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Perth is a beautiful city ideal for any backpacker looking to explore the beauty of WA. With numerous day trips from Perth, there is plenty to do and plenty to see. From beautiful national parks to stunning beaches and historic islands Perth has it all! Many of these locations are more than just day trip locations. They offer a great place to stay to experience a different side of WA but can be experienced in a day and the opportunities should be embraced!

Perth To Fremantle

One of my favourite day trips from Perth is a trip to Fremantle. Just a short 30-minute drive from the CBD you’ll find yourself in the bustling Fremantle. Located on the coast, this historic port town is home to beautiful beaches. With a colonial feel thanks to the architecture, which is different from anywhere in Perth, you’ll find a high street with all you could wish for. Visiting on the weekend you’ll be able to visit the market Fremantle is famous for. Home of many different breweries, and amazing restaurants, including one of my favourites Tonic and Ginger! Find out more about Fremantle here. 

Day Trips From Perth – Rottnest Island

A must-do day trip from Perth no matter the time of year you visit! Taking off from Fremantle (30 minutes) or the City (90 minutes), a short ferry ride will take you to Rottnest where you’ll experience island life. An island with rich history, beautiful beaches, shipwrecks, and unique wildlife including the Instagram famous quokkas, Rottnest is not to be missed. It offers something for everyone, hire bikes and cycle on this carless island. If you are looking for a thrill why not undertake a skydive, if you are looking to relax embrace the sun on the beach. Find out more about a Rottnest Island day trip here.

Day Trips From Perth – Yanchep

A short one-hour drive north of Perth is Yanchep! A quaint coast town, Yanchep is home to a variety of landscapes. With a stunning National Park on its doorstep, you’ll be able to see kangaroos and koalas in their natural habitat. One of the few places in WA that home koalas! If you are interested in hiking, there are 9 stunning hikes of a range of difficulties including wetlands and woodlands walks. You’ll also find a beautiful old pub for lunch. Take a short 10-minute drive towards the coast to enjoy the Yanchep Lagoon. A beautiful lagoon with a stunning reef just off the coast. A great location for fishing, swimming, and enjoying the sun.

Day Trips From Perth – Jurien Bay

If a relaxed day trip from Perth with a few stops is what you’re looking for, Jurien Bay is for you. A 2.5-hour drive up the beautiful coastline Jurien Bay is a beautiful spot. You will pass through Yanchep and have the luxury of going to the National Park if you wish. From there, you’ll pass through Lancelin where you can enjoy the sand dunes if you have a 4WD. You’ll then reach The Pinnacles Desert, a fascinating natural landscape. With thousands of tall limestone spires which are millions of years old, this is an amazing experience. A short drive north and you will reach Jurien Bay. A pretty beach town with amazing fish and chips! Lounge on the beach and enjoy the jetty before your journey home. If you are interested in extending your trip further north and making a longer journey why not continue your road trip up to Exmouth or Broome. 

Day Trips From Perth – The Swan Valley

The Swan Valley  is the home of Perth’s wine scene and is WA’s oldest wine region. A short 25-minute drive from Perth into the Swan Valley and you’ll find 40 world-class wineries. A great location for a day trip from Perth with friends if you’re a wine lover or just looking for something different to do. An option for all is to take an organised tour which saves you driving if you want to enjoy wine tastings. If wine is not your thing, The Swan Valley is still a great option for you, with activities such as weekend markets and hiking trails. The wildflowers on display here are also one of a kind and following the trail is something not to miss out on.

Day Trips From Perth – Dwellingup

The Dwellingup day trip from Perth is one of my partners and I’s favourite trips. A short 1 hour 20-minute drive from Perth it’s perfect for a day out of the city. We love Dwellingup, we pass through it regularly and often talk about how much we’d love to live out there. Visit the Lane Pool Reserve, which is part of the Jarrah Forrest for a day of enjoyment. With options such as canoeing and fishing or something a bit more thrilling in fast water rafting there is something for you. But Dwellingup is more than the Forrest, a quaint town with beautiful old buildings and great restaurants it’s also a place of great history. With a WW2 Prisoner of War Camp nearby it offers something different to the rest of Australia. My partner and I found it fascinating walking through the camp, with information on how the prisoners were kept. It was incredibly informative. Don’t miss out on a piece of WA’s history.

