Perth is the biggest city in Western Australia, which boasts some of Australia’s most beautiful places. And although its vastness and remoteness make it challenging to travel the area around Perth without a car, it’s not impossible. You can still experience the beauty and uniqueness of Western Australia without a car on day trips from Perth using either public transportation or organized tours.
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Do You Need to Rent a Car from Perth to Explore Western Australia?
Renting a car is ideal, as many remote places in Western Australia can only be accessed by car. But with organized tours and public transportation, you can still get a taste of Western Australia’s beauty without a car.
Whether you find driving on the left side of the road daunting (I feel you) or just have a preference for public transportation, renting a car from Perth isn’t necessary!
Getting Around Perth Without a Car
Perth has great public transportation, so no need for a car! With trains, buses and even ferries, you’ll manage to get around with ease.
A Transperth SmartRider card, available at the airport, is the most convenient way to travel Perth by public transportation. Otherwise, you can pay by cash, or by card if you’re buying at a train station.
How Long Should You Stay in Perth?
To fully explore Western Australia without a car, it’s best to base yourself in Perth for an extended period. There are numerous tour options from Perth that allow you to access Western Australia’s key attractions without a car.
If plan to visit all the places I recommend in this post, I’d recommend adding at least another week to your trip. And I would recommend doing as many as possible, as each destination offers a unique experience!
Best Day Trip from Perth Without a Car
Rottnest Island
Why Visit Rottnest Island:
Besides the most stunning white sand beaches, gorgeous reefs and bays and marine life such as seals, the main reason to visit are the quokkas. A quokka, if you’ve never heard of them, is a small marsupial native to Rottnest Island that has lived without predators. As a result, they’re very friendly and there’s a social media trend to get a selfie with one! Another highlight of Rottnest Island is renting a bicycle and cycling around the island. It’s the best way to explore the island, but make sure you hire one online in advance because they often run out. Alternatively, you can book a bus tour around the island. I’d say this is the best wildlife/nature day from Perth without a car!
How to Visit Rottnest Island Without a Car:
You’ll have to go by ferry, either from Hillarys Boat Harbour, Fremantle Harbour or Perth CBD. I’d recommend this ferry from Fremantle as it’s the shortest and fastest way to get to Rottnest and includes bike hire. Alternatively, if you’d like to leave directly from Perth CBD and take a longer cruise along the Swan River, choose this ferry. The ferries to Rottnest may seem pricey, but they include admission fees to maintain the island—and its beauty is well worth the price!
Where to Stay: Either extend your day trip with a luxurious beachfront stay at Samphire Rottnest or return to your accommodation in Perth or Fremantle.
Penguin Island
Why Visit Penguin Island:
For the penguins, of course! Not just any penguins either, but the world’s smallest (so arguably the cutest): the little penguin or fairy penguin. While you likely won’t see wild penguins (they’re very shy and also fish during the day), you can see rehabilitated ones at the Discovery Centre. Penguin Island is much smaller than Rottnest Island, so while you need a bike to explore the latter, you can walk around Penguin Island in about an hour or so. It’s a beautiful island for a stroll, with stunning rustic beaches, interesting historical sitesand lots of seabirds nesting there. The ferry to Penguin Island is a shorter and cheaper one than to Rottnest, so it’s a better option if you only have half a day to spare.
How to Visit Penguin Island Without a Car:
You’ll have to take a bus or train from Perth to Rockingham, a suburb just over half hour away from Perth CBD. From there, you’ll take a short ferry ride to the island. Be cautious of the sandbar that occasionally forms, as it’s not safe to walk due to strong rips and currents. Multiple deaths occurred to those trying to walk to Penguin Island, so it’s not advised to try.
Note: Penguin Island is closed June-October for mating season as well as on days over 35 degrees Celsius to protect the penguins.
Fremantle
Why Visit Fremantle:
Technically part of Perth’s metropolitan area, Fremantle is the closest and easiest day trip from Perth without a car. Known for its historic buildings, you can explore landmarks like Freemantle Prison to learn about Australia’s convict history (highly recommended) or the Fremantle Arts Centre for some culture.
