Pack up and go! Who’s keen for a road trip?
You’ll be surprised the places you can go in WA that are less than 5 hours from Perth. Head north up our coast to Geraldton, take in our great south via Albany or while heading south track slightly inland to Nannup.
Pack up the car, load up your Spotify or Apple Music playlist and hit the road as you are going to enjoy ticking this list off!
Spotify Playlist: So Perth Office Tunes: Over 94 hours of non-stop tunes and bangers – Enjoy!
Albany
The heart of our great southern region, Albany with stretches of beautiful landscape and alluring white sandy beaches is the perfect place to find your own piece of paradise
What to do in Albany
There’s almost too many to list.
The Gap and Natural Bridge
Take in the power and the beauty of the Great Southern Ocean at The Gap and Natural Bridge – also be sure to have your phone ready to snap the perfect Instagram moment.
Website: australiassouthwest.com
National ANZAC Centre
The award-winning National Anzac Centre is one of Australia’s most important cultural pilgrimages. Located within Albany’s heritage listed Princess Royal Fortress, the centre overlooks the actual harbour from which over 41,000 men and woman departed Australia for the Great War.
Website: nationalanzaccentre.com.au
Limeburners
Almost worth the drive in its self! Albany is the birthplace of Western Australia’s first Single Malt Whisky distillery. At Limeburners you will taste handmade Australian Whisky and spirits right on the water’s edge.
Website: distillery.com.au
Travel and Accommodation
Time from Perth: 4 hours 30min (view map)
Where to stay: Albany Happy Days Caravan Park
Augusta
Located at Australia’s most south-westerly point, Augusta is a popular holiday destination, offering dramatic coastlines, stately forests of Karri, Jarrah and other impressive native fauna sure to impress nature lovers and seekers of serenity.
What to do in Augusta
Whale Watching
Capture the beauty of the giants of the sea.
Western Australia’s South West has Australia’s longest whale-watching season – taking place at Flinders Bay, Augusta, from June to August, and Geographe Bay from September to early December.
Website: margaretriver.com
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
Climb the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia.
The historic Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse at Augusta is situated at the tip of a spectacular peninsula where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet – the most south-westerly point of Australia. Take a trip through maritime history and learn how this famous landmark was constructed.
Website: margaretriver.com
Travel and Accommodation
Time from Perth: 3 hours 20min (view map)
Where to stay: Flinders Bay Caravan Park
Bridgetown
The steep hills, the valleys, the tall forests and the longest flowing river in Western Australia all add to the charm of Bridgetown.
What to do in Bridgetown
Adventure awaits at Augusta!
The Cidery
The Cidery
Enjoy 100% natural ciders!
Experience the unique taste of real cider made purely from freshly crushed apples. Since 1998 The Cidery have crushed and pressed local Pink Lady apples to produce 100% natural alcoholic and non-alcoholic ciders and juice.
Website: thecidery.com.au
Travel and Accommodation
Time from Perth: 2 hours 50min (view map)
Where to stay: Bridgetown Caravan Park
Collie
Once an established coal mine town, Collie is now a thriving modern community nestled on the banks of the Collie River and surrounded by State Forests. Providing the perfect combination of urban and nature.
What to do in Collie
Black Diamond Lake
Black Diamond Lake is perfect for a dip, SUP, canoeing and kayaking. The lake has also become extremely popular with visitors bringing inflatable floats, because who wouldn’t want to simply lay back and enjoy the beauty of the lake and its surroundings?
Read more: WA’s Top Swimming Holes
Tracks and Trails
Don’t forget to pack your bike or sneakers with numerous mountain biking and walk trails within the Collie region there will be an adventure to suit everyone – from beginners to experts.
Website: collierivervalley.com.au
Gnomesville
A village of garden gnomes… what’s not to like?
Website: gnomesville.com.au
Travel and Accommodation
Time from Perth: 2 hours 10min (view map)
Where to stay: Collie Caravan Park
Jurien Bay
Western Australia’s growing holiday hotspot.
If a water-based holiday is what you crave then Jurien Bay is perfect for you – offering fantastic fishing. All located just two and a half hours’ drive north of Perth.
What to do in Jurien Bay
Fishing
Jurien Bay is ranked among the top WA fishing spots. Fish for your supper from the beaches, the Jurien Bay Jetty or the limestone groynes. If you’ve brought your own boat along, fuel, jetties, ramps and pens are all available to the public.
Sky Diving
The best in the business! If you are going to jump out of a plane you might as well do it with the best.
Go skydiving and land on the beach or take a scenic flight of the area.
Website: skydivejurienbay.com
Travel and Accommodation
Time from Perth: 2 hours 30min (view map)
Where to stay: Jurien Bay Tourist Park
Lancelin
Only 1 hour and 30 minutes from Perth you will find the township of Lancelin (aka Lanno) the home to sand, surf and stunning sunsets.
