Best Day Trips from Perth

Western Australia is home to coastal towns, wilderness parks, deserts, caves and villages. The good news is that these locations are easily accessible with a guided tour from Perth. It's one of the best things to do in the city during your stay in Oceania.

There's no shortage of fun to be had around Perth - you can go wine tasting, discover Western Australia's erosion zones, or stargaze in the Pinnacles Desert. Here's a list of some of the best tours!

From the Swan River you can get the best views of neighbouring Perth locations, all while relaxing and tasting local wines. It's an all-day experience, so I suggest you do it in the summer and wear sunscreen.

It's definitely an all-round tour, with a boat equipped for a good time. It's well worth it, as it's rated as one of the best cruises in Peth.

You can also take a tour of the Sandalford Winery to learn about the Australian wine making process.

Interesting details

• Price: from €140 per person.
• Duration: about seven hours.
• Means of transport: return cruise.
• Advantages of this option: it's a great way to get around Perth, you'll be able to get to know nearby attractions from a dynamic and fun cruise.
• Disadvantages of this option: Children under the age of three are not allowed.

The coastal towns north of Perth are a great plan as they offer exciting activities away from the tourist crowds. This tour takes in the wilderness, beaches and more than four coastal parks.

It will take you about three hours to reach your destination, but I promise it's worth it. Cervantes is a charming town northeast of Perth, characterised by its quiet beaches, desert activities and shipwreck history.

Some of the places to visit include:

• Caversham Wildlife Park: it is a park that shelters around 200 species of Australian animals, such as koalas, kangaroos, marsupials, reptiles, mammals and birds. Here you can interact and learn more about their care.
• Nambung National Park: it is home to the Pinnacles Desert. In the surrounding area you can go fishing, bird watching, kayaking, hiking, skydiving and more.
• Pinnacles Desert: is a national reserve in Western Australia, famous for its limestone pinnacles. The dunes within the park were formed by the erosion of seashells.
• Lobster Shack Cervantes WA: a lobster production plant where lobsters are processed, you have the opportunity to enjoy an audio guide to tour it at your own pace.
• Lancelin Beach: ideal for sandboarding, a sport that consists of surfing on the sand dunes of the beach.

This type of adventure will allow you to explore the wildlife of Western Australia. In fact, you can feed kangaroos, koalas and wombats.

Details of interest

• Price: from €140 per person. You have the option to dine on prepared lobster at Lobster Shack for around €25 extra.
• Duration: around 12 hours.
• Means of transport: usually includes round-trip transport by coach or 4x4, both vehicles are comfortable and air-conditioned.
• Advantages of this option: Entrance to Caversham Wildlife Park, The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park and Lobster Shack Cervantes WA is included.
• Disadvantages of this option: Not suitable for pregnant women or people with health problems.

The Margaret River is an area just south of Perth, ideal for relaxing and making the most of your holiday. You can travel for three days, taking in villages, wineries, caves and scenic spots.

This type of excursion offers accommodation, lunch and breakfast, as well as entrance to the main attractions. Dinner is not included, but you get to see cosy places around. For example, Bunkers Beach House is a great place to dine al fresco, while enjoying a seasonal menu.

Some of the sites you will see during this tour are:

• Mammoth Cave: is one of the most impressive natural spectacles in Australia, as you can see rocks that reflect light. You will also find fossils of animals that lived in the area more than 46,000 years ago.
• Featured Wood Museum and Gallery: you can learn about the process of transformation of Australian wood, as well as see important exhibits of the region.
• Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse: one of the tallest lighthouses in Australia, here you can learn about the history of the Aboriginal communities.
• Mandurah: it is an area with a variety of small coastal towns, I suggest you take the opportunity to explore them at your own pace.

Details of interest

• Price: from €766 per person.
• Duration: approximately three days.
• Means of transport: you will travel in a comfortable bus.
• Advantages of this option: most attractions include a guide or audio guide, available in English or Spanish.
• Disadvantages of this option: not suitable for travellers with serious medical conditions.

Western Australia's Aboriginal history is truly interesting. If you want to explore it in depth, I recommend taking a day trip into the wilderness.

It's also a great way to enjoy an Australian lunch with local dishes. This type of experience makes it easier for you, as you'll have a professional guide to help you get to know the area:

• Wave Rock Wildlife Park is known for its multicoloured granite hills and inselbergs. An inselberg is a natural monument in the shape of a wave, which dominates the landscape in several areas of Australia.
• York: a city surrounded by the Avon River, you can find iconic buildings of great value. For example, the York Tower which was built in 1911.
• Wildflower Shoppe: is a nature park where you can see emus, kangaroos, koalas, reptiles and birds. In this area you can also explore ancient artefacts as well as wildflowers.
• Mulka's Cave: is a hiking area, ideal for trekking. Here you can discover the Aboriginal legend of the Mulka.

