If you’re planning on visiting the West Coast of our beautiful country, but unsure what to see and the best way to see it, I’ve put together this post to help you plan your Perth road trip. If you’ve been to Perth and have a few tips for travellers, share them in the comments below.

Hire a car

It’s easiest to arrange a hire car pick-up at the airport as it will save you fussing around with a taxi. Having your own car also gives you the freedom to come and go as you please and spend more time seeing the area. The drive from the airport to Perth city is around 15 minutes. Check out DriveNow for car hire in Perth as they compare rates from a range of different hire companies like Budget, Hertz and Europcar.

Find a base 

The best place to base yourself is in Perth city as everything you want to see and do is only a short drive away. If you’re looking for a luxurious holiday stay, check out COMO The Treasury. If you’re after a mid-range option, QT Perth and Best Western Premier The Terrace Hotel are good options. For a stay with more space and your own kitchen, check out Adina Apartment Hotel. 

See the city 

Start off with a drive through beautiful Kings Park, stopping to take in the views of Perth city and the river. There are two cafes in the area which are the perfect spot to grab a coffee, Zamia Cafe and Botanical Cafe. Next, visit the beautiful Barrack Square and Barrack Street Jetty, a beautiful spot for coffee and food. Be sure to stop in at the unique Swan Bells, a modern bell tower housing the twelve bells of Saint Martin-in-the-fields, then head to the foreshore of the Swan River where you can take in more amazing city views and have a delicious dinner at restaurants like Zafferno and The Boatshed Restaurant.

Get coastal 

Departing from Perth city, head to the port city of Fremantle. Drive through the port, past the heritage ‘sheds’ that once supported the passenger terminal then head straight for the cappuccino Strip. Yep, that’s really a thing, not just some magical place I’ve made up. Stop for a coffee and walk around the shops and restaurants and take in the weekend markets then continue on to the Fishing Boat Harbour and Garden Island.

Leave Fremantle and head south past Woodman Point, the shipyards at Henderson and the industry of Kwinana. This will bring you to Rockingham. Enjoy a scenic drive along the Rockingham Foreshore and stop for a swim and lunch.

Follow the road around the foreshore to Point Peron and climb the lookout for spectacular views of the Indian Ocean and local islands. Continue along the winding road to the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park and take a ferry ride over to Penguin Island. Drive back to Perth past the beautiful waters of Saftey Bay.

Food & wine in the country

The Food and Wine Trail is a 32km scenic loop taking in around 150 attractions, including wineries, breweries, fine restaurants and bustling cafes, distilleries, arts, crafts and markets. There’s also a chocolate factory, lavender farm as well as Whiteman Park, Wildlife Parks, Maze, Supa Golf and loads of fresh food to sample.

It’s easy to spend a day getting lost along the trail, start off with a light breakfast and coffee followed by cheese tasting. Choose your designated driver then head to a winery for wine tasting at the cellar door followed by a delicious lunch.

The trail is 25 minutes from Perth CBD and well signed, it works together with the Swan Valley Guide and Maps, which you can pick up from the Swan Valley Visitor Centre in Guildford. These will help you plan out your food and wine itinerary for the day.

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