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Cheap flights from Melbourne to Perth

Good to know, when is the cheapest time to fly, popular airports near melbourne.

• Melbourne Airport (MEL) Melbourne 28 min 18 km
• Avalon Airport (AVV) Melbourne 54 min 50 km
• Essendon Fields Airport (MEB) Melbourne 28 min 10 km
• Bendigo Airport (BXG) Bendigo 1 hr 55 min 131 km

Popular airports near Perth

• Perth Airport (PER) Perth 20 min 10 km
• Busselton Margaret River Airport (BQB) Busselton 2 hr 29 min 197 km

Frequently asked questions about flying from Melbourne to Perth

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These suggestions are based on the cheapest fares to popular destinations in the next six months.

Prices include required taxes + fees for 1 adult. Optional charges and bag fees may apply.

• Honolulu RUB 32,168 Jul 28 — Aug 4 Nonstop 10 hr 5 min Jetstar
• Singapore RUB 25,759 Jul 26 — Aug 4 Nonstop 7 hr 55 min Jetstar
• Tokyo RUB 45,020 Aug 18 — Aug 25 2 stops 13 hr 30 min Jetstar
• Los Angeles RUB 65,081 Aug 31 — Sep 9 1 stop 17 hr Fiji Airways

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$193 Find cheap flights from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Perth

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from melbourne to perth departing on 14/6. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to perth.

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Cheap flight deals from Melbourne to Perth (MEL-PER)

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Domestic flights operate from Melbourne T1, T3 and T4. If you want to relax in a comfortable area before your flight to Perth, there are three options of airline lounges. These include Virgin Australia Lounge in Terminal 3, The Qantas Club in Terminal 1 and REX Lounge in Terminal 4. Please check with your airline to see if you are eligible to use these lounges.

How do I get to Melbourne Airport from Melbourne centre?

There is a dedicated shuttle bus that makes the journey from Southern Cross Station to Melbourne Airport in roughly 19min and costs around A$ 15 one way. You can also take a taxi or rideshare service. The time to the airport from Melbourne centre will be about the same as the shuttle bus but the price will be A$ 45-70.

How do I get to Avalon Airport (AVV) from Melbourne centre?

It’s rare but possible that you’ll fly from Avalon Airport via Sydney to Perth. From Melbourne centre, it’s generally a 45min drive to Avalon Airport. You have the option of taking a taxi or rideshare service. There is also a direct public bus that runs between Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station to Avalon Airport; the tickets for a one-way journey cost roughly A$ 24.

Is there parking at Melbourne Airport?

There are three types of parking at Melbourne Airport. The Value Car Park is the cheapest, but furthest away, and has a free shuttle service every 10 minutes. The Long-Term Car Park is more expensive and has a shuttle every 5 minutes, and the At Terminal Car Park is close enough to allow you to walk to the terminal buildings.

Is there free Wi-Fi at both Melbourne and Perth airports?

Perth Airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout its terminals. Select the ‘Perth Airport Free WiFi’ network, register on any page in your internet browser and you will be able to surf for free. Melbourne Airport also offers free Wi-Fi via a hotspot. Select ‘Airport Free Wi-Fi’, enter your details and you can access the internet.

How do I transfer between terminals at Perth Airport?

Terminals 1 and 2 are a 15-minute drive from Terminals 3 and 4. A shuttle bus runs 24/7 and connects the two complexes. From T1/2 to T3/4, the bus runs three times an hour between 6:00am and midnight and twice an hour between midnight and 6:00am. From T3/4 to T1/2, the bus runs twice an hour for 24 hours.

How do I get from Perth Airport into the city centre?

The most direct way to get into the centre of Perth from the airport would be to catch a taxi. The journey is around 20 minutes and there are two taxi companies – Black and White Cabs and Swan Taxis. The fare is approximately AUD43 one way and the driver may ask you to pay this upfront.

What is the cheapest flight from Melbourne Airport to Perth?

In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Melbourne Airport to Perth was $128 for a one-way ticket and $255 for a return.

Which airports will I be using when flying from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Perth?

On your way to Perth, you’ll fly out from Melbourne. You’ll be landing at Perth.

Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Perth?

The Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Perth flight route.

Which airline alliances offer flights from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Perth?

oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance are the airline alliances operating flights between Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) and Perth, with oneworld being the most commonly used for this route.

On which days can I fly direct from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Perth?

There are direct flights from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Perth on a daily basis.

Which is the best airline for flights from Melbourne to Perth, Virgin Australia or Qantas Airways?

The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Melbourne to Perth are Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways. With an average price for the route of $616 and an overall rating of 7.6, Virgin Australia is the most popular choice. Qantas Airways is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $774 and an overall rating of 7.6.

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Perth?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Perth.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Perth?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Perth from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Perth?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to Perth with an airline and back to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Perth?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Perth from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Melbourne Airport to Perth

• Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $255 or less one-way and $441 or less round-trip.
• At Melbourne Airport (MEL), there is a prayer room available to people from any denomination to practise their faith. You can find it on the ground floor between T2 and T3.
• If you have a hidden disability and would like some extra assistance, you can sign up for Melbourne Airport's Hidden Disability Program. You will be given a lanyard so staff can identify you, a pamphlet that explains procedures with diagrams and a sensory map.
• If you need to charge your phone before your flight to Perth, you can find charging stations in all terminals. If you suddenly realise you forgot your charger, don’t panic. Tech2Go in T3 and T4, as well as some newsagents in the terminals, sell chargers.
• Direct flights from Melbourne to Perth fly into Perth Airport on a daily basis. There are four main carriers on this route – the national carrier, Qantas, Virgin Australia, and the low-cost airlines Tiger Airways Australia and Jetstar. Qantas flies into T4 at Perth Airport, Jetstar lands at T3 while the other airlines land at T2.
• For travellers on Qantas flights from Melbourne to Perth who want to have something to eat before boarding, there are a number of restaurants and coffee shops in T1 at Melbourne Airport. For morning flights, you can visit Gloria Jean’s or Gian Carlo for coffee, or if you are flying later on, try Pasta Pomodoro, Oporto or Billie Chu’s – all providing menus with international flavours.
• If you are travelling to Perth to explore Western Australia and need to hire a car, look no further than the car hire operators located near the baggage claim areas of each terminal at Perth Airport. Book your car in advance with no cancellation or booking fee and collect the keys upon presentation of your credit card when you arrive. Avis, Budget, Europcar and Thrifty are among the car hire companies located at the airport.
• For travellers with babies on flights from Melbourne to Perth you will be happy to know that Melbourne Airport has parenting rooms located throughout the terminals. These facilities allow parents to tend to their baby’s needs in peace, away from the noise of the terminal, before boarding a flight. The rooms have baby change facilities and some of them have a feeding chair, so you can feed your baby in comfort.
• If your time in Perth is limited and you want to explore without carrying your luggage, there are baggage storage facilities in all terminals at Perth Airport. The costs vary depending on luggage locker size and range between AUD12 for 24 hours for the smallest to AUD16 for 24 hours for the largest locker size.

Prefer to fly direct from Melbourne to Perth?

Find which airlines fly direct from Melbourne to Perth, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Melbourne to Perth

Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +12 more

Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, +13 more

Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +11 more

Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, +12 more

Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, +13 more

Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, +14 more

Direct returns

Perth to Melbourne

Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, +10 more

Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, +11 more

Top 3 airlines serving from Melbourne to Perth

The seats are so uncomfortable. The food doesn't exist unless you pay. Disappointed

This time is good . Don’t cancel flight with out early notice .

Very good experience, considering the short flight the meals were served promptly after takeoff.

X class seats in row 3 with the new configuration are very poor in fact I feel 3B and 3E should no longer be considered as X class seat as there is no forward seat pocket available to these seats and greatly reduced leg room due the intrusion of the business class armrests/table module

It was pretty good. Everyone friendly. Like all airlines, the draconian limitations on baggage and weight and not giving even a free soda kind of drags down the experience a bit.

