Last updated: 21 January, 2026
Perth is one of those places where a great day out does not need a long drive. Within 25 minutes to a couple of hours, you can swap the city for beaches, bush, heritage towns, and some genuinely unique WA landscapes.
We wrote this guide for self-drive travellers, so you can choose quickly and plan with confidence. Each day trip includes time from Perth, how long we would allow, what families can do, a recommended rental vehicle, and one practical tip from our team to help the day run smoothly.
Our Quick Guide: Pick Your Day Trip Fast
| Day trip | Time from Perth | Best for | Choice by preference | How long we would allow | Booking and what to check |
| Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) | Ferry (about 25–30 mins from Fremantle, about 45 mins from Hillarys, about 90 mins from Perth) | Beaches, cycling, quokkas | Best “holiday” day | Full day | Book ferry early in peak periods |
| Swan Valley | 25 mins | Food, family stops, tastings | Best easy half-day | Half to full day | Plan tastings responsibly |
| Shoalwater Islands Marine Park | ~45 mins | Wildlife, calm bays | Best calm beach day | Half to full day | Mornings are calmer, tours fill in school holidays |
| Penguin Island (plan carefully) | ~45 mins plus access conditions | Wildlife and conservation | Best wildlife backup plan | Half day | Ferry access can be unavailable, check the latest official update before you go |
| Araluen Botanic Park | ~45 mins to 1 hour | Gardens, picnics, spring colour | Best spring outing | 2 to 4 hours | Check seasonal hours and last entry |
| York (Avon Valley) | ~1.5 hours | Heritage streets, easy trails | Best slower pace day | 4 to 6 hours | Easy day, no bookings needed |
| Serpentine Falls | ~1 hour | Short walk, picnic, bush setting | Best quick nature reset | 2 to 4 hours | Check Park Alerts before you go, swimming may be restricted |
| Mandurah | ~1 hour | Dolphins, waterways, foreshore | Best family all-rounder | 4 to 7 hours | Cruise optional, good family day |
| Lancelin sand dunes | ~1.5 hours | Sandboarding, beaches | Best high-energy day | Full day | 2WD is fine for the main car park, avoid driving onto soft sand |
| The Pinnacles (Nambung NP) | ~2 hours | Iconic scenery, photos | Best iconic WA photos | Full day | Plan breaks and daylight for the drive home |
Day Trips Ideas From Perth
- Rottnest Island (Wadjemup)
- Swan Valley
- Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
- Penguin Island (plan carefully)
- Araluen Botanic Park
- York (Avon Valley)
- Serpentine Falls
- Mandurah
- Lancelin sand dunes
- The Pinnacles Desert (Nambung National Park)
1. Rottnest Island (Wadjemup)
If we want a “feels like a holiday” day trip, Rottnest is the one. It is easy to fill a full day with cycling, snorkelling, and relaxed beach time.
What families can do on the trip
- Ride or walk short, easy loops, then spend the middle of the day at a calm bay
- Keep it simple: one main beach stop, one snack stop, and a slower afternoon exploring
Plan it quickly
- Getting there: Ferry is the main option, with departures from Perth (Barrack Street Jetty), Fremantle, and Hillarys.
- How long we would allow: A full day, ideally an early ferry and a later return.
- Ferry time guide: about 25–30 minutes from Fremantle, about 45 minutes from Hillarys, and about 90 minutes from Perth (Barrack Street Jetty).
- Best time to go: Year-round, but weekends and school holidays book out quickly.
Recommended vehicle
- A compact or mid-size family car is perfect for getting to the ferry terminal and finding parking.
Our local team’s tip
- We grab the earliest ferry we can, cycle first while it’s cooler, then settle into a long swim and picnic at a sheltered bay before heading back.
2. Swan Valley
This is the easiest day trip on the list. We can be out of Perth in under half an hour and still have a full day of options.