I’d recommend visiting Fremantle on the weekend, when the Fremantle Market is open. It’s offers extensive shopping options in an impressive, historic building. Afterward, relax with a beer at Little Creatures Brewery, located on the harbor. And of course, this wouldn’t be a Voyage Scribe post without a bit of literary travel: visit Elizabeth’s Secondhand Bookshop to pick up a new (or old) book. I’d recommend their “blind date with a book” selection.
How to Visit Fremantle Without a Car:
Fremantle is just a 30-minute train ride or hour-long bus ride from Perth CBD. Alternatively, you can book a scenic cruise on the Swan River from Perth to Fremantle. A good option may be to book a one-way cruise and take the train back.
Where to Stay:
For a unique stay, book a dorm or private room at the Fremantle Prison! Don’t worry, you can freely come and go as you please.
Pinnacles Desert
Why Visit Pinnacles Desert:
The Pinnacles Desert is one of the most unique landscapes in the world, with rock formations rising from the sandy desert ground. The journey there is a treat in itself. On your way, you’ll pass Western Australia’s gorgeous white sand (some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, in my opinion) and the Lancelin Sand Dunes, where you can try sandboarding. And if you can manage to be there at night on a clear day, the star gazing opportunities are just stunning. If you have only one spare day in Perth, I’d say this is the best day trip without a car to for sample Western Australia’s natural beauty.
How to Visit Pinnacles Desert Without a Car:
There’s no public transportation to the Pinnacles Desert, but a tour can take you there. I’d recommend this Pinnacles Desert tour, as it includes sandboarding at Lancelin Sand Dunes, stopping to see the white sand beaches of the West Coast and enjoying a BBQ dinner while you watch sunset at the Pinnacles Desert, followed by some star gazing in the desert.
Mandurah
Why Visit Mandurah:
Mandurah offers a more off-the-beaten-path and local experience. Along the canals of Mandurah lie giant mansions with boat access, and you can take a cruise through these canals, waterways and the Murray River. But the real highlight of this cruise was seeing dolphins and diverse birdlife. After the cruise, explore the local cafes, breweries and shop. I’m told that Mandurah also has a good nightlife.
How to Visit Mandurah Without a Car:
Either train or bus. It’s roughly an hour journey through the southern suburbs of Perth.
Margaret River
Why Visit Margaret River:
Margaret River is a paradise for wine lovers, so a visit to one of its wineries is a must. And beyond the beautiful beaches and surfing Margaret River offers, it also has interesting limestone formations. Mammoth Cave is worth a visit, before or after you sample the local wine.
How to Visit Margaret River Without a Car:
While it’s possible to reach Margaret River by bus, the 5-hour journey each way makes it too long for a day trip. Instead, book a tour to Margaret River from Perth if you want to go just for a day trip and you’re without a car.
Swan Valley
Why Visit Swan Valley:
Swan Valley is an alternative to Margaret River if you want to enjoy wine tasting but don’t have much time. Located just an hour from Perth, tours to this region not only offer wine but lunch and other tasty goodies, like cheese and chocolate.
How to Visit Swan Valley Without a Car:
Take the Midland train line to Guildford Station and visit the Swan Valley Visitor Centre. Unfortunately, there is no public transport from there, so you’d have to rely on taxi or ride-sharing services to get around to the wineries. An easier, more relaxing way to visit is with an organized tour.
Bonus: 7-Day Tour of Western Australia from Perth
If you have the budget, a week to spare and want to do the best of these day trips from Perth without a car and in the most relaxing way, choose this 7-Day tour from Perth!
Not only will you visit the Pinnacles Desert/ Lancelin Sand Dunes, Rottnest Island and Margaret River, but also something I wasn’t able to get to myself: Wave Rock, a huge rock formation that looks like a crashing wave.
With accommodation, some meals, transportation, admission fees, ferry transfers, activities and wine tasting included, this is a great deal and will offer you a relaxing Western Australia adventure without the need of a car.
We want to plan a long return trip to Australia. And we definitely plan to spend some time in Perth. Great to know we can use it as a base and do some awesome day trips from there. I love the variety in the sights we could visit. Definitely a great reason to rent a car!
These look like great day trips; I appreciate that you included how to visit without a car too!