What better way to spend a day than getting out of the suburbs, enjoying the wide open spaces and soaking up the sunshine and scenery of Perth.
Country Drives
City Drives
Coastal Drives
The Perth Hills, Swan Valley and Guildford
Depart Perth City via Great Eastern Highway and journey up the Darling scarp to the Perth Hills and the Mundaring Visitor Centre. Take the time to collect maps of the area and information for your day. From here journey to the Mundaring Weir, enjoy a peaceful walk along the dam wall and through some of the natural bushland. Be sure to read up about the fascinating history of the Weir and its engineering importance for Western Australia. From Mundaring follow the scenic drive through the Bickley-Carmel Valley, stopping along the way at one of the wineries for tastings and a delicious gourmet lunch. Spend the afternoon in Kalamunda visiting the local markets or savouring the fresh local produce. Return to Perth via the Zigzag Road, a fascinating remanent of an historic railway line offering amazing views of the CBD and the Swan Coastal Plain. Before reaching the city you might like to stop for a few afternoon drinks at one of the many wineries or breweries in the Swan Valley or go antique shopping in the historic township of Guildford.
New Norcia, Chittering Valley and Gingin
Depart Perth City and journey along the Great Northern Highway to the picturesque Chittering Valley; witness the ever changing scenery of rural WA and escape the bustle of city life. You can stop along the way and enjoy the country ambience and local produce at one of the seven wineries. Further north you will reach New Norcia, Australia’s only Monastic Town. The buildings and artworks here are fascinating blend of Spanish and Australian architecture and the atmosphere is wonderfully peaceful and serene. Be sure to pop into the local Visitor Centre for tastings from the famous New Norcia bakery and samples of the regions olive oil and local produce. Head back down the highway and detour west towards the pretty township of Gingin, surrounding by rolling hills and filled with pristine parklands it makes for a lovely ‘Devonshire Tea’ stop on the return to Perth. To get back to the city follow the Brand Highway which links up with the Great Northern Highway.
The Avon Valley
From Perth travel north east via The Great Northern Highway and Toodyay Road to the quaint country town of Toodyay. Stop for morning tea in Toodyay, then visit the Old Gaol Museum, which will take you back 150 years to the time of Moondyne Joe. Wander the cells and take in the history of the old police stables. Northam is your next stop, the home of the famous white swans and the starting point for the popular Avon Descent race. Northam is the largest inland town in Western Australia and the commercial centre for the surrounding farming district. For the history enthusiast or architecture fan Northam also has a rich collection of historic buildings. Make time to visit Australia's longest suspension bridge which crosses the Avon River. After some exploring and a rest, continue the drive to York. Dating back to 1831, the township of York has museums to be discovered, galleries to wander and plenty more for the whole family! More on Avon Valley...
The Peel Region
Journey along the South Western Highway to the Serpentine National Park and enjoy fantastic views of the two dams, waterfalls and even Perth City. Continue along the Highway towards the charming country town of Dwellingup. A popular stop for biking and hiking enthusiasts and one of the destinations along the famous Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Bike Trail. From here journey towards Pinjarra, one of the oldest towns in Western Australia, that is situated on the banks of the Murray River. A gorgeous town and a perfect stop for some friendly country service and a delicious home cooked meal. Although the Peel Region has been settled since the early 1830s, large tracts of land remain untouched giving your drive an air of peace and tranquillity. Spend a leisurely afternoon exploring the Murray River and the Peel waterways, boats and canoes are available for hire in Mandurah as is fishing and crabbing gear. Return to Perth via the Kwinana Freeway.
The Swan River
The suburbs along the northern banks of the Swan River house some of the most exclusive properties in Australia. With price tags reaching phenomenal highs check out how the other half live as you enjoy a leisurely drive through these leafy, wealthy and extremely pretty river suburbs. Start your journey by following the curve of the Swan River to the University of Western Australia and the picturesque Matilda Bay. The blue expanse of the river dotted with splashes of colour from the sails of the yachts make this a truly special view and a lovely drive. Wind your way through Nedlands, up past Dalkeith and along the famous 1980’s ‘Millionaires Row’ (Jutland Parade) to the exclusive suburb of Claremont, a perfect spot for a morning coffee break. Continue along the river passed Peppermint Grove, a gorgeous area with great river views, extensive grassed areas and overhanging Peppermint trees. The houses here are truly amazing, with a diverse range of architectural styles. Journey up the hill to Mosman Park; be sure to stop at the lookout on Bay View Terrace for sweeping river and city views. Return to Perth via Stirling Highway.