What to do in Lancelin
Sand Dunes
Lancelin is home to rolling hills of pure white sand, perfect for sandboarding, 4WD, 4 Wheelers and the perfect selfie.
Endeavour Tavern
Voted the best beer garden in WA… well according to us anyway!
Great eat, great drinks, great service and great sunset views.
Website: endeavourtavern.com.au
Travel and Accommodation
Time from Perth: 1 hours 30min (view map)
Where to stay: Ledge Point Holiday Park
Margaret River
Summarising Margaret River – pristine natural wonders, world-class wineries, tasty microbreweries, renowned restaurants, spectacular beaches, stunning forests, friendly locals and so much more.
What to do in Margaret River
Wine
Margaret River is home to some of the world’s best wines. To do Margaret River justice we would highly recommend a winery tour not only to taste delicious wine – but to also take in the stunning surrounds at each location.
Website: margaretriver.com
Beer
Treat yourself with a relaxing beer or 2.
It’s not just all about the wine anymore in Margaret River. Over the last few years, there has been a boom in local craft beer and Margaret River has been at the forefront of WA’s craft beer scene.
Website: margaretriver.com
Eats
The Margaret River region is home to some of WA’s best eateries with a range of delicious spots from cafes to fine dining.
There is truly something to cater for everyone’s taste buds and budget – view the restaurant and cafe finder.
Alternatively, if you would like to experience our favourite Margaret River eats – head to Morries for breakfast, lunch or dinner… or all three!
Website: morries.com.au
Adventure
Take your pick: Hiking, whale watching, mountain biking, surfing, swimming, kayaking, stand up paddle, fishing, diving, horseback riding, scenic flights… and so much more!
Margaret River has it all.
Website: margaretriver.com
Travel and Accommodation
Time from Perth: 3 hours (view map)
Where to stay: Margaret River Tourist Park
Nannup
Unique, Bespoke, and Inspiring.
Surrounded by stunning nature and with historic charm, Nannup has become a local low-key getaway destination.
What to do in Nannup
Barrabup Pool
Swim, jump or float at Barrabup Pool as you are surrounded by Nannup bushland.
The native trees provide plenty of shade for those hot summer days and the calm waters of the pool and sounds of the bush make it one of the most relaxing swimming holes in Western Australia.
Read more: WA’s Top Swimming Holes
Donnelly Village
Donnelly Village is truly something special.
A historic mill town nestled deep in the heart of Australia’s South West karri forests, it’s the perfect place for a unique escape from the hustles and hassles of modern life.
You may even meet a kangaroo or two.
Website: donnellyriver.com.au
Travel and Accommodation
Time from Perth: 2 hours 50mins (view map)
Where to stay: donnellyriver.com.au
Pemberton
Get back to nature in Pemberton.
Considered the green jewel in Western Australia’s South West, with towering Karri forests, rich agricultural lands and stunning Southern Ocean provide rich experiences and adventure options for everyone.
What to do in Pemberton
Gloucster Tree and Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree
Want to scale 61m or 75m high trees?
No longer used as a look out for bush fires, you can now scale these giant Karri trees up to a platform in their upper branches for spectacular views of the surrounding Karri forest.
For more information visit pembertonvisitor.com.au
Canoeing
Why discover Pemberton by foot when you can do it by water?
Pemberton has a variety of canoe journeys allowing visitors to cruise the pristine river systems of the Old Growth Forests.
Website: hikingandcanoeing.com.au
Travel and Accommodation
Time from Perth: 3 hours 40mins (view map)
Where to stay: Drafty’s Campsite
Yallingup
Surf, swim, eat/drink, Instagram and relax – Yallingup has fast become a go-to holiday destination within Western Australia not only for its amazing surf breaks but because of its Instagram-worthy landscapes.
What to do in Yallingup
Injidup Natural Spa
Who’s up for a natural spa?
At end of Wyadup Road, Yallingup there is a place that one of Australia’s must-see Instagram hotspots.
Relax in the waters as the waves from behind the rock pool create jet like water pressure, as the water flows down the rock face and capture the perfect Instagram moment at the same time.
Read more: WA’s Top Swimming Holes
Barnyard 1978
Wine, pasta & honey.
Explore and indulge in this casually classy style restaurant, cellar door & honey store in Yallingup – with a viewing window allowing visitors to watch signature pasta in the making, with estate wine & Barnyard Bees Honey tasting to please your palate.
Website: barnyard1978.com.au
Travel and Accommodation
Time from Perth: 2 hours 50mins (view map)
Where to stay: Yallingup Beach Holiday Park
Also Related:
- Western Australia’s Instagram Hotspots
- Western Australia’s Top 10 Nature Adventure Experiences
- Explore The Top Swimming Holes in WA
- Guide to Glamping in Western Australia
Check out other great caravanning and camping spots here:
This article was originally published by So Perth.
