Mildura to Perth road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
The drive from Mildura to Perth covers a 2,919km distance in a driving time of around 31 hours. Top road trip stops to add to a Mildura to Perth road trip itinerary include the Clare Valley, Port Augusta and Eucla.
The drive from Mildura to Perth is an epic journey that most travellers will undertake as part of a longer road trip. The route from Canberra to Perth passes this way.
Mildura is on the cusp of several excellent outback national parks, and offers winery and wetland tours. Book the best value Mildura accommodation before setting off.
Perth, meanwhile, offers day trips to Rottnest Island, swimming with dolphins and Swan Valley food and wine tours. For Perth accommodation deals, book here.
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.
The Mildura 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 Mildura to Perth road trip itinerary, and click through on the links for more detailed information on individual destinations.
Mildura to Perth distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Mildura to Perth is 2,919km. That makes for a driving time of around 31 hours.
Good choices for overnight stops along the route include Port Augusta, Ceduna, Eucla and Kalgoorlie.
Mildura is an excellent base for day trips to nearby national parks, such as Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, Murray Sunset National Park, and the exceptional Mungo National Park. For accommodation in Mildura, the Best Western Chaffey International Motor Inn and the River City Motel are both good choices.
Your Mildura checklist
- Find the best accommodation.
- Book a half day visit to the Trentham Estate Winery and Mildura Wetlands…
- … Or a nature-focused Hattah Lakes 4WD tour.
Mildura to Perth drive: Mildura to Port Augusta
The Mildura to Port Augusta leg of the Mildura to Perth driving route follows the Sturt Highway over the South Australian border, skirting the northern edge of the Murray Sunset National Park.
The first sizable town in South Australia is Renmark, which is the gateway to the Murray River Walk and the Riverland region. You can also visit the 23rd Street Distillery and stay at the Riverbend Caravan Park.
The Riverland region is home to several lakes that gather around the Murray River, and each one offers something different. You can go kayaking on Loch Luna or camping by Lake Bonney, for example.
The Mildura to Perth drive then joins the Goyder Highway at Monash, following the Murray River until it turns for the south at Morgan.
Mildura to Perth attractions: Burra and the Clare Valley
The route continues to Burra, where you can build in a slight detour to the rugged landscapes of the Red Banks Conservation Park.
Burra accommodation picks
The best Burra accommodation options are:
- For plenty of space and homeliness: Paxton Square Cottages.
- For heritage and charm: Burra Railway Station Bed and Breakfast.
- For decent rooms and relatively cheap rates: Burra Motor Inn.
After Burra, the drive skirts the top of the Clare Valley, and if you want to stock up on quality Rieslings, you can take a detour south.
The route then joins National Highway 1 at Crystal Brook.
From here, the road trip itinerary heads past industrial Port Pirie and through Mambray Creek, which is the gateway to the Mount Remarkable National Park and Alligator Gorge.
The best things to do in Port Augusta include the Wadlata Outback Centre, which looks at Aboriginal and outback life, and the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden.
Port Augusta accommodation picks
Port Augusta accommodation tends towards the functional. Few people stay here more than one night. Booking site Wotif lists options for from $89, if you’d like to check what’s available.
However, these Port Augusta accommodation choices are particularly worth looking at:
- For heritage and character: Pampas Motel.
- For green credentials: Crossroads Ecomotel.
- For overall quality: Majestic Oasis Apartments.
- For cheap rates and a pool: Discovery Parks – Port Augusta.
Mildura to Perth road trip: Port Augusta to Wudinna
Port Augusta is at the top of the Spencer Gulf. From here, you head west along the seemingly interminable Eyre Highway.
The drive from Port Augusta to Ceduna, South Australia is 468km in distance, with a Port Augusta to Ceduna driving time of four hours and 55 minutes. On the way across the top of the Eyre Peninsula, you can get your photo taken under the Halfway Across Australia sign in Kimba.
Those with more time on their hands might like to add in a detour or two. Options include adventures in the Gawler Ranges, beach time at Streaky Bay or swimming with Australian sea lions at Baird Bay.
Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris runs day tours from Wudinna. If you’re shorter on time, the wave-like Pildappa Rock makes for a quicker diversion.
Click through to the next section: The Nullarbor.