The gateway to the great southern lands of Western Australia, Perth/Boorloo makes for the perfect home base to explore the surrounding towns and cities of this sun-swept state. Western Australia is the country’s largest state in land size, which means it has ample ground for exploration with your family. Pick up your Dollar rental car from a branch in Perth and follow this guide to discover some of the jewels in Western Australia’s crown. 

Only an hour and a half’s drive east of Perth sits the small village of York, the land of the Ballardong Noongar people. A journey through York is like a journey back in time, with many of the heritage buildings and historic monuments maintained from when they were built in early settlement. Visit the York Courthouse and Gaol and discover a history that dates all the way back to the mid 19th century. Kids will love exploring these old buildings and reenacting what it was like for prisoners who once lived between the stone walls. As part of the iconography of the town is the sweeping plains of canola fields that line the hillsides. These bursts of bright yellow make for the perfect holiday picture as you marvel at the wide expanses of golden streaming out to the horizon. For when you and the little ones get hungry, make sure to check out the Castle Hotel in the heart of town. This heritage pub is the oldest existing inland hotel in Western Australia and serves up quaint old-world charm alongside a menu of hearty pub classics. 

For an unrivalled experience of the stunning western coast of Australia, head down to the coastal town of Dunsborough/Quedjinup, about three hours’ drive south of Perth. This beachside town delivers sand-swept beaches that invite you to sit back and watch the tide roll in as you soak up the glorious golden light of the Australian sun. The town itself is full of a range of family-friendly experiences that are sure to delight both adults and children alike. Check out the Country Life Farm and get up close and personal with some furry friends on this idyllic country estate. The farm is home to all kinds of creatures, including rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, and even a cow or two. Venture out of town to the nearby Cape Naturaliste and discover the quaint lighthouse nestled into the coastline. An easy climb to the top serves up panoramic views that stretch out over the Indian Ocean as far as the eye can see. Back in Dunsborough, Clancy’s Fish Pub is the perfect place to settle down for a hearty pub meal in their outdoor beer garden. 

Indulge in an escape into nature’s playground with a road trip to the bush-ladden and sea-lined town of Yanchep. Only an hour’s drive north of Perth, this slice of paradise offers an experience of Western Australia that you’ll remember forever. Explore the best of what Yanchep has to offer with a wander through Yanchep National Park and observe the native flora and fauna as the bush reaches up around you. The walking trails make it easy for both adults and children to traverse the wilderness, leading you into the deep of the forest and toward rest areas that make for the perfect picnic spot. Yanchep is also home to the Crystal Cave, a geological formation that is known as the ‘jewelled city’. Take a guided tour through the cave to uncover all the hidden secrets of this magical environment. For the ideal end to your trip to Yanchep, head to the Yanchep Lagoon Beach and embrace the ocean’s endless blue washing over the porcelain white sands as you relax in this pocket of paradise. 

Further down Western Australia’s coastline, about a three hours’ drive south of Perth, you’ll discover the magic of the town of Yallingup. This coastal village boasts quiet beaches and crystal clear waters that twinkle in the sunshine, but the unique underground world of this place is what will have you wanting to stay for more. In the traditional language of Noongar, Yallingup’s name translates to ‘place of holes’, and you can find out why with a journey to the Ngilgi Cave. This hidden gem houses a stunning array of rock formations with interactive installations that take you through the above-ground Ancient Lands Experience into the heart of the cave and its stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and beautifully coloured shawls. When you want to stretch back on the sand, head down to Yallingup Beach or Smiths Beach for a taste of coastal heaven. 

From quaint country towns to beachside escapes, venturing beyond Perth in your Dollar rental car is the perfect way to discover a world of beauty and awe with the entire family.