Best weekend trips from Perth is a guest post by Keri of Our Globetrotters. This site contains some affiliate links.

Perth is one of my favourite cities in the world. We *almost* moved there and I know we’d have loved it as we really enjoyed our time travelling around Western Australia a few years ago. Brisbane just pipped it to the post in terms of work opportunities for my husband, so that was our main reason for heading East. Today’s guest post by Keri of Our Globetrotters fits in really nicely as recently, Roni Gors – a Perth-based mortgage broker with lots of local knowledge – wrote two really useful posts about buying a house in Australia and the costs involved in buying a house in Australia (if you are moving to Perth, definitely give her a shout as she will be a big help.)

While I know some people find Perth too remote (as I see this mentioned a lot in online migration forums), I love WA because of how remote and wild it is. It has the most stunning landscape, and the turquoise ocean and dazzling white sand are just spectacular. This post is for those of you who are moving to Perth and are wondering what there is to do within an easy reach of the city for weekend trips.

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Get started planning your weekend away! Perth really does offer so many travel experiences.

I’ll hand over to Keri..

Weekend away in Perth

Pinterest image for the best weekend trips from Perth

 

Dreaming of weekend life and what you can do once you have moved Down Under?

I have fond childhood memories growing up in Perth and exploring every spare weekend we had. Whilst there’s plenty that can be squeezed into a normal weekend around Perth, there’s nothing like a long weekend to head further afield and do more exploring of country Western Australia.  Here we guide you to our 4 favourite weekends away – heading in 4 different directions so you can really experience all the state has to offer – all within a few hours drive!

You can check when public holidays and long weekends in Western Australia will fall here.

Head West to Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island, Perth

How Far: 31kms from Perth off the coast of Fremantle.  It’s 90 minutes by ferry from Perth taking the beautiful Swan River route, stopping in Fremantle or only 25 minutes from Fremantle terminals.

What to Do: “Rotto” as it’s locally referred to is most renowned for its beautiful soft white sandy beaches and aqua water. Slip on your flippers and snorkel for some exploring, or pedal your way around the island.  Other activities include archery, mini golf, and an aqua park, or get to know the local resident quokkas!

Where to stay:  Whilst the island and its attractions can be fairly well covered in a day, it also makes a spectacular weekend away, so close to the city but so far removed. There’s a wide variety of accommodation choices on Rottnest from ultra-budget to luxury lodges. Check prices now at: Karma Rottnest and Rottnest Island Authority.

Learn More: Visit the official Rottnest Island page to plan your visit.  Several ferry operators run the daily route to the island – try Rottnest Express or Rottnest Fast Ferries

You can visit Experience Oz Rottnest tours and ferries for full details of tours and ferry options

Head South to Margaret River Region

Brewery in Perth

How Far: The Margaret River Region covers a vast expanse from Geographe Bay and Busselton in the north to Augusta in the south.  The township of Margaret River itself is 270kms south of Perth – an easy 3-hour drive down the Bussell Highway but give or take depending on where you’re staying.

What to Do: The choices really are so extensive you need far more than a long weekend to do the Margaret River Region justice!  Most famous for its abundance of fresh produce – foods and wines beyond belief! But equally well-known for its magnificent beaches, stunning cliffs, caves and wildlife.  Family-friendly breweries and wineries are a big feature but equally, I would plan some water activities, walking the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere, maybe even whale watching into your adventure.

You can read here more about where to have Australian animal encounters

Where to stay:  There’s a huge variety of choices from luxury lodges to family resorts.   There’s everything from holiday parks to cabins or motels depending on your group size.  We like to use Stayz as a holiday home finder for larger groups. Check out Booking.com for the latest hotel prices at Margaret River

Learn More:  The Margaret River Region tourism board has a lot of information on their website and are ever so helpful to speak to in person – tell them exactly what you’re looking for to fill your weekend and they’ll help you plot a plan.  A great app to download to help you on your adventures down south is “Find the Fun”. Experience Oz also lists lots of activities and tours in Margaret River.

Head East to the Swan Valley

picture of Swan Valley wine region in Perth

How Far: Only 25 minutes from the city, this is the ultimate short break!  Starting from Guildford and taking you up to Bullsbrook further north – you can cover this in a half day cruise from Perth up the Swan River or make it a long weekend on a self-drive tour,

What to Do:  As famous as Margaret River for their fresh produce, wineries, microbreweries, arts and crafts and antiques.  For families, there’s the Caversham Wildlife Park, Supagolf and The Maze, home of Outback Splash. Or why not organise a girls’ weekend away with wine tasting and pampering spa?

Where to stay: There are holiday parks and camping through to luxury lodges and cottage to base yourself while enjoying the region. Check out latest hotel prices on Booking.com Swan Valley.

Learn More:  Based in the Historic Guildford Courthouse, The Swan Valley Visitor Centre is your best place to start. You will also find tours available on the Experience Oz Perth Tours page.

Head North to Cervantes & Jurien Bay

How Far: 198kms north of Perth, you’re looking at a 2+ hour easy drive via State route 60.

What to Do:  This laid-back fishing village is the perfect place to base yourself for exploring one of Western Australia’s more unusual spectacles, the Pinnacles (pictured at the top of the page). Visit in spring to also experience the wildflower spectacular, and I recommend you head inland to Mount National Park for a real wildflower spectacle.

Where to stay: The RAC Cervantes Holiday Park is a popular choice but there’s also a tourist park in Jurien Bay or look out for B&B’s and homestay accommodation. Check out prices for various accommodation at Booking.com Coral Coast.

Learn More:  Visit Australia’s Coral Coast website to learn more about what’s on in the region. You can also learn more about Western Australia’s native flora and best drives from the Wildflower Society of Western Australia

You can visit the area on a tour if you prefer. Check out Experience Oz – Pinnacles tour.

Have you started planning for your holiday’s down under?  Do you consider this in deciding the best places to live?

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More about Keri

Born to Brits who immigrated to New Zealand in the ’70s, she then grew up in Perth and Melbourne before working in London.  She now resides in the UAE with her Aussie husband and three young children.  A travel blogger and freelance writer, you can follow along with Keri’s adventures both in her beloved Australia that she returns to every year and around the world, on her personal blog Our Globetrotters. You can find Keri on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

Keri from Our Globetrotters on a beach with her family

Thanks a lot to Keri for sharing her favourite spots for a Perth weekend getaway!

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