Four interesting facts about Western Australia
- WA covers almost a third of Australia. Its area is about 2.53 million square kilometres. A map that makes two places look close can hide a long journey.
- The South West has a traditional six-season calendar. The Noongar seasons reflect changes in weather, plants and animals, rather than relying only on fixed dates.
- There is a famous road without a bend for 146.6 km. The 90 Mile Straight lies on the Eyre Highway between Balladonia and Caiguna.
- A public transport trip in Perth can include crossing the Swan River by ferry. The Elizabeth Quay to Mends Street service is part of the same network as the city's buses and trains.
Read more: Geoscience Australia, the Noongar seasonal calendar, Tourism Australia's Nullarbor guide and Transperth's visitor information.
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Choose transport to suit your trip
| Your plan | A practical starting point | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Perth, Fremantle and nearby suburbs | Transperth trains, buses and ferry | The walk from the stop to your accommodation and the last service home. |
| Several towns in the South West | Hire car, or coaches with local tours | How you will reach beaches, wineries and accommodation outside town. |
| Kalgoorlie or another town on a regional rail route | Transwa train | The exact station, travel day and local transport on arrival. |
| Broome, the Kimberley or Ningaloo with limited time | Flight, then a booked transfer, hire car or tour | Airport location, car availability and the cost of the whole journey. |
| A longer coastal trip without driving | Scheduled coaches with planned stopovers | Days of operation, roadside stops and onward transfers. |
| Remote tracks and national parks | A suitable vehicle and experience, or a guided tour | Road openings, vehicle restrictions, permits and supplies. |
For a first visit, choosing fewer bases usually makes the trip easier. You can combine a Perth stay without a car with a shorter car hire or a flight to one region.
Perth: trains, buses and the public ferry
Transperth runs the metropolitan network. Use its JourneyPlanner or app for the actual date and time of travel, including connections and disruption notices. A train may get you close to a destination, with a bus or walk completing the trip.
Paying for travel
You can use a contactless Visa or Mastercard, a supported digital wallet, a SmartRider card or a cash ticket. Contactless bank payments are now available on the network, so a short-term visitor does not have to buy a SmartRider.
Tag on and off with the same card or device. A plastic card and the same card in your phone wallet count as different payment methods. Each traveller needs their own valid ticket or payment method. Keep that card or device available for inspection.
| Standard adult fare | Current price |
|---|---|
| Go Anywhere, cash or contactless bank payment | A$3.50 |
| Go Anywhere, SmartRider with the 10% discount | A$3.15 |
| Go Anywhere, SmartRider with the 20% Autoload discount | A$2.80 |
| DayRider, standard daily maximum | A$7.00 |
Go Anywhere covers travel across the Transperth network within a three-hour window. Short single-service journeys may qualify for the cheaper 2 Sections fare. SmartRider and contactless fares are automatically capped at the relevant Go Anywhere and DayRider limits.
Contactless bank payments use standard adult fares. They do not provide concession fares. Check eligibility before assuming an overseas pensioner or student card qualifies. For a longer stay, compare SmartRider savings with the cost of buying and loading the card.
Check current fares, contactless instructions and ticket conditions.
Free travel in Perth
Perth's CAT buses are free. Ordinary buses are also free when your whole trip stays within the city Free Transit Zone. The train zone has different boundaries and requires you to tag on and off with SmartRider or a supported contactless method.
Sunday travel is free on Transperth when you use SmartRider or contactless and tag on and off normally. This does not cover the late-night Saturday services operating after midnight. A SmartRider must not have a negative balance. Without an eligible payment method, you still need a paid ticket.
Check the free travel rules and maps. These offers do not make regional coaches, private ferries or sightseeing cruises free.
Getting from Perth Airport
Check your terminal on the airline booking. Perth Airport has separate terminal precincts, and an international or domestic label alone does not tell you which one to use.
- T1 and T2: use Airport Central Station and the signed pedestrian connection to the terminals.
- T3 and T4: use the free Route 292 shuttle to Redcliffe Station, then the Airport Line. Redcliffe is not directly connected to these terminals by a station walkway.
