Perth to Donnybrook drive: Distance, time & best road trip stops
The Perth to Donnybrook drive covers a 202km distance in a driving time of around 2h8m. The best road trip stops to add to your itinerary include Rockingham, Mandurah and Bunbury.
The drive from Perth to Donnybrook takes you from the Western Australian capital to a charming town surrounded by wildflowers, wineries and orchards.
Perth offers gold pouring experiences at the Perth Mint, Rottnest Island day trips, and scenic Swan River cruises. To book Perth tours and experiences, head here. For Perth accommodation deals, book here.
5 great day trips from Perth – make your visit special
- Rottnest Island ferry transfer – with bike hire and snorkelling gear. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- The Pinnacles desert – with koalas 🐨 and sandboarding.
- Wave Rock day tour – with wildflowers & Aboriginal culture.
- Margaret River wineries experience 🍷 – with tastings, caves & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
- Full day Swan Valley wine tour 🍷– with lunch.
For Donnybrook accommodation deals, search here.
This guide is aimed at helping travellers plan their perfect Perth to Donnybrook road trip itinerary.
Click through on the links for more detailed links about individual towns and attractions – and remember to stock up on your road trip essentials before setting off.
Perth to Donnybrook distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Perth to Donnybrook is 202km. Traffic permitting, this makes for a Perth to Donnybrook driving time of around two hours and eight minutes.
DON’T MISS OUT! 9 fabulous Perth experiences to book today ✅
- ✅ See the Rottnest Island quokkas the smart way – with a ferry and bike package.
- ✅ Be amazed by the abundant wildlife – on a dolphin, penguin and sealion cruise.
- ✅ See clear night skies in a moon-like desert – on a Pinnacles stargazing experience.
- ✅ Indulge in chocolate, cheese & premium wines – on a Swan Valley food and wine tour.
- ✅ See the city sunset from the water – on a Swan River dinner cruise.
- ✅ Watch gold being melted and poured – on a Perth Mint gold tour.
- ✅ Combine nature with imperious city views – on Kings Park Segway tour.
- ✅ Face your fears and get the thrill of your life on a – on a 15,000ft skydive.
- ✅ Find all the best hidden hangouts – on a small bar and street art tour.
The best places to stay in Perth
You can check out deals on a wide range of Perth accommodation options. But these are some of the best choices.
- The swankiest address in town: COMO The Treasury.
- The cool, fun one in the centre of the action: The Alex.
- For quality apartments next to Kings Park: Quest Kings Park.
- For quality apartments by the beach: Seashells Scarborough.
- On a backpacker budget: Spinners Hostel.
Perth to Donnybrook drive: Rockingham and the Shoalwater Islands
The Perth to Mandurah leg of the drive is largely along the Kwinana Freeway. On the way out of the city, you go past Perth Zoo, the Aviation Heritage Museum and Thompsons Lake Nature Reserve.
The main detour worth taking, however, is to Rockingham. Here, you can spend some quality time on Rockingham Beach, but the islands of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park are more exciting.
Of these, Penguin Island is the most charming as it hosts a little penguin colony.
5 fantastic experiences to book in Rockingham
- Go swimming with wild dolphins in Shoalwater Bay.
- See dolphins, penguins and sea lions – on a Shoalwater Bay islands cruise.
- Get closer to the wildlife – on a kayaking tour.
- Try flying with a jetpack – or flyboarding.
- Take a guided sunset hike to Point Peron – with a glass of sparkling wine as a reward.
Where to stay in Rockingham, WA
The best Rockingham accommodation options are:
- For a quality apartment hotel: Quest Rockingham.
- To be close to the wildlife cruise departure point: Island Villas Accommodation.
- For beachside location: Spinnakers by Rockingham Apartments.
- For a pool: Nautilus by Rockingham Apartments.
A one hour glass bottom boat cruise takes you out to see the penguins as well as the Australian sea lions on Seal Island. At time of writing, these Penguin Island tours cost $85 and are best booked online.
With more time to spare, you may want to consider the longer, 3.5 hour snorkelling, wildlife and seafood cruise. This includes a seafood platter, usually spots dolphins on the way and glides past nesting pelicans, cormorants and ospreys. These longer Shoalwater Islands cruises cost $120.
Perth to Donnybrook road trip: Mandurah and Pinjarra
Otherwise, keep going through Baldivis and past Port Kennedy towards Mandurah.
4 experiences to book in Mandurah
- A wildlife-centric dolphin-watching tour.
- A shameless fun in the sun pirate boat cruise.
- Hiring a BBQ boat to explore the waterways.
- An atmospheric sunset cruise.
Mandurah activity options include a pirate cruise, brewery-hopping tours and river cruises along the Murray River.
For Mandurah accommodation, try the luxurious Sebel Mandurah, the spacious Dolphin Quay Apartments, or the good value Foreshore Motel.
If skipping Mandurah and continuing down the Forrest Highway, you might like to make a short detour into Pinjarra. Here, you can visit Ranger Red’s Zoo and Conservation Park or enjoy the museums and heritage buildings of the Edenvale Heritage Precinct.
Click through to the next section: Lake Clifton and Preston Beach.