Travelling around WA by car is one of the best ways to see, learn and experience more about our backyard. 

A local road trip is perfect for long weekends, school holidays or extended time away – and there’s an endless list of locations to experience across our home state.

Keep in mind if you’re an RAC member you can also save on fuel and accommodation as you make your way around WA, plus when you’re back home you can pick up some sweet savings on gas thanks to our local partnership.

Need some inspiration for exploring more of our backyard? We’ve picked three WA destinations worth exploring based on the time you have available: a day, a weekend or a week-long getaway.

Day trip: Yanchep National Park, 50km north of Perth (45-minute drive)

Yanchep National Park is one of those places you’ve probably heard about, but mightn’t have visited just yet. Once you do, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how much is on offer.

The park is just 50kms (or 45 minutes) north of Perth and an ideal day trip destination for picnics, family events, limestone cave exploration, trail walking and spotting plenty of wildlife in a natural-grassed setting.  

Good rainfall fills the freshwater lake – known as Loch McNess or Wagardu Lark – and row boats or kayaks are available.

While you’re relaxing in the sun, try your hand at the range of activities on offer – some of which require bookings but others easily enjoyed by all ages.

Things to see and do in Yanchep National Park

Get moving in nature

Relax into a 45-minute yoga session with a difference for Cabaret Cave Yoga by The Hike Collective – set in the stunning underground limestone surrounds of Cabaret Cave – followed by a refreshing juice and 2km trail walk.

Alternatively, try and get a sneak peek of the Cabaret Cave, a popular party venue in the 1930s, before  joining a guided tour of Crystal Cave and Yonderup Cave to  learn about the 400 other caves found within the Yanchep National Park.

Yanchep offers nine walking trails, ranging from 500m to 42km long, each mapped and catering to all ages and fitness levels. TrailsWA is the best source of local trail information.

Make sure you also spot some koalas  snoozing along a 240m walkway of eucalypt trees, or western grey kangaroos just lazing, hopping or nibbling on lawns.

Brush up on local Indigenous culture

On Sundays and public holidays, join the Aboriginal Experience culture learning tour to learn more about Noongar culture and the stories handed down over generations.

You’ll also discover details on local bush tucker, tools and crafts, language and connection to land.

Stay entertained with friends and family

There’s also a nine-hole natural golf course, birdwatching, treetops ropes adventure for kids and helicopter rides – or simply bring your own food and drinks for the public barbecues or try the onsite restaurant. If you’re keen to stay overnight, try the Yanchep Inn or camp at Henry White Oval.

More more information on what you can see and do, visit the Yanchep National Park Visitor Centre.

Local’s tip: Remember RAC members save 50% on digital national park passes.

Long weekend: Collie River Valley, 200km south of Perth (two-hour drive)

Collie and the surrounding countryside is a bit of a hidden gem, often passed by road-trippers travelling further south, but the Collie River Valley has plenty on offer.

If you’re in need of a day trip away, it’s a convenient two-hour drive south-east via the Forrest Highway or the South West Highway for a more scenic journey.

Things to see and do in the Collie River Valley

See the mural

A recent addition to Collie’s visitor highlights includes Guido van Helten’s 8,000 square metre mega-mural on the Wellington Dam wall.

This incredible artwork is part of the Collie Mural Trail and connects Wellington Dam with the Collie Town Centre. Each of the 40 murals along the trail illustrates a story of the heritage, people and places in the Collie River Valley.

Get off the beaten track

If you love mountain biking and walking trails, Collie is a great place to set up for a day or more.

Enjoy the Wellington National Park, Bibbulmun Track, Munda Biddi Trail, and various other tracks, trails and picnic sites.

In warm weather Stockton Lake and various other local lakes offer great camping sites and water sport fun. Check each lake for amenities and safety information as you go.

If you want to camp in and around Collie, check online or via the Visitor Centre for more details or refer to Explore Parks WA for bookings and accessibility.

Get up to speed on local Aborignal culture

So much of WA’s beauty is influenced by Indigenous culture, and Joe Northover is a local Noongar man who grew up in the Collie River Region.

Learn about Joe and Minningup Pool, a popular location for picnics and a place that holds cultural significance for the Noongar community.

Local’s tip: Explore the Collie River Valley and stay locally or, if you’re based in or around Busselton, consider staying at the RAC Busselton Holiday Park – just over one hour from Collie. 

Week-long getaway: Geraldton and the Chapman Valley, 480km north of Perth (five-hour drive)

If you fancy heading into WA’s Mid West, Geraldton is a great place to base yourself while you explore city and surrounding area – including Chapman Valley.

The Shire of Chapman Valley is a great region to explore all year round, stretching across the coast north of Geraldton and eastwards into grain and livestock farming areas, where visitors have access to a variety of natural and cultural attractions.

Things to see and do in and around Geraldton and the Chapman Valley

Hit the coast

Beaches and rivers are popular for a variety of water sports including swimming, surfing, snorkeling, windsurfing, fishing and camping.

While not technically part of Chapman Valley, the Houtman Abrolhos lies 60km west of Geraldton and boasts 122 islands popular for fishing, bird watching, snorkeling and diving.  Get there by scenic flight if you want to treat yourself. 

Inland attractions include the 50 million year old Moresby Ranges, which can be seen from Geraldton or admired close up from the Mills Lookout within Chapman Valley.

Cover the land

Travel about 100km inland and you’ll reach Mullewa, a small regional town well known among wildflower enthusiasts. Each spring – between August and mid to late September – you’ll discover everlastings, wreath flowers and other wildflowers in bloom, attracting thousands of visitors to the region.

Many of Chapman Valley’s iconic attractions can be explored on day trips but, if you prefer camping or point-to-point road trips, locate a camping spot near Geraldton. Alternatively you can look to camp on farming properties as you go through HipCamp.

Be a culture vulture

The Mid West is also home to unique architecture inspired by Monsignor Hawes, who lived and travelled through this area as a priest and architect between 1915 and 1939.

His work includes a number of religious and non-religious structures found within Geraldton and across the Mid West and Wheatbelt.

The Mid West region is also home to the Yamatji people. Learn more about the local Indigenous people, culture, art, history and language by visiting the Yamaji Art Centre in Geraldton.

Local’s tip: If you are heading further north or need to stop along the way to Geraldton, RAC’s Parks and Resorts offer camping and self-contained accommodation in Cervantes, Monkey Mia and other locations across WA.

A road trip reminder

Packed and ready to hit the road for that barbecue lunch? Great! Don’t forget to check if you need to pick up some Kleenheat Kwik-Gas on the way.

If you’ve already got your gas sorted, make sure you know how much gas is left in that cylinder.

Need some recipes for the road? Browse our Kleenheat Kitchen for inspiration or try these four recipes for easy camping cooking.

Did you know RAC members save big with Kleenheat?

Before you hit the road, check out RAC’s travel advice and tips and learn about a heap of other RAC Member Benefits, including how to save on your Kleenheat natural gas bills as well as accommodation, attractions and travel discounts to help you hit the road.