Perth to Cairns road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
The best stops on a Perth to Cairns road trip include Kalgoorlie, Head of Bight, Broken Hill, Charleville and Townsville. The Perth to Cairns driving distance along sealed roads is 5,249km, which takes 56 hours. Plan to spread the itinerary out over at least a couple of weeks.
Planning a Perth to Cairns road trip
A Perth to Cairns road trip is one of the longest drives you can possibly undertake in Australia. It connects the capital of Western Australia to the hub for Great Barrier Reef cruises.
Perth offers gold pouring experiences at the Perth Mint, Rottnest Island day trips, and scenic Swan River cruises. To book Perth tours and experiences, head here. For Perth accommodation deals, book here.
If you have three days in Cairns, do a Great Barrier Reef trip, a Kuranda scenic train and cable car combo and a Mossman Gorge plus Cape Tribulation World Heritage rainforest day tour. With more time, consider mesmerising scenic flights over the Reef, dinner cruises and waterfall-packed Atherton Tableland tours.
To choose from a wide range of memorable Cairns tours and experiences, look here. To pick the Cairns accommodation best suited to you, book here.
But there are plenty of fascinating places to stop along the way. This Australia travel expert-researched guide is designed to help travellers plan their perfect Perth to Cairns road trip itinerary. Click through on individual places, attractions and activities for more detail.
Perth to Cairns distance and driving time
By car along sealed roads, the distance from Perth to Cairns 5,249km, with a driving time of around 56 hours. There is a quicker route, but it involves travelling on 4WD tracks and securing permits to enter Aboriginal land.
Where you choose to stop along the way will depend on how long you’ve got and how long you can tolerate behind the wheel each day. Good spots along the Perth to Cairns driving route, however, include Kalgoorlie, Head of Bight, Broken Hill, Charleville and Townsville.
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.
The best places to stay in Perth
You can check out deals on a wide range of Perth accommodation options. But these are some of the best choices.
- The swankiest address in town: COMO The Treasury.
- The cool, fun one in the centre of the action: The Alex.
- For quality apartments next to Kings Park: Quest Kings Park.
- For quality apartments by the beach: Seashells Scarborough.
- On a backpacker budget: Spinners Hostel.
Perth to Cairns road trip: Perth to Northam
The first section of the drive to Cairns from Perth is along the Great Eastern Highway, which initially follows the Swan River.
The highway then skirts the edge of WA’s oldest national park – John Forrest National Park. Here, you’ll find several walking trails and two delightful waterfalls – National Park Falls and Hovea Falls.
As the highway goes through Mundaring, it’s worth taking a small diversion to Mundaring Weir.
It’s not just a beauty spot – it plays an important part in WA’s history, providing water for the dry, inland regions. The back story is told at the National Trust-run No. 1 Pumping Station.
On the leg from Perth to Northam, you can also visit the Karakamia Sanctuary in Chidlow. Critically-endangered wildlife is protected here.
Things to do in Northam include admiring the silo art, going on a balloon flight over the Avon Valley and learning about local Aboriginal culture at the Bilya Koort Boodja cultural centre.
Northam accommodation picks include the heritage-laced Duke’s Inn and the characterful Fairway Manor.
Perth to Cairns drive: Northam to Kalgoorlie
There aren’t many attractions on the dry, dull stretch of highway between Northam and Kalgoorlie. But you’ll keep seeing the ‘Golden Pipeline’ by the side of the road. This is what the water from Mundaring Weir is pumped hundreds of kilometres through in order to supply the goldfields.
In Burracoppin, the Golden Pipeline meets the State Barrier Fence. Signs tell the the story of the longest fence in the world.
Kalgoorlie has a surprising amount going for it, given that it’s a mining town in the middle of nowhere. The Museum of the Goldfields and Hannans North Tourist Mine are the best places to learn about the mining heritage past and present.
But the highlight is the Super Pit, a vast open cut gold mine. Take it in from the Super Pit Lookout, or go inside on a special tour.
Where should I stay in Kalgoorlie?
Specialist Australian accommodation website Wotif offers Kalgoorlie accommodation for from $133 a night. Check out the deals page to search for the best value stay.
However, you should consider these options first.
- For central location and a pool: Plaza Hotel.
- For best quality: Quest Yelverton apartments.
- For proximity to the railway station: Quality Inn Railway Motel.
- For pool, free parking and good value: Hospitality Inn (part of the Best Western group).
Click through to the next section: Kalgoorlie to Balladonia.