Last 10 minutes boarding they canceled the flight and didn’t organise anything

Estheticly the plane looks great, although the seats are way too upright. If the seats were just slightly more reclined then the comfort level would increase tenfold. I had the stiffest neck after just a short flight due to this. A nap was almost out of the question.

Cabin crew were very professional and welcoming. They certainly appeared to have lifted their game. Congratulations

I know not directly a Virgin "thing" but I hold Virgin responsible for their subcontractors. Had to wait 45 minutes waiting for baggage at PER before the belt conveyor even started. This is unacceptable and hopefully Virgin engages with whoever to pull their fingers out. I realise PER staff are generally slow at the best of times but this was ridiculous. Maybe more seating for those waiting, a cafe in the baggage area for a light meal while we wait or at the very least a troop of dancing girls to entertain the punters while they stare at the conveyor belt start light almost willing it to fire up.

Very poor. Flight was cancelled due to captain exceeding hours. Told to fend for ourselves for 12 hours until a new flight could be done. This meant overnight accommodation in Hobart. Next plane was delayed and no food onboard. No apologies from Virgin. Extremely disappointing.

Great. Airhostess was amazing. Dinner a little spicy! Could have had a mention beforehand about that though

The international flight from Sydney to Dallas had great food. I have travelled a lot over the years and this has been the most memorable in my experience so far.

Initial flight was cancelled so moved to an alternative flight. As a result, stuck in a middle seat. Flight then place in holding pattern prior to landing resulting in a very late trip home.

There was nothing I didn’t like, prices a little lower would help

Following a marathon flight riddled by delays and changes from Santiago, Chile, my flight to Melbourne from Sydney was on schedule but I was transferred to the next flight. The reason by ticketing and the floor manager was I missed the entry to flight by one minute! That's right, the emphasised that if I was 1 minute earlier I would be on the flight. I asked what was the point them emphasising 1minute overdue and how that helped me or the situation. They didn't care at all. Replying that if it was one minute earlier they would've done something and smirking delivering the information. Australian's do call Australia home, Qantas calls Australian's suckers.

1) crackly headphone jack 2) one of the emergency seats recline. Usually second row does. But in this case neither did 3) food was scrambled eggs or fruit. 4) fruit should not be the option to eggs 5)miserable unpleasant crew not a smile. Thought that was a virgin thing

The staff we fantastic and seemed to work very well with each other

Business lounge in Melbourne mediocre. Look at Emirates or Qatar, Qantas! Great friendly crew. Food was good but Emirates is a level above. Business seat good. But can’t compare to Qatar. Main reason for booking Qantas is loyalty and terrific connection via Perth to LHR.

I was pleasantly surprised with my flight to LA with Qantas. Although seats were not the roomies, service was excellent.

Wonderful crew, good food. Absolutely loved the wine spritz and wish I could buy it!

Note that food has to be purchased in flight. No free food. And no entertainment in flight. So I’ve treated these two items as okay which, in this case, means neutral/not applicable.

My Dad needed assistance to board the plane. The Jetstar staff were excellent with him and made the experience a lot easier😁

No food taken so can't rate also no entertainment so can't rate.

Would be better if can provide small free snacks on a long flight

Boarding was easy and unstressful, though the early "final call" was a bit off-putting. The crew were pleasant, and the seats were comfortable. The prices for food and drink were reasonable, apart from tea and coffee, where simple percolated coffee was charged at espresso prices. Deboarding was OK, though some Jetstar passengers appear to have a bad habit of pushing forward from their assigned rows, making it more difficult to get out for passengers that have paid a premium to sit up-front. Jetstar might want to look to address this to stop it from spreading.

I was allocated an exit row seat and was told to move so it could be given away to someone who had purchased two extra legroom seats and one regular seat but wanted the three to sit together. I was also charged for entertainment after booking but before checking in, and the ground crew couldn't do anything about refunding it. When the whole plane was given access to the entertainment as an apology for the flight being four hours late, I was told they couldn't do anything about that either, so I was charged for something I didn't want even though it would have been free anyway

I got to the airport earlier than I expected, and they let me change to an earlier flight with no trouble.

It was a super crowded time to travel out of Melbourne, but the flight was OK

Worst flying experience of my life. FIVE HOURS delayed! Rude and unhelpful staff and poor communication from the grounds team. Never flying Jetstar again

Worst experience ever flying Melbourne to Phuket. 5 hours delayed! Didn’t land till 1am in the morning. Staff were rude and unhelpful

Book cheap flights from Melbourne to Perth

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Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) (MEL) Australia

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Melbourne to Perth Drive Itinerary

When I decided to drive from Melbourne to Perth, the first question that came up in my mind was "how many days do I need?". So, I started working on various itineraries ranging from 3 days to 2 weeks on different routes to find out what suits me better considering my driving comfort and the limited schedule I had.

Not just once, I did this exercise many times to make sure I arrive at the right one. Finally, I decided to go with 5 days of drive itinerary and it worked out very well.

If you are planning to drive from Melbourne to Perth, I am sure you'll do this exercise many times. Since I have already done this exercise quite a few times, I thought let us not reinvent the wheel. I just want to make your job easier. Hence, I am going to provide you with various itineraries here ranging from 3 days to 2 weeks.

You can choose one that suits your needs. Or, feel free to choose one and modify it as per your needs.

Please note that the below itineraries are based on the following factors.

You'll drive approximately the same distance and same hours every day

The destination place on each day will have food, water, accommodation and car fuel facilities

Before you choose one of the itineraries, remember one thing. Due to time zone difference, 1) you'll gain time when you drive from Melbourne to Perth 2) you'll lose time when you drive from Perth to Melbourne

Here you go.

Table of Contents

3 days drive itinerary - melbourne to perth, 4 days drive itinerary - melbourne to perth, 5 days drive itinerary - melbourne to perth, 6 days drive itinerary - melbourne to perth, 7 days drive itinerary - melbourne to perth, 2 weeks drive itinerary - melbourne to perth.

Open this itinerary in Google Maps

  Open this itinerary in Google Maps

If you have the time of 2 weeks or more, then you can choose the coastal route to drive from Melbourne to Perth.

Hence, I am going to provide this itinerary based on the coastal route.

For 3 weeks and 4 weeks itineraries, you can use this as a base and allocate more days at your preferred location on the way. That's it.

Trip to Perth

Find the perfect accommodation!

Great location and deals for every budget.

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Trains from Melbourne to Perth

🚞 Embark on an epic train journey from Melbourne to Perth, with a route that involves a transfer in Adelaide Parklands. This unique travel experience offers stunning landscapes and the opportunity to witness the vast beauty of Australia. 🌳 The Melbourne to Perth train services, operated by Journey Beyond - The Overland and Journey Beyond - Indian Pacific, provide comfortable and well-equipped train cars for the long journey ahead. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the picturesque views as you cross through multiple states on your way to the vibrant city of Perth. 💰 Prices for the train between Melbourne and Perth vary depending on the class of service chosen, ranging from $461 for standard seats to $4499 for a luxurious Platinum service. Whether you're seeking an affordable adventure or a lavish travel experience, there's a train option to suit every budget and preference.

Where to stay in Perth

There are over 661 hotels to stay in Perth. Prices range from $9 per night.

What companies provide train routes from Melbourne to Perth?

What is the fastest train between melbourne and perth, what are the departure stations for trains leaving for perth from melbourne, how many trains are there between melbourne and perth, where does the melbourne to perth train arrive, when are the first and last trains of the day to travel from melbourne to perth, how many direct train trips are there each day between melbourne and perth, is there a direct train between melbourne and perth, how much does a train from melbourne to perth cost, will you be returning to melbourne by train.

