Sometimes the everyday gets a little monotonous, and we find ourselves searching for more. We may need a new hobby, a new mindset, or a more meaningful connection to our community. Maybe it’s time to try that quirky, slightly obscure activity you keep hearing about?

Why not try something new or different when you’re not thinking about what keeps the household running, the hot water hot, and the family fed? Here are six suggestions you may not have thought to try.

Find your inner creative outlet at home or on the road

Organising a kids’ birthday party, whipping up a rainbow cake, or designing an invitation with a digital template doesn’t always give us the mental space to enjoy being creative. Sometimes, being creative can be more stressful than fun.

1. Join an art class or workshop, or follow an art trail in regional WA

Why not grab some friends and sit down to an arty workshop or take a drive to see some artistic talent in regional WA. Being creative and taking time away from your routine will give you some headspace, a few laughs, and even if you aren’t an artist, you might be inspired to factor in creative time-out more often.

Regional art trails

If you’re hitting the road, consider a loop around the Wheatbelt for various artistic roadside displays that will inspire you to see and experience more of WA.

• Kulin’s Tin Horse Highway: The Tin Horse Highway provides an entertaining drive and a fun alternative route to the town of Hyden and the iconic Wave Rock. Time it with the Kulin Bush Races for a great weekend away.  
• Gnowangerup’s Horsepower Highway: The local community have brought their vintage and rejuvenated tractors and lined the road between Broomehill and the Stirling Range National Park.
• Dampier’s Anchovy Flats Sculptures: There’s possibly no better canvas than a salt flat, and creative locals have taken advantage of this with quirky, humorous, and witty sculptures, worth the drive-by.
• Menzie’s Lake Ballard: If you like remote artwork, drive north from Kalgoorlie to Menzies for an incredibly humbling experience amongst Antony Gormley’s Lake Ballard.
• FORM’s PUBLIC Silo Trail displays massive murals on grain silos and other infrastructure in regional WA. Regional towns, including Northam, Merredin, Katanning, Pingrup, Newdegate, Ravensthorpe, and Albany, now have brilliant works of art displayed in accessible locations onlookers. Over the 930-plus kilometre trail, you can see and learn about the community, history, and significance of each location through the art depicted through the murals. Download the map and hit the road.
• Wheatbelt wildflower country: Don’t forget nature’s artwork which shine’s brightly in spring when wildflowers are bountiful in the Wheatbelt and Mid West of WA. Download a wildflower guide, so you know where to go.

An active outing of a different kind

Just 30 minutes of exercise a day strengthens your heart and lungs, as well as your muscles and bones. Are you searching for a new activity that won’t cost you an arm and a leg but will engage all the muscles in them?

2. Rock climbing and bouldering

There’s nothing more inspirational than seeing others demonstrate the extreme strength, flexibility, and agility required for rock climbing and bouldering. This sport requires a clear mind and problem-solving skills to keep you fit and strong in the long term. For inspiration, watch replays from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics or go and try it out at a rock climbing or bouldering near you.

3. Skateboarding

Mullets aren’t the only thing making a comeback, so are a few sports from the 90s.

Skateboarding has been a part of street culture since the 70s and 80s. Still, in the last decade, skateboarding has slowly become more prominent in the community through revitalised skateparks and events and the skate community’s inclusive and positive team culture.

Skateboarding groups now offer programs for all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, so there’s no excuse not to give it a go.

4. Rollerblading and rollerskating

Rollerblading and rollerskating are also rebounding in popularity and growing a steady following, not only because it’s fun and fast but because it offers a full-body workout and is great for core strength and balance.

Choose from outdoor or indoor skating, street roller hockey, jam skating, or roller derby. Give it a go by joining a MeetUp group or join in or try it out at one of these groups or locations.

Seeking meaningful and earthy or nature-based activities

Health and wellbeing stems from not only a healthy body but a healthy mind. A great place to start is by nurturing an open attitude towards trying new activities and constantly learning.

5. Didge Sound Therapy

George Walley, from Mandurah Dreaming, harnesses the calm and warming sound of the didgeridoo to run Didge Sound Therapy sessions.

These sessions provide an earthy, meditative experience that is refreshingly different from what you might be more familiar with.

Like meditation, the sessions provide a sense of wellbeing and relaxation while the vibrations of the didgeridoo create a connection to the land.

If you’re in the Kimberley and Pilbara, try similar experiences when following The Warlu Way or Camping with Custodians.

Photo credit to Mandurah Dreaming.

6. Hiking, trails, and parks

There’s a growing push to get back to nature. Activities in the outdoors, away from screens, indoor fitness sessions, and daily distractions can be the medicine you need to start the week afresh and filled with renewed energy. 

There is no shortage of nature-based activities in Australia. In WA alone, there are thousands of kilometres of trails to be trekked, beach-side, river-edge, and suburban pathways to roam, and a great variety of overnight hikes to complete.

Finding time to enjoy and appreciate the natural elements and remove yourself from screens, the busyness of life, and the noise of every day is a great way to maintain a healthy mindset.

Organisations like Nature Play dedicate their resources to engaging with children in natural settings within metropolitan areas. If you can’t get out of the city easily, try taking the kids to a local NaturePlay park.

Try a MeetUp group for hiking with new people or as a new hiker. Our Traditional Custodians, such as from the team at Boorloo, can teach us a thing or two about trails around WA as well.

The Department of Parks and Wildlife’s Explore Parks WA offers information for day trips, camping, and activities at parks across WA. Find a park near you, many have great public facilities, including barbecues, toilets and some are pet friendly. Don’t forget RAC members save 50% on digital national park passes.