25 Fun Ideas for the Best Day Trips from Perth

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Perth is such an underrated gem of a city. Of course, I’m somewhat biased having lived here for most of my life! I think it is overlooked when people plan their trips to Australia in favour of bigger cities like Sydney and Melbourne. I’ll let you in on a secret though – some of the best things to do in Perth actually involve leaving the city, getting out and exploring the unique natural landscapes.

Whether you live in Perth and you’re looking for ideas for a weekend adventure, or you’re a traveller visiting Perth for the first time, I think you’ll love these fun and interesting day trips I’m about to share.

From exploring the charming natural wonders in the Perth Hills to exploring a vast desert with towering limestone formations, there’s something for everyone in this list. This is the ultimate list of the best day trips around Perth. 

The Essentials: Day Trip Perth Planning 

To make the most of your Perth one day trip, make sure you are organised the night before you depart. Some of these spots might get busy later on, so I prefer to get a head start on the day and depart Perth early.

My day trip essentials include:

  • a reusuable water bottle and plenty of water
  • a picnic lunch and snacks
  • a hat and sunscreen, and
  • a great road trip playlist! 

You can most of these day trips all year round, but make sure you have adequate sun protection in summer and be prepared with wet weather gear in winter.

Some of these spots may require a national park entrance pass. You can purchase these on entry to the park (I like to have a physical debit or credit card for the ticket machines in case they are older ones that don’t accept Tap Pay), or buy a park pass beforehand. 

Park fees are currently $17 per vehicle (2025). Cheaper rates apply for concession card holders.

Buckle up, you’re all set for your adventures now!

I spoke on ABC Perth radio about my favourite day trips in Perth – you can listen to the radio interview here!

How to Get Around

As public transport isn’t available for many of these trips, many of these day trips will require a car. For each option, I’ve included a suggestion for a tour that provides transport, where possible.

If you need to hire a car, I recommend checking prices on Discover Cars – as a large aggregator they offer the best prices from all the big rental companies, plus many include free cancellation in case your plans change.

Compare the best range of car hire options from Perth

Quick Summary: My Favourite Perth Day Tours

Short on time? Here’s my recommendations for the best Perth day trip tours.

Top Pick #1
The Pinnacles
  • Explore the otherworldly desert full of towering limestone pinnacles
  • Enjoy dinner in the desert
  • Stargazing through a telescope
Top Pick #2
Rottnest Island Day Trip
Rottnest Island
  • Explore pristine bays and turquoise beaches
  • Meet the cute quokkas
  • Cycle around the island
Top Pick #3
Visit the Swan Valley on a Day Trip from Perth for wine tastings at wineries
Swan Valley
  • Wine tasting at 4 different wineries
  • Cheese board & chocolate tasting
  • Visit a local microbrewery

Perth Day Trips Map

Click the below image to open an interactive map in Google Maps.

Perth’s Best Day Trips

The Pinnacles 

The Pinnacles are located within Nambung National Park near the seaside town of Cervantes, 2 hours north of Perth. The park contains thousands of bright yellow limestone formations in a vast desert that stretches for over 190 hectares.

If you’re interested in a self-drive itinerary, check out the perfect Perth to Pinnacles Road Trip.

Once you reach the Pinnacles, drive or walk through the desert in the 4 km loop. The loop is unsealed but suitable for 2WDs, with marked areas to pull over and get out to walk through the pinnacles. 

The vast Pinnacles Desert

Make sure to visit the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre (open 9.30am – 4.30pm) to learn more about the fascinating geology and natural occurrences that led to the formation of the Pinnacles and the desert.

The Pinnacles are open all-year round, and it is possible to visit at any time – however take care if visiting for sunrise or sunset, as the wildlife will be most active on the roads at this time.

There are a few options for Perth day tours to the Pinnacles. One of the most highly rated day tours from Perth is the Pinnacles Desert Sunset and Stargazing Tour, which reviewers have said is “one of the best excursions we chose while in Australia.”

Sunrise or sunset at the Pinnacles is a pretty special sight!

On this tour, you’ll stop in Lancelin and try your hand at sandboarding at the vast Lancelin sand dunes. Your local guide will take you on a beach walk, showing you native plants used by the Aboriginal people as food and medicine.