If you are looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Perth to Melbourne

Perth To Melbourne Road Trip – 14 Day Best Drive Itinerary

By: Author Sunset Travellers

Posted on Last updated: February 9, 2022

Categories Australia , Melbourne , Perth , Road Trips

Planning our Perth To Melbourne road trip wasn’t the easiest thing we have done, especially that the road trip from Perth to Melbourne is around 3500 km long and if you take the longer route, you are adding another 500+ km to your trip.

Every backpacker dreams about travelling the East Coast of Australia , but many people don’t realise how unique and beautiful is the road leading from Perth to Melbourne.

From white silica sand beaches, turquoise waters and breathtaking landscapes, to unique wildlife, longest straight roads and pink lakes.

The Perth to Melbourne road trip is one of the most beautiful stretches of the road waiting to be explored.

Perth to Melbourne road trip map

Things to know before driving from Perth to Melbourne

The Perth to Melbourne road trip is long – 4027 km long to be exact if you take our recommended route.

We recommend 14-day road trip to get to Melbourne from Perth or the other way around. 

There is a lot to see on this coastal route. Therefore you will need at least two weeks to explore this beautiful part of Australia. 

Well, once we told our friends that we are going on a road trip from Perth to Melbourne in an old $ 900 car (which was about to break down), they weren’t too impressed.

As you can imagine everyone was telling us to fly (as responsible people would do) and sell the car, but we had no intention of selling the car, and it looked way more fun that way.

What’s the worst that can happen, right? – at the end of the day, it is only an adventure.

Especially after finishing our dreadful farm work , we needed a break from the craziness.

These were the most common misconceptions we heard about driving from Perth to Melbourne:

“You won’t see anyone for hours if not days on the road.” “The petrol stations are so far apart. You will need a spare tank with you.” “Dingos are so wild and dangerous- just don’t get out of the car if you can.” “Don’t trust anyone!” “When you break down, it can take days before someone comes to pick you up.”

The highway from Perth to Melbourne

Before the road trip friends showed us movies like “Wolf Creek” or “Catching Milat” – and if you are planning to go on a road trip, we advise that you DO NOT WATCH THEM!

So listening to friends, we decided the day before our journey, to go shopping for so-called “survival kit” (in case we did get stuck somewhere).

We must have been hungry as all we came out with was six cans of tuna, two bags of crisps, 1 x crackers, a box of water and beers 🙂 …So probably not the best “being stuck and hungry” box.

On the other hand, we managed to invest in a torch and 5-litre fuel canister. – Can tell you straight away that we didn’t need to use it.

It took us just over 14 days to get from Perth to Melbourne.

We could have done another two weeks and make it a month-long road trip. Unfortunately, we had commitments and had to be in Melbourne by a specific date.

From Perth, we drove down to Albany for two nights stay at Airbnb .

If you are new to Airbnb, make sure to use this link to get $74 discount off your first stay!

We also used CurrencyFair to transfer our savings from home account to Australia and have enough funds for the road trip.

If you haven’t used CurrencyFair before, we highly recommend reading this guide to international money transfers .

Also, you get the first 10 transfers free with this link . Enjoy!

All the photos are our own in this article, so be sure to pin them to your Pinterest boards or follow our road trip board .

14 day Perth to Melbourne road trip itinerary

Distance from Perth to Esperance 1 010km.

Stop 1 – 2 nights in Albany

We stayed two nights in Albany, but you can easily divide the trip and stay for one night in Margaret River and one night in Albany. 

Best things to do in Albany on Perth to Melbourne road trip 

Relax at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve

We spent a few hours here just relaxing on this beautiful beach, but you can take your picnic basket with you and enjoy this empty beach for the day.

Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve

Discover the Albany Wind Farm

The Albany Wind Farm station has excellent views worth checking out.

There is a nice wind farm walk offering spectacular views of the eco-friendly turbines along the Torndirrup Peninsula and Sand Patch.

Albany Wind Farm

Albany Wind Farm Walks

See the Gap and Natural Bridge

The Gap and Natural Bridge are one of the most spectacular natural wonders.

This place has one of the best views of the Southern Ocean and the Bald Head coast leading to West Cape Howe.

Gap and Natural Bridge

Find the Dog Rock

This granite rock in the shape of a dog’s head is one of the most recognised landmarks in Albany.

You can find this formation along Middleton Road between Middleton Beach and Albany city centre.

The Blow Holes are part of the Torndirrup National Park and are a result of water being forced up into a crackling in a granite.

Here you could sit for hours watching the power of the waves. Keep in mind that the blowholes only work in certain weather conditions.

On the way to the Blow Holes

From Albany, we drove for 5 hours to Esperance where we stayed for 4 days.

We highly recommend that you spend more time in Esperance and preferably camp in the Cape Le Grande National Park .

In Esperance, we booked a great deal with Tripadvisor .

Stop 2 – 3 nights in Esperance

Things to do in esperance on perth to melbourne road trip.

See the Pink Lake

Located about three kilometres west of Esperance and bounded by the South Coast Highway to the east. This site attracts many people each year looking to see it.

Although the lake supposed to be very pink, we were unlucky, and it rather looked very ordinary.

To find out more about this unique site, visit Australia’s tourism website and guide to the Pink Lake here .

Signs explaining why the lake turns pink

Expectations (Source: Tourism Australia)

Swim at the Twilight Beach

The Twilight Bay holds one of the locals most loved beach. Here you can look at unbelievably clear turquoise waters as far as the eye can see.

Twilight Beach

Explore the Cape Le Grand National Park

Only 45 minutes drive from Esperance , you will find the most pristine beaches in Australia.

The park is well known for its stunning scenery and idyllic beaches perfect for a relaxing break.

To find out more information about the park fees, please visit the official Australia park website here .

Views of the park

Beautiful empty beaches

Driving from Esperance to Madura, Border Village and Ceduna – Perth to Melbourne road trip

Distance from Esperance to Ceduna

After a few fantastic days in Esperance, we drove to Madura for an overnight sleep.

Stop 3 – 1 night in Madura

This time we decided to prebook our accommodation via Booking.com as they had a much better deal on.

From there we continued to Border Village the following day and onwards to Ceduna .

Passed the Border Village you will find Bunda Cliffs viewpoint described as ‘the edge of the continent’.

See the Bunda Cliffs

The Bunda Cliffs extend for over 100 kilometres along the Great Australian Bight from Border Village to the east of Head of Bright.

Formed over 65 million years ago when Australia separated from Antarctica, make for spectacular and very dramatic scenery.

Bunda Cliffs

After 5 hours drive (400 km) from Border Village, you will eventually get to Ceduna.

Stop 4 – 2 nights in Ceduna

We decided to stop in Ceduna for 2 nights stay to explore the area and relax before the next long drive. 

Things to do in Ceduna 

Ceduna is a small coastal town, and it’s Australia’s Oyster Capital .

We highly recommend stopping here overnight as the town has several accommodation options.

There is quite a lot to do here, so we recommend extending your stay to two nights.

Make sure to visit the Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre , where you will find artwork from over 100 different indigenous artists. 

 The town is also home to the Nullarbor Links Golf Course , world’s longest golf course stretching for 1 365 km. 

If you love a 4WD experience, head to the Googs Track for a thrilling adventure. 

Sunset In Ceduna

Driving from Ceduna to Port Augusta and Adelaide – Perth to Melbourne road trip

From Ceduna, the road took us to Port Augusta, where we decided to continue straight to Adelaide.

As you can imagine, this was the longest 8-hour stretch (773 km long), and we got to Adelaide wrecked!

We highly recommend taking your time and exploring the Eyre Peninsula. You can easily add two nights to the itinerary. 

There is a lot to do in and around Port Lincoln, and you can learn more about things to do in Australia’s seafood frontier here .

