11 dog day trips in and around Perth

WA Things to Do

18 January, 2023

Perth and its surrounds are home to plenty of activities that both you and your dog can enjoy together.

There’s no end to the number of fun day trips you can take from Perth, from a day spent driving through the Pinnacles Desert to one exploring the ancient Thrombolites in Yalgorup National Park.

But, not all day trips are completely family-friendly. Many national parks and public spaces are pet-free zones, meaning your four-legged best friend can’t join you on your adventure.

The good news is, if you embark on one of these 11 day trips, your dog is most welcome to come along.

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1. 1872 Railway Heritage Trail

Though national parks are generally no-go’s for domesticated animals, there are still plenty of bush trails and walks just outside of Perth that a well-trained and restrained dog can join you on. Jarrahdale’s 1872 Railway Heritage Trail is one of them. At 10km, it’s a lengthy stroll but a beautiful one, ambling through native Jarrah and Wandoo bushland. Start at the small carpark at Nettleton Road and follow along the old timber tramway before looping past the Gingagup Brook and back towards where you came from.

From September to November the way, look out for wildflowers along the way. Take your time on the trail and stop for a picnic with views of the Darling Scarp, too.

2. Carine Regional Open Space

Pack your pup’s favourite ball and head to the enclosed dog park off Oakley Road for plenty of unrestrained fun; it’s the safest area around the Carine Big Swamp for dogs to play off lead. If they’re not interested in playing on the agility equipment dotted about the space or digging in the sand pit, there are always other canines in the park to keep them entertained.

Dogs must remain on the lead if you’re going to leave the dog park and tackle the 2.5km walk around the nearby wetlands. With abundant birdlife and grazing horses nearby, you don’t want them to be tempted to run off and play.

3. Chuditch Trail

Both the Munda Biddi Trail and Bibbulmun Track run through Dwellingup, but if you want to bring your four-legged friend along on a hike, head for the Chuditch Trail. The 7km semi-loop follows its way along the Murray River in the Lane Pool Reserve, beginning at Nanga Mill campground and ending at Chuditch Campground. The track is wide and has a gentle gradient, perfect for a relaxed morning walk.

Complete all or part of the trail before refuelling at a nearby dog-friendly cafe. Park up on the alfresco area overlooking the pump track at Waypoints Cafe for a burger or grab a homemade pie and savour it under the shade of the grapevines at Blue Wren Cafe.

4. Lancelin

Beach-loving pet owners will rejoice at how pet-friendly the coastal town of Lancelin — 1.5 hours north of Perth — is. Dogs are welcome to join you bayside, with off-lead areas for unlimited running and digging north of the Shell and Gingin Street intersection and south of the Carl Street beach track. The section in between is still dog-friendly; it’s just that leads need to remain on at all times.

Most eateries in town are enthusiastic about having furry visitors, too. Endeavour Tavern’s beachside beer garden welcomes well-behaved dogs on short leads, and Offshore Cafe and Wendy’s Cafe allow them to sit with you in the alfresco area.

5. Mindarie Marina

After a long coastal walk (on the lead), you and your pooch will have worked up an appetite worthy of a hearty breakfast. Most of the venues on the Mindarie Marina boardwalk are dog-friendly, but none more so than Union Kitchen. The cafe has a dedicated dog menu, so while you’re sipping a cappuccino, your companion can lap up a mutt shake or devour a sausage, bacon, and egg ‘bark-fast’.

If, after your breakfast, you’re looking for somewhere you can both cool off, head to the Quinns Dog Beach at the northern end of the Mindarie beaches. It’s an off-lead area, so pup can run about on the sand and in the sea as they please. Thanks to the fringing reef, the swell here is minimal, making for pleasant paddling for smaller dogs and less confident swimmers.

6. Nauti Picnics

Spend a sunny Sunday cruising the Swan River in a self-skippered electric boat from Nauti Picnics. For hire by the hour, the boats seat up to eight people, and small to medium breed dogs are encouraged to join.

Embarkation is at Maylands Boat Ramp, where you’ll also be given a safety briefing and some driving instructions (no skipper tickets are needed). Once briefed, it’s up to you where you want to explore, be it the Swan Valley vineyards or the quaint river beaches of Guildford. Bring a packed lunch, and you can picnic just about anywhere you can pull up along the banks.

7. Preston Beach

Four-wheel driving dog owners should pack the car and set the GPS for Preston beach, just south of Mandurah. It’s a laid-back coastal town where fishing, swimming, and beach driving are all regular past-times.

Let your tyres down and make your way onto the sand from the Preston Beach parking lot, driving until you find a secluded spot to stop and throw a line in. Pup can have a free run of the beach while you catch a feed to cook up when you get back to town. There are electric barbecues and a playground not far from the carpark, the perfect spot to set the family up for a fresh dinner with the day’s catch.

8. Bells Rapids

The white water of Bells Rapids is not far from the point where the Swan and Avon rivers meet. The rapids are at their most turbulent during winter and make for a spectacular sight as you picnic under the shady trees in the park.

Before settling in, take the dog for a wander on the opposite side of the bridge. There are two tracks you can take — the 2.5km Bells Rapids River Walk to the left or the slightly more difficult 3km Goats Walk to the right. If you or the dog feel particularly energetic, combine them and complete the entire loop. When you find a calmer part of the river, let your companion go for a wade while you soak up the bushland views.

9. Ranford Pool Walk Trail

Shake up the daily walk routine and trade the local neighbourhood for the Ranford Pool Walk Trail in Boddington, 1.5 hours southeast of Perth. The easy, 4km trail follows the Hotham River from Lions Weir carpark through to Randford (Darnminning) Pool, a serene spot for a picnic and quick dip.

On your way out to the pool, you’ll pass through native paperbark forests and scenic rural paddocks with grazing horses. Once there, explore the pool's shallows with pup before firing up one of the electric barbecues for a sausage sizzle lunch in the rotunda. Should you need them, public toilets are also nearby.

10. South Fremantle Dog Beach

Before you both get salty and sandy, sit down to a coffee or a beer at one of South Fremantle’s many dog-friendly establishments. The long-standing Ootong and Lincoln is just a short walk from the South Fremantle Dog Beach, as is South Beach Cafe and the welcoming front patio of Running With Thieves.

Once sufficiently fuelled, head to the section of beach between Douro Road and the Fremantle Sailing Club. If you’re into SUPing — and your dog is happy to join on your board — you can paddle the calm waters together. If not, you can let them off the lead to run and dig freely on the shore. Just be sure you can call them back with ease.

11. Whiteman Dog Park

Test your canine’s agility on Whiteman Dog Park’s obstacle course. Dotted around the fully enclosed dog park off car park 23 (Mussel Pool East), the series of tunnels and bridges will have your dog showing off their jumping, ducking, and weaving prowess in no time. To aid them in navigating through, each obstacle has been painted blue or yellow — colours that dogs can easily discern with their dichromatic vision.

If they’re not interested in trying the equipment, there’s plenty more to explore in the 2.5-hectare park. Let them sniff around while you take a seat on a bench under the shady trees or wander along the 500m walk path with them. They’re also welcome to join you on a walk through the rest of Whiteman Park, so long as they remain on their lead at all times.