If you’re heading to Western Australia, you will likely spend some time in Perth. And while Perth is a beautiful laid-back city with lots to do, it pays to take some time to explore the area around Perth as well. We’ve collected the best day trips from Perth for you.
While some are easily accessible by public transport you might need to hire a car for others. But all these day trips are within a two-hour radius of Perth, giving you a chance to enjoy them before heading back. It’s fun to experience the different vibes of the towns and enjoy the scenery along the way.
A good day trip gets you into a new environment and has different things for you to enjoy. It lets you forget about the city and explore new territories. Without further ado, we present to you the best day trips from Perth!
Kings Park & Botanic Garden
Although technically you’re not leaving Perth with this day trip it’s still worth it to take a day and explore Kings Park & Botanic Garden. This 400-hectare park will keep you occupied for at least a couple of hours. It’s easily accessible by public transport, car, or just by foot.
Kings Park & Botanic Garden consists of a botanical garden, war memorial, park, and scrubland. There is an Aboriginal art gallery, you can climb the lookout tower (known as the DNA tower because its structure resembles DNA) or just take one of the numerous walks or cycle trails.
We combined this with a visit to Subiaco to see one of the Giants of Mandurah which will remain there until the end of 2023.
Fremantle
Fremantle is perfect for a day trip if you don’t have a lot of time or don’t want to travel long. It’s close to Perth and the train takes you to the border of the city center. Everything there is to see and do is within walking distance but there are also free Cat buses that will take you where you want to go.
If you’re heading to Fremantle make sure to take some time to visit the prison. On the weekends you can visit the Fremantle Markets. There is a nice beach for those looking for a place to relax or head to the Esplanade for some greenery and shade.
We loved the laid-back vibe of Fremantle and the style of the buildings in the city center. There is a lot of street art in Fremantle as well so pick up a free copy of the street art map at the visitor center.
Yanchep National Park
Yanchep National Park has a lot to offer for a day trip and it’s close to Perth. It’s best to rent a car for this day trip due to its location. You pay an entry fee of $ 15 per car and for some activities, you have to pay an additional fee.
The main reason we went to Yanchep National Park is to spot Koalas in their natural habitat. They don’t live on the West Coast and this is the only place to see them in the wild over here. But there are a lot of hiking trails as well. You can visit the Crystal Cave and join a 45-minute guided tour.
Most people come here to relax, hang out, and barbeque or picnic which we totally understand because it’s a nice park with tons of picnic benches.
Mandurah
This is another easy day trip if you’re dependent on public transport because it’s right at the end of the Mandurah line. You need to hop on a bus to get to the heart of Mandurah, but that’s a 15-minute ride at most.
We headed to Mandurah because we were told we could spot dolphins here. And we did, eventually. Mandurah has a marina with a couple of hiking trails that take you through the city and to the coast. There is a huge public beach as well.
Another reason to visit Mandurah in 2023 is the Giants of Mandurah. You need a car to find all of them and one of them is in Subiaco, Perth.
Bunbury & Busselton
If you’re up for a small road trip, head towards Busselton and maybe stop in Bunbury on your way. In Bunbury, you’ll find the Dolphin Discovery Center, and in the morning dolphins visit the beach. A perfect way to start your day trip.
In Busselton, you’ll find the Busselton Jetty, the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere with an astounding 1,8 kilometers. There is a small entry fee to walk to the end. But the beach area around the jetty is free.
If you buy the Jetty Day Pass ($ 4) you get access to dive, fish, swim, or walk the Jetty. There is an electric train as well that will take you to the end ($ 16).
John Forrest National Park
Close to Perth, you’ll find John Forrest National Park. You pay an entry fee of $ 15 per car but there is a scenic drive before the entry gate as well with beautiful views over the valley and Perth. You could hire a bike as well if you’re looking for a little more action.
Many walk trails lead you through jarrah, marri, flooded gums, swamp peppermint and paperbark trees, and the spooky Swan View Tunnel. You might even see some of the native wildlife such as the western grey kangaroos lazing in the park.
There are plenty of picnic areas as well to enjoy a barbecue or just enjoy the scenery.
The Best Day Trips from Perth
This list isn’t complete because there is a lot more to do around Perth. But this should give you some options if you’re staying in Perth and are looking for a change of scenery. We love that there is so much to do in such a short radius around Perth.
Have you been on any of these day trips? What are you looking forward to the most? If you have any additions to this list, please let us know as well. We would love to learn more about the best day trips from Perth.
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