Continuing on your adventure to the Pinnacles Desert, enjoy a BBQ dinner with a glass of Margaret River Wine in the middle of the desert as you wait for the sun to set over the Indian Ocean.

Then, it’s time for the main event… using a telescope and astro-binoculars to take in spectacular views of the starry night sky – a truly bucket list-worthy experience!

Another recommended tour is this daytime tour that includes a stop to see the koalas at Caversham Wildlife Park, seafood lunch at the Lobster Shack in Cervantes, sandboarding in Lancelin (including transport on a 4WD bus through the dunes!) and a guided tour through the Pinnacles Desert.

Custom 4WD Adventure Bus in Lancelin Sand Dunes

Travel time: 2 hours
Distance: 190 km
Location: North of Perth
Best for: Adventure, Nature, Coastal

The Pinnacles is one of the first stops on my suggested Exmouth road trip itinerary – check out the full guide for this epic road trip from Perth!

Rottnest Island 

One of my favourite activities in both summer and winter is to take a day trip to Rottnest Island. 

Rottnest Island is one of the best places to visit near Perth – in fact, some people fly to Perth just to visit this beautiful island with its renowned beaches and friendly quokkas!

There are so many things to do on Rottnest, so make sure you read my dedicated guide on how to have a perfect day trip. Highlights include snorkelling, swimming and of course, seeing the adorable quokkas! 

Quokka in front of a palm tree with a cute smile
The adorables quokkas of Rottnest Island

When you book your ferry ticket, it includes a visitors fee for the island. You can also choose optional extras like bicycle hire (the main way to get around the car-free island) or a bus tour of the island.

Ferries depart from Perth CBD, the port town of Fremantle and Hillary’s Boat Harbour (30 minutes north of Perth). The easiest way to get to Rottnest is by catching the ferry from the Perth CBD, or Fremantle (you can get the train directly from Perth to Fremantle).

Little Salmon Bay
Explore over 60 beaches that look like this!

Travel time: From 30 mins
Distance: 20 km
Location: Off the coast of Perth
Best for: Nature, Wildlife, Beaches

Swan Valley 

One of the shorter day trips in Perth, the Swan Valley is an iconic wine region 30 minutes away. With world class wineries, breweries, distilleries, artisan food merchant, handcrafted wares and endless dining options, the Swan Valley is one of Perth’s best day trips. 

Some of my favourite wineries in the Swan Valley are Mandoon Estate, Sandalford Estate and Lancaster. My pick for breweries in the area is Homestead Brewery (at Mandoon Estate) and Bailey Brewing Co.

A wine tasting at Lancaster in the Swan Valley

Consider taking a tour to make the most of the day (and save someone from being the designated driver!). With options for half-day, full-day and even a boat cruise up the Swan River into the Swan Valley, there are options for everyone.

  • Half-Day Swan Valley Tour: Visit four wineries and sample a variety of wines. A cheese board is included, plus boutique chocolate sampling and a visit to a local microbrewery.
  • Ultimate Full-Day Food and Wine Tour: Indulge in some of the best wine and gourmet food the Swan Valley has to offer on this five-star rated day trip from Perth.
  • Swan Valley Gourmet Wine Cruise: Enjoy a relaxing day on the water while seeing Perth from the Swan River. You’ll cruise from Perth to the Swan Valley while enjoying gourmet snacks and a wine tasting on board before visiting the iconic Sandalford Winery for a behind the scenes tour and grazing table lunch.

Travel time: 30 mins
Distance: 25 km
Location: East of Perth
Best for: Gourmet Experiences

A day trip to the Swan Valley is always a fun day out
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Penguin Island & Shoalwater Marine Park

Penguin Island is a small island located just off the coast of Rockingham, a coastal city located less than a 1 hour drive south of Perth.

Accessible by a five minute ferry ride, the island is part of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Parks. As the name suggests, there are colonies of wild Little Penguins that inhabit the island.

Penguin Island

You are unlikely to see one of the wild penguins during the day though! Instead, head into the Penguin Discovery Centre to see the Little Penguins up close. 

Penguin Island is open daily from mid September to early June. It is closed during the penguin breeding season (late June – early September) and also closes on very hot days in summer. Other things to do on the island include swimming, kayak tours and wildlife cruises.

