Perth Hills and Wheatbelt regions: a relaxed 5 day campervan itinerary from Perth
Day 1: Perth to Parkerville
Distance: ~35-40 kms
Travel time: ~1 hour
Pick up your campervan in Perth and ease into the trip with a short drive into the Perth Hills region. Day one is all about settling into holiday mode without rushing. As the city gives way to eucalyptus forest, granite outcrops and winding hill roads, you will quickly feel the pace change. Parkerville makes a lovely first stop because it has that country feel while still being close to some of the hills’ best nature experiences.
Where to stop between Perth and Parkerville
Make your first stop Lesmurdie Falls, one of the most rewarding natural sights on this route. In winter and spring the falls are at their best, tumbling down the Darling Scarp with fresh greenery and wildflowers all around. Even in the drier months, the lookout and walking trails offer sweeping views over Perth and the coastal plain. After stretching your legs, continue towards Parkerville and consider spending time in nearby John Forrest National Park. One of Western Australia’s oldest national parks, it is a wonderful place for a picnic, an easy bushwalk and a first glimpse of local wildlife among rugged woodland and seasonal waterfalls. If you want a gentle activity rather than a big hike, sections of the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail nearby are ideal for a slow walk through bushland and history.
Things to do in Parkerville
Parkerville is small, quiet and wonderfully easy to enjoy. This is a place to slow down and appreciate the simple charms of the hills. Spend the afternoon walking a heritage trail, looking out for birdlife, or enjoying the bush setting with a coffee before dinner. If you are in the mood for a relaxed meal, the local tavern scene in this part of the hills suits the tone of the trip perfectly, with classic pub fare and a friendly country atmosphere. For couples, it is an easy place to arrive, unwind and start the journey without feeling overplanned.
Where to stay in Parkerville
For a campervan-friendly overnight stay, book into a caravan park in the wider Mundaring area so you have powered sites and practical facilities while staying close to Parkerville and the surrounding hills attractions. This is the best fit for a campervan itinerary and keeps you well placed for another easy driving day tomorrow.
Day 2: Parkerville to Lake Leschenaultia via Mount Helena
Distance: 30 kms
Travel time: ~1 hour
Today is intentionally short, giving you plenty of time to enjoy one of the prettiest stretches of the Perth Hills region. Leave Parkerville after a slow breakfast and make your way towards Mount Helena, then continue on to Lake Leschenaultia. With such a short driving day, you can really lean into the slow-travel spirit of this Western Australia itinerary and spend more time outdoors.
Where to stop between Parkerville and Lake Leschenaultia
Mount Helena is the natural midway stop. This charming hills community is known for its bushland setting, historic feel and access to some lovely walking routes. If you want to stretch your legs, follow a section of the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail for an easy wander among native vegetation and old rail history. The town also has a warm country character that fits this Perth Wheatbelt itinerary beautifully, making it a nice place to pause for coffee or an early lunch. If you feel like a classic hills meal, the historic Mount Helena Tavern is a good excuse to linger a little longer before the short drive to the lake.
Things to do in Lake Leschenaultia
Lake Leschenaultia is one of the highlights of the whole trip. Surrounded by bushland and framed by a white sand beach, this peaceful lake is ideal for a lazy afternoon. Depending on the season, you can swim, paddle, stroll the walking trail around the shoreline, or simply spread out a picnic rug and enjoy the view. In summer, it is a great place to cool off. In the cooler months, the lake still feels inviting thanks to its calm setting and forest backdrop. For travellers on a campervan road trip, it is the kind of stop that encourages you to do less and enjoy more, whether that means reading by the water, watching birdlife or cooking dinner back at camp as the light fades through the trees.
Where to stay in Lake Leschenaultia
The best overnight option is Lake Leschenaultia Campground, where you can stay close to the water in a formal camping area with camper-friendly sites. It is one of the most scenic stays on this Perth Hills region route and lets you enjoy the lake outside of the day-visitor hours. If availability is limited, choose a nearby caravan park in the Chidlow or Mundaring area so you can still keep tomorrow’s drive short.
Day 3: Lake Leschenaultia to Northam
Distance: ~50-60 kms
Travel time: ~1 hour
After a relaxed morning by the lake, head east into the Perth Wheatbelt region and the Avon Valley. This is where the scenery begins to open up, with broad paddocks, river flats and country town charm replacing the tighter bushland of the hills. Northam is close enough to reach quickly, but different enough to make the journey feel like a real change of scene.
Where to stop between Lake Leschenaultia and Northam
The drive itself is part of the appeal today. Leave time for scenic pauses as the road transitions from forested hills to wider rural landscapes. Once you reach Northam, ease in with a stop by the Avon River. The riverside parks are perfect for a leg stretch, a picnic lunch or a gentle walk before checking in. If you want a little more elevation, a local lookout over the valley helps you appreciate the scale of the surrounding farmland and river system. This is a beautiful section of the route to enjoy at an unhurried pace, especially in spring when the countryside feels fresh and green.
Things to do in Northam
Northam blends country atmosphere with culture and history. A standout stop is Bilya Koort Boodja, where you can learn more about Ballardong Noongar heritage and the story of the region through thoughtful displays and interpretation. Afterwards, wander the riverside, browse around town, or simply enjoy the slower Wheatbelt rhythm. Northam is also known for hot-air ballooning, so if you are extending your Western Australia itinerary, this is a memorable place to add an extra sunrise experience. For this trip, though, the charm lies in keeping things simple: a walk by the river, a good local meal and a quiet evening in the camper.
