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Perth, the capital of city of western Australia, is blessed with a wealth of natural beauty, including stunning beaches, scenic parks, and picturesque landscapes. Beyond the city limits, live some of the region’s most interesting destinations and activities, perfect for day trips.
In this article we’ll explore some of the best day trips from Perth, including visiting the Pinnacles desert, swimming with dolphins, and a quickie over to Rottnest island. Whether you’re a nature lover, adventure enthusiast, or simply seeking a break from the city, these day trips are sure to be one of the highlights of your vacation.
Best Day Trips from Perth to the Pinnacle Desert
The Pinnacles desert, located just a couple of hours drive from Perth, is a fantastic day trip destination for those seeking a unique experience in nature. This vast, expansive desert is home to thousands of limestone pillars, some reaching up to several metres tall, that have formed over millions of years.
Visitors can wander through the maze of pillars on a self guided tour, or take a guided tour to learn about the geology and history of the area. The desert is also home to a variety of wildlife including kangaroos, emus, and reptiles.
Visit in the Afternoon or Evening (Tour)
Another way to visit the Pinnacle Desert, an incredible moon-like landscape, is in the afternoon or evening.
On this tour you will arrive at the Desert late in the afternoon, avoiding the heat and the crowds, and just in time to catch the spectacular sunset. On the way you’ll stop to meet some koalas and kangaroos.
After dark, you will head over to the fishing town of Cervantes for dinner at a traditional tavern to absorb a real Australian atmosphere.
After this, you will travel back towards the coast to see the Pinnacle’s limestone rock formations again. This time set against the night sky. Light pollution is scarce in the desert, so its going to be a beautiful view.
How to get there: You can do this day tour as a self drive, or use public transport from different areas of the city.
For an easier option, join a day tour. See prices and more information here for a day trip from Perth to the Pinnacle Desert.
4WD & Sandboarding in the Pinnacles Desert (Tour)
If you’re after more time in the Pinnacles beyond the afternoon photographic light, this day tour from Perth is a good option. For those who want a bit more adventure, this tour includes seeing the Pinnacles with sandboarding and a ride in a 4WD.
A fish and chips lunch is also served in the town, and a stop at a park to see kangaroos, wallabies and koalas. Please note, this tour also takes you to a lobster processing plant, which is the town, Cervantes, claim to fame.
Self Drive
Unfortunately there is no public transport to the Pinnacles Desert, but if you have a car, its a 2.5 hour drive from Perth. You don’t need a 4WD to get to the Pinnacles as the road is sealed.
Best Perth Daytrips to Rottnest Island
Visiting Rottnest Island, located just a short ferry ride from Perth, is the perfect day trip destination for those seeking a beautiful island getaway. Known for it’s stunning beaches and crystal clear waters, Rottnest island is home to a variety of wildlife, including the adorable quokkas, which are found only on the island.
Visitors can explore the island on foot or by bicycle, with many scenic trails leading to secluded coves and bays. Snorkelling and swimming are also popular activities to do on the island, with vibrant coral reefs and marine life just waiting to be discovered in the surrounding waters.
Alongside a range of restaurants and cafes serving up delicious food, Rottnest island is the perfect place to unwind and relax while enjoying the sunshine. This is my top day tour from Perth suggestion.
Exploring Rottnest Island + Skydiving
Experience an epic skydive over Rottnest island in the morning, shortly after your arrival to the island. You get to choose to jump from three different heights – 10,000, 14,000 or 15,000ft. Try this tour, or this tour.
While waiting to jump out of the plane, you’ll have amazing views over Rottnest island, and you’ll also have them on the way down. I personally didn’t have guts to jump out of a plane, but my mum did, and she loved her skydiving experience.
At 5,000 feet, your instructor will deploy your parachute after which you’ll float around for another 5 minutes before landing on a beach.
After your skydiving experience ends, you can spend the rest of your time enjoying Rottnest Island until your ferry departs back to Hillarys Boat Harbour, or Perth, depending on which tour you choose, around 4.30pm.
Rottnest Island Ferry Tickets + Bus Tour
If you want to see as much as possible of Rottnest Island, take this tour which includes ferry tickets and a 3.5 hour bus tour. I think this is a great option because you get to hop in an airconditioned bus to see all of the highlights of the island, without the hassle of getting to each attraction yourself.
Then after your tour, you still have time to relax and explore the island or relax at the beach. You also get supplied a picnic lunch and a short historic train ride.
Rottnest Island Ferry Tickets
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to explore Rottnest Island at your own pace, you can just purchase the return ferry tickets. This is a good option if you’re not a tour type of person, but want the convenient of having your tickets ready to go.
Don’t Want to Book Ahead?
You can catch a ferry over to Rottnest from Perth City, North Fremantle, Fremantle and Hillarys Boat Harbour through one of the three major ferry companies.
Best Daytrips from Perth involving Wildlife
Perth, and its surrounding areas, offer many opportunities for wildlife encounters, make him for exciting day trips for visitors. One popular day trip from Perth is whale watching, with humpback and southern right whales frequently seen along the coast during their annual migration.
For those looking to get up close with dolphins, swimming with wild dolphins is an unforgettable experience, with pods of these playful mammals often spotted in the waters around Perth. Snorkelling is another way to see marine life, with colourful fish, coral, and even sea turtles found in the ocean around Perth, Rottnest Island, and other nearby reefs.
Swim with Dolphins in Perth (Wild Dolphins Tour)
Enjoy an unforgettable tour to go swimming with wild dolphins at Rockingham, which is reached via a 45 minute drive south of Perth. To arrive at this wildlife encounter, visitors can either self-drive or enjoy optional round-trip transfers via coach from Perth.
