Best Day Trips From Perth, Western Australia

When deciding on the best day trips from Perth we’d be doing on our trip to Western Australia, we knew we wanted something a little adventurous and out of the ordinary.

We wanted to see the diverse, often strange landscapes you encounter in that part of the country. We definitely ticked that off the list, but we also found delicious wine, impressive scenery, and a region that I know we’d love to return to one day.

If you’re traveling this way, use this guide for the best car trips within about three hours of Perth. I include the driving time on each and note where we used public transit and where you’ll need ferries to complete your trip.

Fremantle

Distance: 14 miles
Travel Time: 30 minutes

Fremantle is part of Perth’s metro area, so it doesn’t get easier and more accessible than this one if you’re looking for day trips from Perth by train.

We got single train tickets to get out to the Perth suburb, and the ride was quite scenic, the ocean views giving us a show toward the end.

Fremantle Prison, a World Heritage site, is a highlight for any visit. We did the True Crime Tour — yes, the name got me to purchase tickets all on its own — and it was very good.

We walked to Little Creatures after. The brewery serves up fish fritters and beer with harbor views and glamorous photo sessions. We couldn’t help but take some of our own glamour shots after indulging in their hoppy offerings.

With more time, visit the Round House, the oldest public building in Western Australia. Stroll around the historic homes near the Round House even if you don’t tour the building.

For guided tours around Fremantle, including a brewery tour, check out the options below:

Swan Valley

Distance: 16 miles
Travel Time: 35 minutes

The Swan Valley wine region features Australia’s oldest vines, all less than a half hour from Perth’s city center. If you’d like to try what the region is known for, sip on chenin blanc wherever it’s offered.

Fun fact: The white wine grape hails from the Loire Valley of France, but it also grows extensively here.

Head to Olive Farm Wines for the oldest winery in Western Australia. Tyler’s Vineyard, Faber Vineyard, and Lancaster Wines all offer diverse wines that show off the best of the valley. Lancaster Wines is known for sweet dessert wines in particular.

I’m not that into the sweet stuff, but Brian can sip on ’em all afternoon.

If you’re looking for day trips from Perth with dogs, by the way, there are dog-friendly wineries like Lamont’s Winery for you to choose from, too.

For a lazier day, there are a variety of Swan River cruises leaving from the Barrack Square Jetty that will give you a different perspective of the region’s famous vineyards.

Interested in a guided experience while you’re there? Check out the options below:

Lancelin

Distance:  miles
Travel Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

If you know how to snowboard, you’re an impressive individual. This excursion in Lancelin is nothing like that, though.

First things first, you’ll want to set up a sandboard rental pickup in advance, especially if you’re headed up there on a weekend.

Ours came from the Have a Chat General Store. They had plenty of boards when we arrived, but we typically go the route of best-prepared when traveling miles to a specific excursion.

The Aussie at the counter gave us some wax and told us not to lose the wax or break the boards.

“You’ll pay the dickhead fee if you do,” we were told.

Nodding my head solemnly to let him know that I was not a dickhead, I shoved that wax stick in my sports bra and off we went to adventure time.

Once there, we were on our bottoms most of the time, although Brian tried to stand up at the end like he was Shaun White in slow motion.

I am a more cautious individual, so I frequently stopped myself with my hands, causing myself to tip over and wipe out, sand filling all the crevices. It sounds uncomfortable, which it was, but also funny at the time.

What wasn’t funny was climbing back up these sand mountains for those seconds of child-like glee sliding down. All involved became very sweaty, and I spent a good chunk of time up there people-watching. 

Interested in a guided experience? Check out the options below:

Nambung National Park

Distance: 119 miles
Travel Time: 2 hours

The pinnacles of Nambung National Park are awesome.

Once you pay your fee at the gate, you enter a different world. The Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre is a good place to start to learn about some of the critters in the park.

That includes all kinds of creepy crawlies you hope not to interact with when you’re traipsing through the desert. 

We did the path through the park. It’s just under a mile long, well-marked, and gets you away from some of the car people who exit their vehicles at various viewpoints to climb on things they shouldn’t.

The desert self-drive is about 2.5 miles. I can’t speak to whether you’ll get different views on the drive rather than on your feet. Seeing the desert on your feet and walking among those limestone forms was other-worldly.

Knowing that any scorpions I encountered would be non-lethal made it all that more pleasant. Thanks, discovery center! 

Lake Thetis

Distance: 120 miles
Travel Time: 2 hours

Lake Thetis is a quick, decent stop just a few minutes east of Cervantes.

I’m still not sure what we were looking at there, despite the Wikipedia adventure I went on later. Whatever it was, it seemed cool and made me feel smarter.

Visitors, of which we were the only ones, have easy boardwalk access to the main event, thrombolites from most likely the times when people walked the Earth with dinosaurs.

No, I’m not doing the research again. 

Cervantes

Distance: 122 miles
Travel Time: 2 hours 5 minutes

Was the Lobster Shack in Cervantes a tourist trap? I dunno. Maybe.

Was it delicious?

