Perth is a driving capital. We love the freedom to be at the wheel when it comes to getting to our next destination, but sometimes it can become a chore, a bit of a yawn fest when driving for long stretches.
To make sure you are kept fully aware from point A to B, we list the top pitstops just outside of Perth to recharge your mental batteries and your stomach, too.
Sometimes, the best and safest way to travel is to travel to points C and D before getting to B.
North
Crystal Cave, Yanchep
Want to make your road trip a bit more mystical? Grab a torch and head down into the sparkly underground and explore Yanchep’s Crystal Cave. Become bejewelled with the limestone cave’s icicles, pillars made from geological processes over thousands of years. Seriously one hidden gem north of Perth that lives up to its name!
Location: Crystal Cave
King Neptune Statue, Two Rocks
Ever met a king? King Neptune Statue is one of Western Australia’s most iconic photo pitstops for its grinning sea god, triton in tow at the former Atlantis Marine Park in Two Rocks. The fun park may be long gone, but the towering Sea King still reigns.
Location: King Neptune Statue
Bindoon Bakehaus
What’s a classic Aussie road trip without the mandatory pitstop to a country bakery? Bindoon Bakehaus is a bakery institution, priding itself on offering something for everyone: pies, rolls, sweets and of course, coffee. But when it comes to pies, they may as well serve the most gourmet pie for the road, with its lamb shank pie with Bindoon Estate red wine a real delight for the drive.
Location: Bindoon Bakehaus
East
Core Cider, Pickering Brook
Life gets sweeter heading inland. Just 45 minutes east from the Perth CBD is Core Cider, a cidery, restaurant and the place to pick your own fruit – seriously. During the summer months, the time is ripe for visitors to harvest their own fruit with early varieties of pears, apples and plums ready for the picking.
Location: Core Cider
Tin Horse Highway, Kulin
The outback can be sometimes become a peculiar place to find yourself in, especially when it comes to driving along parts of Lake Grace Road. This part of the outback comes to life and colour with a 15km stretch dubbed ‘Tin Horse Highway’, home to 70 quirky artworks paying homage to the region’s annual Kulin Bush Races. Expect the drive to be a stop-start affair, with many fun photo opportunities to be had along the way to your next destination.
Location: Kulin Lake Grace Road, Kulin
Avon Valley Bakery, Northam
Carbs with coffee – could you think of a more recharging road trip duo? Thankfully, the Avon Valley Bakery in Northam is a pro with delivering just that with lip-smacking pies, cakes, sweets and coffee all on offer.
Take it away and make it a memorable pitstop with a visit to the Northam Silo Art, forming part of Australia’s largest open-air gallery, the PUBLIC Silo Art Trail. Eat your baked treat as you eye off the larger-than-life cartoonish abstract artworks by acclaimed international artists soaring across eight 38m high silos. An extraordinary sight to behold for a simple pitstop eat.
Location: Avon Valley Bakery
Location: Northam Silo Art
South
Shelter Brewing Co., Busselton
Mix a touristic pitstop with a lunchtime eat at Shelter Brewing Co., Busselton’s new coastal darling. The impressive restaurant brewery sits opposite Busselton’s long-time icon (keyword long) Busselton Jetty. So, stretch the legs, walk the jetty then treat yourself to a slice of the good life: the brewery’s woodfired pizza.
Location: Shelter Brewing Co.
Apple Fun Park, Donnybrook
Make your road trip a bit more playful – and fruitful too. Donnybrook is home to Apple Fun Park, Australia’s largest free public playground with equipment to amuse both young and old. Kids can unleash their energy on swings, giant slides, rock climbing zones, rope bridges while adults can have an impromptu workout session at the gym circuit.
Location: Apple Fun Park, Donnybrook
Pinjarra Bakery
To sample some of the best handmade pies in the south, head to Pinjarra Bakery. It is one of Australia’s renowned bakeries with being awarded the prestigious honour of serving up the best meat pies in the country. But if the typical meat pie doesn’t do it for you, be adventurous with your selection.
You can tell the chef is allowed to go crazy in the kitchen (but in a very good way!) with the store’s previous creative pie concoctions on offer – Texan beef and chorizo, fish and chip, vegetarian Thai green curry to name a few.
Location: Pinjarra Bakery
The Crooked Carrot
This might be the worst kept secret when it comes to pitstops, however, this wouldn’t be a pitstop article featuring The Crooked Carrot.
Feeling like a bite? Well at The Crooked Carrot they are serving up gourmet pies, salads, rolls and sandwiches, plus an array of dishes that’ll feed the beast.
The best part though? for those travelling with kids there is a MASSIVE playground which will ensure your kids run and climb off all that extra energy they have.
Location: The Crooked Carrot
Further WA travel reads:
- WA Travel Guide: Where Will You Go Next?
- Bunbury Uncovered: The City’s Hidden Gems
- Your A+ Getaway Cheat Sheet To Albany
- 6 Things That Make Exmouth Epic Besides Whale Sharks
- 11 Margaret River Secrets No One Wants To Tell You About11 Wonders Of WA You Must Experience
- Top WA Glamping Spots To Make Your Wilderness Stay Extra Luxe