Stop 5 – 2 nights in adelaide.

The next day we did a little bit of sightseeing and shopping in Adelaide.

Being in Adelaide for the second time allowed us to relax, take the days slowly this time, and gear up in warm clothes for upcoming winter in Melbourne.

From some of Australias best rooftop bars, restaurants to world-renowned Barossa Valley, Adelaide has it all.

If you can, add two days to your itinerary and explore Kangaroo Island located just outside Adelaide.

Best things to do in Adelaide

• Explore the Botanical Gardens
• Take a walk along the river 
• Venture into Chinatown
• Take a day trip to the Adelaide Hills
• Enjoy some quality wine at the Barossa Valley 

From  Adelaide, we drove for approximately 6 hours through Mt. Gambier to Portland for one night in a local B&B.

If you are planning Perth to Adelaide road trip:

If you are short on time and need to get from Perth to Adelaide fast, the Perth to Adelaide shortest drive distance is 2 696 km .

This is the shortest driving time and it takes 29 hours to get from Perth to Adelaide by car.

We recommend at least 7 days to get to Adelaide from Perth. 

The minimum time recommended is 5 days drive from Perth to Adelaide or the other way around. 

Stop 6 – 1 night in Portland

Because it was a low season, we got very lucky and found a place without advance reservation (probably not recommended in a high season).

Views on the way to Portland

Sunrise in Portland

Driving from Portland through The Great Ocean Road to Melbourne – Perth to Melbourne road trip

Distance from Adelaide to Melbourne

Ok, now it’s time for the part that is on everyone’s bucket list and the most amazing drive :

Stop 7 – 2 nights on The Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road stretches for 243 kilometres and is one of the world’s most scenic roads.

We recommend at least 3 days to explore the Great Ocean Road as there is a lot to see here.

The Great Ocean Road Twelve Apostles are probably one of the most recognised landmarks in the world.

Here are the best places to see on the Great Ocean Road trip, so make sure not to miss them:

• The Apostles
• Gibson Steps
• Loch Ard Gorge
• London Arch
• Port Campbell National Park
• Bay of Islands
• Triplet Falls
• Kennet River
• Teddy’s Lookout
• Mariners Lookout

Bells Beach

Great Ocean Road

Twelve Apostles

Things to know before going on a Perth to Melbourne road trip

Average accommodation cost on perth to melbourne road trip.

An average night with Airbnb and Booking.com will cost you between AU$70 – $150 per night.

Where to stop on Perth to Melbourne road trip

There are plenty of stops, the longest we have driven without anything in between was 150-200 km .

It is a good idea to fuel up at each station even if you are half full – slim chance you ever run out of petrol but a good chance of paying more at the next stop.

Also, be prepared for a steady increase in fuel prices as you get further. One place we paid nearly three times the regular price of fuel!

Cars on the road are regular, and people are friendly.

Phone reception on the Perth to Melbourne trip

Deciding on our journey only a few days upfront, we never gave a thought if there is going to be phone reception or not. And guess what – there wasn’t.

Only halfway through (past Esperance) we realised that only Telstra has coverage in the Outback, but it was too late.

We highly recommend getting pre-paid Telstra sim card in case you need phone reception.

Wifi is only available at roadhouses and hotels (but not all), and usually, there is an extra fee to use it.

Wildlife on the road and journey from Perth To Melbourne

You will most definitely come across dingoes, kangaroos, emus, koalas, snakes, spiders, eagles, wombats.

The road from Perth to Melbourne

We do not recommend driving at night as it is very hard to see wildlife on the road.

Perth to Melbourne road trip signs

Where to eat on a Perth to Melbourne road trip

Well, there is no chance of starvation, more so be prepared to gain weight.

Forget about your usual healthy dinner. Here you will indulge in cheese toasties, fries, burgers and all sorts of yummy greasy food. You will have some of the best toasties you ever had.

You may also want to stock up on music, audiobooks and podcasts.

Fill your USB and phone with downloads.

Keep in mind that there is no radio reception between Esperance and Adelaide .

Use Google Maps along the way as opposed to Apple Maps. We tried both and Google was best.

How far is it from Perth to Melbourne by road?

According to Google maps, the best sightseeing route from Perth to Melbourne is over 4 000 km long.

It takes well over 48 hours to get from Perth to Melbourne. The shortest driving time between Perth and Melbourne is approximately 3 000 km long.

Allow 7 to 14 days to get to Melbourne from Perth, depending on the route you decide to take. 

Please share and pin this article if you found it useful. It means a lot to us. Steve and Sabina

lisa Cartwright

Tuesday 15th of December 2020

taking my 15 year old son to Perth via the Nullarbor plain , did it when i was 20 but cant wait and will take our time!

Annette Mason

Wednesday 21st of October 2020

Very useful information thanks,we are planning a trip in 2yrs starting from Perth to cairns over 3 months by RV + hotel stays in Sydney. Flying from the uk so staying in Perth for 5 days before we head off. So excited

AffiliateLabz

Saturday 15th of February 2020

Great content! Super high-quality! Keep it up! :)

Friday 31st of January 2020

Awesome!!! Useful info as I'm researching to this with my kids! Thanks both you.

Saturday 25th of January 2020

thoughts of doing this alone. I’m 20 and female, is it safe?

Sunset Travellers

Thursday 30th of January 2020

Hi Emily, You can definitely do the road trip by yourself. We wouldn't recommend driving at night though. Make sure to get a good SIM card too. If you are travelling by yourself, make sure to be more careful though. Best of luck!

All Destinations , Australasia , Australia , Overland Itineraries , Plan Your Trip

Melbourne to perth drive itinerary.

Do you fancy driving across a whole continent? This Melbourne to Perth drive itinerary will take you to all the best spots along the bottom of Australia, and can be part of a larger road trip around Australia or a standalone trip to get you from east to west. The Melbourne to Perth road trip is LONG – 5,000kms long to be exact. I’d recommend taking at least two weeks for the road trip, preferably more. Even though there’s a lot of nothingness on the Melbourne to Perth drive, there’s a huge amount of ground to cover and some amazing attractions dotted out along the way.

Even though this road trip is possibly Australia’s longest and many would say most boring, I’d recommend road tripping from Melbourne to Perth to anyone. You really get a grasp of how big Australia (and the world) is by driving the distance, there’s culture and sights you won’t see anywhere else – like the Great Australian Bight where the cliffs drop straight down into the sea – and some of the best beach scenes I’ve ever had the privilege of witnessing, both in Western Australia and South Australia.

The drive takes you from one metropolis, leaving Melbourne , Victoria’s capital city via the Great Ocean Road . It then crosses into the South Australian border and enjoys some of the state’s gorgeous beaches before entering Adelaide , South Australia’s capital. Adelaide is a small city with beautiful architecture and vineyards rolling in from the north. After Adelaide are the wonderful villages on the Eyre Peninsula and the tiny but beautiful Streaky Bay .

The Nullarbor is home to a lot of flat land which gave me the most amazing sunset and sunrise. Also on the stretch of straight road are shrubs, some emus and the occasional sleepy roadhouse. Driving along it is a long task, but I had a great time. From the Nullarbor, you can either head north to Kalgoorlie or south to Esperance. Heading north is the quickest way to drive from Melbourne to Perth, and it will take you through some more outback areas before heading west to Perth city. There are some unique things to do in Kalgoorlie , especially if you’re interested in Australia’s goldmining history. Along the way, this route is mainly outback scenery, so it’s a good option if the Nullarbor wasn’t quite enough outback for you!

