Perth is a great place to live, but sometimes we all need a break from city life. Luckily there are many great possibilities for weekend getaways from Perth. Below you will find some of the best locations for a 2 day escape, whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, romance, or a little of each.
Table of Contents
Weekend Getaways from Perth – 10 Amazing Destinations For Your Next Weekend Escape
Escape to Rottnest Island on a weekend getaway from Perth
Wave Rock and Hyden
Highlights: Wave Rock, Hippo’s Yawn, Aboriginal Rock Art in Mulka’s Cave, Wildlife Park
Distance: 330km from Perth (3hr 45min by car).
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Wave Rock is spring as you will see the wildflowers in full bloom. However you can visit year round with mostly mild weather and a low number of rainy days in winter.
►See our Perth to Wave Rock road trip guide to plan your perfect weekend getaway.
Why Wave Rock and Hyden make an amazing weekend getaway from Perth:
Wave Rock is one of the quintessential icons of Western Australia. It’s a great place to have a weekend getaway from Perth, whilst also getting to see a classic Western Australian landmark.
Wave Rock is a spectacular sight and photos don’t really do justice to the feeling of walking beneath this huge structure. The sunrise hours light up the face of the wave with beautiful golden light. This provides a vision that is not soon forgotten.
See the fascinating aboriginal hand prints and artwork inside Mulka’s Cave
In this area you will find a number of other interesting attractions. First is a pioneer museum with a large collection of machines and household items from the days of settlement.
There is also a small wildlife park with an impressive collection of native animals, a lace museum and a miniature soldiers museum. These are in the same building as Wave Rock Café. All of these attractions can be bought together on one discounted ticket for $20.
In town you will find a small art installation with figures constructed out of scrap metal. Commissioned to celebrate aspects of Hyden’s history and community. There are several accommodation options depending on whether you want to stay in town or close to the wave. See below for details of our top picks.
Pioneer Town, Hyden
Accommodation at Wave Rock/Hyden
Wave Rock Resort/Caravan Park – If you want to stay right where the action is then this is the place. The resort offers self-contained lakeside cabins within the Wave Rock area. On the same site you can also book a caravan park/camping which is walking distance from Wave Rock.
Wave Rock Country Cottage – This self-contained accommodation features three bedrooms and a well-appointed kitchen, making it perfect for a family or a romantic getaway. It is furnished to a high standard and features beautiful hardwood floors.
There is also an Australian themed bungalow and a campsite available to book, see website for further details.
Recommended tours of Wave Rock/Hyden
2-Day Wave Rock, York, Wildflowers & Aboriginal Experience – Wave Rock is a fairly long drive from Perth, cut out the hassle with this perfect 2 day trip. You’ll see all the highlights, with hotel pickup, meals and accommodation included.
Busselton and Dunsborough
Busselton Jetty on a calm morning
Highlights: Ngilgi Cave, Busselton Jetty and Underwater Observatory, Stunning Beaches, Beautiful Wineries
Distance: From Perth it is 222km (2hr 25min by car) to Busselton. It’s an additional 24km to reach Dunsborough.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Dunsborough/Busselton is summer as this region is home to some of the best beaches in WA. It can get cold down in this region and there are quite a few rainy days during winter and spring. The bumper period at either end of summer can still have some really nice weather however, so keep an eye on the forecast.
►See our Perth to Busselton road trip guide to plan your perfect weekend getaway.
Why you should plan a weekend getaway to Busselton and Dunsborough:
Western Australians are blessed to have so many beautiful and laid-back towns only a short drive from the capital. Busselton and Dunsborough are perfectly located for weekend getaways from Perth and have so much to see and do.
You’ll have no problem filling your days with great sights and activities if that’s what you wish. For relaxation and indulgence, you’ll find exactly what you need at the surrounding beaches and wineries.
The two towns are close together so you can stay in either and still take in all the surrounding sights.
Exploring the amazing Ngilgi Cave
Busselton
The main attraction in Busselton is the 1.8km long jetty that stretches out into the beautiful clear waters of the Indian Ocean. You can see fish swimming to either side and perhaps even spot a dolphin. Given the length you might want to jump aboard the solar-powered train that runs the length of the jetty.
At the end you will find a unique underwater observatory, being one of only a small handful in the world. Diving trips around the jetty can also be booked with one of the operators in town. There is a surprising amount of sea life to see around the pylons of the jetty.
The beach is quite beautiful and you could easily spend half a day here. There are many seafront kiosks, bars and restaurants along the promenade. Within the town you might visit the cultural centre, with a museum and an old gaol/courthouse. Whale watching tours operate from September to December. Other sailing tours are available through the summer months.
You can also base yourself in Busselton whilst still enjoying the fantastic wine region to the south. See the recommended tours at the end of this section.
