Planning a trip with the family and wondering if to book a tour or strike it out on your own? Why not rent your own car and take a self-drive trip around some of Western Australia’s most gorgeous and family-friendly attractions? Western Australia is one of the best places for a self-drive road trip, and we promise your kids will enjoy being out and about in nature!
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Road trips can be a great way to explore a destination on your own time without having to rush or worry about the time. And with our family-friendly tips and recommendations you’ll find it a breeze to explore the best of Perth and its surrounds in just 6 days!
Day 1: Arriving in Perth
Credit: Malaque Mahdaly
- Arrive at Perth Airport and pick up your rental car from the kiosk. For a family of 4-5 people, consider renting a Midsize SUV as it’s spacious enough to fit both you and your luggage.
- Make sure to pre-reserve your car using Trip.com to make sure that you’ll get a model that’s perfect for your family! Trip.com’s in-built filters allow you to choose how many seats you require, as well as what mileage allowance you’d like for your trip. You can even choose to immediately confirm the rental, which takes the worry out of preparing for your trip!
- P.S. Don’t forget to select a child seat if you’re travelling with children as child seats are compulsory throughout Australia for children up to 4 years of age. Babies up to 6 months are also required to be in a rearward-facing child seat.
Credit: Malaque Mahdaly
- Once you’ve checked into your hotel, spend a leisurely day checking out Perth’s lively café scene and enjoy some sweet treats as you soak in the atmosphere. Road trips can be tiring for both parents and children and it’s good to have a day to rest up before starting the drive.
- If you’re feeling up for it, you can also use your afternoon to explore Kings Park and Botanic Gardens in central Perth. Explore the Lotterywest Family Area that includes the Ivey Watson playground for children up to 6 years, or simply enjoy a day out in the sun at the popular May Drive Parkland picnic area.
Address: Fraser Avenue, Kings Park WA 6005
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily (Park management available from 7am - 6pm daily)
Fees: Free entrance
- Takeaway some dinner from Lord of The Fries to eat in the comfort of your hotel room. This french fries chain is famous for its amazing Halal Snack Packs consisting of fries and doner kebab meat.
- They even open till late on most days so you won’t have to worry about getting your dinner if playtime drags on a little longer than usual!
- #HHWT Tip: Eateries in Australia can close as early as 5pm, so make sure to plan out your meals properly before you start your day! Thankfully most servings are quite generous, so you could make that mid-day meal last till dinner if you’re buying dishes such as kebabs, fries, or fish and chips!
Halal Status: Vegan establishment, with no meat or meat by products served. As this eatery is not halal-certified, we advise you to dine at your own discretion. (Disclaimer: Do note that while there are central governing bodies in Australia that certify products such as meat, they usually do not certify restaurants. We advise you to seek clarification with the staff if you have any questions.)
Address: 110 William St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Opening Hours: 9am – 4am (Mon), 9am – 11pm (Tues), 9am – 12am (Wed – Thu), 9am – 2.30am (Fri), 9am – 3am (Sat), 10am – 11pm (Sun)
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Credit: Trip.com
- Return to your hotel for a good night’s rest - you’ll need it to stay energetic for the drive tomorrow! We recommend the Holiday Inn Perth City Centre as it’s close to the center of town and has amazing amenities!
- Their family room is spacious, and with the in-built partition dividing the beds you can be close to the kids while still giving everyone in their family some personal space and privacy.
Day 2: Enjoying nature in Lancelin and the Pinnacles Desert
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- Start your first full day by driving up to the Lancelin Sand Dunes where you can sandboard down the dunes! The drive up from Perth is fairly short at 1.5 - 2hrs, but if you want to keep the kids from getting restless make sure to bring some books or entertainment to keep them from getting bored.
- Stop by the Lancelin General Store on your way to the dunes to rent a sandboard. Sandboard rentals cost just AUD12.50 for 2.5 hours, so you can spend the morning here without worrying about breaking the bank. Make sure to reserve your boards beforehand especially if you’re visiting during the peak season!
Address: Beacon Rd, Lancelin WA 6044, Australia
Opening Hours: 8am - 7pm daily
Sandboard rental pick-up: 7am - 3pm daily
Fees: Free entrance; Sandboard rental from AUD12.50/2.5hrs
- Stop for a meal at the Lobster Shack located in Cervantes, one of the most popular eateries amongst locals and visitors alike. This family-run business has been around since the 60s, and it’s still going strong!
- The Lobster Shack is just 1 hour’s drive from Lancelin, so make sure to plan your trip wisely to arrive before the kids get too cranky.
- Lobster Shack is famous for its BBQ Lobsters and freshly-caught Natural Oysters. You can even join a factory tour to see how the catch of the day is processed!
Halal Status: Seafood options available, but do remember to request for alcohol not to be used in your meal. Alcoholic beverages are also served on the menu. As this eatery is not halal-certified we advise you to dine at your own discretion.
Address: 37 Catalonia St, Cervantes WA 6511, Australia
Opening Hours: 11am - 3pm daily
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Credit: Malaque Mahdaly
- End your day by driving back down for 30 minutes to witness the breathtaking sight of the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park. Explore the best of mother nature as you witness the dramatic formations of limestone pillars all around.
