The Rise Of The Side Quest: 7 Of The Best Hobbies To Get Around In Perth Right Now
There’s nothing more humbling than being asked what your hobbies are and realising your answer is… scrolling. If you’re looking to add a few more side quests to your repertoire, make 2026 the year you do it. Learn an instrument. Pick up a film camera. Flip a roadside furniture find. Finally nail that café-worthy coffee at home. The best side quests don’t need to be productive or profitable (though that’s always a bonus). They’re simply a chance to try something new, get a little obsessed and have a bit of fun.
The only downside? The cost of hobbies can add up quickly, especially once you start collecting the tools, equipment and extras that come with levelling up your skills. So, we’ve teamed up with Cash Converters to help you chase more side quests in 2026.
Whether you’re trying something new or investing in an existing passion, Cash Converters lets you buy into a hobby more affordably, then sell or trade up as your interests evolve. They also buy goods for on-the-spot cash, so once you move on from your latest obsession, you can get some coin back to fund your next project. From creative crafts to active pursuits, these are the hobbies Perth locals are getting into right now.
Photography Is Back In Focus
Cameras have become the unofficial accessory of the season. From old-school 35mm film cameras to Polaroids and those delightfully chunky early-2000s digital point-and-shoots, the era of perfectly polished camera rolls is well and truly over.
The streets of Fremantle at golden hour. A long lunch in the Swan Valley. A road trip with your nearest and dearest down south. Somehow, they all look even better with a little grain, the odd light leak and colours that don’t take themselves too seriously.
If you’re ready to start shooting, Cash Converters has quality cameras for everyone, from first-time film photographers to seasoned snappers. And if you can’t quite get the shot, eligible purchases come with a Cashies 90-Day Warranty (T&Cs and exclusions apply. Ask their friendly team for details).
Jump On The Tools
Furniture flipping is for the people who can't walk past a verge collection without slowing the car down. All across Perth, eagle-eyed DIYers are spotting solid timber beneath scratched varnish and seeing potential where others see landfill.
Armed with the right tools and an eye for untapped potential, forgotten furniture is being sanded, stained and styled into pieces worthy of a second life. It’s better for the environment, kinder on your bank balance and surprisingly addictive.
Making Some Noise
Some hobbies are easier on your housemates than others. Learning an instrument definitely isn’t one of them.
But whether you’ve always wanted to learn guitar, tick piano off your bucket list or finally sharpen your school music lessons, picking up an instrument is one of the most rewarding side quests going. The first few practice sessions might sound a bit…optimistic… but stick with it, and with a little patience and practice, your favourite song will eventually start to sound like, well, your favourite song. When you’re ready to make some noise, Cash Converters has quality musical instruments and audio gear to help you hit all the right notes.
Apologies in advance to anyone within a 50-metre radius. Anyway, here’s Wonderwall.
Get Into Gaming
Whatever mum said when you were a kid, gaming is absolutely a hobby. There’s a simple pleasure to beating your personal high score on the morning commute, mastering a virtual sport or escaping into a fantasy world to wind down. Good gaming takes time and skill, but it doesn’t have to be the newest top-of-the-line device for you to have fun. You never know which portable, VR and console devices you’ll find, or what preloved video games are up for grabs.
Sew And Stitch
There are few things more satisfying than wearing fashion you’ve repaired, tailored or spruced up. Not only is it more sustainable than fast fashion, but you can also add your own flair to pre-existing pieces or make off-the-rack pieces fit your body just right. Or, you know, just add pockets to your dress (worth it for that alone).
It doesn’t have to be an expensive machine if you’re picking up the stitch for the first time—you can go for something ultra-light and simple to larger, more complex sewing jobs and even embroidery machines for a little flourish.
Putting A Fresh Spin On Things
Anyone who’s dabbled in the vinyl revival will tell you that it rarely, if ever, stops at just one record. Blame the oversized album artwork, the thrill of the find or the stories hidden behind every sleeve. Whatever the reason, vinyl has found its groove again, with collectors happily spending hours hunting for old favourites and unexpected new discoveries. Of course, no respectable vinyl collection is complete without a quality turntable and speakers to match.
And, like all great relics of the past, CDs are back in a big way, following the same trajectory as vinyl before it. Young music fans are getting back into physical albums, and you can find a whole heap of them here.
Get Into Birdwatching
It’s not enough to touch grass; we have to identify every bird out there. Birdwatching is taking off everywhere right now, with apps like Birda making it super easy to get started. All you need is a bird (they're everywhere), and a decent pair of binoculars. Then join a birdwatching group pr just head to your local park or nature strip, identify a few, jot down some notes and start your new, lifelong adventure as a 'twitcher'. Plus, it's a hobby you can take anywhere.
Ready to find your next obsession? Head in-store or online at Cash Converters to kick-start your next side quest with quality pre-loved gear. Find your nearest store here.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Cash Converters and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why, read our editorial policy here.
PB-SHD 2025. Conditional to successful ID verification. * T&Cs apply, see in-store and online for details. Shipping fees and conditions may vary depending on the item.
Image credit: Supplied.