Perth to Geraldton flights in Western Australia: How long do they take?

Direct flights from Perth to Geraldton with Qantas take an hour. But Perth to Geraldton flights aren’t much quicker than driving up the west coast, once you factor in time spent at the airport.

The journey from Perth to Geraldton is one of those borderline affairs where you’re not sure if it’s quicker to drive or fly. The Perth to Geraldton driving time is around four-and-a-half hours. Turn that into a day out, stopping at the sand dunes in Lancelin or Pinnacles Desert near Cervantes, and it makes a great deal of sense. If all you want to do is get to Geraldton, however, that’s roughly at the point where it becomes a pointless slog.

Before leaving, Perth offers gold pouring experiences at the Perth Mint, Rottnest Island day trips, and scenic Swan River cruises.

If you can do just one thing in Geraldton, make it an Abrolhos Islands day tour – full of bloodthirsty shipwreck mutiny stories, cute wildlife and world class Indian Ocean beaches. Other Geraldton experience options include fishing charters, whale-watching cruises and lobster pot-pulling tours. For great Geraldton accommodation deals, look here.

Perth to Geraldton flights or west coast road trip?

This isn’t too much of an issue if you’re doing a road trip from Perth to Broome. Then, you can just see it as another stop on the journey. Next up, stromatolites and dolphin feeding in Shark Bay. Then whale shark swims, Ningaloo Reef kayaking tours and microlight flights from Exmouth. And so on…

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 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.

But if you’re just going to Geraldton – almost certainly because tours of the Houtman-Abrolhos Islands depart from there – you might want to consider flying to the Western Australian town instead.

Geraldton Air Charter plane on East Wallabi Island, airstrip, Houtman-Abrolhos Islands — The Geraldton Air Charter plane landing on the East Wallabi Island air strip as part of the Houtman-Abrolhos Islands Batavia shipwreck day tour. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

6 cool Geraldton experiences you should book in advance

(HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) Hear astonishing shipwreck stories, spot tiny wallabies and enjoy white sand beaches – on a full day Abrolhos Islands tour including scenic flight.
See what you can reel in on an Abrolhos Islands fishing charter.
Try your hand at lobster farming on lobster pot-pulling tours.
Gasp at migrating humpbacks on a whale-watching cruise.
Marvel at Hutt Lagoon from above on a pink lake scenic flight.
Watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean on a Geraldton harbour sunset cruise.

Direct Perth to Geraldton flights

There are daily flights from Perth to Geraldton, operated by Qantas. These Perth to Geraldton flights are scheduled to take an hour, and cost from $206 one way.

The question is whether the flights from Perth to Geraldton are that much quicker than driving. Once you factor in getting to and from the airport, plus the time spent waiting around at the airport at either end, there isn’t all that much in it. Also, if driving from Perth, you don’t have the cost and expense of renting a car in Geraldton.

A lot will boil down to personal preferences – in particular, how much you enjoy driving. The flights from Perth to Geraldton are largely aimed at miners flying into work at the nearby mines. Most Western Australians won’t see a four-and-a-half hour drive as overly daunting. Overseas tourists may see Perth to Geraldton flights and drive times differently. If you’re going, aim for the shoulder season – the Geraldton weather can be uncomfortably hot in summer.

The third option, of course, is taking the Perth to Geraldton bus.

Geraldton accommodation recommendations

Booking site Wotif offers Geraldton accommodation for from $119 a night. Search for the best deals here.

However, the following places to stay in Geraldton are particularly worth considering.

For central location: Gerald Apartment Hotel.
For low prices, but with a pool: Ibis Styles.
To be by the beach: Ocean Centre Hotel.
For overall quality: Mantra Geraldton.

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.