The Outback, national parks and coastal views are waiting for you to get behind the wheel from $33 a day in Perth.
Some of the best road trips (and the least driven) start off in Perth, taking 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.
Find your ride in Perth
Compare hire cars and 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: Holden Barina
- Seats: 4
- Luggage: 1 large bag and 1 small bag
- Rental company: Alpha
- Cost: $239.27 for 7 days or $34.18 per day
Medium car
- Car: Nissan Tiida
- Seats: 5
- Luggage: 1 large and 1 small bag
- Rental company: Alpha
- Cost: $231.02 for 7 days or $33 per day
Large car
- Car: Toyota Corolla Sedan
- Seats: 5
- Luggage: 2 large and 1 small bag
- Rental company: Ace Rental Cars
- Cost: $284.90 for 7 days or $40.70 per day
SUV
- Car: Nissan X-Trail
- Seats: 5
- Luggage: 3 large bags
- Rental company: Alpha
- Cost: $312.12 for 7 days or $44.59 per day
Prices mentioned above were retrieved on 8 October 2018 and change constantly. Get the latest prices for your car hire today.
Car hire locations in Perth
Car rental companies such as Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty are available in Perth. These companies and more are at rental locations at Perth Airport and throughout the CBD.
- Perth Airport
- Hay Street
- Adelaide Terrace
- Murray Street
- Gordon Street
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!
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.
Car hire deals in Perth
UBER
$20 off your first ride
Valid on your first Uber ride anywhere in Australia (T&Cs apply). Only available through finder.
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Coupon code ends
Ola
$20 off first ride
Valid on all dates in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Canberra, enter the promo code into your app to redeem. T&Cs apply.
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Europcar
15% off car hire
Valid for rentals until 21 July 2019 at participating locations across Australia and New Zealand. Minimum of 5 days rental. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
DriveNow
Campervan hire from $5/day
Available on select routes, dates and locations in Australia and New Zealand.
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Europcar
$1/day one-way car hire in Australia
Valid on select dates on select car hire relocations in Australia. Destinations updated regularly.
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Budget Car Rental
Up to 15% off car hire
Available on all vehicles (except trucks) picked up in Australia before 31 March 2019. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Budget Car Rental
Free upgrade car hire
Valid from 7 January - 7 April 2019 across Australia. Minimum rental of three days. T&Cs apply.
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Coupon code ends
Europcar
Up to 20% off car hire
Valid for rentals until 1 August 2019 at participating locations across Australia and New Zealand. Minimum of 2 days rental and must be booked 21 days prior vehicle pick up. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Avis
7-day Australia car hire for the price of 6 days
Valid from 7 January - 7 April 2019. Minimum rental of seven days. T&Cs apply.
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Coupon code ends
Avis
Double upgrade car hire
Valid for rentals from 28 January - 30 April 2019 across Australia. Minimum of three days rental. T&Cs apply.
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Coupon code ends
DriveMyCar
Car hire from $23 per day
Hire cars across Australia from as little as $32 per day.
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Europcar
25% off premium hire insurance
Get up to 25% off on your car rental when you purchase GoZen Cover. Valid at participating locations across Australia and New Zealand. T&C's apply.
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Popular Car Hire coupon codes
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Jan 2019 | $30 off on car rental | SAV**** |
| 24 Jan 2019 | $35 off rentals | AUS**** |
| 14 Jan 2019 | Third weekend free car hire | TPN**** |
| 14 Jan 2019 | Earn double Qantas points | MPN**** |
| 14 Jan 2019 | Free upgrade car hire | UPN**** |
| 21 Jan 2019 | $20 off your first ride | ******** |
