Day trips · Perth · Australia
5 best day trips from Perth
Where to go when you want a day away from Perth, and how long it really takes.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gnangarra, CC BY 2.5 au
Quick answer
The classic day trip from Perth is Rottnest Island (About 30 minutes by ferry from Fremantle). The closest option is Rottnest Island, about 20 km away.
Key facts
- Day trips in this guide
- 5
- Closest
- Rottnest Island (20 km)
- Most popular
- Rottnest Island
Day trips compared
| Destination | Distance | Travel time | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rottnest Island | 20 km | About 30 minutes by ferry from Fremantle | Ferry from Fremantle, Hillarys or Barrack Street Jetty in Perth | Families, Couples, Beach, First-timers |
| The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park | 200 km | About 2.5 hours each way by car | Car or organised tour | First-timers, Couples |
| Penguin Island | 50 km | About 50 minutes by car, then a short ferry | Car or train to Rockingham, then ferry | Families, Quiet stays |
| Yanchep National Park | 50 km | About 45 minutes by car | Car | Families, Culture |
| Margaret River | 270 km | About 3 hours each way by car | Car or coach; best as an overnight stay | Couples, Food lovers |
The day trips
20 km · About 30 minutes by ferry from Fremantle
1.Rottnest Island
Wadjemup, a car-free island with about 60 beaches and bays, is best explored by bike. Quokkas are easy to see around the settlement, and The Basin and Little Salmon Bay are popular for swimming and snorkelling in clear water.
- Getting there
- Ferry from Fremantle, Hillarys or Barrack Street Jetty in Perth
- Best for
- Families, Couples, Beach, First-timers
200 km · About 2.5 hours each way by car
2.The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park
Thousands of limestone pillars rise from yellow sand dunes in Nambung National Park, best seen at sunrise or sunset. The drive north along the Indian Ocean Drive passes Lancelin's sand dunes and quiet coastal towns.
- Getting there
- Car or organised tour
- Best for
- First-timers, Couples
50 km · About 50 minutes by car, then a short ferry
3.Penguin Island
A small island off Rockingham home to a colony of little penguins, with a discovery centre, boardwalks and beaches. Access is seasonal: the island closes for part of the year during the penguin breeding season.
- Getting there
- Car or train to Rockingham, then ferry
- Best for
- Families, Quiet stays
50 km · About 45 minutes by car
4.Yanchep National Park
Bushland north of the city with a koala boardwalk, western grey kangaroos grazing on the lawns, guided tours of Crystal Cave and Noongar cultural experiences.
- Getting there
- Car
- Best for
- Families, Culture
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270 km · About 3 hours each way by car
5.Margaret River
Western Australia's best-known wine region pairs cellar doors and restaurants with surf beaches, limestone caves and karri forest. It is a long day from Perth, so stay at least one night.
- Getting there
- Car or coach; best as an overnight stay
- Best for
- Couples, Food lovers
Day-trip tips
- Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
- Transperth trains run from Perth station to Fremantle (via Subiaco and Cottesloe), Joondalup, Mandurah, Midland, Armadale and the airport.
- Travel within the CBD's Free Transit Zone is free on buses and between central train stations.
- For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best day trip from Perth?
Rottnest Island. Wadjemup, a car-free island with about 60 beaches and bays, is best explored by bike.
+How long does it take to get from Perth to Rottnest Island?
About 30 minutes by ferry from Fremantle — Ferry from Fremantle, Hillarys or Barrack Street Jetty in Perth, about 20 km.
+How long does it take to get from Perth to The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park?
About 2.5 hours each way by car — Car or organised tour, about 200 km.