Meeting the local residents

Here’s my pick for some of the best things to do there:

  • Glass Bottom Boat Cruise + Guided Nature Walk: Spot Australian sea lions and look out for dolphins on a 60-minute cruise before joining a guided walk around the natural landscapes of Penguin Island
  • Swim with Dolphins Day Tour: enjoy a memorable day snorkelling and getting up close with wild dolphins! This is the only tour in WA where you can actually swim alongside dolphins
  • Sea Kayak Adventure: Skip the ferry and kayak over to Penguin Island! Includes a guided tour of the Penguin Discovery Centre. Suitable for beginners to experts.
  • Three Islands tour: a snorkel, wildlife spotting and lunch cruise. I had an awesome day out snorkelling with a guide and spotting wildlife – we saw sea lions, dolphins and even a manta ray! You can view a short video of my experience here.
Our vessel for the day on the snorkel, wildlife & seafood cruise

Travel time: 45 mins
Distance: 50 km
Location: South of Perth
Best For: Families, Wildlife, Nature, Beach

York

The historic town of York is one of my top picks for a short trip from Perth. Located in the Wheatbelt Region, 90 minutes from Perth, York is a small town renowned for its colonial architecture and heritage buildings.

When visiting York, be sure to explore Avon Terrace and the surrounding streets and admire the quaint historic buildings. Walk across the Suspension Bridge, taking in views across Avon River. 

Town hall in the historic town of York
The gorgeous colonial buildings in York

Look for a new read at Barclay Books, browse homewares and drink coffee at the many cute cafes and check out some of the local museums in the area, like the York Motor Museum. There’s even an old English sweets shop, You can also hike to Mt Brown Lookout for a panoramic view across York and the surrounding countryside (or drive to the top!).

Historic storefront selling sweets
The charming shops on Avon Terrace

York is also home to Perth’s best canola fields in the flowering months of August and September. You can visit Petteet Park, which has a purpose planted canola field for you to take photos in (pictured below). From September, the wildflowers begin to bloom in the region.  

Smiling in a field of canola
Visit Petteet Park in York for photos in the canola

Travel time: 1.5 hours
Distance: 100 km
Location: Inland (east of Perth)
Best For: History, Nature

Black Diamond Lake

One of my favourite summer self-drive day trips from Perth will have you heading south to Black Diamond Lake. This popular swimming spot is located near the small town of Collie.

Known for its incredibly vivid blue water, this lake is busiest in the summer months and long weekends. There are no facilities at Black Diamond, so make sure you bring all you need for the day with you, including camp chairs or picnic rug.

A woman sitting in a watermelon floatie on aqua blue water
Floating on Black Diamond Lake

Make sure to bring your floatie and any other water gear like stand up paddle board or kayak! 

While in Collie, make sure to stop by the Wellington Dam Mural.

Travel time: 2 hours
Distance: 200 km
Location: South of Perth
Best For: Adventure, Nature

Ferguson Valley 

The Ferguson Valley is a picturesque region south of Perth nestled amongst rolling green valleys and wineries. Ferguson Valley is home to the quirky Gnomesville, some amazing boutique wineries and natural attractions in Wellington National Park

The quirky Gnomesville

Read my detailed guide on things to do in Ferguson Valley.

You could combine a visit to the Ferguson Valley with Black Diamond Lake or alternatively, spend a weekend exploring this beautiful region. 

Wine tasting in the Ferguson Valley

Travel time: 2 hours
Distance: 200 km
Location: South of Perth
Best For: Families, Nature, Gourmet Experiences

Caversham Wildlife Park

This is one of the best family trips Perth has to offer, but visitors of all ages will love this spot. Meet a variety of native wildlife at Caversham Wildlife Park, just a 30-minute drive from the Perth CBD.

Caversham Wildlife Park is located inside Whiteman Park, with a variety of daily attractions such as meeting the wombats, cuddling and getting a photo with a koala, kangaroo feeding, farm shows and more. They are open every day of the year except Christmas Day. Combine Caversham with a visit to the Swan Valley for lunch.

You could tick off three major Perth day trips on one tour with this full-day Pinnacles Desert, Koalas and Sandboarding 4WD Tour.

My husband getting up close and personal with a wombat at Caversham!