- Visiting the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre is a great way to get the kids interested too (plus you’ll get some sweet shady relief from the heat!)
- Nambung is also a great stargazing site, so you can visit after the sun sets to witness the beauty of the night sky above!
- #HHWT Tip: As it is a desert and the weather can get very warm, it is important to take necessary precautions to protect yourself. Be sure to wear sunscreen, long sleeves, put a hat on and bring a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated!
Address: Pinnacles Dr, Cervantes WA 6511, Australia
Opening Hours: 9.30am - 4.30pm daily (Discovery Centre)
Fees: Free (National park fees may apply to the Discovery Centre)
Credit: Cervantes Pinnacles Motel
- Stay the night at the Cervantes Pinnacles Motel, which has a Family Suite with 1 double bed and 2 single beds. Remember to use your Trip.com app to book your accommodations with ease!
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- The Family Suite includes a kitchenette area, so you can even cook your own dinner together! Make sure to buy the halal meat while you’re still in Perth – you can visit a Spudshed supermarket outlet to pick up some easy-to-cook vegetables, proteins, or sauces.
Address: 7 Aragon Street, Cervantes East 6511, Western Australia
Contact: +61 1800 653 674 (Reservations only) or email [email protected]
Day 3: Enjoy the scenic Margaret River and sunset at Surfer’s Point Beach
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- Enjoy the bright skies and nature of Perth as you drive down towards Busselton and the Margaret River region. The drive from Cervantes to Busselton is one of the longest on this trip, an average of 4.5 hours. Take it slow, and since you’ll be driving through Perth you can even stop for lunch in the city itself!
- Stop by the iconic Busselton Jetty for a commemorative picture. With a rich history spanning over 150 years, it’s also one of only five underwater observatories in the world, and the longest timber jetty in the Southern hemisphere!
Address: Busselton beachfront (beach end of Queen St), Busselton WA, 6280
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily
Fees: Free
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- Drive 30 minutes to reach the famous Margaret River Chocolate Factory. Here, you can dive headfirst into the delicious world of truffles, bars and cocoa-flavoured treats that are handcrafted to perfection and with love.
- You can also join a tour and check out the process of chocolate making through the viewing windows. Pay attention to the various techniques for dipping and glazing to create different chocolates. You can even try some for free!
Halal Status: Margaret River thoroughly labels all of their products to indicate if they contain gelatin or emulsifiers. Some labels will even specify ‘gelatin from halal beef’ or ‘soy emulsifiers’ so make sure to keep an eye out and ask the friendly staff if you have any clarifications. Some chocolates may contain alcohol so do ask the staff first before you proceed. As the factory products are not halal-certified we advise you to dine at your own discretion.
Address: 415 Harman's Mill Rd, Metricup WA 6280
Opening Hours: 9am - 5pm daily except Christmas Day
Fees: Free entry and free tasting
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- Kappadokia Kebabs & Turkish Bakery is just a 20-minute drive away.
- Tuck into generous servings of kebabs and fries slathered in sauce, pizzas, and crispy fish and chips!
- #HHWT Tip: If you can’t finish your meal, bring it along to snack on when you arrive at Surfers Point beach later. If your accommodation comes equipped with a kitchenette area or fridge, you can even reheat the leftovers the next day or repurpose it into a simple meal!
Halal Status: Halal meat used.
Address: 6/7 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River WA 6285, Australia
Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm (Sun - Thu), 10am - 1am (Fri - Sat)
Credit: Malaque Mahdaly
- End your day admiring the sunset on Surfers Point beach. The crashing waves and soft sand gives your trip an almost dream-like feel, and seeing the sun slowly set across the beautiful sky will be one of the best memories of your trip.
Address: Surfers Point Rd, Prevelly WA 6285, Australia
Credit: Trip.com
- Spend the night at the nearby Margaret River Tourist Park. Despite its name, the hotel offers individual cottages and chalets to guests that come equipped with a kitchenette and TV! The shared spaces of the hotel also include a playground where the kids can play.
- The Two Bedrooms Cottage is perfect for a small family - it comes with a spacious kitchen and dining room area so you can prepare a simple supper or breakfast for the next day.
Address: 44 Station Road, Margaret River, Australia
Contact: +61 (08) 9757 2180 or email [email protected]
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Day 4: Drive to Fremantle for a day of fun
- It’s finally time to explore Western Australia’s iconic Fremantle Market!
- Here’s where you can find everything from fresh produce to locally-made treats to handcrafted decor that make the perfect souvenir.
Credit: @thehoneycake on Instagram
- Of course you can’t visit ‘Freo’ without trying the famous honey cakes from The Honeycake!
- #HHWT Tip: Alcohol-free cakes are only available upon request 3 days in advance (we recommend a week!). Although their cakes are available by the slice, you’ll need to purchase the whole cake as they aren’t able to sell the rest of it. But worry not, it’s a freezable type of cake so you can cut it into smaller pieces and enjoy them later!
