Pack your bags, it's time for a Perth Road Trip!
It's the perfect time to get out, explore the seasonal delights of nature and get into the spirit of adventure! After an exceptionally rainy Perth winter, you can expect spectacular waterfalls, and lush, fertile greenery throughout the region, making for some amazing sights and experiences on your drive.
With that in mind, we've come up with six spectacular road trip itineraries, all within a comfortable drive from Perth Metro, and including accommodation options if you'd like to stay overnight and make the most of your getaway. We're lucky to have so many fabulous destinations right here at our doorstep, so let's make the most of it!
Perth to Chittering
Nestled in the northern reaches of the Swan Valley, Chittering is Perth's piece of the countryside, only half an hour north of Joondalup and less than an hour from Perth City. This picturesque, serene regional area is an absolutely rejuvenating getaway, home to the quaint townships of Bindoon, Muchea and Wannamal. Chittering's a top spot for a day-trip or short-break, with gorgeous accommodation options like farm stays, B&Bs and guest houses. Before you go, make sure you visit the Chittering Visitor Centre for the latest info on things to do, places to stay, and upcoming events like the Chittering Spring Festival and A Taste of Chittering. Head to our special feature on Forests, Farms, Food and Family Fun in Chittering for more.
Things to do
Chittering is known for its fertile soils, delish produce, and incredible clear night skies, making it a top spot for food and stargazing! Check out the Chittering Farm Flavour Trail, and the Perth to Bindoon section of the Country to Coast Starlight Circuit of the Perth Stargazing Trails for inspiriation.
Chittering has some perfectly best-of-countryside attractions, like the Little Eeden Farm Honey & Apiary and The Hive Cafe, set on 100 beautiful rural acres, selling unprocessed natural bush honey infused with a creative variety of natural ingredients, resulting in some very yummy mixes. Over at the Hive Cafe, resident cook Mark prepares all fresh homemade meals and cakes with delicious coffee and smoothies. It's a perfect spot to sit amongst the beautiful gardens and watch the variety of inquisitive bird visitors, as you enjoy a perfect picnic and a moment of pure serenity.
To experience Chittering like a local, head to AmazingCo Experiences for a Mystery Picnic that’s sure to be amazing indeed! Have fun solving personally curated clues and riddles that'll take you on a journey to collect your special gourmet picnic food bit by bit, culminating in your perfect picnic spot.
Nesci Estate Wine Farm is also well worth a visit; one of the oldest vineyards/wineries in the Chittering region, the Wine Farm produces delicious wines, ports and liqueurs from more than a dozen grape varieties, grown on 60 acres of Chittering's best grape growing soils. Wander around the perfectly Instagrammable grounds, enjoy a gourmet local produce platter (order in advance via FB), or even join in on a Fire Pit Friday evening for food vans and (literally) warm countryside hospitality. Nesci Estate is a Chittering experience not to be missed!
Places to stay
If one day isn't enough, why not consider staying a night or two, so you have time to explore the region further. We love Enderslie House, a 2-hectare property in Muchea with an avocado orchard and the chance to feed alpacas, sheep, kangaroos and emus; it's also a perfect place to spot a visiting Blue Wren as they feed around the verandahs in the morning.
And the Moondyne Country Convention Centre isn't just for business visitors; there's residential accommodation in one of several chalets (or bunkhouses) or individual rooms, all with ensuites and beautifully, but rustically appointed. Two cottages are also available, and catering is available for groups of 10 or more. Moondyne has over 6km of Avon River frontage with stunning views from the main buildings down across the valley, and its situated on 1800 acres of farmland teeming with wildlife - a perfect getaway experience.
Perth to Northern Coast
Perth's spectacular Northern Coast is a treat anytime of year! This itinerary takes you from Perth to Lancelin via Moore River and Gingin; head to the Lancelin Community Resource & Visitor Centre and Gingin Visitor Centre to get the details on these amazing spots.
Things to do
Everyone will find plenty to do on this road trip, whether you're a foodie (sample award-winning wine and fabulous local produce like seafood, olives, citrus fruit and honey), or an art lover (discover unique interesting local arts and crafts). Or maybe you like getting outdoors (fishing, stargazing, sandboarding, stunning walking, biking and 4WD trails) - or all of the above!
We love Perth Quad's Lancelin ATV UTV Motocross and Sandboarding Adventure Tours - 2.5 hours of absolute adventure! And make sure you stop in at Gingin's Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory, home to the GDC Observatory, Solar System Walk, Cosmology Gallery, Discovery and Innovation Galleries and the Leaning Tower of Gingin.
Places to stay
Nostalgic for your childhood camping or caravanning holidays? There's two fab caravan parks on this route: Experience Lancelin Holiday Park, and Back to Nature Caravan Park in West Gingin. They're both perfect spots for that road trip vibe, with powered and unpowered camping sites - the perfect way to really commune with nature! For more options check out our accommodation listings in the Perth Beaches region.
Perth to New Norcia
New Norcia is a fascinating destination; Australia's only monastic town is a unique hamlet 130km north-east of Perth, within the Avon Valley region. It's a tranquil spot, perfect for a stroll around town, a guided tour of the monastery, and home to the New Norcia Museum and Art Gallery offering European religious art and contemporary Australian art. You can also join the monks in their private chapel to pray - a 1500 year-old tradition.