Travel time: 30 minutes
Distance: 25 km
Location: North of Perth
Best For: Families, Wildlife, Nature

Northam

WA’s largest inland town, Northam is another country town that is home to many heritage listed buildings. Explore the town’s heritage on foot, while perusing the craft and thrift stores. 

Northam is also the only place in Perth where you can do a very special experience – hot air ballooning at sunrise over the countryside.

Make sure to visit the Northam Silo Art – there are two murals here. The bright and colourful work by HENSE is one of my favourites on the Public Silo Trail

Please note the CBH Northam Grain Terminal is a fully operational site, with trucks and loading equipment in use. The site is not open to the public, and is best viewed from Toodyay Rd. When I visited in 2019 it was on a public holiday and the site was not operational! So I accidentally drove right in and took photos out the front.

You can combine a visit to Northam with York as they are just under 30 minutes apart. If visiting during spring, you could also go wildflower chasing. There are many wildflower hotspots near Northam and York!

Travel time: 1 hour 20 mins
Distance: 95 km
Location: Inland (east of Perth)
Best For: History & Culture

Mandurah

Mandurah is WA’s largest regional city, less than one hour from Perth. This waterway city sits on the coast and has an estuary twice the size of Sydney Harbour!

In Mandurah, explore Dolphin Quay and visit the many restaurants and cafe’s on the water. Don’t forget an icecream stop at the ever-popular Simmo’s Ice Cream. For 15 ideas and inspiration for things to do in Mandurah, check out my dedicated guide on Mandurah here.

Exploring the coastline of Mandurah

The best way to explore Mandurah’s waterways is on this one-hour scenic dolphin cruise with guaranteed dolphin sightings!

Another popular cruise that the whole family will love is this Pirate Ship Adventure cruise. Board the pirate ship and explore Mandurah’s canals while dolphin spotting. It will be a memorable trip with lots of laughs on board with your pirate crewman.

You could even go on a self-drive floating BBQ adventure through the canals! Check out my video below of the experience.

In December, Mandurah lights up with some of the most extravagant Christmas light displays which draws crowds from Perth and surrounds to see the festive displays.

The dazzling Xmas lights display on the Mandurah canals

Giants of Mandurah

Mandurah is home to the incredible Giants of Mandurah display by renowned international artist, Thomas Dambo. These magnificent, imaginative interactive displays are hidden around Mandurah – and free to visit!

One of the Giants of Mandurah

A fun way to explore the Mandurah foreshore and boardwalk is via e-bike or e-scooter – visit The Bike Kiosk next to the Visitors Centre!

Hire e-bikes or e-scooters and cruise around the Mandurah foreshore – right next door to the Visitors Centre.

Travel time: Around 1 hour
Distance: 70 km
Location: South of Perth
Best For: Nature

Lake Clifton

A further 30 minutes south of Mandurah you’ll discover Lake Clifton. Here you can view thrombolites, some of the earliest forms of life on earth. There is a boardwalk out to the lake from which you can view the thrombolites and learn more about these fascinating micro-organisms.

Lake Clifton thrombolites

Afterwards, enjoy lunch and a craft beer tasting paddle at Thorny Devil Brewery. There’s also a Giant of Mandurah waiting to be found nearby!

Craft beer paddle at Thorny Devil Brewing

Travel time: 90 minutes
Distance: 110 km
Location: South of Perth
Best For: Nature

Serpentine Falls

Serpentine Falls is located within Serpentine National Park (park entrance fees apply). This is a beautiful spot for a Perth day trip for the whole family. Pack a picnic lunch and bring a floatie as you can swim in the water hole at the base of the falls.

There is a grassy picnic area and shaded picnic tables, with gas barbeques also available. 

Make sure to get here early, as the place gets busy particularly in the summer months. 

Options for bush walks include the Falls Walk trail (<1km), Baldwins Bluff Nature Track (6 km) and Kitty’s Gorge Walk track (14 km). 

Floating away at Serpentine Falls

Travel time: 50 mins
Distance: 65 km
Location: South of Perth
Best For: Nature, Hiking

Mundaring Weir

Take a scenic drive out to the Perth Hills and visit the Mundaring Weir, an important part of Perth’s heritage. At the base of the weir you can visit the No 1 Pump Station museum to learn more about the history of the weir and the man who was the driving force behind it, C.Y. O’Connor.