- Walk 10 minutes to reach Kailis Fish Market Café. This local favourite sells delicious fish and chips and seafood platters by the harbour!
- The serving sizes here can be quite generous and we recommend sharing the Seafood Platter and Fish and Chips platter to try out the variety of dishes they have to offer!
Halal Status: Seafood options available, cooked separately from non-halal chicken meat and alcohol.
Address: 46 Mews Rd, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm daily
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- Have some downtime relaxing at the Esplanade Park next door.
- Take a ride on the Fremantle Tourist Wheel for a view that will leave you speechless. The sun, sky, and sea - there’s something idyllic and amazing about this quaint little town.
Address: 34 Mews Rd, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Sun – Thu), 10am – 10pm (Fri – Sat), during non-school holiday weekdays closed between 5pm – 6pm
Fees: AUD$12 (Adult), AUD$10 (Child), AUD$40 (Family – 2 adults + 2 children)
Credit: @seraibrahimovic on Instagram
- It’s time to celebrate being back in central Perth with some shopping! Head for the Hay Street Mall located right in the middle of the city. Here’s where you can find everything you need from high-street fashion to independent boutiques to plenty of food and street snacks!
- Even if you’re just window shopping, watching the street performers dance and act all the way down the boulevard will be a great entertainment for the kids.
- For serious bargain-hunters, make sure to check out Watertown Brand Outlet Centre near Hay Street. With over 110 brands including familiar names such as Cotton On, Fila, and Temt you’ll be spoilt for choice at this amazing outlet mall.
Hay Street Mall
Address: Hay Street, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm daily (Individual shops’ timings may differ)
Watertown Brand Outlet Centre
Address: 840 Wellington St, West Perth WA 6005, Australia
Opening Hours: 9am – 5.30pm daily (Mon – Thu), 9am – 9pm (Fri), 9am – 5pm (Sat), 11am – 5pm (Sun)
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Credit: Trip.com
- Check into the Great Southern Hotel Perth for the final 2 nights of your trip. Located in the city centre, this 4-star hotel is comfy, convenient, and affordable!
- Their Family Room comes with 1 Queen and 2 Single beds, and there’s plenty of space so you won’t feel cramped even while sharing a room!
Address: 15 Robinson Avenue, Northbridge WA 6003
Contact: +61 8 9328 0000
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Day 5: Get up close with nature at Cuddly Farm and the Citrus Grove
- Have lunch at Chee Tayeb in downtown Perth, a local Lebanese-owned restaurant!
- Their Kafta Lamb, Chicken Tawouk, and Hummus will fuel you up for the rest of the day.
Halal Status: Muslim-owned. Do note that the eatery serves alcoholic drinks separately. As this eatery is not halal-certified we advise you to dine at your own discretion.
Address: 353 Murray St, Perth WA 6000
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon – Thu), 10am – 10pm (Fri – Sat), 10am – 4.30pm (Sun)
Credit: Malaque Mahdaly
- Drive 35 minutes out of the city centre to reach the Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm.
- Here you can meet farm animals up close, including guinea pigs, rabbits, miniature horses, and ducklings!
- The Farm is open till late-afternoon but we recommend arriving early in the day to catch the feeding session for the lambs, kids, and calves at 10.30am! Don’t worry if you miss it though, as there’s a 2nd session at 3pm.
- Feeding sessions for rabbits, guinea pigs and more are scattered throughout the day, so don’t be shy to ask park staff for more information.
Address: 128 John St, Henley Brook WA 6055, Australia
Opening Hours: 9.30am – 4pm
Fees: AUD$18 (Adults), AUD$13 (Children 2 – 15 years old), Free (Children under 2 years old)
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Credit: Malaque Mahdaly
- From Cuddly Farm, drive another 30 minutes to get to the Golden Grove Citrus Orchard. Fruit picking is one of the best activities to enjoy in Western Australia – not only do you get to enjoy the ‘fruits’ of your labor immediately ? but the kids also learn a valuable lesson about where their food comes from!
- Depending on the season, you might be able to pick Navel Oranges, Seville Oranges, or even Grapefruits!
- Drive back to your hotel to get ready for your flight back the next day.
Address: 1378 Chittering Rd, Lower Chittering WA 6084, Australia
Opening Hours: 9.30am - 4pm
Fees: Call +61 08 9571 8074 for inquiries about picking fees
Day 6: Relax with shopping before your flight
Credit: Malaque Mahdaly
- Squeeze in a quick exploration of the streets or Perth or some last-minute shopping at Kmart and Target before your flight! You definitely can’t miss the chance to get all those bargains before leaving.
- Enjoyed your road trip and want to extend your vacation? Western Australia has so many amazing self-drive routes to choose from you’ll be spoilt for choice!
Western Australia is the perfect destination for the family that wants to take it easy and go at their own pace while spending quality time together. With so many family-friendly activities, Muslim-friendly eateries, and gorgeous sights to behold, you’ll fall in love with WA from the moment you step foot in it! If you’re looking for more resources to plan your trip, check out this Muslim-Friendly guide to Western Australia (in Bahasa Melayu)!