Drive the Dream on the best short journeys from Perth

If you’ve got clients ready to replace the everyday with the extraordinary, then road-tripping Western Australia is the obvious choice. Weave through majestic roads to reach iconic landmarks, enjoying stretches of otherworldly coastal scenery along the way. Check out the best short road trips out of Perth (Boorloo), and go in the running to win your own dreamy 8-day road trip through Western Australia.

One of the wonders of Perth is its ability to be naturally adventurous, with exceptional and unique experiences right on the city’s doorstep. Whether it’s exploring the Swan Valley (the only wine region within an Australian capital city), hiking the lush scenery of the Perth Hills, revelling in coastal adventures in Rockingham and Mandurah (Mandjoogoordap), or heading further south and into the Margaret River Region, the road trip adventure of your dreams is closer than you think.

Check out these dreamy road trip itineraries for the best short road trips from Perth.

#1: Mandurah Beach to Bush Drive

The Mandurah Beach to Bush Drive offers boundless city, forest and coastal adventures – truly bringing together the best of all worlds.

Admire playful dolphins from afar or join them for a swim with Perth Wildlife Encounters in Rockingham. Home to Shoalwater Islands Marine Park’s picturesque islands and reefs, this seaside town is a worthy addition to any road trip adventure.

Just a 30-minute drive south of Rockingham transports you into the atmospheric regional city of Mandurah. Along with being sensational for boating, fishing, bird and dolphin watching, Mandurah is an ideal base, drawing visitors with its relaxed holiday atmosphere, wildlife-spotting opportunities, and extensive waterways. Here, you can join an eco-friendly BBQ boat ride, which is a novel way to experience waterways that help to create one of Australia’s most spectacular playgrounds for aquatic adventures. Time it right and you might even be able to spot whales on their migration journey. Whale season is from March to May and September to December.

A land or water-based trip with Salt and Bush Eco Tours reveals the region’s majestic wildlife secrets, along with their sensational seasonal wildflower tours.

For an uplifting cultural experience, Mandjoogoordap Dreaming shares stories, bushcraft knowledge, and their traditional ceremonies across a range of tours.

Book your clients at Seashells, Mandurah’s premier accommodation offering. White-sandy beaches and waterfront dining make this a firm favourite.

#2: Swan Valley & Perth Hills

While close to Perth, the Swan Valley and Perth Hills can feel like a wondrous world away. It’s impossible not to relax when nature, culture, history, and award-winning wineries await!

In the Swan Valley, Dale Tilbrook Experiences offers cultural experiences to connect to Wadjuk country. Experience bush tucker tasting, listen to the ancient stories of the region, and create treasured memories to take home in dot painting workshops.

Fun for all, Caversham Wildlife Park gets your clients close to Australia’s most fascinating wildlife. The daily shows and interactive experiences are particularly popular.

Wine and the Swan Valley are as synonymous as Perth and sunshine; it’s Western Australia’s oldest wine region, after all. With 40 world-class wineries to choose from, Swan Valley Wine Cruises takes the guesswork out of where to go, offering a relaxed winery introduction by boat.

The 180-year-old wines of Sandalford are also worth a visit. Mandoon Estate caters to every kind of palate, with both a vineyard and brewery.

For an immersive introduction to the Perth Hills, explore on foot with the Hike Collective. The architectural blends of Guildford, the charming townships of Kalamunda and Serpentine, and the tree-lined village of Mundaring make for fab itinerary inclusions, too.

For luxurious stays, consider the unspoiled bushland at Novotel Swan Valley Vines Resort, and the gorgeous Swan Valley Retreat.

#3: South West Nature & Wine Drive

Stand amongst towering forests, feel the freedom and sample premium local produce along the spectacular South West Nature & Wine Drive.

Include a stop in vibrant Bunbury to walk the 40 large-scale murals dotted throughout the Bunbury Arts Trail. A swim with wild dolphins or eco-cruise with Bunbury’s Dolphin Discovery Centre is not to be missed either.

No trip to the dreamlike South West is complete without walking the Busselton Jetty. There’s also the remarkable Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory Tour.

Dunsborough’s Koomal Dreaming Cape Cultural Experiences is recommended for native food tasting, bush medicine insights, and their exceptional Ngligi Cave tour. Other caves in the region include Lake Cave, Jewel Cave, and the fossil-rich Mammoth Cave.

The Margaret River Region dazzles thanks to its world-famous produce and award-winning wines. Whether it’s dining at top-notch wineries, sampling artisanal goods or taking a bottle home to enjoy, tastebuds are satiated.

Choosing to visit one of the Margaret River Region’s wineries is easy; choosing which of the 200+ to stop at, less so. Leeuwin Estate is one of the area’s founding wineries, Vasse Felix pairs dining with art, and Fraser Gallop Estate offers sweeping valley views.

Alternatively, learn about Windows Estate’s wine-making process or take one of Voyager Estate’s organic wines home to enjoy with your nearest and dearest.

For adventure lovers, Cape To Cape Explorer Tours has inclusive eco-tourism guided hikes between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste, showcasing the region’s spectacular coastal scenery. Encourage nature enthusiasts to time their visit with orca season (January to April) or whale season (May to December). They won’t regret it.

For premier 5-star accommodation offerings for inclusion, choose Smiths Beach Resort or Pullman Bunker Bay Resort in the Margaret River Region.

In Pemberton, enjoy fresh and locally-sourced marron, climb the iconic Gloucester Tree, or join an eco-adventure with Pemberton Discovery Tours. They even have glamping! Alternatively, RAC Karri Valley Resort is a tranquil property on the edge of Lake Beedelup.

A visit to Truffle Hill in Manjimup for their winter truffle hunt will leave a lasting impression. Truffle season is from June to September.

Win a Western Australian road trip adventure

Discover more about how your clients can drive the dream by completing the new West Aussie All Stars ‘Road Trips’ module. If you complete the module by 30 November 2023, you’ll be in with a chance to win a spectacular 8-day Western Australian Road trip for you and a friend valued at over $8,000! T&Cs apply.

Register here or log back in here to continue your training.

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