You can grab a traditional pub lunch or drink at the Mundaring Weir Hotel which often has live music on weekends.

Mundaring Weir – you can walk across the length

From Mundaring Weir, you can either hike or drive to the South Ledge Golden Lookout for a fantastic view of the Mundaring Weir from across the bushland.

A romantic picnic at South Ledge Lookout

Travel time: 45 mins
Distance: 40 km
Location: Perth Hills
Best For: Nature, Hiking, History

John Forrest National Park 

One of the best national parks near Perth, John Forrest National Park is a great option for a day trip from Perth.

This park, located the Perth Hills, was Western Australia’s first proclaimed national park. Today, the park is home to two waterfalls, a dam and numerous walking trails. Park entrance fees apply.

Hiking in John Forrest National Park

Spend the morning exploring the park. Take an easier trail such as the Falls Walk (2.5 km) or Glen Brook Trail (2km), or tackle the more challenging but scenic Eagle View Trail (16km).

Pack supplies and enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by nature.

The dam

Travel time: 35 mins
Distance: 30 km
Location: Perth Hills (east of Perth)
Best For: Hiking, Nature

Bickley Valley 

A lesser known gem and competitor to the famous Swan Valley wine region, Bickley Valley is a charming area nestled in the Perth Hills. 

Check out one of the many wineries on the Bickley Valley Wine Trail, or head to one of Perth’s cideries found in the region.

Core Cider

There are options for bush walks before you tuck into an afternoon of wining and dining. Check out the Bickley Reservoir Walk, Whistlepipe Gully Trail or tackle a section of the Bibbulum Track

This aera is best explored by car, but tours are available with D’vine Wine Tours.

Travel time: 35 mins
Distance: 30 km
Location: Perth Hills (east of Perth)
Best For: Gourmet Experiences

Kalamunda

The town of Kalamunda is located in the heart of the Perth Hills, with a rich cultural history and many natural attractions on its doorsteps. It makes for a great weekend outing for visitors to Perth, with a charming and vibrant farmers market held weekly on Sundays and a thriving artisan market held monthly on a Saturday.

Avid green thumbs will enjoy the Kalamunda Garden Festival (held every quarter). To learn more about the town, pop into the Kalamunda History Village. Drop into the charming old English style Best Drop Tavern, or the historical Kalamunda hotel for a spot of lunch.

Kalamunda town is very charming!

Kalamunda marks the start of the epic 1000-kilometre Bibbulum Track, with the Northern Terminus located just across from the Kalamunda hotel. Other great bush walks include the picturesque Rocky Pool 5 km loop trail, in Kalamunda National Park.

Travel time: 30 mins
Distance: 30 km
Location: Perth Hills (east of Perth)
Best For: History & Culture, Nature, Gourmet Experiences

Araluen Botanic Gardens

Araluen Botanic Gardens is a great spot for a family day out. The park is beautiful all year round, but especially in autumn and spring. In autumn, the entire park turns shades of different burnt orange and red, while in spring over 170,000 tulips blossom to life.

The Springtime Tulip Festival runs from mid-August to the end of September, and is worth a visit if you’re in Perth during this period!

Araluen tulip display

At other times of the year, visit Araluen to enjoy the variety of natural landscapes and enjoy a day out in nature. Bring a picnic blanket and basket, go for a hike or just simply explore the landscaped spaces across the park.

Entrance fees apply, more information here.

To make a day of it in the Perth Hills, visit Naked Apple cider nearby for lunch or a tasting paddle.  

Walking through Araluen Botanic Park in autumn
Also beautiful in autumn!

Travel time: 40 mins
Distance: 35 km
Location: Perth Hills (east of Perth)
Best For: Nature

Yanchep 

Yanchep is a great Perth day trip location as you can visit both Yanchep National Park and Yanchep Lagoon. You could also combine this with a visit to Lancelin sand dunes in the morning, and explore Yanchep on the way home in the afternoon.

Yanchep National Park is one of the best spots near Perth to see Australian wildlife.

There is a dedicated koala viewing area, and kangaroos are known to frequent the park grounds. The National Park is also home to Perth’s only public cave, the Crystal Cave. Park entrance fees apply at Yanchep National Park.

