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Some of the best road trips (and the least driven) start in Perth and take you across wine regions, through national parks, the Outback and along unspoilt coast lines.
We share the top road trips you need to do, where you can rent a car and realistic prices you can expect to pay that won't break your budget.
Compare cars and rental prices in Perth
Perth is a gateway into the vast outback and the natural wonders it beholds. With a car you can go far and wide. Price is always a consideration so we've worked out approximately what it'll cost to hire a car to help you organise your budget.
Our figures are based on a quote from our engine for a rental car from Perth Airport for 5 days, booked a month in advance for a driver aged 30+.
We've broken them down by car size. Don't forget to consider fuel consumption as well which will change depending on how many kilometres you plan to cover. Petrol stations are rare in the outback so remember to fill up when you can and consider that fuel prices will be higher in more remote areas.
Small, economy car
- Car: Toyota Yaris
- Seats: 4
- Luggage: 1 large bag and 1 small bag
- Rental company: Atlas Car Rental
- Cost: $232.75 for 7 days or $33.25 per day
Medium car
- Car: Hyundai Accent
- Seats: 5
- Luggage: 1 large and 1 small bag
- Rental company: Atlas Car Rental
- Cost: $232.75 for 7 days or $33.25 per day
Large car
- Car: Toyota Corolla Sedan
- Seats: 5
- Luggage: 1 large and 1 small bag
- Rental company: Atlas Car Rental
- Cost: $259.35 for 7 days or $37.05 per day
SUV
- Car: Mitsubishi ASX
- Seats: 5
- Luggage: 3 large bags
- Rental company: Atlas Car Rental
- Cost: $325.85 for 7 days or $46.55 per day
Prices mentioned above were retrieved on 9 August 2019 and change constantly. Get the latest prices for your car hire today.
Who offers car hire from Perth Airport?
The car hire companies that have staff desks at arrivals include:
Tips for driving in Perth
- Railway crossings. Keep an eye out for railway crossings as not all in Perth are marked by boom gates or flashing lights. Be alert while crossing railways and stay back three metres if waiting for a train to pass. Remember multiple trains can come in a row.
- You can turn left on a red light. Some intersections in Perth allow for left turns on a red light. These intersections will be marked with signage.
- Watch out for wildlife. In the city you don't have to worry but when driving through the Outback or in more remote areas be sure to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife moving into the road both day and night.
- Keep to the left. As with the rest of Australia the same rules apply in Perth that all drivers must drive on the left-hand side and stay in the left-hand lane unless overtaking another vehicle.
Tips for hiring a car in Perth
- Hire the right car and plan ahead. If you're planning on driving through the Outback be sure that you rent a 4WD and fill up on petrol when you see a station.
- All hire cars come with a basic level of insurance. Check the excess on your policy, though. Figures can be high, but you can pay your hire company extra to reduce the excess. Alternatively, you can organise your own car hire rental excess insurance which may save you money.
- Provisional licence holders (P-platers) may not be able to rent and drive cars. Most of the best-known car hire companies won't lend a car to a driver on their P-plates.
4 popular driving routes in Perth
The Kimberley (Perth to The Kimberley)
- How long is the drive? 3,600 km
- How long do I need? 14 days
- Must-sees along the way: Pinnacles Desert, Exmouth, Karijini National Park, Shark Bay
- Recommended vehicle: SUV/4WD
This two-week-long road trip is one of the best in Australia as it gets travellers exploring destinations that aren't on everyone's radar, from unusual-looking national parks to crystal-clear waters and snorkelling and diving with marine life.
This road trip is nothing short of epic and shows Australia's extreme diversity.
Coral Coast (Perth to Exmouth)
- How long is the drive? 1,716 km
- How long do I need? 7–10 days
- Must-sees along the way: Ningaloo Reef, Kalbarri National Park
- Recommended vehicle: Sedan or SUV
If more strapped for time then opt to take this shorter road trip instead of one to The Kimberley. On it you'll still see many of the natural attractions, including the only place in Australia where you can swim with whale sharks.
It also features national parks and cake-coloured sand beaches.
Nullarbor (Perth to Nullarbor)
- How long is the drive? 1,256 km
- How long do I need? 5–6 days
- Must-sees along the way: Bunda Cliffs, the world's longest golf course, 90-mile straight (Australia's longest road)
- Recommended vehicle: SUV/4WD
Often used as a road trip between Perth and Adelaide, the Nullarbor Plain is an other-wordly drive.
It takes you across vast bushland in the Outback where you can spot wildlife and then to a coastal region where you can spot whales.
You can choose to end in Nullarbor itself or continue on to Adelaide if you have more time.
Margaret River
- How long is the drive? 540 km, round trip
- How long do I need? 1–2 days
- Must-sees along the way: Busselton, Augusta
- Recommended vehicle: Economy or sedan
The wine region of Margaret River is just 3 hours from Perth.
Here you can discover over 120 vineyards where you can enjoy wine tastings, views of the vineyards and pair your drinks with mouth-watering food produced with local ingredients.
I'm ready to book my car hire!
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