Day Trips From Perth – Busselton

A day trip from Perth on the longer side, at 2.5 hours a trip to Busselton is worth the drive. Visit the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and the second-longest jetty in the world! Enjoy a ride on the red train that runs up and down the jetty, taking you to the underwater observatory at the end! It’s important to keep an eye out for the wildlife available here! Dolphins are often seen swimming nearby in Geographe Bay. Whales can also be seen nursing their young between late September and early December while they rest in the bay. This is a day trip unlike any other on this list! 

Day Trips From Perth – York

York is a beautiful small town found an hour and a half to the East of Perth. A famous old town, it’s the first European inland settlement in WA. Famous for its running hills which are viewable from the Mount Brown Lookout. You’ll find wildflowers and bright yellow canola fields between August and September. Enjoy lunch at one of the old pubs and take a trip to the famous York Motor Museum. Home to vintage cars, Australian race cars, and race bikes it’s something not to miss.  

Day Trips From Perth – Kalamunda

Take this short-day trip from Perth to Kalamunda. A short 30-minute drive and you’ll be enjoying the beautiful bush trail, orchards, and wineries. Arguably the best day to visit Kallamunda is on a Sunday to experience the farmer’s market for seasonal fruit, flowers, and baked goods. Learn about Kallamundan history by visiting the history village. Enjoy a hike along part of the famous Bibbulmun track, which is an ancient walk undertaken by Aboriginals in the past.

Day Trips From Perth – Penguin Island

Do you want to see some penguins? Did you ever think you’d be able to see penguins in WA? I certainly didn’t! Found 45 minutes south of Perth near Shoalwater Bay in Rockingham, Penguin Island is a must-see. You’ll take a 5-minute ferry ride across to the island and find the world’s smallest penguins. You can enjoy watching a feeding at 10:30, 12:30, and 14:30 throughout the day. The penguins only eat from their designated carers. You will also find sea lions, dolphins, and pelicans around the island so it’s important to take your time exploring the island. Aside from the wildlife, there are hikes available, with a 1.5km hike around the island showcasing incredible views. With ferries running every day from 9 am until 15:00 on the hour, there are plenty of opportunities to get across. You mustn’t miss the last return ferry at 16:10. This is an unmissable experience that you wouldn’t expect to find in Australia.

Day Trips From Perth – Round-Up

These are 10 of my favourite day trips from Perth. Many other day trips from Perth are available and that you may enjoy more but these offer something unique. Perth is a city of immense beauty and offers visitors so many options for activities to do on their travels. I hope this article has shed some light on activities available to you!

A Rottnest Island day trip is a must for any backpacker or visitor to Perth! Found 19 km off the coast of Fremantle, which is also a must-see location in Perth, Rottnest is a beautiful island with a long history. Rottnest is known for being the home of the quokka, a native mammal only found on the island. Visitors will find a relaxed experience on their Rottnest Island day trip and will be eager to visit again! The best time to visit Rottnest is between October and May, you’ll enjoy beautiful weather. There are not many better places to relax on a hot day! I have personally had friends travel from Sydney to Perth just so they could visit Rottnest, they loved it. This article will give a better idea of how I’d recommend structuring your day trip! 

Travelling to Rottnest

Start your day nice and early, there is no better way than getting an early ferry. The majority of people who visit Rottnest take the ferry from Fremantle, Hillarys Boat Harbour, or Elizabeth Quay. With tickets from Fremantle to Rottnest available for $58, you’ll enjoy a speedy 30-minute trip. With beautiful views on the way, it’s a great way to start the day. If you are based in the city, you can get a ferry from Elizabeth Quay, which will save you travelling to Fremantle! Tickets are available from $99, this is slightly more expensive because the journey is longer at about 90 minutes. There are discounts for children, seniors, and students, and all prices can be found here. There is also a $20 admission fee per person which is included when you book your tickets, but I promise the beauty of the island makes it worth it! It is worth booking tickets in advance because they can sell out and be unavailable on your day of travel. It is important to check the times of your return ferry so you are not stranded on the island. Ferries in summer run until approximately 6:30 but it’s important to check the timetable here.