Perth City Highlights
Start your day with a scenic drive through Kings Park, stopping to appreciate the spectacular views of Perth city and the river. Be sure to take the time to stroll through the botanic gardens and along the Federation Tree Top Walkway. From here wind your way down the hill towards the Perth Convention Centre, turn left and follow the signs to Freeway South, passing the beautiful Barrack Square region, if you have the time why not visit the Swan Bells or take an exhilarating jet boat ride. Cross over the Narrows Bridge and take a left turn at Mill Point Road to the foreshore of the Swan River where you will be faced with more amazing city views. Stop for a coffee break at one of the trendy cafes in South Perth before continuing along Mill Point Road to Canning Highway, take a left turn and cross over the Causeway Bridge towards the Burswood Complex. If you’re feeling lucky take a punt at the casino or just enjoy a leisurely walk around the immaculate gardens that line the Swan River. Make your way back towards the centre of Perth via East Perth and the ‘European-style’ townhouses and apartments that line the waters edge. End the day at one of the alfresco cafes or restaurants in busy Northbridge.
Mandurah, Rockingham and Fremantle
Depart Perth City and head along Stirling Highway to Fremantle. Take a leisurely drive through the port, passing the heritage ‘sheds’ that once supported the passenger terminal and the striking Maritime Museum. Cruise along the Cappuccino Strip; you might like to stop for a freshly brewed coffee to start your day, or soak up the atmosphere of the Sunday markets. From here journey to the Fishing Boat Harbour and take a drive out to the western point to view Garden Island. Leave Fremantle and head south past Woodman Point, the ship yards at Henderson and the industry at Kwinana. This brings you to Rockingham. Enjoy a scenic drive along the Rockingham foreshore; why not stop off stop off for a swim? It’s a great beach for the kids, with shallow waters and protection from the sea breeze. Follow the road around the foreshore to Point Peron and climb the lookout for spectacular views of the Indian Ocean and the local islands. Follow the winding road along the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, one of the prettiest parts of the coast. If you’ve got time walk the sand bar to Penguin Island and see if you can spot one of the elusive residents. Drive past the tranquil waters of Safety Bay and join up with Rockingham Road towards Mandurah. Spend a relaxing afternoon on the Mandurah foreshore or join a cruise through the canals viewing the million dollar homes, you may even spot dolphins! Or just chill out in a coffee shop and watch the world pass by.
Sunset Coast
Start your day at Cottesloe Beach and drive along the scenic coastal strip, past early morning joggers and swimmers making the most of summer’s warm rays. Head north to City Beach and stop at Reabold Hill, where you will get sweeping views of Perth city and the surrounding areas from the highest natural point along the coast. Further north Scarborough and Trigg have great restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy lunch by the beach. Continue north passing the protected bays and beaches of the Sunset Coast to the Hillarys Boat Harbour - visit AQWA and the nearby Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre to learn more about our underwater environment and explore the network of boardwalks filled with shops and restaurants. Keep heading north; following the tourist drive signs, passing by beautiful coastal locations like Mullaloo, Mindarie and Burns Beach. End your day with a picnic by the beach watching the sky transform with colour as the sun sinks slowly into the Indian Ocean. Return to the city area via Marmion Avenue and the Mitchell Freeway.
Lancelin Coast
Journey north from Perth along Wanneroo Road, passing pretty orchards and Strawberry Farms to arrive at Yanchep. Stop at the National Park for a relaxing break and a stretch of the legs. There are some fantastic bush walks here, as well as limestone caves, hire boats and native animals and bird life which should keep you entertained for a while. Detour towards the beach and view the picturesque Yanchep Lagoon, then head north to Two Rocks and see remnants of the glory days of the 1980’s when development was at a peak and intrepid entrepreneurs were busy building theme parks, marinas and hotels. Further north you will find Guilderton and the start of the pristine Moore River, excellent for canoeing and fishing. There are some great little cafes in the area for a light lunch by the beach. End your day in the Cray fishing town of Lancelin tackling the mighty sand dunes by 4WD or sand board. Return to Perth via Wanneroo Road.
