The Ultimate Adelaide to Perth Road Trip
Who doesn’t love a good drive? Make it an epic one across the Nullarbor Plain on a road trip from Adelaide to Perth.
Sure, you could fly from Adelaide to Perth or take the iconic Indian Pacific train, but then you’d miss out on one of the most epic road trips of all time! Driving across the straight road of the Nullarbor Plain at least once in your lifetime is an Australian rite of passage.
Spanning over 2,700 kilometres, and depending on the route that you take, you could make the drive comfortably in about four to five days, but we recommend taking your time and immersing yourself in the landscape and characters you’ll meet along the way.
Here are just a few highlights to expect on your Adelaide to Perth road trip. Happy driving!
Adelaide
Your road trip begins on day 1 in Adelaide, so you might enjoy reading our guide to things to do in Adelaide, but if you’re short on time and raring to get going on your Adelaide to Perth road trip, Adelaide’s East End never disappoints for its range of dining options, boutiques, bars and galleries. Get your steps in along the Rundle Street Mall and the Adelaide Botanic Gardens or take a dip at Brighton or Glenelg beaches before hitting the road.
Visit: For a taste of South Australia, don’t miss the Adelaide Central Market. Showcasing over 70 traders under one roof, it’s the perfect spot to stock up for epic driving adventures.
Clare Valley
Let’s ease into this unforgettable road trip with a spot of wine tasting in the Clare Valley where Riesling is the star of the show, shall we?
From the oldest winery Sevenhill Cellars to Pikes Wines, O’Leary Walker Wines or Mitchell Wines, to name a few of the 40 cellar doors in the region, grab your favourite labels to keep you sustained along the way, responsibly of course. Enjoy lunch at the award-winning Watervale Hotel or Bush DeVine Restaurant at Paulett Wines.
Stay: Since you’re in a premium wine region, stay among the vines at a two-bedroom villa at Neagles Retreat Villas, preferably with a local drop-in hand on the deck overlooking vineyard vistas.
Whyalla
Situated on the eastern side of the Eyre Peninsula an hour south of Port Augusta, Whyalla is a four-hour drive from Adelaide. Sitting on the Spencer Gulf, Whyalla boasts over 300 days of sunshine annually and is visited by over 250,000 giant Australian cuttlefish each winter. In fact, it’s the only place on earth you can snorkel with these alien-looking sea creatures!
The quirky town is worth checking out for its unexpected Elvis Presley Museum and unique circular jetty. Relax on the pebbled beach of Fitzgerald Bay, set against a backdrop of the southern Flinders Ranges.
Explore: Between May and August and September and April, join Whyalla Diving Services to swim with the giant Australian cuttlefish or stay dry onboard Cutty’s glass bottom boat tours.
Port Lincoln
Three more hours of driving from Whyalla will land you in Port Lincoln, the unofficial capital of the Eyre Peninsula. Famed for adventure, the wild coastline promises kayaking, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and swimming with sea lions and dolphins - or take it up a notch with shark cage diving.
Head to the tip of the Lincoln National Park, where you can drive onto the beach and spend the day frolicking among the ridiculously blue water and spot kangaroos if you’re lucky.
If the weather isn't warm enough for a swim, the Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area in the Lincoln National Park is home to rugged cliffs, birdlife, kangaroos, dolphins and whales when in season. To see koalas in their natural habitat, head to Mikkira Station, and check out our accommodation guide to Port Lincoln if you plan on staying a little longer.
Dine: You’re at the epicentre of seafood, so you can’t skip a stop in Coffin Bay to sample the region’s famous oysters at 1802 Oyster Bar or Oyster HQ. For a hands-on experience, join a Coffin Bay oyster farm tour, then relax on the pure-white sands on Almonta Beach in Coffin Bay National Park.
Gawler Ranges National Park
Moving inland from the coast, outback paradise can be found in the Gawler Ranges National Park. Believed to have been formed over 1500 million years ago after a volcanic eruption, the Gawler Ranges are most famed for Kolay Mirica Falls and the Organ Pipes, aptly named for its prism-like columns. Sprawling across 1600sqm, the Gawler Ranges are home to kangaroos, dingos and echidnas living among the diverse volcanic, basalt, salt lake and sand dune landscape.
If you're coming directly from the east, you'll probably pass through the township of Kimba, the gateway to the Gawler Ranges and known for its creative community, so be sure to check the Workshop26 art district and the silos painted with artwork on a grand scale.
Stay: For an outback adventure, stay on a family-owned sheep station at Mt Ive Station in the heart of the Gawler Ranges. They have a range of accommodation options, including camping, dongas, shearer’s quarters, or self-contained huts, and you’ll have access to Lake Gairdner, a vast salt lake sprawling 150km.
Streaky Bay
On the Eyre Peninsula’s wild west, Streaky Bay is wonderfully isolated and well worth a stop. Stretch your legs in town and follow the Streaky Bay Historic Walk and don’t miss the Powerhouse Museum and the Streaky Bay Jetty. The Westall Way, Cape Bauer and Point Labatt are three scenic drives to follow for vistas of the unique rock formations, including Murphy’s Haystacks, the Granites, Whistling Rocks and Smooth Point. 50km south of Streaky Bay, Baird Bay is where rugged coastline and diverse wildlife inspire deep connection and discovery.
Stay: Set in the middle of a 250-acre conservation sanctuary, Camel Beach House is the ultimate sustainable getaway in earthy luxury. Recharge and connect with nature among the wildlife, set against the soundtrack of the Southern Ocean crashing against your private beach.
