Day Trips from Perth
A brilliant base — within an easy drive or ferry: quokkas on Rottnest, historic Fremantle, the Swan Valley wine trail and the eerie Pinnacles Desert.
Day Trips from Perth
Perth is a brilliant base: within an easy drive or ferry you can meet quokkas on Rottnest, wander historic Fremantle, taste your way around the Swan Valley, or stand among the eerie limestone spires of the Pinnacles Desert. Go further and you’ll find dolphins at Mandurah, penguins near Rockingham and the granite wave of Wave Rock. Here are the best day trips and how to do them.
Where to Go
Rottnest Island
Quokkas, car-free bike tracks and dazzling swimming bays.
Rottnest → Port cityFremantle
Heritage streets, markets, the prison and harbour dining.
Fremantle → WineSwan Valley
WA’s oldest wine region, 25 minutes from the city.
Swan Valley → ~2 hrs northThe Pinnacles
Thousands of limestone spires in Nambung National Park.
The Pinnacles →More Ideas
- Mandurah — canals and wild dolphins, about an hour south
- Penguin Island (Rockingham) — little penguins and sea lions
- York — WA’s oldest inland town, historic and pretty
- Wave Rock (Hyden) — a striking granite “wave”, but a long day (~4 hrs each way)
- Margaret River — better as an overnight; see the South West
Day Trips — FAQ
What are the best day trips from Perth?
The classics are Rottnest Island (quokkas and beaches), Fremantle, the Swan Valley wine region, and the Pinnacles Desert. Further afield are Mandurah’s dolphins, historic York, Penguin Island and Wave Rock.
How far is the Pinnacles from Perth?
The Pinnacles Desert (Nambung National Park, near Cervantes) is about a two-hour drive north of Perth — a popular full-day trip, often combined with sandboarding at Lancelin. See the Pinnacles.
Can you visit Margaret River as a day trip?
You can, but it’s about a three-hour drive each way, so it’s far better as an overnight or longer. See the South West guide.
Which day trip is best without a car?
Rottnest Island and Fremantle are easiest without a car (ferry and train). The Swan Valley and the Pinnacles are simplest on a guided tour. See getting around.
What’s a good day trip with kids?
Rottnest Island (quokkas and calm bays), Penguin Island near Rockingham, and the Swan Valley’s chocolate and wildlife stops all suit families. See Perth with kids.
Perth & the West Coast, Planned Around You
Kings Park and the beaches, quokkas on Rottnest, the Swan Valley and the Pinnacles — with the planning and bookings handled by the family that’s toured Australia since 1974.
Call 0409 661 342 Plan My Trip — Free Enquiry