1. Milyeannup National Park

It takes approximately three and a half hours to reach Milyeannup National Park. This is not the most well-known park in Australia, but it is a spectacular hidden gem for those with 4WD. Wedged between Wiltshire Butler National Park, Hilliger National Park, Barlee Brook State Forest, and South East Nannup State Forest, it is home to a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna and offers abundant opportunities to explore the best the region has to offer.

2. D’Entrecasteaux National Park

Of all the national parks located in the southwest corner of Australia, perhaps the most famous is D’Entrecasteaux National Park. It only takes about three and a half hours to reach this jewel along the coast. Stroll along white sandy beaches or venture into the dense green forests that surround them. If you bring a 4WD vehicle with you, you can embark on yet another adventure: a drive through the sand dunes! Just keep in mind that the dunes shift throughout the day, so a compass and a map are a must to keep you from getting lost.

3. Shannon National Park

It takes a little longer to reach Shannon National Park—you need to drive four and a half hours to get there. There is a campground you can stay (it is for the moment out of commission because of a bushfire, but is being renovated right now). At Shannon National Park, you can watch birds, take a trip in a canoe, explore a trail, or take a self-guided tour along the 48km Great Forest Trees Drive. This is an incredible opportunity to see Australia’s old-growth jarrah, marri, and karri forests up close.

4. Helena National Park

If you want to take a shorter drive, Helena National Park is less than an hour and a half away from city centre. This is another wonderful destination for exploring old-growth forests. The only facilities and vehicle access right now are at Mount Dale, the site of an old fire lookout tower. The view on Mount Dale is phenomenal, providing for a pleasant spot for picnicking as well as access to spectacular trails.

Now you have a few destinations to add to your bucket list while you are visiting Perth! Be sure to visit in a 4WD vehicle so that you have full access to each of these magnificent parks!

Perth is an amazing place to vacation, but did you know that a lot of the most exciting destinations in Australia are actually a short drive away?  With your camper, you can trek out in comfort to any of these sites, stay overnight, and really get into the experience without that sense of frantic rush you might feel in a car.

Rottnest Island

Before you head out to any campsites around Western Australia, park your campervan for a day and take a boat to beautiful Rottnest Island.  This island features pristine white beaches, clear, refreshing water, colorful coral reefs, and more than 135 species of fish.  It’s a tranquil haven where you can relax and take in the sun and the waves and really get away from it all.  It’s hard to believe it’s so close to a bustling city like Perth!

York

If you want to visit a town that showcases historical charm, then travel just an hour and a half east of Perth to York in the Avon Valley.  York’s history hearkens back to the early colonial days, which you can see reflected in the Victorian and Federation-style buildings lining picturesque streets.  This is a wonderful place to shop, dine, and simply stroll up and down the lovely avenues.  There are a lot of fun outdoor activities as well which you can do in the surrounding area, including horse riding and balloon rides!

If you are feeling adventourous you can take a drive to the the famous Wave Rock located 2 hours out of York.

Fremantle

This is another great choice if you’re looking for historic appeal.  Fremont is a bustling port town located around twenty minutes southwest of downtown Perth.  Not only is this a great staging point for a day trip to Rottnest Island, but it is also a charming destination in its own right.  Take a guided tour of the city and admire the beauty of colonial architecture dating back to the early 19^th century.  You can also choose a self-guided tour; the Fremantle website has a number of historic walks you can print out and carry with you as you explore the town.

Swan Valley

It’s hard to believe that this countryside with its rolling hills and picturesque vineyards is located only 25 minutes from downtown Perth!  Here you can take a tour of a distillery, sip wine and sample fine cheese, or eat at a gourmet restaurant.  Or, if you wish, you can simply take a drive in your campervan and enjoy the country vistas.  Consider making a weekend break out of it and staying overnight in your campervan for a couple of nights.  When you get back to the city, you’ll feel refreshed and recharged!

Bibbulmun Track Day Walk

Enjoy a good hike?  The Bibbulmun Track spans an impressive 100 kilometers from Albany to Kalamunda.  You don’t actually need to walk that full distance to enjoy the beauty of the trail!  We suggest that you drive an hour and a half south of Perth to Sullivan Rock.  Venture 19 kilometers to the top of Mount Cooke for a view you have to see to believe.  If you’re impressed (and you will be!), you may feel tempted to take in other parts of the trail.  Drive your campervan to other exciting points along the track and you’ll find numerous incredible vistas awaiting you!

Whether you’re traveling to Australia and visiting Perth or you are a Perth resident looking for a weekend getaway, a Perth campervan hire allows you to expand your horizons and get away from it all without getting too far away from the hub of city life.  So check out these five destinations.  You’ll probably discover a lot of unexpected adventures along the way!