Perth to Sydney road trip: Best stops, distance & driving time

Sydney to Perth by car: Port Augusta to Mildura

The next leg of the journey crosses South Australia and enters Victoria. The drive from Port Augusta to Mildura is 532km in distance. Expect a driving time of around five hours and 42 minutes. Before turning inland at Port Pirie, the Port Augusta to Mildura drive passes through Mambray Creek. Temporarily veer off here for walks in the Mount Remarkable National Park.

Other potential minor deviations along the way include the Clare Valley wine region and Red Banks Conservation Park near Burra.

But soon enough, you get to the Riverland. Here, the Murray River has created dozens of lakes such as Lake Bonney and Loch Luna. Kayaking, fishing, swimming and boating are all good ways to spend a few hours before reaching Renmark.

Renmark’s an attractive place to spend the night. Take a look at the Big4 Renmark Waterfront Holiday Park and the roomy Renmark Holiday Apartments.

Renmark is the last town in South Australia before crossing into Victoria, and Mildura is about 90 minutes away.

Once in Mildura, you can go wine-tasting. But it is best used as a gateway to the surrounding national parks. If you’ve got time, go investigate the wildlife of the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, pink lakes of the Murray Sunset National Park and Aboriginal heritage of the Mungo National Park.

Mildura hotel choices include the include the solid but dull Seven Pines Motor Inn, the enormous Quality Hotel Mildura Grand and the child-friendly All Seasons Mildura Holiday Park.

Next up: Mildura to Wagga Wagga.