Perth Day Trip - 'Must Sees'

Fancy a little wine, beer or gin tasting? Or maybe some gourmet delights or an exhilarating nature trail? The Swan Valley is only half an hour’s drive from Perth and boasts a plethora of wineries, microbreweries, distilleries, cheese and chocolate factories, art galleries, craft centres, outdoor concerts, markets, festivals and artisanal feasts to fill a year’s worth of day trips! Take a river cruise and don’t miss the historic attractions of nearby Guildford and fascinating Whiteman Park either - there’s so much to explore and experience in the state’s oldest wine-growing region.

Perth’s beaches are legendary, but do yourself a favour and head inland to the stunning Serpentine National Park with its cascading waterfalls, refreshingly clear swimming holes and abundant natural beauty. You could also explore some of the other attractions nearby like the Serpentine Dam, Millbrook Winery, the Old Post Office and the Hugh Manning Tractor & Machinery Museum as well as the many local shops, country markets and eateries dotted around the area. Serpentine National Park is only an hour from the city centre, so pack a picnic and enjoy the great outdoors on Perth’s doorstep.

Many people don’t realise that those weird and wonderful limestone formations known as the Pinnacles are surprisingly close to Perth. Make a day of it and map out a route which takes in these otherworldly rock spires rising from the desert sands of the Nambung National Park (best experienced at sunset or in wildflower season), the beautiful seaside town of Cervantes and legendary sandboarding on the pristine white dunes in Lancelin.

If colonial charm sounds like your cup of tea, then a day trip to York in the picturesque Avon Valley should be on your radar. Only an hour and half from Perth, the town was the first inland European settlement and has retained much of its heritage character which can be seen in its many beautifully kept Victorian and Federation buildings. But the region isn’t all about the past. Will there be enough time in a day to experience the huge variety of action-packed adventures on offer as well as the many arts and crafts experiences, nature encounters, museums, galleries and unique shops? You be the judge!

‘Rotto’ can probably claim to be Perth’s favourite day trip destination with its carefree car-free island lifestyle appealing to young and old alike. A 90-minute ferry trip from Perth, Rottnest boasts a spectacular shoreline of secluded bays and sensational scenery which is best explored by bike (which can be hired on the island). Bus transport is also available. For the energetic or adventurous, there’s always golf or skydiving - or you could just kick back and enjoy a relaxing meal with an amazing view at one of the island’s restaurants. Oh, and don’t forget to join the long list of celebs like Roger Federer and Margot Robbie who’ve taken a selfie with one of the island’s resident quokkas!

This is just a little taste of what’s out there when you push past the outskirts of the city. But for those who like their entertainment a little closer to home, remember that there are heaps of fantastic things to do right here in Perth. From eclectic Freo to iconic Cottesloe, world-class museums and exhibitions like AQWA and Scitech and impressive natural wonders like King’s Park and the Swan River to historical attractions like The Bell Tower and the Perth Mint, you’ll never run out of things to do in Perth. Visit https://www.aqwa.com.au/functions/ for your next unique function venue.