13 Incredible Day Trips From Perth (Family-Friendly)

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Perth is one of the most beautiful capital cities in Australia and there is plenty to see and do. However, if you’re looking to get out of the city for a day or two, there are some incredible day trips or weekend getaways from Perth that are an absolute must!

These Perth day trips and weekend getaways are sure to help you plan your next adventure or if you’re planning a Western Australia itinerary from Perth!

This Rottnest Island day tour is one of the most popular Perth day tours

Best Day Trips From Perth Or Weekenders

For these Perth day trips, we’ve put together the best places to visit within 2.5 hours of Perth.

When it comes to taking a day trip, anything longer will mean you are spending more time on the road than at your end destination, so we’ve added those to our weekend (or longer) getaways below instead.

Under 1 Hour From Perth

3. Fremantle

Just a 20-minute drive from Perth, Fremantle is the perfect spot for an easy day trip or weekend getaway.

With its colourful heritage buildings, fascinating maritime history and trendy cafes and restaurants, there are plenty of things to do in Fremantle.

Fremantle Prison is an interesting place to visit, stepping back in time and hearing how the prison operated during its many eras. There are several tours available, including a night tour if you dare.

Fremantle is a perfect place to enjoy craft beer and great food, with Little Creatures Brewery and many wonderful restaurants lining the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour.

Fremantle Markets are a must-visit between Friday and Sunday, with live music, local produce and plenty of handmade wares to discover.

There are loads of free things to do in Fremantle as well, from the WA Shipwrecks Museum and historic buildings to the art gallery, the oldest building in Western Australia – The Roundhouse, and splashing around at Bathers Beach.

• Distance From Perth: 22 km south
• Drive Time: 30 minutes

4. Penguin Island

Head 45 minutes south of Perth and ride the 5-minute ferry off the coast into the heart of the spectacular Shoalwater Islands Marine Park to find yourself at Penguin Island.

The ferries depart regularly throughout the day, with daily penguin feedings with the park rangers at the Penguin Island Discovery Centre

This incredible island paradise is a wildlife wonder with your chance to see the world’s smallest penguins up close. As well as this, you can join a kayak tour and see pods of dolphins and Australian sea lions.

Try a Seal Island and Penguin Island Sea Kayak Tour

• Distance From Perth: 50km south
• Travel Time: 45 minutes + short ferry ride

5. Serpentine Falls

If you’re looking for a beautiful day trip from Perth that doesn’t involve driving too far, head to Serpentine Falls.

Just a 50-minute drive south of the CBD, these falls are located within Serpentine National Park and make for a lovely picnic spot on a warm day.

Serpentine Falls is a beautiful spot for a picnic with the family or hiking. You can also swim here, although it does get really busy in the summer months, so arrive early!

• Distance From Perth: 65 km south
• Drive Time: 50 minutes

6. Yanchepp

Yanchep is located only 50 minutes from the Perth CBD and offers some of Western Australia’s best bushwalking trails.

There are also plenty of great swimming spots, lakes to fish or canoe in, wildlife spotting and even kangaroo watching!

The national park is also a great spot for bird watching and you might see some of the more than 100 species that call Yanchep National Park home. You might even be lucky enough to spot koalas in the tree.s

Yanchep Lagoon is a great place for a swim for the whole family and if you’re feeling more adventurous, head to the Crystal Caves for a guided tour. This is the closest cave to Perth.

• Distance From Perth: 55km north
• Drive Time: 50 minutes

1-2 Hours From Perth

7. Bunbury

Just over an hour south of Perth, Bunbury is the second-largest city in Western Australia.

With its close proximity to the beach, beautiful parks and gardens and interesting attractions, there is plenty to see and do in this coastal town.

Along Bunbury Foreshore, you will find the Dolphin Discovery Centre – an aquarium that also organises dolphin tours into Bunbury Marine Park. The aquarium is great fun for all ages, with lots of interactive displays and some very cool marine creatures. We enjoyed it during our 4-day Margaret River itinerary.

Koombana Playground is a fantastic playground and will easily entertain the kids for ages. There are picnic and BBQ areas here, or a great cafe next door.

• Distance From Perth: 168 km south
• Drive Time: 2 hours

10. Pinnacles Desert & Cervantes

Just over a 2-hour drive north of Perth, Pinnacles Desert is home to one of Australia’s most beautiful natural wonders.