What families can do on the trip
- Build the day around one relaxed meal, then add one or two short “treat stops”
- Choose venues with space to move around between stops so kids are not stuck at a table all day
Plan it quickly
- Time from Perth: Around 25 minutes.
- How long we would allow: Half day works, but a full day is better if you want a few stops.
- Best for: Long lunch, tastings, chocolate and dessert stops, family-friendly attractions.
Recommended vehicle
Our local team’s tip
- We pick one main venue for a proper sit-down meal, then keep the rest as short stops. If tastings are part of the plan, set up a safe return option before you go.
3. Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
Shoalwater is a great family day out even if we do not book anything. Calm water, white sand, and plenty of space. If we want something structured, the wildlife cruises are an easy add-on.
What families can do on the trip
- Start with a sheltered swim and sand play, then add a short cruise for wildlife spotting
- Keep a towel and change of clothes ready so you can quickly reset after the beach
Plan it quickly
- Time from Perth: Around 45 minutes.
- What to do: Swim, snorkel, foreshore walk, or book a wildlife cruise.
- Best time to go: Mornings are often calmer, especially in warmer months.
Recommended vehicle
- Any standard car works well. The drive is straightforward and roads are sealed.
Our local team’s tip
- We arrive early, do the beach first, then finish with a cruise or café stop later once everyone is ready for a break.
4. Penguin Island and Shoalwater Beach (plan carefully)
Penguin Island is still one of Perth’s most talked-about day trips, but it’s also one where access can change. At the time of updating this guide, the Penguin Island ferry is listed as unavailable, so we treat this as “check first, then commit” and plan a great Shoalwater day either way.
What families can do on the trip
- Base the day around Shoalwater Beach for sand play and calm water, then add a wildlife cruise for dolphins and sea lions
- Treat Penguin Island as a bonus if access returns, rather than relying on it as the whole plan
Plan it quickly
- Before you go: Check the latest official access update for Penguin Island on the day you plan to visit
- Plan B (highly recommended): Build your day around Shoalwater Islands Marine Park and add a cruise so the day is still a win even if the island isn’t running
Recommended vehicle
- Any standard car. You mainly want space for beach gear and a comfortable drive.
Our local team’s tip
- We lock in Shoalwater as the guaranteed option, then check the island update that morning. If it’s not operating, we still have a full day without needing to change plans.
5. Araluen Botanic Park
Araluen is an easy win when we want a relaxed day outside, especially in spring. It is also one of the better options when travelling with kids because the pace stays gentle.
What families can do on the trip
- Take it slow: short walks, lots of photo stops, then a simple picnic break
- Let kids set the pace by choosing one or two areas of the park rather than trying to see everything
Plan it quickly
- How long we would allow: 2 to 4 hours works well.
- Best time to go: Spring is the standout, especially during the Tulip Festival (usually held across August and September, with dates confirmed each year).
- What to know: Opening hours can vary by season, so check before you go.
- What to expect in spring: Over 250,000 tulips (plus plenty of other seasonal colour).
Recommended vehicle
- Any car works. For families, a mid-size car or a 5-seater SUV gives you extra boot space for picnic gear.
Our local team’s tip
- We treat Araluen as a morning trip, then head back into Perth for lunch. It’s calmer, cooler, and easier for parking.
6. York (Avon Valley)
York is perfect when we want a day trip that is not about beaches. Think heritage streets, easy walking trails, and a slower pace.
What families can do on the trip
- Stroll the main street, stop for a snack, then do one short trail or lookout
- Build in a proper lunch break so kids can reset before the drive back
Plan it quickly
- Time from Perth: Around 1.5 hours.
- How long we would allow: 4 to 6 hours.
- What to do: Walk the main street, pick a short trail, then settle in for lunch.
Recommended vehicle
- A comfortable small or mid-size car is ideal for the highway drive.
Our local team’s tip
- We pack water and snacks even if we plan to eat out, then keep the day simple: one scenic loop, a slow walk through town, and a long lunch before heading home.
