The Best Short Daytrips to Take from Perth

Plan a road trip and explore the west coast of Australia, but leave time to experience the sights around Perth. Visit a cool new taverna, blend your own wine or snorkel in crystal-clear water – all just a short drive from the capital. Hire a car from Avis at Perth airport and you’ll be on your way to coast, courtyard restaurant or cellar door in no time. 

Swim in a turquoise lagoon

Pack your towel and make your way to Yanchep Lagoon, a 45-minute drive north of Perth, for powdery white sand and aquamarine waters. The clear shallow lagoon teems with manta rays, octopus and crayfish, making it the perfect spot for snorkelling and swimming. 

Extend lunch into cocktail hour

The olive-tree-lined courtyard of Yiamas in Subiaco – a 15-minute drive west of the city – is made for leisurely, long lunches. The menu comprises elevated Hellenic dishes such as grilled octopus with tomato, fava beans and rosemary, and goat and suckling pig cooked slowly over coals. Finish the day by returning to the CBD to watch the sun set at chic rooftop restaurant and bar Folly.

Personalise your wine

The Swan Valley wine region is Western Australia’s oldest, with more than 40 vineyards specialising in shiraz, verdelho and cabernet – and it’s only a 25-minute drive from Perth. Book a Wine Blending Experience at Mandoon Estate to learn about the science and craft of winemaking, then try your hand at making your own. You’ll take home a bottle of your blend, complete with a personalised label.