- Early or late arrivals: check the first or last train for your date. Keep a taxi, rideshare or booked transfer as an alternative if the timetable does not fit.
Airport Line trains use the normal Transperth fare system. The free T3/T4 shuttle does not make the onward train journey free. If you choose a taxi or rideshare, follow the airport's signed pickup arrangements and check the price or estimate before travelling.
Official information: Perth Airport public transport and which terminal.
Regional trains and coaches
Transwa runs regional trains and road coaches. Its tickets are separate from ordinary Transperth travel. Do not assume your SmartRider or a Perth day ticket pays for a regional journey.
The Prospector links East Perth Terminal with Kalgoorlie. AvonLink and MerredinLink serve parts of the Avon Valley and Wheatbelt. Use the current timetable for your chosen stop, as these services do not all run on the same days.
The Australind links Perth and Bunbury, but its train service is returning in stages. At the research date, trains operate on selected days alongside road coaches. Check whether the departure you are booking is a train or coach and whether it leaves from Perth Station or East Perth Terminal. They are different places.
Transwa coach routes serve destinations including Albany, Esperance, Geraldton and Kalbarri, with other routes through the South West and Wheatbelt. Use the system map and coach routes to see what fits your itinerary.
Book a seat before arranging a tight connection. Check the boarding point, luggage allowance, change conditions and arrival time. A coach may arrive outside normal accommodation reception hours. Arrange the final transfer rather than assuming taxis will be waiting.
See the Prospector, Australind and train timetables for current details.
Coaches farther north and buses within towns
Integrity Coachlines operates services between Perth and Broome. Confirm your precise stop, operating day and any connecting shuttle. A destination appearing on an operator's website does not necessarily mean the main coach drops you at your hotel or inside a national park.
Transregional provides local bus networks in a number of regional towns. These are useful for some local trips, but services and operating hours vary. Check the particular town's timetable, especially on weekends. Local buses and long-distance coaches serve different purposes.
Flying between regions
A flight can make sense when you have a short holiday and one distant region in mind. Compare the total cost of the flight, luggage, airport transfers and transport during your stay with the time and expense of driving.
Start with Perth Airport's current route information, then check the airline's live timetable. Do not assume two regional towns have a direct flight between them. You may need to connect through Perth.
Check the airport's location as carefully as the airfare. Flights sold for the Exmouth area commonly use Learmonth Airport; arrange onward transport before arrival. In any region, confirm hire-car availability and collection hours before paying for a flight. Separate flight bookings need a generous connection allowance.
Hiring a car or campervan
A car is useful when your plans include scattered beaches, walking trails, wineries or several towns. You may save money by collecting it when you leave Perth rather than paying for parking during a city stay.
Compare the full hire cost: insurance excess, exclusions, bond, additional drivers, kilometre limits, one-way fees, fuel policy and return location. For a campervan, add campsite charges and check vehicle height, sleeping arrangements and what equipment is included.
Ask the hire company about your named roads and destinations. Permission to drive on a gravel road, use a beach or cross water is not automatic. A vehicle advertised as an SUV may not be a suitable high-clearance 4WD. Insurance or damage cover may exclude places the vehicle can physically reach.
A campervan does not allow camping anywhere. Book designated sites where required, follow local signs and check facilities rather than assuming every rest area allows an overnight stay.
Overseas licences and road rules
Visitors can generally drive the vehicle classes covered by their current valid overseas licence. Carry the original licence. If it is not in English, arrange the required English translation or International Driving Permit and carry it with the original. Confirm accepted documents with the hire company before collection. Different rules apply when moving to WA to live.
Drive on the left, obey posted limits and use the required seatbelts and child restraints. Check the official visitor licence guidance and road safety information for visitors.
Long drives, remote roads and the weather
Allow for fuel stops, meals, roadworks and rest. A navigation app's driving time is not a comfortable daily itinerary. Avoid planning a long rural drive immediately after an overnight flight.