7. Serpentine Falls
Serpentine Falls is a classic Perth Hills day out: a short walk, picnic spots, and a scenic reward. Conditions can change, so we always check alerts before setting off.
What families can do on the trip
- Do the short walk, take photos, then enjoy a picnic-style break nearby
- Keep this as a half-day nature stop and add a second easy stop to fill the day
Plan it quickly
- Time from Perth: Around 1 hour.
- How long we would allow: 2 to 4 hours.
- What to know: Check Park Alerts before you go. Swimming can be restricted, so plan this as a walk and picnic spot first, with swimming as a bonus only if it’s permitted.
Recommended vehicle
- Any standard car. Roads are straightforward.
Our local team’s tip
- We treat Serpentine as a reliable half-day nature stop. Even when swimming isn’t on, the walk and picnic still make it worth the drive, and it pairs well with a second Hills stop.
8. Mandurah
Mandurah is one of the easiest family day trips because we can build the day around the foreshore, then add a cruise if we want something more memorable.
What families can do on the trip
- Start with a dolphin cruise, then spend the rest of the day along the foreshore
- Mix movement and rest: short walks, playground time, then an easy meal
Plan it quickly
- Time from Perth: Around 1 hour.
- How long we would allow: Half day works, full day feels more relaxed.
- Best add-on: A dolphin cruise is a great way to see the waterways properly.
Recommended vehicle
- Any car works. For families, a mid-size car or SUV is more comfortable for bags and prams.
Our local team’s tip
- We do the cruise first, then take our time afterwards. It stops the day feeling like a schedule and makes everything else feel like bonus time.
9. Lancelin Sand Dunes
If we want energy, Lancelin delivers. It is a proper “get out of the city and do something fun” day trip.
What families can do on the trip
- Sandboard early while it’s cooler, then finish with a calmer beach stop
- Keep a “sand clean-up kit” in the car (towels, wet wipes, spare shirt)
Plan it quickly
- Time from Perth: Around 1.5 hours.
- How long we would allow: Full day.
- What to know: You can visit the dunes in a normal 2WD and park near the main access area. Avoid driving onto soft sand unless your vehicle is suitable and you know what you’re doing. Additionally, sandboard hire is usually around $10–$15 depending on duration and provider.
Recommended vehicle
- A mid-size car is fine for the drive. An SUV is useful if you have lots of gear or want extra comfort.
Our team’s tip
- We bring more water than we think, plus a change towel for the car, then do the dunes first and finish with a slower beach stop or late lunch in town.
10. The Pinnacles Desert (Nambung National Park)
The Pinnacles are one of the most unique landscapes you can reach as a day trip from Perth. It is the longest drive on this list, but it still works comfortably as a one-day loop.
What families can do on the trip
- Break up the drive with one good stop each way
- Keep the walk short and photo-focused, then finish with a relaxed snack before the return drive
Plan it quickly
- Time from Perth: Around 2 hours.
- How long we would allow: Full day.
- Best time to go: Late afternoon light is great for photos, but plan your return so you are not driving back tired.
Recommended vehicle
- A comfortable mid-size family car or SUV is ideal for a longer day on the road.
Our team’s tip
- We plan one proper stop each way and set a clear “latest leave time” before we arrive. It keeps the day easy and makes the drive home safer.
Before You Go (Our 60-Second Checklist)
- We always check conditions and closures for national parks and island-related trips, especially in summer and extreme weather periods.
- We book ferries and tours early for Rottnest and any marine park cruises if we are travelling on weekends or during school holidays.
- We do not rely on old prices in older posts. We use pricing as a guide only and confirm before booking.
- We start earlier than we think. The easiest day trips are the ones that begin calmly.
Make Your Day Trip Easier With the Right Car
A good day trip starts with a car that suits the plan. At Aries Car Rental, we help visitors and locals choose a vehicle that fits the distance, the gear you are taking, and how many people are coming along.
If you are not sure what suits your day, tell us your day trip and group size, and we will point you to the simplest car rental option.