AUD | EN

Get App

Explore

Travel Guides

Support

Long weekend road trips from Perth

Traveloka Team

4 min read

If you’re yet to hit the open road from Perth, consider this your sign to pack your backpack, fill the boot with your roadtrip essentials, and curate the perfect playlist for the long weekend. From world-class wine in the south to jaw-dropping landscapes in the north, Perth is filled with breathtaking road trips that are well worth considering. Whether you’re swimming with sea lions in Jurien Bay, hiking through the misty forests of Denmark, or checking out a hidden gem only locals know about, discover what Western Australia is all about, the only way Aussies know best — with some of the best road trips from Perth.

Margaret River

The ultimate Western Australia rite of passage — cruising down Margaret River offers a world of towering Karri forests, amazing surf breaks, and a scenic coastal drive where you’ll spot dolphins playing in the shallows of Geographe Bay as you drive past. Magical.

Distance from Perth: 270kms, roughly a 3-hour drive depending on traffic conditions.

What to see:

Busselton Jetty: Extending roughly 1.8 kms over the protected waters of Geographe Bay, the heritage-listed Busselton Jetty is a must-visit. It’s the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and is home to 6 underwater observatories. Our favourite part? The little red train you can take to get to the underwater observatories at the end of the jetty is just too adorable!

Ngilgi Cave Ancient Lands Experience: Explore the hidden wonders of this 1-million-year-old limestone karst cave — the journey begins above ground on winding paths through Yallingup bushland before descending into the Ngilgi Cave filled with majestic stalacites, stalagmites, and helicites. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Canal Rocks: Watch the Indian Ocean surge through granite rocks along this dramatic coastal formation; it’s the perfect spot for some epic holiday snaps.

Cowaramup: A quirky country-town village in the Margaret River region that’s famous for its 42 life-sized fibreglass cows scattered throughout the streets — get the whole family involved in this unique scavenger hunt.

Where to stay:

Grand Mercure Basildene Manor Accor Vacation Club Apartments

Margarets Beach Resort

Grande Escape Resort

The Pinnacles & Jurien Bay

Explore the vast white sand dunes, stunning coastal views, and walk amongst ancient limestone pillars at The Pinnacles & Jurien Bay. A cruisey and scenic 2.5-hour drive from Perth, Jurien Bay is the perfect weekend getaway for families and nature-lovers alike. Plus, did we mention Jurien Bay is home to large colonies of the endangered Australian sea lion?

Distance from Perth: Approximately 220 kilometres (about a 2.5-hour drive) to Jurien Bay.

What to see:

Lancelin Sand Dunes: Expect bright white sand against a perfect blue sky; Lancelin Sand Dunes is a must-do for those looking for a bit of adventure. If sandboarding and 4WD tracks through the vast sand dunes sound like you, you won’t want to miss this.

The Pinnacles Desert: A must-see in Nambung National Park — featuring thousands of limestone spires rising from yellow desert sands. Put on your best hiking shoes and spend the day walking along its designated trails.

Lake Thetis Stromatolites: Take a peek at rare living fossils — one of the few places in the world where marine thrombolites exist. The 1.5km loop offers an easy boardwalk that gets you up close and personal to the formations. Choose a calm day to explore Lake Thetis to see breathtaking reflections against the water.

Swim with sea lions at Jurien Bay: A rare opportunity to swim with “puppies of the sea”. Jurlien Bay is widely considered the best spot in WA to see sea lions — thanks to its significant breeding colony.

Where to stay:

Jurien Bay Tourist Park

Jurien Bay Hotel

Jurien Beachfront Chalets

Denmark & Walpole

Enter a world filled with misty forests and dramatic granite shorelines — Denmark and Walpole’s unhurried pace forces you to slow down to take a moment for yourself. The perfect place to unplug and take in the gorgeous landscapes and scenery, it’s the long weekend dream you’ve been waiting for.

Distance from Perth: Around 420kms, a 4.5 to 5-hour drive from Perth.

What to see:

Valley of the Giants tree top walk: Known for its hundreds of ancient red tingle trees, the Valley of the Giants tree top walk is suspended 40 metres above the ground — giving you jaw-dropping views of the forest that you just can’t find anywhere else.

Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks: One of the best beaches in the South Pacific, expect clear emerald waters and white sands at Green Pools, then travel inland to Elephant Rocks to see huge boulders that look like elephants bathing in water.

The Giant Tingle Tree: The world’s largest living red tingle tree that features a 24-metre base circumference and is hollowed out in the middle due to fires over the years.

Where to stay:

Chimes Spa Retreat

The Lodge at the Denmark Hotel

Walpole Rest Point Caravan Park

Cervantes & Dongara

Cervantes and Dongara are defined by their natural and quiet coastal charm. Perfect for those who want to skip the crowds of the more touristy areas of the southern hubs, Cervantes & Dongara are slightly further up on the Indian Ocean Drive and are filled with pristine, undiscovered beaches and the freshest seafood you’ve ever tasted.

Distance from Perth: Around 350kms, a 4-hour drive from Perth.

What to see:

The Leaning Tree: Found on the windswept Greenough Flats, where the Red River Gums grow horizontally rather than vertically. Stop in the designated parking bay on Brand Highway to snap a pic.

Thirsty Point Lookout: Located at the end of the main road in Cervantes, this lookout offers some of the best panoramic views of the turquoise coastline and nearby offshore islands.

Hangover Bay and Kangaroo Point: Hangover Bay is a popular hub for snorkelling and surfing, while Kangaroo Point is a quieter stretch famous for shore fishing and its idyllic white sand dunes. Both are great places to spot local wildlife, including bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, and of course, kangaroos lounging near the shore.

Take photos of Moreton Bay fig trees: Head to Moreton Terrace to see the famous Moreton Bay fig trees. Planted in 1906, don’t miss the two particular large Moreton Bay fig trees next to the Irwin Road Board Office.

Where to stay:

Dongara Hotel Motel

Cervantes Pinnacles Motel

RAC Cervantes Holiday Park