5 awesome and affordable day trips to embark on this autumn

Autumn – what a glorious time of the year. The weather is – slowly – cooling down, the festive season madness is over and done with, and there’s some spectacular parts of Western Australia worth exploring.

You may not have a long time to getaway, but that doesn’t mean you can’t express something different less than an hour or two from the CBD.

Check out five easy options below that won’t cost you much more than the tank of fuel to get there:

Explore The Beaches & National Parks Up At Yanchep

You may feel like a tropical holiday, lounging on the beach… But your wallet sure doesn’t feel the same way. Lucky you’re already in a world-class coastal destination, with the particularly stunning Yanchep Lagoon just a short meander north. A long reef extends from the coast, creating a sheltered, shallow lagoon and calm waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling – two of our favourite free activities.

The nearby Yanchep National Park has a modest entry fee, and is home to a stunning collection of walking trails – including a 240m koala boardwalk, from which you can hopefully spot some furry friends in the trees! Bring a picnic and settle in at one of their prime and picturesque spots, or explore one of the many caves – there are over 400 recorded within the park. Learn about Noongar culture in the area at the Wangi Mia Meeting Place, with interactive demonstrations every weekend, or enjoy a round of golf at the stunning 9-hole bush course.

Go Where The River Meets The Sea At Moore River

Sure, Yanchep has a lagoon – but wait ‘til you see Moore River! The town of Guilderton sits on the coast just a little further north of Yanchep, and is where the Moore River Estuary meets the Indian Ocean. It’s not only pretty impressive to look at, but has been a favourite spot for (wallet-friendly) recreation since at least 1905. The beach is, of course, a stunning spot for a dip – but that almost goes without saying!

The river side of things is perfect for kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and the like, while both the river and ocean are popular for casting a line – and there’s nothing more budget-friendly than catching dinner! If you want to really feel the wind in your hair, try sand boarding at “The Desert” on the southern side of the river mouth, or there are some fun stretches of sand for the 4WD.

Conquer WA’s Lake And Mountain Biking Capital, Collie

Just a couple of hours from Perth, Collie is fast becoming a world-class destination for any mountain biking fans. Within the Wellington National Park, Common Ground Trails have designed and constructed an impressive 12km network of trails that will have you experience the landscape in a totally unique way. Home to technical single track, adaptive trails, short flow and jump sections, the free to access trails twist and turn through granite formations, along creeks and amongst old-growth jarrah trees, with something for every rider’s style.

Closer to town, the 9km Wagyl Biddi is named after the rainbow serpent who was said to have created the Collie, Preston and Brunswick Rivers. Starting in Soldiers Park, it has five trails which are suitable for beginner to intermediate levels (and hand bikes) – and connects to the larger Munda Biddi trail that continues all the way to Albany!

Just a few kilometres north of the Collie town centre, the Arklow Trails are worth a visit for their names alone. Pet Cemetery and Dead Cats are two of the most popular, but you can link up trails to customise your ride to suit your style – from technical challenges to scenic routes.

If mountain biking isn’t your thing, Collie is also home to some of our state’s most insta-worthy (and free!) day trip destinations, including the brilliantly blue Black Diamond and Stockton Lakes, plus the tranquil and picturesque Honeymoon and Minninup Pools. There’s something for everyone, from water sport enthusiasts to those happy to just have a float and cool off (perhaps post-ride?).

Enjoy The Ultimate Flower-Filled Picnic At Araluen Botanic Park

The Hills are alive! Not just with music, but with flowers. Araluen Botanic Park is a pretty spectacular destination whatever time of year you visit, but from August the park explodes with colour for the annual tulip festival. With over 150 000 tulips and 36 000 spring flowers, it’s truly an amazing display, especially set amongst the backdrop of the manicured gardens and surrounding bushland.

While late autumn and spring is the most popular time to visit the park, you can also visit earlier in autumn and see the glorious golden hues as the leaves change colour, as well as the vibrant camellias blooming – which is really just as spectacular. Araluen does require a small entry fee, which contributes towards the upkeep of the gardens and park – but you can bring your own picnic and take in the picturesque surroundings all day long.

Steep Yourself In The Historical Streets Of York

Travelling to York is kind of like travelling through time, too. First established in 1831, it’s WA’s oldest inland town. Booming during the gold rush, it’s home to some stunning heritage architecture of the period, with the Town Hall a particularly impressive example that merges Federation Free Classical, Romanesque and Victorian Mannerist styles. For a small fee, you can tour the Hall and find out even more about the building’s history and its spooky residents – or have a stroll through the streets and take in the history for free.

As well as the Town Hall, York is also home to the Residency Museum, which was built in the 1850s and now houses exhibitions that explore the area’s history, as well as the iconic York Motor Museum if you prefer your history with a bit more horsepower.