Where to stay in Northam
Northam Holiday Park is the most convenient choice for campervan travellers. Set in a peaceful bushland setting near town and the Avon River, it makes an easy base for exploring without sacrificing that relaxed road-trip feel. It is a comfortable and practical overnight stop in the Perth Wheatbelt region, especially if you want powered sites and easy access to town the next morning.
Day 4: Northam to Toodyay
Distance: ~28-30 kms
Travel time: ~1 hour
Day four is another easy drive, taking you north-west to one of the prettiest heritage towns in the region. Toodyay has a classic country feel, with historic buildings, open space, local cafés and a strong sense of personality. It is an excellent stop on any Perth road trip because it offers both things to do and plenty of reasons to simply slow down and wander.
Where to stop between Northam and Toodyay
Because the drive is so short, the best approach is to leave Northam after a relaxed breakfast and arrive in Toodyay with most of the day ahead of you. If you are in no rush, enjoy the rural scenery along the way and stop whenever a roadside view catches your eye. Once in town, start with the main street and soak up the heritage architecture before diving into the local attractions. This is the kind of day where the journey is gentle and the destination does most of the work.
Things to do in Toodyay
Toodyay is rich in small-town charm. Connor’s Mill and the Newcastle Gaol Museum offer an easy way to step back into the district’s colonial and convict-era past, while the historic streetscape makes even a simple stroll feel interesting. For a softer outdoor stop, visit the Pioneer’s Arboretum and enjoy a quiet walk among native Western Australian eucalyptus species. One of the most memorable local experiences is seeing the free-ranging emus around the holiday park, which adds a fun wildlife moment to the trip without needing a major detour. Add in a country bakery stop or a long lunch at a local café, and Toodyay easily fills a day without ever feeling busy.
Where to stay in Toodyay
Toodyay Holiday Park is the standout overnight option for this campervan itinerary. Set on the banks of the Avon River, it gives you easy access to town while keeping you in a scenic, relaxed setting. It is also the place to enjoy the resident emus, which makes the stay part of the experience. Staying here lets you enjoy the evening atmosphere in town before a simple final drive back to Perth.
Day 5: Toodyay to Perth
Distance: ~85 kms
Travel time: ~1.5 hours
Your final day loops back to Perth, but there is still time for one more nature stop before the trip wraps up. Rather than rushing straight back, break up the return with time in the Avon Valley side of the route and a final scenic pause as you re-enter the outer hills. It is a fitting final note for a journey built around accessible outdoor experiences, easy walks and heritage-rich country towns.
Where to stop between Toodyay and Perth
As you leave Toodyay, enjoy the changing scenery as the open Wheatbelt landscape gradually gives way to the greener edges of the Perth Hills region. If you feel like one last break, stop in the outer hills area for a picnic, a short walk or a final coffee before returning to the city. This keeps the last leg of the drive relaxed and helps the trip end at the same easy pace with which it began. From there, continue back into Perth and return your campervan feeling as though you have packed far more into five days than the modest distance would suggest.
Things to do in Perth
Once back in Perth, you can keep the relaxed mood going with a casual meal or an extra night in a caravan park if your schedule allows. After several days of hills, rivers and country towns, returning to the city gives you a fresh appreciation for how easy it is to combine urban convenience with a nature-filled escape. If you have time before dropping off the campervan, enjoy one last coffee and reflect on a campervan road trip that proves a memorable Western Australia itinerary does not need huge distances to feel rewarding.
Where to stay in Perth
If you are not returning the campervan immediately, book into a Perth caravan park with campervan sites for a convenient final night. This works well if you want a buffer before flying out or simply prefer to finish the journey with one last easy evening rather than a same-day drop off at the Apollo branch.
Image: Tourism Western Australia
FAQs and quick answers
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When is the best time to visit Lesmurdie Falls?
Winter and spring are usually best, when the waterfall is flowing and wildflowers begin to appear. In summer and autumn, the falls can be much drier, but the views are still beautiful.
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Is Lake Leschenaultia good for swimming?
Yes. The lake is popular for swimming, paddling and relaxing by the white sand beach, especially in the warmer months.
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Are the walks on this itinerary suitable for a relaxed trip?
Yes. This route suits travellers looking for gentle trails, scenic lookouts and easy outdoor stops rather than demanding hikes.
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Can I do this trip in a 2WD campervan?
Yes, this Perth road trip is well suited to a standard 2WD campervan. The route is designed around straightforward regional roads and formal campervan-friendly stays such as caravan parks and established campgrounds.
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What makes Toodyay worth visiting?
Toodyay combines heritage buildings, museums, country cafés and a fun wildlife experience with the emus at the holiday park. It is one of the most charming towns on this Perth Wheatbelt itinerary.
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Is Northam a good overnight stop?
Definitely. It offers a relaxing Avon River setting, local history and culture, and a convenient holiday park close to town.
This 5 day loop is proof that a short Western Australia road trip can still feel rich, varied and restorative. From waterfall lookouts and forest trails in the Perth Hills region to river towns and heritage charm in the Perth Wheatbelt region, every stop on this route invites you to slow down and savour the journey. If you are looking for a Perth Wheatbelt itinerary with easy driving, scenic stops and genuine country character, this is a wonderfully rewarding way to travel.
When you’re ready, you can easily book your Apollo camper online and pick it up from your closest Apollo branch before setting off on this scenic Perth road trip through the hills and Wheatbelt.