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!