Travel in daylight where practical. Watch for wildlife and livestock, and give road trains plenty of space. Take regular breaks and stop if you feel tired. A straight road still needs your full attention.
Before a remote section, check fuel availability and opening hours, carry drinking water and download maps. Make sure the vehicle has suitable tyres and the equipment your route needs. Do not rely on continuous mobile reception. Discuss satellite communication or a personal locator beacon with your hire company or tour operator if you plan to travel well away from regular services.
For an electric vehicle, plan charging stops as part of the route. Confirm connector compatibility, current charger availability and a backup option. A charger marked on a map is not a guarantee that it will be working or free when you arrive.
Weather differs sharply across WA. Heavy rain in the north can close roads, particularly during the wet season. Heat, fires and storms can disrupt travel elsewhere. Never drive past a closure or through floodwater because a navigation app suggests the route is open.
Check the Main Roads Travel Map, DBCA Park Alerts and Emergency WA. Main Roads does not manage every local or park road, so also check with the relevant council, park or accommodation provider. Read Main Roads' long-distance advice before a road trip.
Ferries, taxis, tours and cycling
Perth's public ferry and the commercial ferries to Rottnest Island are separate services. For Rottnest, book with an operator and check the departure port, island admission, luggage or bicycle charges and return sailing. A Transperth ticket does not cover that trip. The official Rottnest ferry information is a good starting point.
Taxis and rideshare can fill gaps in a Perth itinerary. In smaller towns, ask about availability and book ahead when a missed pickup would matter. Do not assume an app has drivers nearby at all hours.
A guided tour can be useful for remote tracks, a winery day or places difficult to reach without a car. Check where the tour collects passengers, the walking involved and whether entry fees and meals are included.
Cycling can work well for local outings. Choose a route suited to your fitness, traffic confidence and the weather. If taking a bicycle on public transport, check the operator's current rules for that service and time. Electric bicycles and scooters can have different restrictions.
Travelling with children or access needs
Arrange child seats when hiring a car or booking a transfer. Allow time for luggage, prams and toilet stops when comparing a road trip with a flight or train.
For wheelchair spaces, boarding assistance or other access requirements, speak to the operator before paying. Check the exact service and the stops at both ends. A vehicle's accessibility does not tell you whether the path from the station to your accommodation is suitable.
Transwa's accessibility information and Transperth's visitor information are useful starting points. Give operators the details they need, such as mobility-aid dimensions or whether you need help with steps. Confirm arrangements again if a train is replaced by a coach.
Three ways to plan a trip without too much driving
Perth with nearby outings: choose accommodation near a useful train station or bus route. Use public transport for the city and Fremantle, then book a separate island ferry or guided excursion if wanted.
One regional base: take a train, coach or flight to a town, then book local transport and a small number of tours. Check those local arrangements before committing to the long-distance ticket.
City stay plus a road trip: explore Perth first, then hire a vehicle for a manageable route. Leave a spare day or some flexible time rather than making every night depend on a long drive.
These are planning approaches, not fixed itineraries or promises that every destination is reachable without a car.
Common questions
Do I need a car for all of Western Australia?
You do not need one for many Perth visits. For a wider trip, check each region and the transport between your accommodation and the places you want to see. A flight, coach or train to a town may still leave you needing local transport.
Can I tap my bank card on Perth public transport?
Yes, supported contactless Visa and Mastercard cards and digital wallets are accepted. Use the same card or device to tag on and off. Standard fares apply, with eligible free-travel arrangements as described above.
Is every regional train a daily service?
No. Timetables differ, and the Australind is being reintroduced in stages. Search your actual travel date and confirm whether a listed service is a train or road coach.
Is a 4WD essential for a WA holiday?
No. Many towns and attractions are accessible by sealed roads. A suitable 4WD and experience are needed for particular routes. Decide where you want to go before choosing the vehicle.
What should I reserve first?
Secure the part with the fewest alternatives, such as a regional flight, suitable hire vehicle, accessible seat or remote accommodation. Then fit the remaining transport around it and check cancellation terms before paying.