15 Best Day Trips from Perth – Short Road Trips, Hidden Gems & Local Favourites
Perth is perfectly positioned for some of the most incredible day trips in Western Australia – from coastal towns and wine regions to desert landscapes and quirky local gems.
Whether you’re a Perth local looking for a new weekend adventure or a visitor wanting to explore beyond the city, here are 15 of the best day trips from Perth worth adding to your list.
Get ready to hit the road – it’s time for some epic day-trip inspo.
Quick Overview Map
|
Destination |
Drive Time (Approx.) |
Highlights |
|
Fremantle |
30 mins |
Markets, Prison, Breweries |
|
Rottnest Island |
25-45 min ferry |
Beaches, Quokkas, Biking |
|
Pinnacles Desert |
2 hrs |
Unique landscapes, sunset and stargazing |
|
Swan Valley |
30 mins |
Wineries, wildlife park |
|
Lancelin |
1.5 hrs |
Sandboarding, dunes |
|
Mandurah |
1 hr |
Giants, dolphins, estuary walks |
|
Busselton |
2.5 hrs |
Jetty, beaches, breweries |
|
York |
1.5 hrs |
Canola fields, wildflowers and heritage town |
|
Ferguson Valley |
2 hrs |
Wineries, Gnomesville |
|
Black Diamond Lake |
2 hrs |
Blue lake, water activities |
|
Yanchep |
50 mins |
Snorkelling, koalas and walking trails |
|
Serpentine |
1 hr |
Waterfall and bushwalks |
|
Point Peron |
45 mins |
Coastal walk and wildlife |
|
Araluen Botanic Park |
35 mins |
Tulips, picnic and train ride |
|
Dwellingup |
1.5 hrs |
Forest, hiking and kayaking |
Planning Your Perth Day Trips
If you don’t have your own car, it’s easiest to rent one for the day.
Compare the best prices and book your rental car here
Prefer to sit back and relax?
Check out day tours on Viator
Top 3 Unmissable Day Trips from Perth
Rottnest Island – Quokkas, Beaches & Biking
A short ferry ride from Fremantle or Hillarys gets you to paradise – Rottnest Island (or Rotto, as the locals say).
Cycle around the island, snorkel at The Basin or Little Salmon Bay, and meet the world-famous Quokkas.
Check ferry and bike hire availability here
Insider tip: Visit mid-week to avoid crowds and get cheaper ferry prices. Read our full Rottnest Island Guide here
Find more Rottnest day tours on Viator
The Pinnacles Desert – Sunset and stars in Nambung National Park
Just two hours north of Perth, the Pinnacles Desert offers one of WA’s most surreal landscapes.
Walk or drive the 4 km loop surrounded by golden limestone spires.
Visit at sunset for magical light and stay after dark for stargazing opportunities.
Join a full sunset & stargazing tour from Perth
Tip: Consider staying near Jurien Bay and experience swimming with wild sea lions. Read our full guide on how to do it here.
Fremantle – Markets, History & Breweries
Freo is Perth’s cultural heart – full of heritage charm, live music, and buzzing markets.
Grab a coffee on the Cappuccino Strip, wander Fremantle Markets, and explore the Fremantle Prison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We did the torchlight tour at Fremantle Prison and it was so fun and interesting.
Check all their available tours and opening times here.
Round off your day with a cold beer at Little Creatures Brewery or Gage Roads overlooking the water.
Nature & Adventure Escapes Near Perth
Yanchep Lagoon & National Park
Less than an hour north of Perth you’ll find Yanchep Lagoon, which is an awesome spot for swimming, snorkelling and family picnics.
Head inland to Yanchep National Park to spot koalas, kangaroos, and take scenic walking trails.
Lancelin – Sand Dunes & Adrenaline Rush
Adventure lovers will thrive here!
The Lancelin Sand Dunes are famous for sandboarding, quad biking, and 4WD adventures.
Cool off at the nearby beach before heading home.
Tip: If you don’t have your own sandboard, you can easily rent one from Lancelin town. We paid around $10 for two hours.
If you’re looking for more adventure experiences, check out our top 10 recommendations here.
Serpentine National Park – Waterfall & Bushwalks
Just an hour south, Serpentine Falls is the perfect mix of bushwalks and cool swims.
Bring a picnic rug and take on the Baldwin Bluff Nature Walk or Kitty’s Gorge Trail for lush forest views.
