Great Eastern Highway, Western Australia

The Great Eastern Highway is 593km, and links Perth to Kalgoorlie. Stops on the way include John Forrest National Park, Northam and Kokerbin Rock.

The Great Eastern Highway is the main west-to-east road through Western Australia. It links WA capital Perth with the outback mining city of Kalgoorlie.

You’ll likely drive along the Great Eastern Highway on an interstate road trip from Perth to Adelaide, or Perth to Sydney. And nobody’s going to pretend it’s the most interesting drive in the world.

The Great Eastern Highway in Western Australia. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions.

Great Eastern Highway length

The Great Eastern Highway is 593km long and starts just east of Perth CBD. It then heads north east through the city suburbs towards Guildford, the main town in the Swan Valley wine region.

Next comes Midland, before the Great Eastern Highway heads through the Perth Hills towards Mundaring. On the way it passes John Forrest National Park, home of Hovea Falls.

From Mundaring to Northam, the Great Eastern Highway travels through an increasingly rural landscape. Northam is the biggest town on the journey before reaching Kalgoorlie, and after the Perth to Northam leg of the drive you’re properly out in the sticks.

Great Eastern Highway towns

The Great Eastern Highway passes through uninspiring wheatbelt settlements such as Meckering, Kellerberrin and Merredin. The Kokerbin Nature Reserve, south of Kellerberrin and west of Bruce Rock, is probably the main attraction worth diverting off the highway for. This reserve is home to Kokerbin Rock, the third largest monolith in Australia.

At Burracoppin, slightly further along, it’s worth pulling over to read the signs about the State Barrier Fence. Formerly known as the rabbit-proof fence, this was the longest fence in the world, and Burracoppin was where construction started.

Wheatbelt and Goldfields national parks

After that, the Great Eastern Highway is frankly a slog. It passes through the Yellowdine Nature Reserve, Boorabbin National Park and Goldfields Woodlands National Park, but these are more about conservation than visitor experiences.

554 metres in, the Great Eastern Highway meets the Coolgardie – Esperance Highway. This will take you to Norseman and the start of the Eyre Highway across the Nullarbor Plain.

Continue on to Kalgoorlie, however, for tours of the Superpit, the Museum of the Goldfields and Hannans North Tourist Mine.

DON’T MISS OUT! 9 fabulous Perth experiences to book today ✅

✅ See the Rottnest Island quokkas the smart way – with a ferry and bike package.
✅ Be amazed by the abundant wildlife – on a dolphin, penguin and sealion cruise.
✅ See clear night skies in a moon-like desert – on a Pinnacles stargazing experience.
✅ Indulge in chocolate, cheese & premium wines – on a Swan Valley food and wine tour.
✅ See the city sunset from the water – on a Swan River dinner cruise.
✅ Watch gold being melted and poured – on a Perth Mint gold tour.
✅ Combine nature with imperious city views – on Kings Park Segway tour.
✅ Face your fears and get the thrill of your life on a – on a 15,000ft skydive.
✅ Find all the best hidden hangouts – on a small bar and street art tour.