The Absolute Best Day Trips From Perth

Table of Contents

1. Serpentine National Park
2. Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
3. Swan Valley
4. Lake Clifton
5. Ready to hit the road?

 

If you’ve been sick with the travel bug during the pandemic, you’ve probably thought about taking a trip away with your family or friends. If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that we are lucky to live in a city as great as Perth but, even with the blessed gift of consistency, it doesn’t mean that our wanderlust hasn’t been waiting patiently in the wings for a great escape. 

Living in Perth, it can sometimes be easy to forget that there are so many beautiful places in our own backyard just waiting for us to explore them. So, if you’ve been revving for adventure, then we’ve got six options for the best day trips from Perth, and which car is ideal for getting you there. Whether you want to do some wine tasting, head to the lake, or visit 3500 million-year-old cryptalgal microbialites, we’ve got something for you.

 

Serpentine National Park

Distance: 52 min (65.9 km) 

 

 

First up is a destination you’ve already probably heard of, and maybe even visited: Serpentine Falls. In the heart of Serpentine National Park, located 52 minutes from Perth, this incredible waterfall ends at the Darling Scarp’s base. The picturesque landscape is feature enough, but the multitude of walking trails, picnic areas and BBQ’s throughout make it something extraordinary. The panoramic views, native wildflowers, and surrounding forest make this spot perfect for a sunny summer’s day with the family or a crisp hike and sunset picnic with friends. The park costs a small fee upon entry, and the gates close at 5pm, though the falls themselves can get quite busy in the hotter months, so it’s worth getting there early to make the most of it and find a perfect set-up. Even then, the park is large enough that you can explore during any time of the year and easily find a place that just you and your loved ones can enjoy. 

If this sounds like your dream day trip from Perth, then your perfect match is the Mazda CX-5. Classic, reliable, refined, and large enough to fit the whole family (and their friends), this car will help you safely navigate those winding roads and will fit everything besides the kitchen sink for your perfect day at the park.

 

Shoalwater Islands Marine Park

Distance: 47 min (52.5 km) 

 

 

Only 47 minutes from Perth, the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park is packed with stuff to do, and if you prefer sun and sand when you brave the great outdoors, then this one's for you. Once here, you can spend the day doing a different thing every hour, which is perfect for entertaining the kids. Ferry tours allow you to access other islands surrounding the bay, and allow you to walk the boardwalks of Penguin Island, witness sea lions on Seal Island, and take a trip to see the Saxon Ranger Dive Wreck in Warnbro Sound. If ferries aren’t your style, then you can rent kayaks and take yourself on a tour to see the beautiful reefs of Cape Peron. It’s also important to check availability during different times of the year and plan accordingly, as some things can be closed during the colder months. Although a permit from the Rockingham Visitor Centre is compulsory to dive, they’re easy to arrange and can be done before your visit. There’s so much to do here, so if you’re keen to have an action-packed day, be sure to check it out.

The perfect match for this adventure is, of course, the Mazda CX-8. With roof racks and a heavy-duty tow bar, this car can bring the boat, the kayaks, the jetskis, the fishing gear, and the snorkel without needing to get sand in the cabin. Moreover, the all-wheel-drive employs senses to predict the surface tension changes in the road ahead and automatically adapt, so you’ll never get bogged in the carpark.