But driving south towards Esperance is definitely my route of choice. It is a little longer, but there is lots more to see on the day. The  South West of Australia is one of my favourite places in the world. Basking in a Mediterranean climate, the region traverses coastal national parks, beautiful karri forests and wonderful wine regions. It takes you North into Fremantle , a quaint fishing town loved by backpackers, and finally Perth, Australia’s sunniest capital city. This itinerary is based on the Melbourne to Perth road trip but can be done the other way around, as a Perth to Melbourne drive , or the Great Ocean Road and east South Australian parts can be sliced off and you can enjoy it as an Adelaide to Perth drive – or vice versa of course! My suggested Melbourne to Perth driving route takes every possible detour (while staying on sealed roads, so it’s fine for all vehicles) and it hugs the coast as much as possible. There are lots of ways to make it shorter; for example travelling inland from Melbourne to Adelaide, cutting through the top of the Eyre Peninsula or, as mentioned, travelling north to Kalgoorlie from the end of the Nullarbor and heading straight to Perth. But if you want to see it all, this southern Australia road trip route is the boss.

Here’s the ultimate Melbourne to Perth self drive itinerary.

Loved by most travellers to Australia, Melbourne is a vibrant city where there’s always something going on . Whether you’re into street art, live bands, nightclubs that are open all weekend, coffee or history; you’re sure to find it in Victoria’s capital city. It’s not the cheapest city in the world, although I managed to find some free things to do when I explored Melbourne on a budget . But it’s well worth as much time as you can give it ; spent at least one day in Melbourne , if not more – it is the kind of city that constantly grows as you spend time there. There’s tons of great things to do in Melbourne, including:

• Wandering around the Melbourne Markets
• Enjoying quirky street art
• Lazing on a St Kilda beach
• Marvelling at the gorgeous State of Victoria Library
• Strolling around the Melbourne Museum and the Immigration Museum

Where to stay in Melbourne

If you’re wondering where to stay in Melbourne , there are some great hostels, hotels and Airbnbs. Before free camping and driving across a pretty hot outback, you’re probably going to want a comfy bed, somewhere to shower and laundry facilities. Urban Central is the answer. This hostel has some of the cheapest prices in Melbourne, with clean and spacious four bed dorms (meaning you’re more likely to get a decent night’s sleep!) each with their own light and power point. For rates and to book, click here . If you want an add on just after Melbourne that not that many people do, check out the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula .

The Great Ocean Road

Spanning from Torquay to Warrnambool, the Great Ocean Road is on many Australian bucket lists. My opinion? It’s a tad overrated. It’s probably great in the 40 degree summertime heat, but when we drove down the road it was overcast and slightly dull. I did enjoy the Twelve Apostles , the most famous attraction on the road, but for me they weren’t a once in a lifetime view. However, while the Great Ocean Road isn’t on the most direct driving route from Melbourne to Perth, the drive is scenic and not too off course. If you have time, it’s definitely worth a drive down. The best parts of the Great Ocean Road include:

• The 12 Apostles
• Great Otway National Park and The Otway Fly
• Loch Ard Gorge
• Warrnambool – a great place to see koalas !There’s lots of free campsites on the Great Ocean Road, but if you do want four solid walls, search for Port Campbell accomodation here .

Mount Gambier

A sleepy town just over the South Australian border, Mount Gambier’s main attractions don’t actually involve mountains, but a vibrantly blue lake and a sinkhole in the middle of the town. The lake is meant to be at its most colourful in November and the sinkhole is often covered in blooming flowers, making for some amazingly gorgeous photos. Don’t want to camp in Mount Gambier? Check available accomodation here .

Coolong National Park

As you drive toward Adelaide, you’ll see a sign for ‘ Seven Mile Beach ‘. Turn down this and enjoy the beautiful Coolong National Park, with crystal blue waters and tantalising beaches. Make sure you don’t eat before this drive, as you’ll no doubt find tons of picnic spots just waiting for you and your sandwiches.

Being a freelance writer isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be – I had to spend my time in Adelaide finishing a project before we tackled the Nullarbor and didn’t have any time to explore the city! Luckily Lauren, an Adelaide local and writer of  The Traveller’s Guide By #ljojlo , has helped me out by detailing some of the cities finest sights and activities! Oh Adelaide, the city of churches ! Great if you are into that kind of thing because there are many to explore. However, if something else tickles your fancy maybe Adelaide should be renamed the city of wine and beaches because that is what I know it for. A city bordered by the coast of the Gulf of St Vincent to the west, the Mount Lofty Ranges to the east and with the beautiful wine regions to the North, South and even the East, how could you not want to explore this city and its outer regions?

Beaches in Adelaide

If soaking up the sun on white sand or drinking coffee in a hip coffee shop on the coast is up your alley, Adelaide has you covered. From the famous Glenelg beach known for is shopping, vibe and its tram that can take you directly into the CBD (Central Business District), is an easy spot to get enjoy. However, I must let you know that I don’t actually rate the beach there. It is busy, touristy and not that great. If you head south down the coast to the likes of Brighton, Somerton Park or even further south to Port Noarlunga or Aldinga (a beach, which you can still drive your car on), you will be in awe of the beautiful white sand and pristine beaches. North of Glenelg , Henley Beach and Grange must also get a mention for their beauty and great places to eat.

Wine in Adelaide

Wine is plentiful in Adelaide. From the Adelaide Hills wine region to the East, McLaren Vale to the South and the Barossa Valley to the North there is plenty of wine to go around. Each wine region is known for its speciality with the Adelaide Hills known for Sauvignon Blanc while McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley, known for Shiraz. I must admit I am biased toward the Barossa Valley because my parents currently live there and my god the wine, the food and just the landscape are to die for. If you have the time do yourself a favour and go and explore one, two or all of these regions.

Shopping in Adelaide

Finally, I must mention shopping . The iconic Malls Balls , in Rundle Mall, within the CBD of Adelaide is another must do. The buskers that perform, the cafes that are beginning to line more and more alleyways and not to mention just the great shopping are all reasons to soak up this part of the city. So there you have it! RAdelaide, as locals commonly call it, is well worth a visit – especially during the Fringe Festival in February and March but that is a whole other story for another time. Accomodation in Adelaide If you’re wanting to spend a few days in Adelaide, you’ll probably want to stay in one of the city’s hostels or guesthouses. Adelaide Central YHA is a budget option with all the facilities you’ll want before braving the outback to the north! For rates and to book, click here .

Port Augusta

Port Augusta is located at the crossroads of Australia ; from here you can go North to Darwin, South to Adelaide, East to Melbourne or of course, West to Perth. Surprisingly, given the importance of its location, it’s a very quiet town, but has a beautiful port and a dried up salt lake that makes for some interesting photos!

The Eyre Peninsula

The Eyre Peninsula was somewhere I didn’t get to explore too much – so thanks to Meg from Meander with Meg for this information! For those intent on driving straight across from Melbourne to Perth, the Eyre Peninsula may not be on the radar. Between Port Augusta and Ceduna in South Australia the coastline protrudes into the Southern Ocean at a point called the Eyre Peninsula. Spending a couple of days taking the Lincoln Highway from Whyalla to Port Lincoln and then up the Flinders Highway to Ceduna will treat you to beautiful coastlines, lesser known towns and wildlife spotting galore . A highlight for me had to be Coffin Bay – called so because of a passenger called Mr. Coffin on one of the early explorer’s boats – where I found a tiny national park. This is the perfect for those with a 4WD vehicle who want to get off the beaten track. You can expect bumpy, sandy paths through thick bushland on the lookout for emus, kangaroos and goannas plus camping on the edge of the calmest bay miles from nowhere and far from mobile phone reception . The rugged coastline on the North-Eastern point of the peninsula is perfect for wildlife spotting. Along with many species of sea bird , you can find the Point Labatt seal colony , which is Australia’s largest mainland seal colony. You cannot access the colony for obvious reasons, so bring a pair of binoculars with you as you stand on top of the cliff for uninterrupted views of this large family of seals lounging on the rocks below. I absolutely adored watching the youngsters swimming in the sheltered rock pools and bothering their parents who were trying to take a snooze!

