Best Weekend Getaways from Perth: Locals Top 10 Ideas 2023

If you’re looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, then check out these weekend getaways from Perth.

As locals, we’ve enjoyed weekend trips from Perth, from coastal towns to rural farms, there’s plenty of inspiration for your next short break.

Weekend Getaways Perth

There’s nothing like a weekend escape with friends and family to recharge the batteries and clear your head. So whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or something more exciting, there are plenty of options.

1. Ferguson Valley / Collie, Australia’s South West

Distance: 177 km
Drive Time: 1 hour 50 mins to 2 hours 10 mins
Best Time To Visit: Spring, Summer, Autumn (needs to be a sunny for Black Diamond Lake)
Interests: Scenic drives, hiking, mountain biking, water activities, nature, history, art, wineries, breweries, food

Ferguson Valley is just over two hours from Perth, but with lush green rolling hills and farmland, it offers a beautiful weekend getaway. Take a scenic drive through picturesque forests, hike or mountain bike one of the many trails in Wellington National Park, and see the largest dam mural in the world.

Place a gnome in quirky Gnomesville, home to over 10,000 gnomes, or visit Collie and the insta-famous Black Diamond Lake, one of Western Australia’s most beautiful water holes.

Where to stay in Ferguson Valley

Ferguson Valley Farm Stay

2. Harvey, Australia’s South West

Distance: 140 km
Drive Time: 1 hour 40 mins
Best Time To Visit: Spring (wildflowers & oranges), Autumn (walks)

April = Harvey Agricultural Show

September to May = Trout fishing

Interests: Scenic drives, walks, fishing, nature, history, wineries, food

Harvey is known for its beef, milk, and oranges, but there’s more to this farming town than food. Visit Harvey Dam for scenic views, walking trails, a picnic, or trout fishing (between September and May).

There’s also the Big Orange sitting on top of a 10m tower, which can be climbed by 62 steps. Access is via Harvey River Estate above the Harvey Fresh citrus orchards, where the oranges are hand-picked for Harvey Fresh orange juice. Entry is a gold coin donation, with proceeds going to Telethon.

Visit the replica of Stirling Cottage for a light lunch or afternoon tea. Convicts built the original cottage, owned by Sir James Stirling and later by the creator of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, May Gibbs.

Where to stay in Harvey

Harvey Hills Farmstay

3. Lancelin / Ledge Point / Wedge, Perth & Surrounds

Distance: 126 km
Drive Time: 1 hour 25 mins to 1 hour 40 mins to Lancelin
Best Time To Visit: Summer (for the beach)
Interests: Beach, sandboarding, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, fishing, diving

Visit Lancelin Sand Dunes, the largest sand dunes in Western Australia, for four-wheel-driving, sandboarding, or a  Buggy, Quad Bike, Motocross and Sandboard tour.

Lancelin, Ledge Point, and Wedge Island are popular with surfers, windsurfers, and kite surfers due to the strong winds.

Fishing is another popular pastime in Lancelin, or buy live crayfish from the boats when they dock at the jetty.

Experienced divers will enjoy diving the fourteen shipwrecks that lie along the coast.

Stop in at Yanchep National Park on the way.

Where to stay in Lancelin

Lancelin Lodge

4. Weekend Getaways Perth Hills

Distance: 45 km
Drive Time: Less than one hour
Best Time To Visit: Spring (for Araluen tulip festival & wildflowers), Autumn (for waterfalls & hikes)
Interests: Wineries, scenic drives, nature, food, hikes, astronomy, mountain biking

The Perth Hills are one of our favourite places to visit on a day trip and for a realxing weekend getaway. There’s so much to do, and has something for everyone.

Lake Leschenaultia, in Chidlow, is a lovely swimming hole and great for picnics or Roleystone’s Araluen Botanic Park is beautiful in spring when thousands of tulips are in bloom.

If you enjoy wine, beer, cider, and food, follow the Bickley Valley Wine Trail or the Perth Hills Cider & Brews Trail.

There are plenty of hikes in the Perth Hills, including one of the world’s best long-distance trails, the Bibbulmun Track, which runs 1000 km from Kalamunda to Albany. Perth’s best waterfalls are in the Perth Hills, such as Lesmurdie Falls, 60 Foot Falls, and Serpentine Falls.

Other attractions include the Perth Observatory, Mundaring Weir, markets, and mountain bike trails.

Where to stay in Perth Hills

Tasman Holiday Park Serpentine Falls

5. York, Perth & Surrounds

Distance: 98 km
Drive Time: 1 hour 15 mins to 1 hour 40 mins
Best Time To Visit: Spring, Winter, and Autumn
Interests: Hiking, history, nature

While York isn’t my favourite WA country town and can be visited in a day, you can stay overnight to include some hikes, like Mount Brown Lookout.

As Western Australia’s first inland European settlement, you’ll see heritage buildings like the York Town Hall and the Old Gaol & Courthouse.

The countryside is a mass of yellow from mid-August to mid-September when the canola fields bloom. Wildflowers put on a dazzling display between September and November.

Where to stay in York

York’s Lookout Lodge Bed And Breakfast

6. Chittering Valley, Perth & Surrounds

Distance: 70 km
Drive Time: 1 hour
Best Time To Visit: Spring (wildflowers), Autumn (local produce & orchards), Winter
Interests: Hiking, wineries, nature, food, scenic drives, wildflowers

The country towns of Chittering, Bindoon, Moora, and Muchea are part of the Chittering Valley region and the gateway to the Wheatbelt. It’s a beautiful spot in spring when the wildflowers are out – visit in September for the Chittering Spring Festival.