It seemed a bit pricey for the food we ate, but I still think fondly about that creamy chowder. Lobster’s always gone much too soon, with so much work involved in those tiny bits of meat.

What followed after was the Thirsty Point Overlook. This is not a pub, but an overlook where you can supposedly see shipwrecks on calm days. I guess it wasn’t a calm day, because we didn’t see sh*t(wreck).

Seriously, I suppose if you’ve got some time to kill you can check out some decent beach/water views. It’s on the way to any other tourism destinations you likely have on your road trip itinerary. 

Tuart Forest National Park

Distance: 126 miles
Travel Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Tuart Forest National Park is an easy stop to stretch your legs if you’re exploring Lancelin and the Pinnacles.

Fun fact: The park protects the largest concentration of tuart forest in the world. Tuart, or eucalyptus gomphocephala if you’re fancy, is a durable timber that has suffered the effects of deforestation over the years.

We walked off our lobster lunch here on a short nature walk along the Tuart Discovery Trail. We then took a longer walk along the Possum Spotlighting Trail to the Malbup Birdhide. There was lots of kangaroo activity in the middle of the day on both.

If you’re into night walks and want to see said possums, you’ll need a headlamp to do so.

I’m not into that, so can’t vouch for anything related to night walks through the tuarts.

Sunflowers Animal Farm

Distance: 130 miles
Travel Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

I’m not telling you to drive several hours just to pet some goats. I mean, I would, but I know it’s a lot.

If you’re already exploring the wineries and scenic views of the greater Margaret River region, though, I don’t see why you wouldn’t make the time for adorable baby animals.

Sunflowers Animal Farm will cure whatever ails you, I promise. Yes, they offer overnight accommodations, too, something I wish I’d known ahead of time.

Note: I grew up in the city, you guys. Farm animals are my jam.

Busselton

Distance: 129 miles
Travel Time: 2 hours 25 minutes

The town of Busselton is known for the Busselton Jetty, the longest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.

It’s over a mile long in one direction and terminates at the Underwater Observatory. We didn’t head inside as we had a leisurely lunch on the pier instead, but there are only six observatories like it in the world.

If you want to experience the jetty but can’t make the walk, there’s a tourist train that you can ride down and back. You’ll still need to pay to walk the jetty, but it was only a few dollars at the time of this post.

Observe seabirds and casual fishing if you walk. We saw a group catch a leather jacket at some point, which was sad and amusing at the same time.

Elsewhere in Busselton, explore the Old Courthouse Arts Complex, the town’s oldest building. Visit the Busselton Museum. If you sense dairy around you while you’re there, that’d make sense. You’re actually inside the Old Butter Factory.

We had a decent meal at The Ship Inn while in Busselton. The synthesizer karaoke happening while we dined was not as good.

Yallingup

Distance: 160 miles
Travel Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

The main draw of Yallingup for us was the Ngilgi Cave, once known as the Yallingup Cave. Book your tour online, as you can only see this with a guide.

We were on the first tour of the day, and I’d highly recommend you do the same. Ours was loose enough that it seemed like we got extra time to explore a bit on our own after our intro session in the first section of the cave.

The second tour of the day was sold out, and 40 people navigating narrow spaces doesn’t seem like the best time for everyone.

After our cave exploring, we made a quick pit stop at an overlook of the beach in Yallingup. The big waves there mean it’s a great surfer observation spot, the closest I get to real surfing.

Round out your visit with a taste or two at Aravina Estate, a Yallingup winery with classic cars and surf memorabilia. They let you take a glass of wine in with you to see all the goods, which I’m hoping they don’t discover is a mistake.

Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park

Distance: 163 miles
Travel Time: 2 hours 50 minutes

Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park is one of the most ruggedly scenic areas you’ll discover in Western Australia.

The full Cape to Cape Walk Track is about 76 miles of this landscape, taking you to the lighthouses of Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin.

You can still see the goods while driving.

Our exploring was limited to the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, the most southwesterly point on the Australian mainland. That’s impressive enough all on its own, but it was also one of the windiest places I’ve ever been.

You’ll need to pay to walk the grounds or upgrade for a tour to get inside the historic structure. We just walked the grounds, and it was still quite meaningful. There are free viewfinders dotting the landscape if you’re there during whale-watching season.

With more time, the region offers caving tours at sites like Mammoth Cave and Jewel Cave.

Sugarloaf Rock near Dunsborough was a scenic stop we also didn’t want to miss. We did the overlook and walked down the rocks to catch a view from below. Brian went further as he was wearing appropriate footwear.

READ MORE: This is a beautiful spot that reminded me of the Oregon coast. Check out why!

Margaret River

Distance: 168 miles
Travel Time: 2 hours 55 minutes

Margaret River proper is an excellent way to get a taste of the region, but I’d highly recommend an overnight or two if you want to dive into the surrounding valley.

We visited several of the towns in and around the Margaret River region over a few days. That made it easier not to overindulge on any one day, and made for safer exploring where wine was involved. Truly, it’s my favorite among weekend trips from Perth.