Aerial view of a natural lagoon formed by a reef system with clear water
Yanchep Lagoon from above

Head to the coast to swim and snorkel in the incredible Yanchep Lagoon. Protected by a large reef, this naturally formed lagoon is a great spot for the family to swim in.  

Travel time: 50 mins
Distance: 55 km
Location: North of Perth
Best For: Nature, Wildlife, Beach 

Fremantle 

There is so much to do and see in Fremantle that it’s worthy of a full day trip in Perth. 

Firstly, it wouldn’t be a trip to Fremantle without a visit to the Freo markets. The Fremantle Markets are a weekend market with specialty shops and gourmet food option. 

Fremantle Markets entrance

Most visitors to Fremantle should explore the Fremantle Prison, which is considered one of Perth’s main tourist attractions. Make sure you explore the Fremantle Esplanade, which includes the Instagrammable Ferris Wheel. From here, you could head to the iconic Little Creatures Brewery or Bathers Beach House for lunch. Gage Roads Brewery is another excellent choice, located near the B Shed ferry terminal.

Gage Roads Brewery Fremantle

Enjoy a brew pub lunch at Little Creatures Brewery or enquire about their brewery tour which includes a guided beer tasting. Museum lovers have no shortage of options, with the WA Maritime Museum and WA Shipwrecks Museum located nearby. 

From August to November, you can join a luxury whale watching cruise from Fremantle and be part of the largest humpback whale migration in the world.

Travel time: 30 mins
Distance: 20 km
Location: South of Perth
Best For: Gourmet Experiences, History

Lesmurdie Falls

Lesmurdie Falls is one of Perth’s best waterfalls. It is located in Mundy Regional Park, and is best visited in winter or spring for guaranteed water flowing down the falls.

You can park at either the top of the waterfall and hike your way down to the base of the falls, or park near the bottom for a shorter hike. The longest hike is about 3km, so it isn’t too strenuous but the terrain can be rocky and steep in parts.

Serpentine Falls in spring

At the top of the falls is a lookout platform that offers a great view of the city skyline in the distance.

Visit in winter or spring to see the falls flowing. It’s still a lovely bushwalk, even if their is no water flowing in the falls at other times of the year.

You can get some great city views

Travel time: 25 mins
Distance: 20 km
Location: Perth Hills
Best For: Nature, Hiking

Lancelin 

The small seaside town of Lancelin is a great coastal day trip from Perth. Water sports lovers will have no shortage of things to do with the wave and wind creating ideal conditions for surfers.

The best thing to do in Lancelin is check out the incredible Lancelin sand dunes and have a go at sand boarding! You can hire sand boards when you get there from the base of the dunes.

Standing on top of a dune with a sandboard
Sandboarding (or trying to!)

For tours, your best option is to join this Pinnacles desert tour which includes a stop to go sandboarding in Lancelin.

Travel time: 1.5 hours
Distance: 125 km
Location: North of Perth
Best For: Adventure, Beaches

Jurien Bay 

You’ll find Jurien Bay an hour’s drive further north from Lancelin.

Jurien Bay is a popular day trip destination or weekend trip, and offers unique activities such as skydiving and swimming with sea lions. Enjoy the beautiful beaches, checking out both the old and new Jurien Bay jetties. More ideas for things to do in Jurien Bay can be found in my detailed guide.

Swimming with Sea Lions in Jurien Bay

10 minutes north of Jurien Bay you’ll find the sheltered Sandy Cape area, which offers swimming, snorkelling and even stand up paddle boarding.

Sandy Cape is a popular camping area, but can also be be visited as a day trip to swim in its calm bay.

Sandy Cape

Travel time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Distance: 220 km
Location: North of Perth
Best For: Beaches

Bells Rapids

Bells Rapids is a popular picnic and bush walking spot located in Brigadoon in the Perth Hills. One of Perth’s most popular day trips, Bells Rapids is also dog friendly. 

Walk along the Avon River as you navigate the scenic River Walk (2.5km) or Goat Walk (3km) trails. There is also a hidden waterfall in the area, which you can see from the Bells Lookout from Campersic Rd. 

Pack a picnic lunch, or head to the nearby Swan Valley – Txoko Brewery is one of the closest options and is a great brewery that serves woodfired pizzas.

