Budget escapes near Perth

Western Australia is an adventurer's playground; wide-open landscapes meet vast, beautiful beaches and dense forests. If you’re looking for an escape that’ll keep both your wallet and your crew happy, then you’ve hit the jackpot. Below we share a couple of our favourite budget-friendly getaways near Perth.

GO NUTS FOR NATURE IN DWELLINGUP

Western Australia might be big, but you don’t always need to drive all day to reach a holiday haven. Just a two-hour drive from Perth lies the town of Dwellingup, a small town with a lot to offer. Pitch a tent at Lane Poole Reserve or another of the town’s collection of campsites perched along the river. Enveloped by 50,000 acres of forest, there are activities for every type of adventure nut here. The best bit? They’re all pretty much free. Think mountain biking, 4WDing, bush walking, fishing, and kayaking.

PITCH A TENT ON ROTTO

Rottnest Island, perched in Perth’s backyard, makes for a great day trip – after all, it’s only a 90-minute ferry from the city. But did you know that you can actually stay on the island for a reasonable price? Pick one of Rotto’s two campgrounds and you’ve got yourself a ‘room’ with an ocean view. With endless bays and beaches and watersports galore, Rotto makes the perfect getaway for the whole crew.

PACK YOUR RODS FOR GUILDERTON

A small town, known for its big family appeal. Pack your family for an adventure in Guilderton (also known as the Moore River), just a one-hour drive from Perth. Activities here centre around the water; head to the Moore River sand bar for a swim, paddle along the river or get your family fishing at the collection of child-friendly river and beach fishing spots. For those who can’t resist some 4WD fun, take the off-road route from Perth to Guilderton via the beach at Wilbinga.

GO OFF-ROADING IN RURAL WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Looking for a getaway with your mates? Pack up your 4WD and hit the road for just over an hour to reach the rural town of Waroona. Here, you can set up camp at Lake Navarino Holiday Park (Waroona Dam). The lake is well-known for its skiing and watersports during the summer, but you’ll also have an array of epic 4WD tracks on your doorstep. Simply make your way around the dam and enjoy the bumpy ride!