Take a scenic drive along the Chittering Farm Flavour Trail to explore farms, local produce, and picturesque landscapes. As you drive through Chittering, look for roadside stalls selling produce direct from the grower. A great way to support the local farmers.

A favourite walk of mine is Djidi-Djidi Ridge, named after the Noongar word for Willy Wagtail, which comes alive in spring with pretty wildflowers.

Where to stay near Chittering

Bindoon Valley Escape

Family Weekend Getaways Perth

Some of the best family weekend getaways from Perth are:

• Dwellingup
• Guilderton
• Mandurah
• Rottnest Island

7. Dwellingup, Perth & Surrounds

Distance: 107 km
Drive Time: 1 hour 15 mins
Best Time To Visit: Summer (camping & swimming), Spring & Autumn (hiking & mountain biking), Winter (canoeing)
Interests: Camping, kayaking/canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, trains

Dwellingup is a popular camping spot surrounded by forest – Lane Poole Reserve is one of the best. There are some beautiful trails for walks and mountain biking, or grab your canoe or kayak for some white water adventures.

The Hotham Valley Tourist Railway is an excellent attraction, especially in winter when a steam locomotive pulls the carriages.

Where to stay in Dwellingup

Camp at Lane Poole Reserve

8. Guilderton (Moore River), Perth & Surrounds

Distance: 92 km
Drive Time: 70 mins
Best Time To Visit: Summer (water activities & beach), Spring (wildflowers)
Interests: Beach, water activities, nature, fishing, wildflowers

A popular place for family getaways from Perth, Guilderton (also known as Moore River) offers sheltered, calm water and sandy beaches for kids to play. Bring your kayak, SUP, or surfboard, or hire a paddleboat, kayak, or canoe at the river mouth.

Moore River National Park explodes with colour in spring with wildflowers.

Anglers can fish off the beach with a chance of catching herring, whiting, tailor, and mulloway or try upstream in the Moore River for large bream.

Where to stay in Guilderton

Moore River Cottage or Guilderton Holiday Park

9. Mandurah, Perth & Surrounds

Distance: 70 km
Drive Time: 1 hour
Best Time To Visit: Christmas, Summer (beaches, watersports, crabbing)
Interests: Beach, water activities, nature, fishing, wildlife

Book a dolphin tour to see the resident bottlenose dolphins playing in the water or hire a boat to explore the canals. Families enjoy the Pirate Ship Cruise and the Eco-BBQ Boats.

Kayaking, Stand-Up Paddle boarding, and surfing are enjoyable activities in Mandurah.

Crabbing and fishing are popular things to do in Mandurah – either off the beach or in the estuary. Blue Swimmer Crabs are native to Mandurah – the crabbing season runs from 1st December to 31st August, but the best time is January.

Lake Clifton Thrombolites, Penguin Island, and wineries are close by, as is the coastal town of Rockingham.

Where to stay in Mandurah

Seashells Mandurah

10. Rottnest Island, Perth & Surrounds

Distance:  25 mins ferry from Fremantle, 45 mins from Hillary’s, and 90 mins from Barrack Street Jetty, Perth city
Best Time To Visit: Summer (beaches, water activities)
Interests: Beach, water activities, fishing, wildlife, cycling, walks

Rottnest Island, a small, uninhabited island off the coast of Western Australia, is popular for its beautiful natural scenery, wildlife, and stunning beaches. Visitors can participate in several activities, such as swimming, surfing, snorkelling, fishing, and sightseeing.

Hire a bike and discover this beautiful island, then relax with a beer at one of the island’s bars.

Rottnest Island is the best place to see Quokkas, a cute-looking small wallaby that has become Rottnest’s main tourist attraction.

Sealink Rottnest Island offers a standard ferry ticket and combination tickets with bike hire, bike hire and snorkel equipment, and a bus tour.

Rottnest Express also leaves from Fremantle (this is who we booked with last time). They have standard fares and can include bike hire and an Adventure Boat Tour.

Where to stay on Rottnest Island

Karma Rottnest or Discovery Rottnest Island Glamping Tents.

Unique Weekend Getaways Close to Perth

The following towns offer their own unique attractions, whether it’s the twin towns of Dongara and Port Denison with their charming atmosphere and beautiful beaches, or the wildflowers in areas like Mingenew and Three Springs.

Towns 3 Hours North of Perth:

• Dongara & Port Denison
• Green Head & Leeman
• Eneabba
• Mingenew
• Three Springs
• Carnamah
• Coorow

What Towns are 2 Hours North of Perth?

Here’s a list of towns that are approximately 2 hours north of Perth. These places offer a variety of attractions, from beaches and sand dunes in Lancelin to the famous Pinnacles in Cervantes.

Note that travel times can vary depending on traffic and road conditions.

Towns 2 Hours North of Perth:

• Lancelin
• Cervantes
• Jurien Bay
• Gingin
• Guilderton (Moore River)
• Badgingarra
• Seabird
• Ledge Point
• Yanchep

FAQs on Weekend Getaways from Perth

Perth Weekend Getaway Conclusion

So there are a few options for a weekend away from Perth. My favourites are Port Denison, Busselton, and Wildflower Country.

What’s your favourite? Join our Facebook Group and share your thoughts with our community.

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