Bells Rapid Waterfall

Travel time: 45 minutes
Distance: 35 km
Location: Perth Hills (east of Perth)
Best For: Hiking, Nature

Wave Rock 

Some might say Wave Rock isn’t really a day trip destination, but I’ve done it before!

This is definitely a longer drive, but it do-able as a day trip if you plan it right. It’s one of my recommended stops on the drive from Perth to Esperance.

A woman admiring the Wave Rock
Wandering Wave Rock

Wave Rock is one of Western Australia’s most notable natural landmarks, formed by millennia of wind, rain and erosion. It is truly an iconic and unique thing to see in Western Australia. In the area, you can also visit the Hippo Yawn rock and the salt lake, Lake Magic

A rock shaped like a hippo yawn
Can you see why it’s called Hippos Yawn?!

When I did this as a day trip, we made sure to leave Perth around sunrise so we could be back before dark. Alternate between drivers and be prepared with a good podcast or playlist! 

Alternatively, consider joining a tour! This cultural tour takes you to both York and Wave Rock with a guide in one day.

Travel time: 3.5 hours 
Distance: 330 km
Location: Inland (east of Perth)
Best For: Nature

Busselton 

The seaside town of Busselton is worth a long day trip (or ideally, an overnight weekend trip!) if time permits. 

The main attraction in town is the iconic Busselton Jetty. The second longest jetty in the world, the Busselton Jetty stands at 1.8 km long. Tickets are required to walk out along the Jetty ($4 Day Pass), or catch the Ferry train ($17 return per adult, 2025 pricing). There’s even an underwater observatory located at the very end of the jetty, where you can admire the vibrant sea life that call the clear water home (advance bookings recommended).

The jetty train at Busselton Jetty

Enjoy some of the many seaside restaurants and cafes located along the foreshore. My pick is the brewpub Shelter Busselton, with great beers and delicious food options. Rocky Ridge Brewing Co is another great casual option. 

My fave spot – Shelter Brewing Co

Busselton is the gateway to the Margaret River Region, with many amazing wineries in the region. Otherwise head to the nearby Flametree Wines for a tasting. 

Alternatively, book onto a tour that takes you on a day trip to Margaret River. This tour takes you to Busselton Jetty, stops at a boutique winery for a guided tasting, visits iconic locations including Surfers Point and Boranup Forest before finishing with a visit to Hamelin Bay to see the friendly stingrays – all in one day!

It’s a long day trip, but you can rest on the coach ride and is good for those who are short on time, but still want to get a taste of the delights of the Margaret River Region. Click here for the full itinerary to see if this tour is right for you.

Travel time: 2.5 hours
Distance: 220 km
Location: South of Perth
Best For: Gourmet Experiences, Beaches

Final Thoughts

That wraps up my epic list of the best Day Trip Perth Ideas. There are no shortage of options for self drive day trips from Perth! With many options for short drives from Perth, some of these ideas for longer options could be done as a weekend trip from Perth.

Buckle up and enjoy these best day trips Perth, WA has to offer. Happy travels and safe driving! 

If you found this free guide useful, you’ll love my new Western Australia Road Trip & Travel Guide eBook! It’s jam-packed with over 90 pages of useful destination guides, essential tips and custom day-by-day itineraries to make planning your Western Australia adventures a breeze. Check it out here.

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🌟 Attractions & Tours: In Australia, GetYourGuide is my go-to platform for booking tours and experiences. It’s super easy to compare options and secure bookings with free cancellation options. I also love their mobile app, which lets me pull up details on the go when I’ve booked multiple tours.

📖 Need more help planning your Western Australia adventures? I've consolidated all my knowledge from over 5 years of traveling Western Australia into the ultimate resource: my Road Trip and Travel Guide to Western Australia eBook. It's packed with over 90 pages of detailed information on the best destinations across the state, plus 7 road trip itineraries for trips ranging from 1 to 4 weeks, complete with illustrated maps to simplify your planning. Find out more here. Find out more here.

☕ Lastly, if you found this free guide useful and want to show your appreciation, you can buy me a coffee to say thanks :)

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2 thoughts on “25 Fun Ideas for the Best Day Trips from Perth”

  1. Great write up, I’m from Victoria and I’ve never been to Perth. I like how you have the distance, time and cost of each place.

    Reply

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