Ceduna
Ceduna is the last major town on the Eyre Highway before hitting the Western Australian border. Discover pristine beaches, dip in turquoise waters, and savour fresh oceanic delights. Just five minutes from town, Shelly Beach offers rock pools and crystal waters, while an hour away lies the famous pink-hued Lake MacDonnell. Ceduna is your gateway to coastal wonders and cultural and culinary delights.
Visit: Delve into the region’s culture on the Encounter Walking Trail and check out the Aboriginal arts centre on the peninsula at Arts Ceduna, showcasing over 130 artists.
Bunda Cliffs
Five hours west of Ceduna, discover a welcome spot to stretch your legs and soak in the breathtaking views at the Bunda Cliffs. Offering one of the most dramatic stops when crossing the Nullarbor, these towering limestone cliffs stretch endlessly along the Great Australian Bight, offering sweeping ocean vistas from three official lookouts.
Perfect for a photo-op and some fresh air, the cliffs showcase Australia’s raw natural beauty at its finest. From May to October, witness migrating Southern Right Whales from the Head of Bight (located between Ceduna and Bunda Cliffs), one of the best whale-watching spots in Australia, or join a cruise for a closer vantage point. Since you’re in one of the most remote places in the country, there’s almost zero light pollution, so don’t forget to look up come nightfall.
Stay: Enjoy an unforgettable stay at the iconic caravan park and motel Nullarbor Roadhouse, where you can dine on pub grub, explore the ancient limestone Murrawijinie Caves and tee off from the Dingo’s Den - part of the world’s longest golf course - Nullarbor Links - spanning 1365 kilometres.
Kalgoorlie
One of the most direct ways from Adelaide to Perth is via the goldfields and through the mining town of Kalgoorlie, built on the fortune of gold discovery in the 1890s. While the historic town is worth a visit, starting with the Museum of the Goldfields, explore the ghost towns of Leonora and Gwalia and the outdoor art gallery at Lake Ballard. Continue your golf game on the Nullabor Links at the Par 4 Golden Mile at the Kalgoorlie Golf Club.
Visit: Kalgoorlie's Super Pit is one of the largest open-cut mines on earth and the biggest gold mine in Australia, with 900,000 ounces of gold harvested each year.
Esperance
Located approximately 700km southeast of Perth, there’s no denying the remote coastal township of Esperance has one of the most pristine environments in the country. You’ve likely seen the promotional shot of kangaroos lounging on a snowy white beach (scientifically proven to be the whitest sand in the world) – that was taken along the 21km stretch of Lucky Bay, located within Cape Le Grand National Park. Sandboarding down the dunes inspires fits of carefree euphoria.
Dive into the mystery of Esperance Stonehenge. Built from locally quarried pink granite, all 137 stones are arranged as a replica of the original in the UK, aligned with the winter and summer solstices. For vistas of the iconic pink Lake Hillier, you’ll need to take to the skies for a flight over Middle Island.
Stay: Head to Bandy Creek for self-contained comfort at the Esperance Chalet Village, the ideal location for setting off on adventures and chilling out.
Albany
Situated in Australia’s Great Southern Region, the coastal town of Albany has a rich and fascinating history dating back to its dark whaling era, which can be explored at Albany’s Historic Whaling Station. Albany is home to charming heritage architecture and the National ANZAC Centre overlooking the dramatic King George Sound, honouring Australia’s and New Zealand’s war heroes.
The Gap, in the Torndirrup National Park, is one of the most formidable rock formations. Wine and food lovers will adore exploring the town and region and if you want to stay the night, check-in for a cosy stay at The Beach House at Bayside Boutique Bed and Breakfast.
Visit: On your way to Margaret River, don’t miss the 600-metre treetop walk perched 40 metres above the forest floor at The Valley of the Giants. Add the elephant rock formations at Elephant Rocks and Greens Pool in William Bay National Park to your itinerary if time allows.
Image Credit: Margaret River Region & South West WA
Margaret River Region
Spanning 120 kilometres of pristine coastline, rugged cliffs, idyllic beaches and skyscraping forests, the Margaret River Region is most famous for the array of cellar doors, restaurants, fresh produce outlets, breweries, cideries and distilleries. Mix in its creative community of writers, artists, photographers and musicians drawn to the landscape and a wide range of accommodation options, and this becomes a place you can certainly linger longer.
It's no wonder the Margaret River Region is one of the most popular holiday destinations, especially since Perth is only three hours away. Check out our guide to the region for a taste of what to expect.
Must do: Since over half of the region’s wineries have received a Halliday rating, you can’t visit the region without a wine tasting! Follow the golden triangle in Wilyabrup, between Gracetown and Cowaramup, as a starting point and see where the road takes you. Or, follow our wine lover’s guide to the best wineries in Margaret River.
Perth
Congratulations! You’ve completed this epic road trip, now it’s time to enjoy the cosmopolitan capital of Western Australia. Check out our Perth guide for a few ideas of where to dine, stay and play. Continue your exploration of nature at the Australian Botanic Gardens in Kings Park, climb the Matagarup Bridge or stroll around Elizabeth Quay, where you can jump on a ferry to East Perth or Fremantle. Northbridge, an inner-city suburb north of the railway, brims with multi-cultural dining options, a range of small bars and the Perth Cultural Centre.
Stay: Now you've officially finished your Adelaide to Perth road trip, treat yourself with a stay in a heritage suite at COMO The Treasury in the restored State Buildings and enjoy a fancy dinner at Wildflower with sweeping city vistas.
Has our Adelaide to Perth road trip guide ignited your wanderlust? Plan a local stay in Perth and one of these luxe hotels, or pay a visit to one of South Australia's best wineries.
Our Sitchu editors work hard to deliver you the best products, events and venues that we hope you will love, each one is selected independently. Sitchu may receive an affiliate commission when you follow some links.