What to do when you arrive on your Rottnest Island day trip

When you arrive in Rottnest after your ferry trip, there is so much to do. Arriving early is recommended to make the most of the day. There is so much to do for everyone! You’ll make your way from the ferry to one of the local bays or towards the general store in the Settlement where you’ll find restaurants, the bakery and everything you’ll need. A great way to see the island is to hire bikes. These are available from $30 for 24 hours or $16 after 1 pm.

Are You More Of A Thrill Seeker?

If you looking for a thrill, why not undertake a skydive to get the blood flowing? From $339 it’s a great way to start the day. If you have hired bikes you can cycle to the airport from the jetty in 5 minutes or walk in 15 minutes if you are coming straight from arrival. I have skydived in Rottnest. and it was one of the best experiences of my life! You can see the full island in all its beauty from the sky and enjoy something different! It can also be a great way to get a break from the summer heat! If skydiving is not for you, why not go scuba diving? If already qualified there are many beautiful locations to dive. You can hire scuba dive tanks from $21 for 24 hours or $10 after 1 pm. You can get refills for $10.

Are You Looking To Explore And Relax?

If you are looking for a more relaxed Rottnest island day trip, you can hire bikes and take a trip around the island, stopping at one of the many bays. Visit Salmon Bay and snorkel the shipwreck. You can hire snorkels for $21 and paddleboards for $75. This is a great way to see the beauty of the island and the wildlife of the ocean. You can cycle around the island in a couple of hours visiting as many bays as you wish. Experience the wildlife native to Rottnest, thousands of people visit Rottnest every year to see the famous Quokkas. Found only in Rottnest, these tiny mammals are found all over the island, but most commonly in the settlement. It is important not to touch or feed the animals as it is bad for the environment and causes them to become dependent on food that is not healthy for them. If you are more interested in history, why not take a visit to the island museum. A source of great information, you will learn about the history of the island and what it means to Aboriginal people.

Are You Looking For Somewhere To Eat Or Have A Drink?

A Rottnest island day trip would not be complete without a trip to Pinky’s! A great bar overlooking the beach, Pinky’s is a great place to relax with a drink after a day of exploring and swimming. With a variety of Asian-infused starters and Italian-influenced mains a meal here is not to be missed. If your looking for more of a pub lunch and pub feel, a trip to Hotel Rottnest is for you. A large Australian pub located near the settlement, you’ll find a bustling pub with a great atmosphere. If you are looking to assure yourself a table, you can pre-book! For me, although I enjoy a trip to Pinky’s, I have to say my preference for an afternoon drink and food would be Hotel Rottnest where I have spent many afternoons with my partner.

What To Make Of Your Rottnest Island Day Trip

Your Rottnest Island day trip is one to embrace. It’s not every day you can visit a beautiful island so close to Perth. With stunning sites and numerous activities, there is something for everyone to do. If you are looking for a chilled day or something exciting Rottnest has it all. One thing you will be sure not to miss is the quokkas who will make themselves known to you. 

Backpackers from across the world undertake fruit picking Australia every year. Arguably the most common form of farm work backpackers undertake, fruit picking is a key role in Australian agriculture. This blog post will answer some of the FAQs backpackers have on fruit picking Australia and give them the best insight into what they can expect. If you are interested in fruit picking Australia see here to learn about fruit picking in WA. In contrast, if you are based over East you may be more interested in learning more about fruit picking in Victoria.

Does fruit picking count towards your 88 days of regional work for your visa extension?

The short answer to this question is yes! The most common version of farm work sees thousands of backpackers undertake fruit picking every year. Fruit picking Australia is a way for backpackers to work regionally to complete their 88 days or three months of farm work. Working a minimum of 38 hours per week allows backpackers the opportunity to gain 7 days towards their total. Fruit picking is one of the many industries you can undertake along with fishing/ pearling, construction, hospitality, mining, and tree farming. 

How are your 88 days counted when completing fruit picking Australia?

As mentioned in the previous question, fruit picking Australia is a vital way for backpackers to complete their 88 days. To complete your 88 days a backpacker must complete the same number of days as a full-time employee in a three-month or 88-day calendar period. This means that by working Monday to Friday (or a 5-day work week) a total of 7 days will be added to your total as weekends will be included. Backpackers can change farms when completing their days, as long as all of your days are signed off before leaving a role those days are valid. The 88 days do not need to be completed continuously and backpackers can work whenever suits them. If you are unsure of whether you have completed your days correctly, use the 88 days calculator to ensure your days are complete. 