At Rockingham, hop on the company’s custom-built boat, which was designed to make it easy to access the waters. Cruise the islands and sheltered bays of Rockingham in search of any of the more than 200 local dolphins.
Grab a snorkel before you jump into the water and make the most of your encounter with wild dolphins.
After your experience, you can enjoy refreshments and some seafood on board your boat before returning to Rockingham, to conclude your day with a drive back to Perth.
You can also join this tour as a spectator, but its much cheaper to just watch the dolphins from a boat on this tour instead.
Whale Watching in Perth Tour
Enjoy spotting humpback whales as they pass Western Australia on their annual migration of humpback whales. Your leader on the tour is a certified guide who will provide information as you cruise, and will help you get a good view of the whales.
You’ve got three viewing areas available to take photos or simply watch, and the boat is air conditioned, so you can escape the outdoor when you want. The time to do this tour is between September and November, so while the weather wont be steaming, it can get a bit warm on some days.
A great thing about this tour is that you can relax knowing that if you don’t see any whales, you can join another tour the next day, without any extra charge.
Shoalwater Island Snorkelling Tour
Hop on a boat and explore the three Shoalwater Islands – Seal, Bird and Penguin Islands. On your cruise you’ll be keeping a look out for sea lions, birds such as cormorants and ospreys, and bottlenose dolphins.
In addition, you’ll have time to snorkel in the waters around the islands, with a short snorkeling lesson available for those who haven’t donned a snorkel before. You’ll also get to have some seafood bites on board.
Best Day Trips from Perth to Freemantle
Fremantle is a charming coastal town located just a short distance from Perth, making it an ideal choice for a day trip. Known for it’s rich history, Fremantle offers visitors a chance to explore some of Western Australia’s oldest and most significant buildings, including the Fremantle prison and the Roundhouse.
The town is also home to a vibrant art scene, with many galleries and museums showcasing local talent. With its bustling markets, trendy cafes and restaurants, and beautiful beaches, Fremantle has something for everyone.
Whether you’re interested in history, art, or simply checking out the relaxing coastal atmosphere, a day trip to Fremantle is a great way to experience the best of Western Australia.
Due to the ease of visiting Freemantle from Perth, I recommend hopping on a bus to visit the coastal town. Another option is trains, for which you can see the timetable here. No tour needed.
Best Day Trips from Perth That Involve Wine
Swan valley, located not too far from Perth, is the premier wine region in Western Australia, and is a fantastic day trip idea from Perth for wine lovers. The region is home to over 40 wineries, ranging from boutique family owned vineyards to large-scale commercial operations, producing a variety of award-winning wines.
Visitors can explore the vineyards and wineries on a self-guided tour, or take a guided tour to learn about the history and the wine making process. In addition to wine, the region is also known for its delicious food, with many restaurants and cafes serving at fresh, locally sourced produce.
With it’s picturesque landscapes, rich history, and exceptional wines, Swan Valley is a must visit destination.
Swan River Wine Tasting (Afternoon tour)
If you only have time for a quick wine tasting, then its best to take an afternoon tour. The tour includes tasting wines at 4 wineries, eating some cheese, and soaking up the scenery of the area.
You’ll learn about the wine making process, and some fancy, wine tasting related things some as detecting different notes in the wine. You’ll also pay a visit to the Margaret River Chocolate Factory.
Full Day of Wine Tasting
If you’d prefer a full day of winetasting, this option is for you. You’ll visit the heritage listed town Guildford to start tasting wines from 3 different wineries. During the tour, you’ll also visit the Margaret River Chocolate Factory, and get a lunch included too.
A tour is a good option for wine tasting as you don’t have to designate a sober friend to do all the driving. And as a bonus, the way back to Perth is via boat cruise.
Best Day Tour from Perth to See the Wave Rock
Another cool thing to see on a day trip from Perth is Wave Rock, and the town of York. On this tour you will also get to see some Aborigine artwork and see the Australian countryside on the drive to and from.
The prehistoric rock formation known as Wave Rock is the highlight of this tour, which resembled a large wave coming towards you. You’ll also see some sacred aboriginal sites. Lunch is included.
A Day Trip to See Wildflowers in Perth
Hop in a car and enjoy a relaxing day soaking up the sights and smells of wildflowers near Perth between September to November. You can see a range of wildflowers, including orchids, everlastings, banksias, bottle brush, and green and red kangaroo paw.
There are not a ton of organised tours, so this one is best done on your own. If you don’t have your own wheels, hired or otherwise, keep an eye out for tours closer to the time. These are normally advertised in the lead up to the season.
The most popular spots to find wildflowers are Kings Park, the Avon Valley, the Swan Valley, Lake Gwelup, the Ellis Brook Valley Reserve, Rottnest Island, the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory, and the Bibbulmun track. Wireless Park, Toodyay and Gingin also showcase colorful displays of wildflowers at various times.
How to get there independently: Since there isn’t one particular spot that is best to visit at any given time, if you have a rental car you can search for the flowers independently by using the the Wildflower tracker app, or following a self drive guide such as this one.
In conclusion, Perth and it’s surrounding areas offer a range of fantastic day trip options for both visitors and locals. From natural wonders like the Pinnacles desert, Wave Rock, and Rottnest island, to the rich history of Fremantle and the wine culture of Swan valley, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re interested in wildlife encounters, outdoor adventures, or simply relaxing and stunning surroundings, these day trips are all a great option if you have a spare day while visiting Perth.