The Best Day Trips From Perth

Nature is our biggest asset here in WA, with over 12,000 km of turquoise coastline, one of the largest native wildflower collections in the world, and the unpolluted air that our isolation affords. We’ve compiled our favourite day-trips for nature lovers, featuring both wholesome retreats and wine-fuelled cycle tours.

Explore the bays at Rottnest Island

How to get there: The Rottnest Express leaves from two locations in Fremantle or the Barack St Jetty. It costs between $40 and $65 return and takes about 40-minutes one way. If you’re partial to sea-sickness, there’s the option to take The Rottnest Air Taxi for around $160 return instead.

Upon arrival, you can hire a bike from the Peddle & Flipper and burn around the island to explore one of 63 beaches and 20 crystalline bays. You’ll find a trail guide at the cycle hire, or you can ride around at your own leisure and explore the bays for yourself, stopping for a dip in the ocean and a picnic along the way. Cathedral Rocks is a must for nature lovers to watch fur seals frolicking in the ocean below. Champagne Pools is a slightly off the beaten track picturesque swimming hole and a protected spot for snorkelers to enjoy crystal clear vision under water.

Hike and swim at Serpentine Falls

How to get there: Drive 55km south-east with Google maps as your companion.

Located on the Darling Scarp, Serpentine National Park is a natural wonderland of hike trails, wildflowers, and waterfalls to swim under. Bring your walking shoes, a water bottle and some sun-smart gear before heading out on one of three trails of varying lengths and difficulty. Those wanting to cruise can take the 15-minute falls walk trail and anyone after a challenge can take the 2-hour Baldwin’s Bluff Nature Track with views of the valley, or Kitty’s Gorge challenging 4-hour hike. Bring a picnic and your swimmers for a well-deserved snack and swim afterwards.

Perth Hills Wellness Trip Retreat

How to get there: Drive 45-minutes south-east until you hit Roleystone.

The stunning natural surrounds of the Perth Hills attract a generous handful of retreats and day spas to visit. Upon arrival, take the Roley Pool Walk through peaceful bushland until you reach the pool and cruise back for lunch at vegetarian and vegan oasis Genesis in the Hills. If you’re after some R&R, Hidden Valley’s Eco Lodge and Day Spa offer more than just massages, facials and body wraps. They also make hampers and chauffer you to tranquil parts of the hills for a boozy picnic, winery tours, yoga sessions, 2-hour chocolate making workshops, and even painting lessons. You can find out more about the many experiences they offer here.

Swim at Black Diamond Lake

How to get there: Drive 2 hours south until you hit Coalfields Hwy, then turn right onto Ferguson Road.

If you haven’t yet been, Black Diamond Lake is the perfect summer day-trip and a must visit. Just 2 hours away from Perth, make sure to bring a picnic, beach tent, plenty of water and an optional (but highly recommended) pool float. Make your way down early in the morning or after 12pm to beat the midday sun. Surrounded by arid land and red dirt, Black Diamond Lake is an unexpected turquoise blue oasis, surrounded by lush greenery in Collie. The water gets its unbelievable blue colour from the limestone content in the water and it looks particularly amazing on a sunny day, making for the ultimate swimming hole.

Swan Valley Cycle Wine Tour

How to get there: Drive 16 kilometres east of Perth for 20 or 30 minutes until you hit the Swan Valley.

Between Guildford and Bells Rapids, lies a strip of lush wine country that’s also known to be WA’s oldest wine growing region. Attracting some world-class restaurants, café’s, wineries and breweries over the years, highlights include the Homestead Brewery and Mandoon Estate Winery. Nature lovers will particularly appreciate how these venues open out to long stretches of vineyard and showcase the natural scenery. For those that value balancing their wine and food tasting with some outdoor activities, Perth Bike Tours offer a 3-hour cycle tour leaving from Guilford Railway Station at 9.30am. You’ll taste wine, chocolate liqueur, and other such indulgences along the way, all while being simultaneously wholesome and riding your bike.

Image: @morton_mac