Streaky Bay

Another town with a minuscule population, Streaky Bay boasts a beautiful – if somewhat tiny – beach, a nice jetty and not a great deal else . It’s well worth an overnight stop though, which you’ll no doubt enjoy. If you’re a coffee fan, there’s an abnormally  large and well facilitated coffee shop in town – which gave me my weekly soy cappucino fix, yippee!

At under 300 kilometres from the start of the Nullarbor, Ceduna is the real beginning of the outback . The town has some lovely features, including a beautiful waterfront and interesting cultural aspects. It’s also an important stop off to make sure your water tank is topped up and you have all of the provisions you need for the rest of your journey!

The Nullarbor Plain

Driving across the Nullarbor Plain will no doubt be a highlight of your Melbourne to Perth road trip. Despite the region being flat and lifeless, there is a certain allure to being out in the nothingness and experiencing so much space. It’s an absolute world away to travelling by train in China , one of my previous overland adventures!

Make sure to check out the Great Australian Bight , snap photos with the Nullarbor road signs and stop driving before sunset to check out the sun descending below the endless horizon. You certainly won’t regret waking up for sunrise as well!

Be sure to stop at every roadhouse on the Nullarbor; not only will these supply you with respite and enable you to stock up with provisions, but you can enjoy some of the quirky museums and unusual giant animal models  pitched up outside; because where else can you see a giant kangaroo holding a tub of vegemite? Pssst! Are you planning on camping on the Nullarbor? Check out Wild Earth for top-quality camping supplies!

Western Australia Border

At the WA border, be sure to snap some photos with the iconic ‘ Welcome to Western Australia ’ sign and take a picture standing with one foot in WA and one in SA ! You’ll be checked for fruit and veg at the border, so be sure to eat these before you cross into Western Australia (even if it’s half 6 in the morning and you have 3 apples, 2 tomatoes and 2 bananas left. Dare ya). You’re now on WA time, which is an hour and a half behind South Australia . You might notice roadhouses around the border have their clocks set for 45 minutes between the two; which makes sense in terms of sunrise and sunset times, but is hella confusing. We just decided to go back to our primitive roots and rely on the sun to tell the time until we got to Esperance.

The end of the Nullarbor! Norseman is situated at about 1,200 kilometres from Ceduna; or two full days of driving. Norseman isn’t up to much; the metal camels on its roundabout are pretty much the only exciting part, but seeing actual buildings again is a fantastic experience after so much nothing and thus it warrants a great nightstop.

Wonderful Esperance is located along the picturesque Southern coast of Western Australia. Its top attraction is the 40 kilometre ocean drive around the coastline and inland. Be sure to schedule some time for beach basking too! The best things to do in Esperance include:

• The Great Ocean Drive (much better than the Great Ocean Road, in my opinion!)
• Twilight Beach for some sunbathing and swimming
• Learning about the history of the town at Esperance Museum
• Drinking a beer at Lucky Bay Brewing

Cape le Grand National Park

Technically still in Esperance, but worthy of a section of its own is Cape le Grand National Park . With beach after beach and gorgeous azure waters, Cape le Grand is a fantastic base for a day’s exploration. Frenchman’s Peak offers stunning views of the park and beyond. The best things to do in Cape le Grand include:

• The famous, impossibly blue Lucky Bay
• The photogenic Hellfire Bay
• Summiting Frenchmans Peak
• Strolling around Thistle Cove
• Free camping at Dunns Rock , where you can drive on the beach and run down beautiful sand dunes!

Pssst… if you’ve got a 4WD and are searching for even more adventure, you could drive further eastwards to Cape Arid National Park – and it won’t break the bank either. Click here to see how you can visit Cape Arid National Park on a budget .

Fitzgerald River

Fitzgerald River is dotted with nature and botany, and is one of Australia’s largest and most significant National Parks . The stunning scenery and range of wildlife offer ample scenic walking and driving opportunities for visitors. The park was closed when we visited (if it’s been raining it might be inaccessible so watch the weather); but we drove on a dirt road alongside the park and had the fantastic opportunity to see emus running alongside and infront of our car!

The second largest city in Western Australia, Albany is home to a fantastic ANZAC memorial , amazing views, a lovely port and various interesting natural phenomenon , including blowholes and ‘The Gap’; a crevice in-between two cliffs where powerful waves crash and tumble. The best things to do in Albany include:

• Whale watching if you’re visiting from June to October
• Admiring the tranquility of Little Beach
• WA Museum Albany
• ANZAC peace park and war memorial on the top of Mount Adelaide
• Be wowed at the powerfulness of water at The Gap
• Enjoy one of the many hiking trails of the region

Beautiful Denmark offers a range of coastal walks and wonderful beaches, including a section of the Bibbulmun Trail which extends from Albany all the way to Kalamunda in the Perth Hills . The Denmark section is wonderfully picturesque, and be sure to enjoy a dip in the ocean afterwards!

Boranup Karri Forest

While driving North West, take a drive through one of the dense Karri forests . The trees are over 300 years old and extend to crazy heights above. They’re some of the most scenic wildlife in the South West and make for a great detour en route to Margaret River.

Margaret River

I could write about wonderful Margaret River forever. The name is for the region, town and river, and it boasts wonderful surf beaches, snorkeling opportunities, caves and vineyards. Spend a day lazing on the beach , wine tasting , or hike up to Cape Naturaliste lighthouse . There’s so many things to do in Margaret River that it’s definitely worth a few days of your Melbourne to Perth drive. The best things to do in the Margaret River region include:

• Taste all the wine at all the vineyards
• Enjoy the sunset at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
• Check out the surf in Yallingup
• Go snorkeling in the Yallingup Lagoon
• Drive down scenic Caves Road , stopping off at various points of interest along the way
• See the southern hemisphere’s longest wooden pier , which is one of the best places to visit in Busselton

Bunbury is a small city a couple of hours South of Perth. It has a dolphin centre with chances to view dolphins coming close to the shore; these can also be spotted from the beach itself if you’re lucky!

A small town South of Perth, Fremantle is technically encompassed within the city, but it maintains a very distinct and unique vibe . Visitors to Fremantle love the markets, the distinct history and the delectable dining and drinking options unique to the town. I spent a month in Fremantle, and I fell in love with the place. See this list of Fremantle attractions  for inspiration of what to do in the town.

I imagine you’ll be yearning for a solid bed by the time you reach Fremantle… I definitely was! The Old Fire Station is the perfect antidote. The hostel feels more like a home, with small dorms, friendly staff, comfy sofas, Netflix, fast wifi and a downstairs courtyard perfect for socialising and drinking in the evenings. The hostel itself is vibrant , with artwork on the walls and quirky fire station memorabilia dotted around. You won’t get a better hostel in Western Australia than the Old Fire Station – it’s an experience in itself. Read my full review of the Old Fire Station here or for rates and to book, click here.

You made it and completed your Melbourne to Perth drive! Perth is just half an hour north of Fremantle. Take some time to get to know this city properly – it’s a sunny, spacious, relaxed place and is completely underrated in my opinion! Some of my favourite things to do in Perth are

• Explore the tranquility of the Perth Hills (see the linked blog post for more information!)
• Eat delicious Indian vegan food at waterfront pay as you wish restaurant, Annalakshmi
• Look out over the skyline at King’s Park
• Catch the sunset of Cottesloe Beach
• Enjoy the developed area of Elizabeth Quay
• Take to the water; boating and watersports on the Swan Estuary are popular Perth pastimes

Melbourne to Perth Drive Cost

Over two weeks, I spent roughly 500 AUD , which worked out to be about $280 on petrol (split between three of us in a Subaru Forester), $150 on food, $12 on national parks entries, $17 on a hostel room in Fremantle and the remainder on coffee , well deserved drinks when we got to Fremantle and other bits (including an ‘I crossed the Nullarbor’ sticker for my car – essential purchase). Apart from in Fremantle, we didn’t spend any money on accommodation, thanks to the wonderful app Wikicamps. Check out my guide to free camping in Australia here . Spreading this road trip out over three or four weeks would cost more in food and slightly more in attractions but not a huge amount more in fuel, so I think if you budget accordingly you could do a 3/4 week road trip for 600/700 AUD respectively. Of course, like all road trips in Australia, the more people you have on board the cheaper fuel and in most cases, food, will be. But really, living this way; making the most of Australia’s hidden, unexplored beauty, camping and eating basic food, is the most budget-friendly way to explore the country. Driving itself may not be the cheapest way of getting around Australia , but the experience of road tripping is, and it’s definitely the best way to have an unforgettable adventure.

