Sitting on the banks of the Swan River and the South West Coast, Perth is the shining jewel of Western Australia. Although the capital city is relatively isolated, there is no shortage of day trips from Perth. Take time to explore Western Australia’s top attractions in an EV. You’ll find incredible natural wonders and beauty right on Perth’s doorstep.
From Wave Rock to King’s Park and Botanic Garden, the gem of the coral coast is surrounded by top attractions. Dramatic deserts, sparkling beaches, and an abundance of wildlife, day trips from Perth are adventurously exciting. While the distance from Perth to Monkey Mia or the Margaret River might be vast, the scenery en route is well worth it.
See striking rock formations and gleaming deserts as you travel up the coast on a road trip you’ll never forget. Whether you’re looking for holiday destinations or ideas for a visit to Perth, follow our travel guide for the ultimate day trips by car.
Lake Thetis
Lake Thetis lies a couple of hours north of Perth. While only travelling 200km from the city, Lake Thetis will take you back thousands of years in time. The natural beauty of the prehistoric formations will take your breath away. Explore famous stromatolites in Shark Bay – they’re the earliest form of life visible on Earth.
Enjoy a short stroll along the looping walk trails to learn more about these ancient communities of microorganisms. Spend an afternoon relaxing on the glistening white sands of the Lake Thetis beach area – perfect for a picnic or take a refreshing swim in the glorious blue water.
Complete your day trip a little further up the coast at Jurien Bay. This delightful coastal town is known for its excellent fishing spots, sighting sea lions, and taking beach walks. It’s a perfect family destination, plus if you plan to extend your day trip it’s an excellent place for a short break.
Charging: Charge up at Pinnacles Edge Resort or Badgingarra Oval (Shire of Dandaragan).
Nambung National Park
The desert is a unique natural wonder. With limestone rock formations rising from yellow sands, it’ll feel like something out of a science fiction movie. Home to the breathtaking Pinnacles Desert and stunning beaches, the Nambung National Park is two hours north of Perth. You can explore the national park on foot for those who enjoy nature walking.
The striking landscape can also be explored by car. There’s a small marked track suitable for four-wheel driving – hire an EV and spend the day among this glorious, otherworldly scenery.
If you like national parks, make sure to also spend a day at the Moore River National Park where you can learn about its Aboriginal history. Also, the Yanchep National Park is known for its wildlife and underground caves.
Charging: Charge up at Wangaree Park or Pinnacles Edge Resort.
Swan Valley
The Swan Valley lies a little closer to Perth. Just a 30-minute drive from the CBD, this region is perfect for food lovers.
Enjoy a fun cruise up the Swan River to Australia’s oldest grape growing and winemaking area. There are also several microbreweries for beer lovers. Why not enjoy an all-day tour of one of the vineyards or breweries?
Explore the local region, sampling fresh produce and artisan products. Delicacies include grapes, melons, strawberries, nuts, honey, and citrus fruits. You might also want to find a surrounding art gallery and antique furniture store.
If you’re taking a winter day trip, Swan Valley offers many highly acclaimed cosy restaurants where you can try the local produce in its true glory.
Charging: Charge up at Coles Whiteman Edge or Swan Settlers Market.
Monkey Mia
Monkey Mia is about 850km up the west coast — ideal for weekend getaways. While the drive is long, the journey is an attraction in itself. To make this road trip extra memorable, hire a Tesla to explore the beautiful coastline of Lancelin in style.
En route, stop about 50 minutes from Monkey Mia at Shell beach. The beach is made of billions of tiny shells — one of only two beaches on Earth where shells outnumber the sand. Over 100km long, the beach is a natural wonder. Take a picnic, collect shells, and dip in the crystal clear water.
Monkey Mia is famous for its wild dolphin tourist attractions. Dolphins visit the beach to greet the tourists. You can stand knee-deep and feed bottlenose dolphins under supervision. They’re wild animals, so you cannot guarantee they’ll be there all the time in vast numbers. However, you can usually expect frequent visits, especially in the mornings.
Charging: Charge up at Monkey Mia Resort or Ocean Park Resort.
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is a short boat ride from Perth, making it perfect for local day trips. Whether you spend a day or weekend on this sleepy island, there’s plenty to do. Explore the sun-drenched beaches and historical scenes, and take in marine life.
The Rottnest Museum is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about the island’s history. Besides admiring the sea views and whale watching from the lookout and lighthouse, take a swim or try fishing. Plus, take island tours around Rottnest’s historic sites.
If you prefer to stretch your legs, there are plenty of biking trails. Hire a mountain bike and explore the island from your saddle. The ferry to Rottnest Island takes about 25 minutes from Fremantle or 45 minutes from Hillarys Boat Harbour.
Charging: Charge up before or after you get back from the Island at Floreat Beach Carpark.
Caversham Wildlife Park
Just 20 minutes from the centre of Perth, the Caversham Wildlife Park is the perfect place to find all of Australia’s most beloved animals. Find kangaroos, koalas, kookaburras, quokkas, echidnas, wombats and more in this family-friendly, fun-packed wildlife park.
It’s a very interactive day out. You can feed the kangaroos, watch sheep shearing, and speak to the zookeepers. You can even volunteer to help crack a stock whip, milk a cow, or bottle-feed a lamb. Get up close and personal with wombats. Or enjoy watching the penguin feeding. If you’re looking for WA holidays, this is the ideal place to take the kids.
Plus, the park has its very own reptile house. Come and see Australia’s most impressive pythons and lizards. Each day, the wildlife park puts on different attractions. So even if you’ve been here before, a second or third trip is well worth the effort.
Charging: Charge up at Bassendean Child Health Centre , Swan Settlers Market or Coles Whiteman Edge.
Fremantle
Fremantle sits at the mouth of the River Swan and is a hub of Perth’s maritime past. Fremantle was the colonist’s first Swan River settlement in 1829. Nowadays, it’s an exciting and bohemian city just outside Perth. The best way to get to know Fremantle is to sign up for guided tours via tram. You’ll view the richly decorated buildings from this vantage, such as the Town Hall.
If you want to explore more of Fremantle’s history, take the time to visit Fremantle Prison. Also, venture to the Western Australian Maritime Museum to learn about sailors and shipwrecks’ dramatic and tragic tales. Other exciting activities include the Fremantle Markets — home to arts and ethnic street food since 1897 — and the Fremantle Arts Centre.
Charging: Charge up at Melville Holden Nissan Suzuki, Spearwood Library or Magellan Power.
Margaret River
The Margaret River is a two to three-hour drive from Perth. If you’re not up to completing the journey there and back in a day, consider staying in the local area overnight. Or, get a Tesla or other EV car hire to ensure the road trips are as exciting as the visit itself.
As day trips from Perth go, Margaret River has everything. Margaret River boasts glistening beaches, unbeatable surfing, stunning scenery, hiking trails, and excellent restaurants. A fantastic way to take in the surrounding views is to walk up to the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet.
Check out the many limestone caves with stalactites and prehistoric fossils. Or, on sunnier days, spend your time swimming, surfing, fishing, kayaking, or rock climbing.
Plan your trip to include Penguin Island en route. Just outside of Perth, it’s an excellent way to break up the drive and view the most extensive collection of birds in Western Australia. The perfect way to top off your day trip from Perth.
Charging: Charge up at Cape Mentelle, Wallcliffe Rd Parking Lot or Margaret River Tourist Park.
