Perth is more than just a city – its a jungle out there of all kinds of outdoor activities only moments on its doorstep. Explore what natural beauties are located closeby with these best day trips from Perth.
1. Yanchep Lagoon
Pack in the swimmers and wetsuit as Yanchep Lagoon is a prime spot for a swim or snorkel when in calm conditions. Just 45 minutes south of Perth, the cosy beach extends north from the northern bluff for 300 m and is a picturesque swim spot. For all the marine explorers, its reef is at the southern end.
Location: 3 Brazier Rd, Yanchep WA 6035
2. Ellis Brooke Valley Reserve
Time to smell the flowers as Ellis Brook Valley Reserve is sensory overload. There are over 550 varieties of spring wildflowers, making it one of the grandest wildflower displays in the world. This Reserve makes for a great day out for a colourful stroll or scenic picnic and is just over a half-hour drive’ from Perth.
Location: Ellis Brook Valley Reserve, Martin WA 6110
3. South Beach
Ah Freo’s outdoor darling! You could easily waste your days soaking up the sun and chill factor at Fremantle’s South Beach. The beach is calm being located within the inner harbour and offers great views of neighbouring islands, Rottnest, Carnac, and Garden. It is a great pick for families and to undergo other leisure activities, in the water or along its green foreshore.
Location: South Fremantle WA 6162
4. Mettam’s Pool
Get out the snorkel and place your foot into some fins as Mettam’s Pool is an underwater zoo, great for spotting marine and plant life close to shore. The natural lagoon is only a 20-minute drive north of the CBD and one worth the freestyle kicks.
Location: 276 W Coast Dr, North Beach WA 6020
Serpentine National Park
Time to take out the camera and the hiking boots as there is a lot to see and do at Serpentine National Park. It’s most famous feature is its waterfall, cascading over a granite rock face. It’s a magical place too, with the Park filled with ancient landforms and forests that will leave any walker enchanted by the areas stunning verdant beauty.
Location: 100 Falls Rd, Serpentine WA 6125
5. Mundaring Powerlines 4×4 Track
One for the almighty thrill-seeker on wheels! Well-known with the adventure four-wheel-drive circles, the Mundaring Powerlines 4×4 Track commands over 24 km of an in-use power line track managed by Western Power. It starts near Sawyers Tavern in Sawyer Valley and takes over five hours to complete. It is not one for the faint-hearted, and if you have done scarring yourself on it, you can make an easy escape along one of the few roads that cut through. This is the ultimate adventurous day trip just outside of Perth.
Location: Sawyers Valley WA 6074
6. Bells Rapids
Gosh, Perth has some stunning scenic surprises and the Bell Rapids is just one of them. Located along the Swan River, its bridge provides sublime views over the white-water rapids. Bell Rapids is a great choice to stretch the legs as its circuit walk trails – the 2.5km River walk and the 3km Goat walk – provide lush views of coastal plans and countryside and if you are lucky, some roos’ too!
Location: Orlov Trail, Cathedral Ave, Brigadoon WA 6069
7. Whiteman Park
Australia’s biggest state is also home to some big city parks. Whiteman Park is a unique conservation and recreation reserve and is considered to be the largest outdoor metropolitan park in the world. Located 25 minutes from the Perth CBD, the Park can easily fill a day’s itinerary with walks, picnics and bike rides in its gorgeous surrounds. A popular day trip just outside of Perth.
Location: 233 Drumpellier Drive formerly, 99 Lord Street, Whiteman WA 6068
8. Kings Park and Botanic Garden
The most famous day trip in the Peel Region of them all.
It would be an absolute crime not to include the jewel of the Swan River on this list. Kings Park and Botanic Garden is the ultimate natural playground within the Perth CBD, just moments away from the hustle and bustle of city life (6-minute drive). It’s home to spectacular Western Australian Botanic Garden, which displays over 3,000 species of the State’s unique flora so prepare your senses to go crazy! It is also a premier spot to go on bush walks, picnics, bike rides and to pay your respects at the ANZAC memorial.
Location: Fraser Ave, Perth WA 6005
Need to shop for outdoor supplies to explore the Peel Region’s top day trip destinations like a pro? Head to Anaconda to check out the latest outdoor gear to suit your outdoor mood.
Feature image: Henri Pham on Unsplash
See more: WA travel
