4 Astonishing National Parks Near Perth to Visit in Your Motorhome

As the capital city of Western Australia, Perth is located on Australia’s beautiful southwestern coastline right at the mouth of the Swan River. While in Perth, you will find plenty to entertain you. You can visit one of the city’s galleries or theatres, or you can travel to Swan Valley to partake of some of Perth’s fine local wines. But what if you want to escape the crowds and enjoy the natural beauty of Western Australia’s Outback? For that you will need to get in your motorhome hire Perth and take a drive to one of the incredible national parks that are within a day’s drive of the city.

1. Milyeannup National Park

It takes approximately three and a half hours to reach Milyeannup National Park. This is not the most well-known park in Australia, but it is a spectacular hidden gem for those with 4WD. Wedged between Wiltshire Butler National Park, Hilliger National Park, Barlee Brook State Forest, and South East Nannup State Forest, it is home to a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna and offers abundant opportunities to explore the best the region has to offer.

2. D’Entrecasteaux National Park

Of all the national parks located in the southwest corner of Australia, perhaps the most famous is D’Entrecasteaux National Park. It only takes about three and a half hours to reach this jewel along the coast. Stroll along white sandy beaches or venture into the dense green forests that surround them. If you bring a 4WD vehicle with you, you can embark on yet another adventure: a drive through the sand dunes! Just keep in mind that the dunes shift throughout the day, so a compass and a map are a must to keep you from getting lost.

3. Shannon National Park

It takes a little longer to reach Shannon National Park—you need to drive four and a half hours to get there. There is a campground you can stay (it is for the moment out of commission because of a bushfire, but is being renovated right now). At Shannon National Park, you can watch birds, take a trip in a canoe, explore a trail, or take a self-guided tour along the 48km Great Forest Trees Drive. This is an incredible opportunity to see Australia’s old-growth jarrah, marri, and karri forests up close.

4. Helena National Park

If you want to take a shorter drive, Helena National Park is less than an hour and a half away from city centre. This is another wonderful destination for exploring old-growth forests. The only facilities and vehicle access right now are at Mount Dale, the site of an old fire lookout tower. The view on Mount Dale is phenomenal, providing for a pleasant spot for picnicking as well as access to spectacular trails.

Now you have a few destinations to add to your bucket list while you are visiting Perth! Be sure to visit in a 4WD vehicle so that you have full access to each of these magnificent parks!