Canberra to Perth road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
The drive from Canberra to Perth covers a 3,719km distance in a driving time of around 39 hours. Top road trip stops to add to an itinerary include Wagga Wagga, Yanga National Park and Mildura.
The drive from Canberra to Perth is a long and often lonely adventure, which passes through some of the most remote parts of Australia.
Canberra is the capital of Australia. It offers wine and distillery tours, plus guided visits to the National Museum of Australia.
Perth, meanwhile, offers day trips to Rottnest Island, swimming with dolphins and Swan Valley food and wine tours. To book Perth tours and experiences, head here. For Perth accommodation deals, book here.
The Canberra to Perth drive is largely about epic outback landscapes, but there are plenty of good stops along the way. Use this guide to help you plan your perfect Canberra to Perth road trip itinerary, and click through on the links for more detailed information on individual destinations.
Canberra to Perth distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Canberra to Perth is 3,719km. That makes for a driving time of around 39 hours.
Good choices for overnight stops along the route include Wagga Wagga, Mildura, Port Augusta, Ceduna, Eucla and Kalgoorlie.
7 great Canberra experiences to book before you arrive
- Full day city highlights tour – including Mount Ainslie, Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial.
- Tidbinbilla wildlife and birds tour – see kangaroos, koalas, platypus and emus in the wild.
- Hot air balloon flight – see Canberra’s unique design while floating above the city.
- Small group wine tour – discover the amazing wineries and food producers of the Canberra region.
- Australian Institute of Sport tour – see where Australia’s next generation of sporting greats train.
- Australian Museum – expert-guided tour of the museum highlights.
- Brewery tour – hop between Canberra’s best craft breweries.
The top Canberra accommodation picks
There is a large selection of Canberra accommodation options. But these are particularly good choices…
- The one with the highest guest rating: A By Adina Canberra.
- For something cool and stylish: East Hotel and Apartments.
- The one where the VIPs stay: Hyatt Hotel Canberra.
- For high quality apartments: Quest Canberra City Walk.
- For something much cheaper and family-focused: Alivio Tourist Park.
Canberra to Perth road trip: Canberra to Wagga Wagga section
The Canberra to Wagga Wagga drive covers a 245km distance and takes around two hours and 47 minutes.
The first leg is on the Barton Highway to Yass. Stop at wineries along the way and learn about early pastoralists at Cooma Cottage.
Join the Hume Highway outside Yass, then head towards Jugiong and Gundagai.
Have lunch at the Long Track Pantry in Jugiong and visit the Australian Road Transport Heritage Centre in Gundagai.
Where to stay in Gundagai
The best Gundagai accommodation options are:
- For a decent, cheap motel: Poets Recall Motel.
- For family cabins and a playground: Gundagai Cabins and Tourist Park.
- For central location: Garden Motor Inn.
Cut onto the Nangus Road and Oura Road for a stop at Kimo Estate, Oura Beach and Wild Vine Vineyard.
Wagga Wagga has a surprisingly large population and Wagga Beach – arguably the best inland beach in Australia.
Wagga Wagga accommodation recommendations
- For business: International Hotel Wagga Wagga.
- For a pool and city centre location: Townhouse Hotel.
- For character: Charles Boutique Hotel.
- For riverside location: Prince of Wales Motor Inn.
- For family cabins: Ingenia Holidays Wagga Wagga.
Canberra to Perth drive: The Murrumbidgee River
It’s another 558km from Wagga Wagga to Mildura along the Sturt Highway, which mostly follows the Murrumbidgee River.
On the way out of Wagga Wagga, you can stop at Kolhagens Beach on the Murrumbidgee River. It is not as famous as Wagga Beach, but it is a lovely spot for a swim in the river on a hot day.
The Berry Jerry section of Murrumbidgee National Park is located shortly after going through Collingullie. There is the Berry Jerry Rest Area by the side of the highway, but the forest is not set up for visitors.
Continue towards the Koala Reserve just outside Narrandera. This is one of the best places in Australia for spotting koalas.
Other attractions in Narrandera include kayaking on the Rocky Waterholes, admiring the giant mural on the Narrandera Water Tower, and taking a self-guided walking tour of the town’s heritage buildings.
The top accommodation in Narrandera, NSW
The best places to stay in Narrandera are:
- For overall quality: Narrandera Club Motor Inn.
- For an outdoor pool and BBQs: Bishops Lodge.
- For a solid motel with low prices: Camellia Motel.
Click through for the next section: Narrandera to Darlington Point.