Perth to Avon Valley
Just a short drive inland from Perth Metro, the Avon Valley offers a patchwork of green rolling hills, babbling brooks and historic country towns. It's a perfect destination for exploring the countryside, pottering through craft shops and museums, picnicking on the banks of the Avon River, hot air ballooning at dawn or setting out on bush walks. This itinerary includes the historic townships of Northam and York (some of the top spots in WA for heritage architecture) and the firm favourite holiday getaway town of Toodyay. We'd suggest starting either at Toodyay or York and making your way north or south with Northam as your midpoint - that way you can cover all three towns in less than an hour of driving time!
Things to do
We love the Avon Valley - there's just so much to see and do! You'll find a list of our faves in our Avon Valley Adventure blog, but some top spots include the Avon Valley Heritage Trails, Wildflower Trails (best enjoyed in spring) and Avon Valley Public Art. Kids will love the fun of the Hoddywell Archery Park, while their grownups won't want to miss the renowned complex reds and ports of the Coorinja Winery, or having a punt at the Northam Race Club.
And of course, with Northam known as one of the world's top ballooning destinations, there's no better way to see the Avon Valley than up in the air, enjoying a perfectly romantic experience to share with someone special with Windward Balloon Adventures or Liberty Balloon Flights.
Places to stay
With so many gorgeous places to stay on this road trip, you'll be spoiled for choice! Think quaint countryside cottages and B&Bs with tasty food, relaxing atmos and cute farm animals. Let's start with The Nosh & Nod, a seriously pretty hotel inside a historic building on York's main street (relaxation pro-tip: some of the rooms come with spas!). Just three minutes out of town, you'll find the stunning York Cottages & Burnley House. Burnley House is a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom historic home built in the early 1900s (with access to a private pool), while the York Cottages are comfy, rustic & charming, fully equipped with everything you need for holiday memories to treasure forever. York is also home to Laurelville - an Edwardian two storey homestead built in 1896, with wide bull-nosed verandahs, distinctive gables, and elegant turrets - it's a luxurious, elegant #treatyoself staycation spot.
In Toodyay, you'll find the fabulous Pecan Hill B&B, with its namesake pecan orchards, picturesque vineyards, pristine farmland and a specially-built stargazing platform. Views of the Avon Valley and surrounding bush land can be enjoyed from your own private alfresco or communal verandah area, and you'll enjoy a full breakfast served in the colonial-styled dining room by the wood fire.
Perth to Mandurah
Once a sleepy coastal village, WA's largest regional city has so much to offer - and it's truly like nowhere else! Think Venetian canals with frolicking dolphins; incredible seafood; playing a round of golf with ocean views; fishing and crabbing; or even learning to kitesurf or jetski. Check out Visit Mandurah to get the details - you'll find something for everyone!
Things to do
Let's think outside the box. You probably already know about strolling the foreshore or catching a canal cruise, but what about sailing the waterways on a pirate ship, or BBQing up a storm as you take WA's only donut-shaped electric BBQ boats for a spin with Mandurah BBQ Boats by Mandurah Cruises? If you've worked up an appetite after some wildflower spotting on the walking trails, stop by Cicerello's Mandurah for some top-notch Mandurah seafood (or grab some fish and chips and eat them at the foreshore for the iconic Mandurah experience), or head to WA's most awarded bakery Miami Bakehouse. Mouthwatering!
Places to stay
Whether you're in the mood for fancy or casual, you're in luck, with a variety of accommodation options in Mandurah! Mandurah Ocean Marina Chalets offers adorable chalets right by the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre; Seashells Mandurah is 4.5 star luxury mere moments from the beach, and Mandurah Caravan & Tourist Park is just perfect for holidaying with the whole family (four-legged members included).
Perth to Peel
The Peel Region is a day tripper's paradise, so why not extend your Mandurah holiday by a day or two? Of course, many holiday makers will bypass the hustle and bustle of Mandurah city and head straight here! Think tranquil bush and river walks, full-to-the-brim waterfalls, adventurous activities, delish local produce, unique arts & crafts and gorgeous forest and coast views. And it's particularly spectacular at the moment, with the first of the wildflowers peeking out, and the forest so lush and full of life!
This itinerary will take you to the historic township of Pinjarra, with its stunning urban river walk; quaint and cosy Waroona with its fantastic visitor centre to grab some tasty artisanal picnic items and locally crafted souvenirs; Serpentine-Jarrahdale, home to the iconic Serpentine Falls and Jarrahdale, the local town that's full of history (and tasty pub fare); and Dwellingup, home to the Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre.
Things to do
Fans of the Peel Region get very excited about the forest walks and river walks in the area - for good reason! There's also opportunities to get close and personal to adorable free-roaming Aussie animals living in the Cohunu Koala Park, many of whom love to be hand-fed and are happy to pose for a snapshot.
Lane Poole Reserve is an absolute must-do that's a hugely popular back-to-nature spot for Perth folks; as well as being perfect for boating, swimming and bushwalking, it's also home to Treetops Adventure - Dwellingup, Australia's premier tree top adventure ropes experience that’s heaps of fun for the whole family. For a great feed after all that fun, stop into the whimsical Jarra Infusion cafe or grab an award-winning pie at the Pinjarra Bakery. To get your arts and crafts fix, make sure to pop into Lost Eden Creative gallery.
Places to stay
Click here to see some great places to stay in Mandurah and Peel! One particular standout is Lake Navarino Holiday Park, only two minutes drive away from the stunning lake (perfect for swimming or boating), and home to a range of cabins, park homes, glamping tents and powered/unpowered caravan and tent sites.
We hope we've inspired you to get out and about and enjoy a fantastic roadtrip throughout the region! Perth will be heating up before you know it, so make the most of these mild days and enjoy the best of our backyard. And remember: keep an eye on our blog for more great ideas on things to do in Perth!