How to find fruit picking work? 

There are a variety of ways to find work fruit picking Australia! There are specific recruitment agencies such as Rural Enterprises who are based in WA. These agencies will take your resume and send it out to their clients. This is a free service and allows you to get your resume to numerous farms in a short period! 

Another way of finding farm work is to ask at working hostels! Working hostels in small towns are a great source of employment. Farmwork 23 Is a great website for information on working hostels throughout the country. Working hostels can help backpackers who are also in need of transport to and from farms for a small fee.

Fruit picking work can be found online! Online search engines such as Seek or Indeed are great sources of information on what is available in the local area. This can however have its negatives due to the amount of applications some farms receive. You may not hear back from them and your search may take longer. 

Word of mouth is a great option for backpackers. When arriving in smaller towns known for farm work and fruit picking in particular, a great way to find out about vacancies is to speak to the locals. 

How much do you get paid for fruit picking Australia?

As of 1 July 2023, the minimum wage for casual fruit pickers has increased to $28.26. Most farms will require backpackers to work a minimum of 37.5-hour weeks, which means that it can be fairly lucrative. Many farms however use a piece-rate to pay their workers. This means workers are paid depending on how much fruit they pick per day. A piece rate is supposed to enable a worker, who is competent at the task, with an average productivity to earn 15% more than an hourly rate. This can be difficult at times and many backpackers have complained regarding piece-rate work. Often workers end up earning under $10 an hour and therefore obviously prefer an hourly rate. For a greater idea on pay scales see here.

Where can you complete your fruit picking?

Fruit picking can be completed across Australia, farms are looking for fruit pickers throughout the year. A great way to decide where to undertake your fruit picking is by following the harvest guide. By joining Facebook groups such as Farm Work and Fruit Picking Jobs Australia it will give you an idea of what is available. There are however fruit picking jobs across the country depending on your preferences.

What is the fruit picking season?

The fruit-picking season runs throughout the whole year. Depending on your location, there may not be fruit available at points throughout the year but across Australia there is fruit that needs to be picked no matter the time of year. Please see the fruit-picking calendar to gain a better idea of harvest dates. https://www.backpackerjobboard.com.au/harvest/ The size of Australia means that there are different regions of the country experiencing different climates so the same fruits do not always grow across the country at the same time.

Is fruit picking hard work?

Fruit picking Australia can be very difficult due to the long hours and repetitive nature of the work. As long as you are physically fit and mentally strong the work is rewarding. Fruit picking is a way to meet fellow backpackers and that can ensure the days pass quickly. The hard work is primarily down to the repetitive nature of the job. When working in the heat it is important to stay hydrated. For an insight into fruit picking Australia, see here.

What are the best fruits to pick?

This question is up to interpretation. Many people feel that cherries, despite their size, are the best fruit to pick. This is due to their robustness. They are also very light so you do not have to worry about the strain of lifting heavy weights such as watermelons throughout the day. Another great fruit to pick is tangerines. With fruit at eye level, it becomes easier to pick, if you are having to pick fruits from the ground such as melons or strawberries it is much more demanding on your body.

Do you get accommodation for your fruit picking job?

Accommodation with a fruit picking job is not always guaranteed but most farms will provide accommodation. There are occasions when backpackers will have to find their accommodation, which can be difficult in very remote areas where many farms are located. Many backpackers can sleep in their campervans or tents, or if a working hostel is close by they are also an option. If accommodation is provided as part of your job, the cost will be taken off of your payslip at the end of the week. It is important to discuss the rate for accommodation before starting work.

Is transportation available or what is the availability of public transport?

When undertaking seasonal regional work you can end up in very remote areas. It is important to discuss the availability of transport or whether you will have to purchase your own method. Does the farm provide a method of transport for its workers from town or is it your responsibility to make your way to the farm?

Fruit Picking Australia – Conclusion

If you’re interested in fruit picking in Australia, keep these questions in mind. Fruit picking can be hard work but is a great way to complete your 88 days for your second year visa. It is a great way to earn money while you travel around Australia and meet fellow backpackers, many of whom will be friends for life.