These limestone and sandstone rock formations make you feel like you’ve stepped onto the moon, or at the very least, an actual desert with the golden sands surrounding you!

Located within Nambung National Park, you can access the Pinnacles Desert on foot and by car with tracks for both.

The walking track takes you on a loop around the desert, including a lookout point with ocean views.

What is especially fun is following the emu tracks in the sand. You may even get lucky enough to spot one. We only spotted a kangaroo on our visit, during our driving loop but it was still a lot of fun searching!

For something really unique, take a sunset and star-gazing tour of the Pinnacles by night.

At nearby Cervantes, you will also find the Lobster Shack for delicious seafood meals, factory tours and wildlife boat tours. Lake Thetis and its stromatolites are another cool stop on your Pinnacles day trip.

• Distance From Perth: 190 km north
• Drive Time: 2 hours

2-3 Hours From Perth

11. Jurien Bay

Just over 2 hours north of Perth, Jurien Bay is a small coastal town on the Indian Ocean, best known for its stunning turquoise waters.

There are several things to do in Jurian Bay, making it a worthwhile stop when heading north, such as on a Perth to Kalbarri road trip.

The biggest highlight of a visit to Jurien Bay is the wildlife encounters.

Book a sea lion tour and have the opportunity to swim with these adorable sea puppies in the wild or head out snorkelling.

There are several different areas to snorkel from Jurien Bay or from the nearby Boullanger Island. You can also stroll along the Turquoise Way Trail.

Jurien Bay also has an incredible Foreshore playground – Dobbyn Park. This natural playground is huge and relatively new, along with a skate park and youth hangout area.

• Distance From Perth: 220 km north
• Drive Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

12. Busselton

Busselton is a popular South West destination, known for its calm beaches and the iconic Busselton Jetty.

It’s the longest wooden pile pier in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as an underwater observatory.

It’s a great option for families, with a playground, foreshore area, and plenty of cafes.

See our full guide for more fun things to do in Busselton.

• Distance From Perth: 200 km south
• Drive Time: 2.5 hours

13. Margaret River Region & Dunsborough

At around 3 hours drive north of Perth, and just half an hour further than Busselton, you will find the famous Margaret River region and some of the best wines in Australia! It makes a better weekend trip, but a day trip is possible!

Aside from the many exceptional wineries in Margaret River where you can enjoy wine tastings, you will also find several breweries, chocolate factories and other local produce.

Dunsborough is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Western Australia in the southwest region of the state. Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, Bunker Bay, just to name a few.

There are plenty of fun things to do with kids in Margaret River, from adventure attractions and mazes to wildlife encounters and farm stays.

The many Margaret River caves are also a fun experience, with several different caves in the region. Some of the most popular options are Ngilgi Cave, Jewel Cave, Mammoth Cave and Lake Cave.

There are also lighthouses and walking trails, making it easy to turn your visit into a short Margaret River road trip weekend!

• Distance From Perth: 270 km south
• Drive Time: 3 hours

Weekend Trips From Perth

If you have a little more time, there are some incredible destinations that are better suited to a weekend getaway rather than a day trip.

While you can visit some of these in a single day, you’ll spend a lot of time driving, so staying overnight makes the experience much more enjoyable.

Here are some of the best weekend trips from Perth:

Kalbarri (6 hours)
A longer drive north, Kalbarri is known for its dramatic gorges, coastal cliffs, and the famous Skywalk in Kalbarri National Park. It’s a great option if you’re exploring the Coral Coast. See our full Kalbarri guide here.

Geraldton (4–4.5 hours)
A relaxed coastal city with beaches, playgrounds, and a scenic waterfront. It also makes a good stop on the way further north. Read our Geralton guide.

Wave Rock (3.5–4 hours)
One of Western Australia’s most iconic landmarks, this giant rock formation is worth the trip if you’re heading inland. Pair it with nearby attractions like Mulka’s Cave.

Albany & Denmark (4.5–5 hours)
Head south for rugged coastline, beautiful beaches, and national parks. This region is great for nature lovers and feels a bit more off the beaten path.

👉 If you’re planning a longer WA itinerary, many of these destinations can be linked together into an epic road trip.

There are plenty of incredible places to explore nearby, from beaches and wineries to national parks and unique landscapes. This guide covers the best Perth day trips and weekend getaways to help you choose the right option for your trip.