If you’re only in Margaret River for the day, stick close to town. You’ll find a variety of wineries and delicious dining options to fill up a full day.

One of our favorite stops was Voyager Estate, a family-owned organic winery that bottles a delicious shiraz.

If you’re traveling with decent daylight, tack on a drive to The Berry Farm, just 15 minutes outside the city. We ordered a pair of scones with jam and cream and an adult vanilla milkshake with hazelnut liqueur. Both were very yummy.

Farm animals greet you at the gate, and the on-site cellar has sweet wines I didn’t try and jams I did try. Peruse preserves, sauces for your pork chops, and dressings to bring along with you. It’s truly a delightful place.

Interested in tours of the region? Check out the options below:

Hamelin Bay

Distance: 193 miles
Travel Time: 3 hours 15 minutes

Hamelin Bay is as far as we went on our adventures outside of Perth. Our days were shorter as we were traveling in Australia’s winter season, so sunset came early on our visit there.

Coastal walk opportunities reward those who get into town with more time to spare. You’re also often able to see stingrays here if the water’s calm enough, but we missed out on that. Summer is the best time to spot them, I hear.

More Day Trips From Perth

We were pretty busy on our trip to Western Australia, but we’d still return to tick off more adventures in the region. Here are a few extras we didn’t get to:

• Hillarys (14 miles/20 minutes): During whale watching season, Hillarys Boat Harbour comes alive as the best spot in Western Australia to grab a tour and see the annual humpback whale migration.
• Caversham Wildlife Park (14 miles/25 minutes): This park is very family-friendly, with interactive exhibits where the littles can meet wombats and koalas and feed the kangaroos lazing about.
• Rottnest Island (22 miles/1 hour 30 minutes): The weather just wasn’t good enough for us to ferry out to Rottnest Island, and it’s one of the great regrets of my life. Take a selfie with the quokkas at this popular destination.
• Yanchep National Park (32 miles/40 minutes): This is one of the most popular national parks on this side of the country thanks to its easy access from Perth. Book a Crystal Cave tour to see stalagmites or hit the trails for wildlife-spotting.
• Shoalwater Islands Marine Park (34 miles/50 minutes): Visit for Penguin Island, home to Western Australia’s smallest penguins, and Seal Island, home to the park’s lounging sea lions. Snorkelers may want a permit for the Saxon Ranger wreck.
• Serpentine National Park (41 miles/50 minutes): This is known for its waterfalls, a healthy kangaroo population, and its distinct landscapes. Baldwin’s Bluff Nature Track is a moderate trail under four miles to scenic views of Serpentine Falls.
• Avon Valley (50 miles/1 hour 20 minutes): This is a region with a deep connection to the Ballardong, an indigenous Noongar people, but for most tourists, it’s known more for its adventure potential. This is a hub for white water rafting.
• New Norcia (78 miles/1 hour 30 minutes): This is Australia’s only monastic town. Visit the monks who live here on a tour of the monastery, browse their on-site art gallery, or go big with one of the spiritual retreats they offer here.

READ MORE: Traveling elsewhere in Australia? Check out my Australia trip planner!

Is driving scary in Western Australia?

Driving in Western Australia isn’t scary, but there are some things you should know before you go.

If you’re interested in self-drive day trips from Perth, which is what I’d recommend for you, the easiest way to acquire a rental car is to do so when you arrive at Perth Airport.

The most budget-friendly option by far for us at the time was Firefly, the discount partner of Hertz. Any worries of having to Fred Flintstone it up there disappeared when we got our perfectly normal, working car, albeit with a steering wheel on the wrong side.

Note: The “wrong” in that sentence is very much tongue-in-cheek. We were coming from the United States, where we are used to having things done a certain way.

That’s the only other thing you’ll need for this trip: The ability, or all of your wits about you, to drive on the other side of the road. That’s if, in fact, you’re coming from a country where this is a change for you.

Driving on the other side of the road is only made more exciting by the roundabouts, kangaroos, and warnings of speed cameras throughout Australia.

Don’t disregard that last comment as me just being cheeky. You’ll need to navigate all of those things on any road trip from Perth.

You should also bring snacks. One of my favorite things when going on international road trips is finding new snack options for the drive. It was a real pleasure to discover Australia’s wealth of unique chip flavors, by the way.

Where to Stay in Perth

If you’re seeking day trips from Perth, you’ll probably need somewhere to rest at the end of each day.

We stayed at the Metro Hotel Perth City, a budget-friendly option near the Swan River, on our visit. The location was great and they offered free parking, something you can take advantage of if you’re driving up and down the coast.

We also stayed at the Ingot Hotel Perth for a night on our return to Perth after our road trip. It was well-priced and comfortable, so I’d recommend that one, too.

If you’re looking for additional accommodations in Perth, check out the map below:

Perth is a great base for day trips.

The options for your Perth day trips are as diverse as they come. You’ve got wine, you’ve got wildlife, and you’ve got sandboarding. It’s all here. The hardest part is deciding how to spend your time.

Our day trips from Perth up and down Western Australia’s coast remain some of our favorite travel experiences.

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