Don’t do the Melbourne to Perth drive without these items…

There’s some really important items that you’ll need for your Melbourne to Perth road trip. Check out the links below for suggested high quality items that are essential for your journey!

• Good quality tent
• Sleeping bag that’s fit for the cold Nullarbor nights
• A travel neck pillow like this bargain one
• A gas camping stove
• A quality cooking set
• A comfy self inflating camp mat
• A hydration bladder to fill with water and sip away
• A fuel tank to avoid high prices on the Nullarbor
• One or two water tanks – aim for at least 10 litres of water per person
• Engine Coolant

There’s plenty more that you will need for a road trip across the Nullarbor, but this should give you some pointers to begin! The Melbourne to Perth road trip contained some of my best  travel memories of my trip so far. It’s long and sometimes tiresome, but I’d recommend it to anyone craving an off the beaten track adventure. Don’t forget to check out my driving across the Nullarbor post for tips for this long straight road! What’s the best road trip you’ve ever taken?  If you liked this post, please share it or follow me on Facebook ! 

I’m in the mood for pinning, oh I’m pinning it all tonight….

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18 thoughts on “ Melbourne to Perth Drive Itinerary ”

This was such a cool post to read! I’m Australian (born and raised in Adelaide!) and I absolutely love my country. I’m so glad you loved it too. Your photos are amazing, and definitely makes me excited for the Australian road trip my partner and I are planning to take in a few years. Thanks for sharing so much awesome information about Australia! 😀

I absolutely loved the road trip I took from Perth to Melbourne! It’s such a fantastic part of the country and contrary to everyone’s opinion there’s loads to see and do along the way. I wish I could have visited Esperence, but when I tried to get there floods had washed away some road bridges and I couldn’t reach it! Oh well, it gives me more incentive to go back!

Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden in Port Augusta. Very well set out, choice of which walks to do depending on your time restraints. We did the yellow walk but spent a little longer as we were enjoying the various native plants, trees and colours and were taking our time. Great photo opportunities along the way of the various plants, birds and trees. There are various sculptures of interest and also an area where it shows 4 or 5 different designs, instructions and established examples of growing your own desert garden. There is a cafe, gift shop and info centre which looked very modern and interesting. You can enter the gardens for free, but at the walk way entry before you reach the info centre building there is a metal snake on a post (quite unusual) where you can make a donation, the choice is yours.

I am travelling from Melbourne to Perth mid November and I am looking at places to stop along the way.

Thanks for sharing your post

When I went to the Great Ocean road during winter , it was cold and a bit windy I did find the rock formations were interesting and is amazing hoe Mother Nature carved these rocks . The only problem is the the road veers inland and it would be better that the road ran fully along the coast When the weather is beautiful , the water is a nice blue colour . The Great ocean walk is better as you see a lot more It Is worth it. Anyway it is beautiful down there Some New Zealand hikers from Christ church did the Great Ocean walk .and loved it They rated it a 4 but did say the walking track needed to be well graded and that is saying something because they come from one of the most beautiful countries on earth . If you visit Victoria again go to Wilsons promontory 3 hour drive SE Melbourne There are Mountains, forests lakes and beaches and wildlife everywhere such as wild wombats . You will never see this anywhere in the world . There is also 90 mile beach which is 146km long It is the longest undisturbed stretch of sand in the world The longest beach in the world is Brazil, Western Australia has 80 mile beach which is 222km long . Anyway it is great you enjoyed backpacking Australia

Is the road sealed the whole way or are there dirt roads? Just wondering if it could be done in a small hatchback?

It’s sealed all the way! 🙂

Hi Claire, i am 67 and i am planning to do the drive to Perth from Melbourne. But i cant camp out, too painful at my age. So i was wondering if there are motels along the way?

Hi Anita, yes there are motels attached to the roadhouses! Have a great time 🙂

Do i have to book the motels in advance? Or not needed? What happen if i arrive to some motel during night specially weekends? Regards, Luis.

Hi Claire . Could I travel with 2 small dogs ? I can’t camp can I stay at motels with let’s ?

I travelled from Adelaide to perth via Esperance and Kalgoolie (on the way back home) june 10986.Great road trip but still feeling effect of it today. Love to do it again

Hi Claire! I am about to make the trip Perth-Melbourne in January and I am wondering whether there is any preferred direction. So, in your optinion, does it make more sense to start in Melbourne or start in Perth?

Hi Sanderos,

I don’t imagine that it would make a huge difference at that time of year. It will be very hot everywhere in January, so just be prepared for that! I have heard that tyres can burst because the road is so hot in the summer, so do bear that in mind when you’re planning your trip.

Hey Claire! Thanks for your reply and thanks for sharing your impressions!

Just a correction needed in your post; it is the Coorong, not the Coolong, Also In January when we drove Melbourne to Perth we had head winds all the way, and I believe that is the norm.

Hey Claire,

Awesome review of the drive, planning to do it in few months myself.

Do you have an itinerary for this, cannot find it in the website.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful travel experience claire. Will plan my trip soon from mel to perth accordingly.❤🙌🏽

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Honest tourism information about Australia

Melbourne to Perth road trip: Distance, driving time, stops & attractions

• David Whitley
• Practicalities

The Melbourne to Perth distance is 3,404km, with a driving time of 36 hours. Top Melbourne to Perth road trip attractions include the Grampians, Barossa Valley and Head of Bight.

A Melbourne to Perth road trip is a mammoth undertaking. It is an epic journey across Australia, but one that packs in plenty of attractions along the way if you do it right.

14 fantastic experiences that make the most of your free time in Melbourne

• Get the very best views – on a hot air balloon flight over the city.
• See the changing colours of the river – on a sunset kayaking tour – with dinner. (Highly recommended ✅ )
• Feast and see the sights at the same time – on a four course dinner cruise along the Yarra River.
• A genuinely excellent street art tour , led by prominent street artists. (Highly recommended ✅ )
• The also superb Aboriginal heritage, plants and bush food tour in the Botanic Gardens . (💲 Great value 💲)
• Best of Melbourne bike tour – you can see more on two wheels than walking.
• Hidden laneways bar crawl OR foodie discovery tour OR chocolate and dessert tour .
• Combo ticket for Australian Sports Museum and MCG tour.
• Hassle-dodging advance tickets for the Melbourne Skydeck , Melbourne Zoo , the Ice Bar (with cocktails) and Sea Life Aquarium .

The drive from Melbourne to Perth is a good way to understand how big Australia is . You’ll also see plenty of wildlife and striking desert scenery along the way. But there’s a very good reason why most people choose to fly between Melbourne and Perth rather than drive.

Before leaving, you may want to tick Melbourne Cricket Ground tours , Yarra River dinner cruises and cross-city hot air balloon flights off your Melbourne wish list. For a great range of Melbourne tours and experiences, explore here . To track down the best value Melbourne accommodation, come this way .

Once there, Perth offers gold pouring experiences at the Perth Mint, Rottnest Island day trips , and scenic Swan River cruises . To book Perth tours and experiences, head here . For Perth accommodation deals, book here .

