area, or anywhere else, is still yet to be experienced by many of us. Typically, ‘off-grid’ camping locations in WA are designated as ‘BYO- everything’, while others offer the opportunity to “upgrade”.

One of the better ways to ease into trialling off-grid camping is through station stays. Easing into camping through camping in comfortable surroundings first, allows you to learn more about what you need when camping remotely from a supplies and from a safety point of view.

“Zero thoughts of gas preparing to drive 15hrs to our school-holiday, off-grid beach camp at Ningaloo and not surprisingly, none whilst teaching the children to swim with stingrays and sea turtles!” – Nicola R., sharing her ‘not thinking about gas moment’.

WA Station Stays offers a list of stations available for camping, while also offering self-contained options. Regional tourism websites including Australia’s Golden Outback and Australia’s North West and Visitor Centres are useful in finding your ideal Station Stay experience.

5. Kayaking down the Kalgan River

Albany continues to surprise with a variety of activities for all ages. History lovers and educators visit Albany to learn and explore WWI memorability and the National ANZAC Centre. 

Hikers warm up along the Bald Head 12km hiking trail in Torndirrup National Park, particularly in winter for views of whales cruising by.

Wine and food lovers have plenty to choose from and beach-goers and fishing fans have multiple beaches, bays and waterways to refresh in or fish from.

The Kalgan River remains a quiet and peaceful area within Albany and is a popular place for boat cruises, fishing, bird watching and canoeing.

“I moved to Albany, along with my kayak with an electric motor. Paddling or motoring on the Kalgan River thinking of anything but gas.” – Lewis C., sharing his ‘not thinking about gas moment’.

6. Train rides into the Wheatbelt and Goldfields

Many of us wouldn’t have had the chance to take a train journey in WA. Most likely, because we choose to drive, fly or because there is no train available to that destination.

However, a journey into the Wheatbelt and Goldfields can be a day-trip, overnight or long weekend experience that’s worth the journey.

If you’re after a day-trip that doesn’t require a driver, consider the AvonLink. The passenger train runs return journeys from Perth to Northam, via Toodyay on a daily schedule. This means you can stop off in either Toodyay or Northam to explore some of the Avon Valley.

If you’d like to take off for a few days and enjoy a scenic eight-hour journey, the Prospector departs Perth twice a week, into the Goldfields.

There’s plenty to experience when heading into the Goldfields, so don’t let the roughness associated with Kalgoorlie being a mining town, put you off. There are some real gems to be found, plus you can actually prospect for gold while you’re in town.

“That my really unspoilt kids derived such pleasure from the ‘gadgets’ on the Prospector train from Perth to Kalgoorlie – including the free ear phones and coat hook on the back of the seats!!” – Laura K., sharing her ‘not thinking about gas moment’.

At Kleenheat, we’re your truly local gas provider focused on delivering better value and friendly service to our local community, so you can enjoy your every day and focus on things like getting out and enjoying our backyard.

Let us know what your ‘not thinking about gas’ moment is, what you do in your free time when you want to relax, enjoy yourself, or head off on an adventure.

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