Top Self-drive Day Trips from Perth

Steer away from the cosmopolitan vibe of mainland Perth, and lose yourself amidst scenic vistas, beautiful valleys and pristine beaches. Sounds refreshingly inviting? Pack your bags to set out on an epic self-drive day trip from Perth. Here are a few amazing destinations to hit up...

Fremantle: For the Victorian Vibes

Located at a short scenic drive of 30 minutes from Perth, Fremantle offers an eclectic mix of experiences to travellers. Brimming with Victorian-era buildings and dotted with state-of-the-art architecture, this port city is a lovely cross-stitch of the old and modern.

Catch a glimpse of Fremantle’s rich past at the historic Round House, navigate the maze of Georgian and Victorian buildings at the West End, bag tickets to popular cultural performances at the Fremantle Arts Centre and take guided tours for exploring the brooding corridors of the Fremantle Prison – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Are you an avid nature lover? Embark on a beach trail and have fun swimming and snorkelling at Port Beach, treat yourself to gorgeous views of Rottnest Island and Carnac Island from the South Beach and relax with a drink at Leighton Beach here. Also, do not miss visiting the Western Australian Maritime Museum and witness the exhibits there.

The Pinnacles Desert: For an Otherworldly Landscape

About 2 hours from Perth, The Pinnacles Desert wows you with its one-of-a-kind jutting limestone pillars amidst the expansive yellow of the desert, with striking ocean views at a distance. Believed to be a natural wonder, this desert is a fascinating tourist attraction, visited by thousands every year.

You will be fascinated by the bizarre structures ⁠—sometimes shaped like a mushroom, sometimes like a needle. While bushwalking is a suggested activity here, you can also plan tourist-y photo-ops, tour the Nambung National Park and hop around with kangaroos, relax by the sea while peeking at sea-lions and dolphins, and soak in some of the best sunsets on the planet here.

Swan Valley: For Splendid Wine and Dine Scenes

Picture vineyard-laced horizons beckoning you to sip on farm-fresh wines! Sounds tantalizing? Drive down to the Swan Valley, located about 35 minutes from Perth to experience that and more. Boasting a 180-year-old history, this lovely valley promises to delight the foodie in you.

Sign up for a hike along any of the Swan Valley trails, relish hand-made chocolates and fine wines, sample fresh ale, and savour the goodness of fresh-from-the-garden vegetables. Tour the town on a horse-drawn wagon, hop across the art centres and stuff your shopping bags at the historic shopping district of Guildford. No trip to the valley is complete without tasting some of the best wines in the southern hemisphere, swinging by the famous breweries, distilleries and cideries and treating your sweet tooth to the crafted deliciousness at the Margaret River Chocolate Company.

Rockingham: For Befriending the Dolphins

Be it the friendly wild dolphins who would love to be your swimming buds or the fairy penguins photobombing your pictures, Rockingham is a wildlife haven, just 45 minutes from Perth.

Have fun swimming around the blue expanse with wild dolphins, hop on a kayak and visit the sea lions and penguins at the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, explore the underwater world while scuba diving off the West Coast Dive Park, and enjoy thrilling water sports here. You can also take a guided tour of Penguin Island for an immersive experience.

Mandurah: For Sun-kissed Solitude

Less than an hour’s drive from Perth, Mandurah boasts of a plethora of entertainment activities and verdant outdoor spaces, offering you the signature holiday feels Australia is known for.

Admire the rich flora and fauna of the Len Howard Conservation Park, embark on a bush trail along the Erskine Foreshore, shop your heart out at the boutique outlets of the Eastern Foreshore and have fun riding on the Mandjar Bay Fun Train. Play with the dolphins at the Dolphin Quay, walk hand-in-hand with your partner at Halls Head Beach, explore the Munda Biddi Bike Trail and wonder at the living Thrombolite Fossils at the Yalgorup National Park. You can also check out the boutique Millbrook Winery located just at the outskirts of the town and enjoy tasting some of their signature wines.

Ready to hit the road the explore some fascinating sites?

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