Melbourne to Perth distance and driving time

The Melbourne to Perth driving distance is 3,404km . That means the driving time from Melbourne to Perth is about 36 hours. And that’s going along the fastest route, sticking to National Highway A1.

5 great day trips from Perth – make your visit special

• Rottnest Island ferry transfer – with bike hire and snorkelling gear. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• The Pinnacles desert – with koalas 🐨 and sandboarding.
• Wave Rock day tour – with wildflowers & Aboriginal culture.
• Margaret River wineries experience 🍷 – with tastings, caves & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
• Full day Swan Valley wine tour 🍷– with lunch.

If turning the Melbourne to Perth drive into a road trip, it’s wise to do it over a lot longer than that. You should also veer off the quickest route to take in some of the more scenic attractions along the way. These include the Great Ocean Road , Port Fairy and the Umpherston Sinkhole in Mount Gambier .

Either way, you’ll need to break the journey down into legs and plan overnight stays along the route.

Next up: Melbourne to Perth road trip sections.

• Travel Updates

‘Went bananas’: Passenger forces Perth-Melbourne Virgin flight to U-turn

A cross-country flight was forced to do a U-turn as a male passenger “went bananas” banging on the cockpit.

Buck’s party turns into wild beach brawl

Airline sued over shocking ‘body odour’ move

Jetstar plane slides off runway, on to grass

A Perth to Melbourne flight had to do U-turn less than an hour into the journey.

A caller has told radio station 3AW a man was agitated and banging on the cockpit door during the flight on Monday.

Flight data shows the plane barely made it over the Great Australian Bight before turning around, landing 30 minutes after takeoff.

“A male passenger suddenly went bananas running up and down the aisle and bashing on the cockpit door,” the radio caller said.

“Two air marshals had to restrain and handcuff the individual until the [flight] landed.”

The apparent witness believed some travellers got on a later flight, though some were unable to get another seat.

The flight was operated by Virgin.

A Virgin Australia spokesperson said the plane returned to Perth because of a “disruptive passenger on board“.

“On arrival in Perth, the aircraft was met by the Australian Federal Police and the disruptive guest was offloaded.”

“The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority and we sincerely apologise to guests impacted.”

More to come.

Tourists on a buck’s party allegedly started a violent beach brawl, leading to eight arrests and infuriating locals.

Three men allege they were forced to deboard a plane following a complaint about body odour, despite not knowing each other or sitting together on the plane.

A Jetstar plane encountered a steering issue while landing at Christchurch Airport today, ending up in the grass.

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Plane forced to turn around mid-flight after naked man runs down aisle

It was not clear how or where on the plane the passenger removed his clothes, article bookmarked.

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A plane was forced to turn around mid-flight after a naked man ran down the aisle before being tackled by another passenger.

Police said a man has been accused of running naked down the aisle of an Australian domestic flight, knocking down a flight attendant and forcing the plane to turn back.

He was arrested by police at the airport, officials added on Tuesday.

The incident happened early in what was scheduled to be a 3 hour and 30 minute Virgin Australia flight on Monday night from the west coast city of Perth to Melbourne on the east coast.

Flight VA696 returned to Perth Airport due to a “disruptive passenger,” an airline statement said.

Australian Federal Police officers were waiting for the plane and “the disruptive guest was offloaded,” Virgin said.

Police said “officers arrested a man after he allegedly ran naked through the aircraft mid-flight and knocked a crew member to the floor.”

“The man was transferred to hospital for assessment, where he remains,” a police statement said.

It was not clear how or where on the plane the passenger removed his clothes.

One passenger on board told The Guardian: “All of a sudden I hear this running up the aisle and the guy’s got no clothes on and he’s just charging towards the front of the plane”.

Adding: “Initially you think, God forbid, it could be an attack. It’s really distressing being on a plane in that situation.”

Police expect to order the man by summons to appear in a Perth court on June 14. What charges he will face have yet to be announced.

The airline said sorry to “guests impacted,” adding the safety of passengers and crew was its top priority.

Virgin Australia said: “We can confirm on Monday, 27 May, VA696 Perth to Melbourne, returned to Perth due to a disruptive passenger on board.”

“On arrival in Perth, the aircraft was met by the Australian Federal Police and the disruptive guest was offloaded,” the statement read.

“The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority, and we sincerely apologise to guests impacted.”

Nobody is believed to have been injured during the incident.

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Man arrested for running naked through aircraft, knocking over flight attendant

A Virgin Australia flight on Monday night was forced to turn around after a passenger ran naked through the cabin and pushed over a flight attendant, according to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

VA696 departed Perth as scheduled and was about an hour en route to Melbourne when the incident occurred, causing the pilots to make a U-turn and return to Perth, according to FlightAware . 

“Appropriate steps were taken by the crew, in line with protocol” to deal with the “disruptive passenger,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson told USA TODAY in an email statement.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

AFP officers were called to meet the passenger when the plane landed safely back at Perth. 

“AFP officers arrested a man after he allegedly ran naked through the aircraft mid-flight and knocked a crew member to the floor,” an AFP spokesperson told USA TODAY in an email. 

The passenger is currently being held at a local hospital for assessment. He is expected to appear before Perth Magistrates Court on June 14, although the charges he will face have yet to be finalized, AFP said.

Next to an unruly airline passenger? Here's what to do

One of the passengers onboard the flight told the Guardian Australia , "All of a sudden I hear this running up the aisle and the guy's got no clothes on and he's just charging towards the front of the plane." The passenger also said there was "a lot of yelling and screaming."

“The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority and we sincerely apologize to guests impacted,” the airline said.

The aircraft continued to Melbourne and landed 28 minutes late. 

Last month, an unruly passenger who caused a United Airlines flight to be diverted after threatening to "mess up the plane" during a loud argument with his girlfriend was charged $20,638 in restitution fees.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man arrested for running naked through aircraft, knocking over flight attendant

Twelve people injured, including eight taken to hospital, after Qatar Airways plane hits turbulence on Doha-Dublin flight

Twelve people have been injured, including eight taken to hospital, after a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Ireland hit turbulence, Dublin Airport says.

Flight QR017, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, landed safely and as scheduled before 1pm local time on Sunday, the airport said.

"Upon landing, the aircraft was met by emergency services, including Airport Police and our Fire and Rescue department, due to 6 passengers and 6 crew [12 total] on board reporting injuries after the aircraft experienced turbulence while airborne over Turkey," Dublin Airport said in a statement.

"All passengers were assessed for injury prior to disembarking the aircraft. Eight passengers were subsequently taken to hospital."

Irish broadcaster RTÉ said the incident lasted less than 20 seconds and occurred during meal service.

Passenger Paul Mocc told RTÉ that he saw "people hitting the roof", and food and drinks flying everywhere. 

Another traveller, Emma Rose Power, told RTÉ that after the turbulence, "some of the flight attendants I saw, they had scratches on their face, they had ice to their face. There was one girl that had a sling on her arm".

Qatar Airways said in a statement that a "small number" of passengers and crew sustained minor injuries during the flight and were receiving medical attention.

The airline did not directly comment on the turbulence but said the matter is subject to an internal investigation.

"The safety and security of our passengers and crew are our top priority," it said. 

The incident took place five days after a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore was forced to land in Bangkok due to severe turbulence, which killed a 73-year-old British man and left 20 others in intensive care.

Turbulence-related airline accidents are the most common type, according to a 2021 study by the US National Transportation Safety Board.

From 2009 through 2018, the US agency found that turbulence accounted for more than a third of reported airline accidents and most resulted in one or more serious injuries, but no aircraft damage.

Some meteorologists and aviation analysts note that reports of turbulence encounters also have been increasing and point to the potential impacts that climate change may have on flying conditions.

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