Details of interest

• Price: from €140 per person.
• Duration: around 13 hours.
• Means of transport: includes return journey in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: it is an ideal activity to share with the family.
• Disadvantages of this option: the maximum capacity is 48 people, so it is an excursion that sells out quickly.

TheSwan Valley, also known as the Swan Valley, is a wine region bordering the Swan River. If you want to venture out on one of the best food tours from Perth, I suggest you add this tour to your itinerary.

Specifically, it's located between the suburb of Guildford and Bells Rapids Park. This tour usually includes a full tasting of Western Australian food and wine. You'll also get to stroll through the vineyards while taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the big cities.

It's important to bring a passport for this adventure, as passports are often required at some tourist sites. While strolling around, you can enjoy a cup of tea, a cheese board or a glass of wine. There are also chocolate samples from the region, as well as live entertainment on weekends.

I suggest arranging this Swan Valley tour from September to December to take advantage of the warmer weather.

Details of interest

• Price: from €87 per person.
• Duration: approximately seven hours.
• Means of transport: Usually includes round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Benefits: This is an ideal option if you're looking for activities to do with children in Perth, as they are child and baby friendly. However, children's meals are not included in the final price.
• Disadvantages of this option: This is an exclusive experience that sells out quickly as it is only available to a limited number of people. I suggest booking in advance.

If you enjoy nightlife and want to explore the area around Perth, this tour is perfect for you. It will take you to see the medicinal plants used by the Aboriginal Australians. Plus, during whale-watching season, you'll be able to see a unique spectacle.

It's an ideal plan for a romantic getaway, as you'll have the option of dining at a barbecue under the stars. There is a telescope to explore the mysteries of the universe in depth. The best thing is that such activities are guided by a local guide.

Additionally, you can sandboard on the beach dunes, as well as walk through the wildflower reserve at Nilgen Lookout. You can also explore Hangover Bay, which once belonged to Aboriginal tribes.

Interesting details

• Price: from €106 per person.
• Duration: approximately nine hours.
• Means of transport: Includes return transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: this tour includes entry to all activities, park fees and goods and services tax.
• Disadvantages of this option: The maximum capacity is 15 passengers, so it is preferable to book in advance.

A wine tasting tour is the best way to enrich your palate in the Swan Valley. It's an experience that requires smart casual attire as you wander through the best parts of this location.

In addition, you can sample cheese, chocolate and local beers as well as take part in a wine tasting. It is ideal for people who enjoy gastronomic tours, as it brings together the best proposals of the Swan Valley.

During the tour you will have the opportunity to visit a microbrewery, a craft brewery and a brewery.

Details of interest

• Price: from 60 € per person.
• Duration: around eight hours.
• Means of transport: includes transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: This is a private experience, ideal for discovering the Swan Valley without the tourist crowds.
• Disadvantages of this option: Children under the age of three are not allowed.

Rottnest Island is a hidden wonder in Western Australia, where you can find quokkas or enjoy whale watching. It's famous for its traffic-free roads, as no cars are allowed.

You can choose the transport that suits your needs, most take you by ferry to Rottnest Island from Perth. On arrival you can choose a tour bus tour or a bike ride.

Interesting details

• Price: from £78 per person.
• Duration: between eight hours and a day, depending on the type of tour you choose.
• Means of transport: The transfer from Perth is by ferry, but you can go on your own by car.
• Advantages of this option: Guiding and escorting, plus a map of the area if you want to explore on your own.
• Disadvantages of this option: This type of tour can take a full day, so it's not suitable for a short itinerary.

If you plan to spend several weeks in Perth, you may be interested in a 7-day tour of the surrounding area. You can enjoy guided walks as well as lunch by the sea. There are also other activities that may cost extra, such as spotting manta rays, snorkelling, swimming with sharks or taking a cruise.

During this tour you can take advantage of:

• Stroll through the limestone rocks and dunes of the Pinnacles Desert.
• Swim with the dolphins at Monkey Mia.
• Take advantage of the submarine trips at Ningaloo, which is Australia's largest coral reef.

Details of interest

• Price: from 976 € per person.
• Duration: about 7 days.
• Means of transport: return transfer included.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to relax in Turquoise Bay, to escape the tourist crowds. In addition, all accommodation and main meals are included.
• Disadvantages of this option: It is not a suitable experience for people with health problems.

To get out of your comfort zone, all you need to do is head to Rockingham. It's a town forty minutes from Perth, where you'll be able to enjoy some eye-catching scenery. What's more, the purpose of this excursion is to skydive at 4,000 metres.

The adventure takes place on the beach, so you'll have a panoramic view of the city. Please note that the free fall takes 60 seconds and is not suitable for people with heart problems.

Details of interest

• Price: from 258 € per person.
• Duration: approximately four hours.
• Means of transport: does not include transfers to the skydiving point.
• Advantages of this option: You can enjoy three months' membership of the Australian Parachute Federation.
• Disadvantages of this option: It is not a cancellable activity, so there is no refund. Plan your trip before you book.