Best Day Trips From Perth Australia

Perth might be one of the most isolated cities on the planet, but all that means is that there’s plenty to do and fewer people to share it with. From emu-spotting in the eerie Pinnacles Desert, and visiting crystal caves, world-class wineries, sea lions and fairy penguins, to hot-air ballooning, swimming in waterfalls and sandboarding down giant dunes, here are just a few of Culture Trip’s favourites.

1. Swan Valley

Natural Feature

Swan Valley Vineyards - Perth - Australia

A short trip northeast of the CBD, Swan Valley is a picturesque area dotted with vineyards and local produce stalls. To get there, you can join a tour, take an Uber or go on a self-drive journey. Culture Trip suggests starting your day with a walk at Bells Rapids before taking your pick of cellar doors, breweries and other offerings, including coffee, chocolate, nougat and cheese.

2. Rottnest Island

Natural Feature

Western Australia’s favourite holiday destination, Rottnest is just a 20-minute ferry ride from Fremantle. Home to the famous smiling quokkas along with fascinating historic sites, underwater snorkelling trails and 63 beaches – including the very Instagrammable Basin, Culture Trip recommends taking the early ferry and renting electric bikes to maximise your time on the island.

3. The Pinnacles, Lancelin and Yanchep National Park

Natural Feature

Two hours north of the city in Nambung National Park, the Pinnacles are one of Western Australia’s most famous spots, where thousands of weathered limestone pillars rise out of the desert sands. When you’re all Pinnacled out, you can take a dip at Hangover Bay, visit the stromatolites at Lake Thetis or head back to Perth, stopping en route to sandboard down Lancelin’s famous dunes and visit the koalas and crystal cave at Yanchep National Park.

5. York

Architectural Landmark

Western Australia’s first inland town, the first settlers arrived in York in 1831. These days, the historic town is a popular day-trip destination, home to heritage buildings including the York Town Hall, the courthouse and prison, the Motor Museum and pretty cafés, shops and art galleries. While the 90-minute drive along winding country roads is probably adventurous enough for most, thrill seekers might want to go via Northam for a trip in a hot-air balloon and a bird’s-eye view of the Wheatbelt.

6. National parks, dams and hills

Park

Make the most of Perth’s varied landscapes with a day trip out to the hills, just a 30-45 minute drive from the city centre. Depending on the season, you can see spring wildflowers, go for a dip in natural pools, check out the autumn colours or marvel at waterfalls cascading down rocky cliffs. If that doesn’t sell it, you can also take a tour of the region’s oldest pubs, have a drink with a kangaroo in John Forrest Tavern or watch the sunset over the city from Lesmurdie Falls.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.