Melbourne to Perth - By Rental Car

(England)

Melbourne to Perth: the Nullarbor Plain

I'm hoping to rent a car and travel from Melbourne to Perth. I'm from the UK, and this is something I've always wanted to do. Do you have any tips/tricks/suggestions? How long do you think it will take? I'll be doing some of the trip alone - will this be a problem?

Response to:
Melbourne to Perth - By Rental Car

The trip will not be a problem at all. You are not leaving civilization. You are not leaving the bitumen at any stage. There's nothing to it. At the worst you may get a bit bored when driving across the Nullarbor Desert.

How long it takes is entirely up to you. You don't say what you hope to get out of the trip, what budget you are on or what style of travel you prefer (eg. camping or hotels). Do you have plenty of time available and want to see as much as possible? Or is this mainly about the experience of driving across the Nullarbor Plain?

It depends how much you want to see on either end of the trip. Both the area between Melbourne and Adelaide as well as the south of WA have a lot to offer.

I personally would take my time, and go the longer coastal route in WA: Esperance-Albany-Denmark-Margaret River... You could easily spend a week or two just in that corner. If you take the inland route you may want to have a look at Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields.

On the Melbourne/Adelaide side you have the Great Ocean Road, the Grampians, Kangaroo Island... and that are just the most obvious attractions.

Pure driving time, if you take the shortest route (a good 3400 km) and only stop to eat and sleep, is about 3 days.

Photo by Sheilaellen

Comments for
Melbourne to Perth - By Rental Car

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HIIII
by: sahil

it is good site .......we love it

Cost
by: Gary L

If you are looking at hiring a car on a one way rental, be aware of the cost involved some hire companys will allow you to take the vehicle one way but will expect you to pay for all costs in getting the vehicle back to its original pick up point.This can be very costly.

Perth
by: ~Peace and Love~

Hey:), when is winter time in Perth? Me and my family are planning to visit Australia, Perth, on June and we wonder is it winter, spring or summer on that month. So what season is it in June? And do you know how long does it take to go to Perth to Melbourne. How long??
Thanks

Perth Local
by: Anonymous

Hey, I live in Perth. Summer is dec jan feb, autumn is mar apr may, winter is jun jul aug, spring is sep oct nov.
And if you see a Kangaroo turn your headlights off as they get "stunned" by the lights and won't move. Hope this helps.

Is it safe to take three children under 4 to Perth from Melbourne
by: Sam & family

I have a nissan patrol GU and also I'll be travelling to Perth from Melbourne with wife and three children ages 4, 2 and 8 months. I am worried about the kids with the long trip. Do you recommend that it will be safe or fly there and hire a car in Perth.

Moving from Melbourne to Perth
by: Anonymous

My husband, myself and our 2 year old son are relocating to Perth for work purposes and we want to take our car with us. Its only a little hyundai excel but we have never drove from melb to perth and are wondering how long it will take us if we just take the quickest route and only stop for eating and sleeping? and would it be ok for our son? and what sort of accommodation is available on the way? as we are on a tight budget and are trying to make the move as cost less as possible.
if anyone would be able to answer my questions it would be very much appreciated and a great help to us :)

Travelling D
by: Anonymous

I will be traveling from Melbourne to Perth in a month or so. I want to stop in Adelaide then continue to Perth on the scenic route, then up the coast somehow and make it to Darwin.

Can anyone help with driving tips, thing to look out for and sites to visit. Much appreciated.

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