Getting around Perth in a rental car
If you’re planning a trip to Perth and want to hire a rental car, hit the road running with our insider tips on getting the most out of your journey.
Read on to find out more.
Renting a car in Perth is a great option for visitors looking to explore all that the city — and greater Western Australia — has to offer. From Broome to Esperance, a trip to Australia is never quite complete without delving into the beauty of Perth and its surroundings. Best of all, VroomVroomVroom is here to help you find the perfect rental car in Perth.
Where to drive your rental car in Perth
Kings Park: Just a short drive from the city, the botanic gardens of Kings Park harbour thousands of species of flora and fauna.
Swan Valley: From famous wineries to excellent coffee roasters, distilleries, lavender farms, and restaurants, Swan Valley has it all.
Cottesloe Beach: Grab some fish and chips and enjoy a day at Cottesloe Beach, where the sand is pure white and the water is sparkling blue.
Driving tips in Perth
Distances between towns in Western Australia can be significant, so if you’re thinking of doing a lap of the state, consider adding an additional driver to your rental car agreement.
The speed limit in most built-up areas of Perth is 50 km/h unless signposted.
Make sure you have a full tank of fuel when leaving Perth for remote areas, as distances between petrol stations can be considerable.
When driving outside of downtown Perth, watch out for native wildlife that may stray onto roads, particularly at night.
Parking in Perth
Most curbside parking zones within the CBD are metered, meaning you’ll need to pay a fee at the ticket machine for the time you’re parked there. However, there are some streets in Perth that allow you to park for an hour free of charge. If you’re planning to park at the airport, check out our list of Perth Airport parking providers.
When parking your rental car in Perth, be sure to read any time zone limitations, what payment (if any) is due, and how long you are permitted to park in a spot. Car parking rules should be displayed on signs beside the parking spots, and often show different rules depending on the day of the week and time of day — inner city Perth parking rules tend to be more restrictive on weekdays.
Important InformationExpert tip ...
Parking rules can change depending on the day of the week and the time of day, and as getting booked can be an expensive experience, it is a good idea to read before you park.
Are there toll roads in Perth?
There are no toll roads in Western Australia, including within the capital city of Perth.
Driving distances
The distances and trip times below are estimates only and will vary depending on time and day of departure, route taken, and traffic conditions.
Perth to Perth Airport: 16 km and 22 min
Perth to Fremantle: 20 km and 30 min
Perth to Busselton: 223 km and 2 hrs 20 min
Perth to Geraldton: 414 km and 4 hrs 30 min
Perth to Kalgoorlie: 593 km and 6 hrs 35 min
Perth to Esperance: 697 km and 7 hrs 45 min
Perth to Carnarvon: 893 km and 9 hrs 30 min
Perth to Exmouth: 1,248 km and 13 hrs
Perth to Broome Airport: 2,222 km and 23 hrs 30 min
Perth to Adelaide: 2,695 km and 28 hrs
Fuel
Before you return your hire car to the rental car provider’s depot, make sure you’ve filled the fuel tank to avoid paying a premium rate to have the vehicle refuelled. The Vroom Fuel Price Compare app can help you find the cheapest fuel near you, but otherwise some centrally-located petrol stations in Perth include:
Ampol: 157 Lord St, East Perth, WA
Ampol: 319 Vincent St, Leederville, Perth, WA
bp: 240 Cambridge St, Wembley, Perth, WA
Caltex: 170 Albany Hwy, Victoria Park, Perth, WA
Shell: 269 Stirling Hwy Mary St, Claremont, Perth, WA