Plenty of colourful sea life under the jetty
Dunsborough
The small town of Dunsborough is the gateway to the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. The rugged and beautiful coastline that surrounds the peninsula is full of both tranquil bays and dramatic cliffs.
Here you can find the perfect beach to hide away on and spend your weekend away from Perth in pure relaxation. Bunker Bay is the most northern on the sheltered side of the peninsula and features a fantastic beachside bar/restaurant. Eagle Bay beach is long and easy to find your own nice open spot on the sand. My favourites however are the smaller bays of Meelup Beach and Castle Rock beach, further to the south.
Heading down the road towards Eagle Bay, you will find Eagle Bay Brewing and Wise Wine. They both feature fantastic grounds with stunning ocean views, delicious food and locally produced craft beer and/or wine. Having lunch at one of these spots will be a highlight of your weekend getaway from Perth.
Sugarloaf Rock
A drive to the end of the peninsula takes you to a quaint little lighthouse guarding the rocky shore. There is also a balcony offering views over the ocean. You can sometimes see whales during the migratory season.
On the way back to town you can visit Sugarloaf Rock. The lookout here has great views of the huge rock and the nearby bay. Keep an eye out for dolphins which can often be spotted frolicking in the bay.
Heading a short distance to the south-west of town you’ll find Ngilgi Cave. This fun caving experience is well developed with lighting and a walking platform. Descend deep underground, down ladders and tunnels and through huge caverns. You can view amazing and ancient mineral formations all along the way.
Don’t miss Meelup Beach!
Accommodation in Busselton and Dunsborough
Pullman Bunker Bay Resort Margaret River – Totally confusing name as this is definitely in Dunsborough! Located right on Bunker Bay, they’ve combined the most beautiful beach with the most beautiful accommodation. This is an amazing place for a romantic getaway from Perth.
Fairlawn Estate – If you prefer to stay in Busselton then this is a really classy option. It’s a little outside the main town but you get beautiful décor and gardens to relax in after all the sightseeing.
We usually prefer to stay in Dunsborough due to the laid back vibes and great beaches. Busselton has several great beachside caravan parks for those with kids and tents/caravans.
Recommended tours in Busselton and Dunsborough
Busselton Whale Watching Eco Tour – During whale season from June to early December, seeing these majestic giants is a must-do activity.
Margaret River Wine and Sights Discovery Tour from Busselton or Dunsborough – You can still enjoy the amazing Margaret River wine region while reducing your drive time with a base in Busselton or Dunsborough.
Full Day Winery and Brewery Tour in a Classic Silver Spirit Rolls Royce – This is the perfect idea for a romantic getaway from Perth. You’re only here for a weekend so treat yourself!
Lancelin and The Pinnacles
The huge sand dunes of Lancelin
Highlights: The otherworldly landscape of the Pinnacles, quad-biking and sand-boarding massive dunes, beach-side beer gardens
Distance: From Perth to Lancelin the distance is 126km which takes 1hr 25min to reach by car. It’s an additional 77km to reach The Pinnacles.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Lancelin and the Pinnacles is early and late summer and the bumper period at either end. The dunes can get really hot in the middle of summer but you can still have a great trip if you keep to the early or late hours.
The Pinnacles can be visited at any time as you can drive around the desert in your car, as long as it isn’t pouring rain you’ll have a good time!
►Thinking of planning a road trip? Lancelin and the Pinnacles are included in our epic 10-day Perth to Exmouth road trip itinerary.
Why Lancelin and the Pinnacles make the perfect weekend getaway from Perth:
Lancelin is the perfect town to base yourself for a trip to the Pinnacles. While Cervantes is closer and advertised as the gateway to the Pinnacles, we found that Lancelin has a lot more to offer.
The main highlight of a trip to Lancelin are the huge sand dunes right at the edge of town. Photos can’t capture how amazing it is to stand at the edge of the high dunes looking down the steep unbroken slope. Of course they also don’t capture how much fun it is to jump, slide and tumble down said slope!
A section of the Pinnacles Desert
A hire company near the entrance rents out sandboards, motorbikes and buggies to explore the dunes. You can also rent boards at some other places in town and then drive yourself right up to the dune. Check out the recommended tours for the easiest way to organise an adventure on the dunes.
The town also features some beautiful coastline with opportunities for surfing and windsurfing. Another highlight is one of W.A’s best beer gardens. Part of the Endeavour Tavern, this garden sits right on the ocean front with perfect sunset views. There is another beautiful beer garden at the Dunes Restaurant, part of the Lancelin Beach Hotel.
A half-day trip from Lancelin will take you around the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park. This strange landscape is so unique and interesting. You can drive around a marked track with a 2WD vehicle, with many places to pull over and explore on foot.
Entrance to the Pinnacles by the standard national park entry fees. This would be covered by a W.A. Parks Pass, which we highly recommend getting if you are travelling a lot in W.A.