Tip: Arrive early – the park often reaches capacity by mid-morning in peak season (summer) and they will turn people away.
Dwellingup – Forest Adventures & Mountain Biking
An hour and a half south, Dwellingup is your go-to for hiking, kayaking, Treetops Adventure zip-lining and fun train rides.
Grab coffee at Waypoints Café, it’s located right next to the train station.
Check out the Forest Train experience or adventure park passes
Road Trips for Wine, Views & Quirky Finds
Swan Valley – Wine, Chocolate & Wildlife
Only 30 minutes from Perth, Swan Valley blends gourmet indulgence with wildlife encounters.
Visit Caversham Wildlife Park and tour around Swan Valley for the best wineries, lunch spots and chocolate factory.
Book a Swan Valley wine tour with tastings
Ferguson Valley – Wineries & Gnomesville
This Southwest hidden gem offers stunning rolling hills and top-tier wineries. As someone who used to live in the Southwest, Ferguson Valley was our go-to wine destination without the longer drive to Margaret River.
Don’t miss the quirky Gnomesville, where thousands of gnomes “live” in a whimsical forest display.
Green Door Wines was our favourite spot for a wine tasting and grazing platter.
York – Canola Fields & Country Charm
York is WA’s oldest inland town and the perfect spring day trip from Perth.
Come between August and September to see fields of golden canola in bloom (visit PetTeet Park for tourist-friendly photo ops). Read our full guide to visiting canola fields and PetTeet Park here.
If you have extra time to spare and are looking for a few days away, go on a self-drive tour around the Wheatbelt Way, one of the most underrated road trips in WA. Check our full 4-day itinerary here.
Scenic Spots & Hidden Gems Around Perth
Mandurah – Dolphins, Giants & Canal Cruises
Mandurah is often overlooked as a day trip destination but there is so much to do here. This regional city is known for its dolphins, foreshore and Giants of Mandurah trail.
Walk along the estuary, take a dolphin-spotting cruise, or hunt down all the giant sculptures around town.
Book a dolphin cruise or Giants of Mandurah tour
Busselton – Iconic Jetty & Coastal Vibes
It’s a longer drive (2.5 hours) but worth every minute.
Home to the iconic Busselton Jetty, the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere.
Stroll the 1.8 km Busselton Jetty or ride the Jetty Train and visit the Underwater Observatory for incredible marine views.
Join a whale watching tour if visiting during the big migration (August-November)
Enjoy lunch at Shelter Brewing Co. or The Goose for prime beachfront vibes.
Check availability for whale watching tours here
Consider staying a night or two to make the most of Busselton
Check our guide on the best things to do in Busselton if you have more time to spend in this area.
If you’re staying around Margaret River, we’ve also put together a full Margaret River Itinerary.
Point Peron – Coastal Walk & Wildlife
Only 45 minutes south, Point Peron is one of our favourite coastal walks and such an underrated gem.
Walk the coastal cliffs, spot dolphins and enjoy turquoise bays perfect for snorkelling.
Grab coffee and cupcakes at Vanilla Sprinkles before or after your walk.
Black Diamond Lake – Collie’s Blue Gem
Two hours south of Perth near Collie, this vibrant turquoise lake is an Instagram favourite.
Pack your best floaties and picnic gear and spend the day at Black Diamond Lake or explore nearby spots such as Wellington Dam’s Mega Mural or Honeymoon Pool while you’re in the area.
Tip: if you want to stay overnight and enjoy camping, check out Stockton Lake only 15 minutes away, a dog friendly campsite and equally as stunning as Black Diamond Lake.
Araluen Botanic Garden – Tulips & Tranquillity
Just 35 minutes from the city, Araluen Botanic Garden is stunning year-round and even more magical during the annual Tulip Festival. It usually runs from around late-August to early-October but check their website for updates.
Pack a picnic, wander the gardens and hop aboard the vintage train. It’s a great and family friendly day trip from Perth.
Final Words
There’s no shortage of amazing day trips from Perth, from huge sand dunes and underrated wine regions to beaches and waterfalls.
If you’re planning to base yourself in the city for a few days, make sure to check out our Perth itinerary next.
Western Australia has some incredible road trips on offer if you’re looking for a longer adventure.
Perth to Exmouth is one of our all-time favourite winter road trips or Perth-Albany for an epic summer getaway.
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