The Ultimate 7 Day Adelaide to Perth Road Trip

An Adelaide to Perth road trip is a bucket list experience for most Aussies. This incredible drive takes you across some of the most fascinating landscapes that Australia has to offer, including the iconic Nullarbor Plain. Crossing the Nullarbor by road from South Australia to Western Australia is an epic adventure on one of the flattest, straightest and remotest highways in the world, the Eyre Highway.

After a few years of travelling Australia in my van, I finally got my turn at driving from Adelaide to Perth. While some can tackle this nearly 3000km drive in a just a few days, it took me nine days to do. In this post, I’m going to detail an ideal 7 day Adelaide to Perth road trip itinerary, which allows you to really enjoy the journey and stop along the way at all the sights.

A quick note, this is based on taking the most direct route from Adelaide to Perth on the Eyre Highway (inland). The 7 days does not take into account the incredible detours you can take to the Flinders Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula and WA’s Southwest Region. However, I explain more about these options below as well, so you can extend your road trip if you have the time (which I highly recommend that you do!).

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Quick Overview of an Adelaide to Perth Road Trip

Total distance: 2,715 km
Recommended time: 7 days
Day 1: Adelaide to Kimba
Day 2: Kimba to Ceduna
Day 3: Ceduna to Eucla (or Bunda Cliffs, if free camping)
Day 4: Eucla to Caiguna
Day 5: Caiguna to Norseman
Day 6: Norseman to Southern Cross
Day 7: Southern Cross to Perth
Add: Plenty of side trips and detours to extend the road trip outlined below

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Best Time of Year to Drive Across the Nullarbor

You can technically drive across the Nullarbor at any time of year but there are certainly some good and not so good months that may impact how much you enjoy the road trip. The Nullarbor has a desert-like climate despite being on the southern coast of Australia. This means that it sees limited rainfall most of the year and extreme temperatures across summer and winter.

In summer, you’ll likely have extreme heat and it’s best to avoid the Adelaide to Perth road trip during the hottest months unless you can tolerate hot weather well. Spring and autumn tend to be the best time to cross the Nullarbor, as the weather is more moderate, although rain can be more common in autumn.

I crossed the Nullarbor at the beginning of winter. I found it was the perfect time as the days weren’t too cold yet and it was comfortable driving conditions. Overnight temperatures can drop to freezing in winter though so be prepared, but I was lucky with pretty mild night temps.

Winter is also an especially nice time to drive along this coastline, as this is when the migratory Southern Right Whales make their appearance as they head to warmer waters. They can only be seen from May until September each year. I was able to spot a few whales out in the sea from the Great Australian Bight in June, which is one of the best places in Australia for whale watching.

How Long to Spend Driving From Adelaide to Perth

With a distance of just over 2,700km between Adelaide and Perth, it really depends on how much you’re comfortable with driving in a day. Some people can do this drive in a few days, but I would highly recommend at least a week.

This would allow you to stop along the way and see some of the sights, without driving solidly from dawn to dusk. While most people assume there’s nothing to see on the Nullarbor Plain, that’s completely wrong. From the Bunda Cliffs to iconic roadhouses, there’s plenty of things to see and do on the Nullarbor and it’s worth taking the time.

In the 7 day itinerary outlined below, I will outline all the things to see and the best places to stop on the Nullarbor to really make the most of your experience.

Tips For Driving the Nullarbor Plain

Avoid driving at night and arrive at your destination before sunset, as wildlife are more active during the night and at dawn and dusk
Plan your road trip in advance and be aware of fuel stops and your intended camp spots or accommodations, as you may not have the ability to use your phone, Google Maps or WikiCamps with limited phone network
Phone reception is incredibly limited once you leave Ceduna heading west; Optus has zero signal between Ceduna and Norseman, while Telstra has signal at some of the roadhouses between Ceduna and Norseman
Download all music, podcasts, Netflix shows etc. before you leave Ceduna so that you have your entertainment ready to go without needing to rely on phone reception
Some of the roadhouses offer free Wi-Fi, including Nullarbor Roadhouse, Border Village and Eucla, but it’s very limited
Fuel gets very expensive once you leave Ceduna, but unfortunately there’s no other option; avoid filling up at Nullarbor Roadhouse and Border Village if you’re on a budget as these are consistently the most expensive of the lot
Plan your meals for your road trip in advance to avoid getting caught with fresh food at the border and because there’s very little options to buy groceries between Ceduna and Norseman
Tell someone your plans before departing Ceduna and your estimated arrival time in Norseman, in case anything happens along the way and you’re without phone signal
Camping is free in many places along the road, with ample free camps and roadside rest stops (use Wikicamps to find them), but the roadhouses all have caravan parks and motel rooms too (more on this below)
There’s very few toilets other than the ones available at the roadhouses and the free camps also don’t have any facilities. If you do need to go, remember to leave no trace and carry your toilet paper out with you
Check the weather forecast before departing Ceduna as this may impact where you decide to camp, especially when it comes to the Bunda Cliffs along the Great Australian Bight which often sees gale force winds
Stop every hour to stretch your legs and have a break from driving, trust me this is what kept me sane during my solo road trip and it makes a big difference to how you feel at the end of the day

Where to Stay Along the Road From Adelaide to Perth

There’s options for every type of accommodation on an Adelaide to Perth road trip. While being in a campervan I will always seek out camp spots, there’s also motels and caravan parks available at each of the roadhouses.

However, a road trip from Adelaide to Perth is really enjoyable for those with a camping setup. There’s so many free camps along the Eyre Highway, especially for those travelling in a van or caravan (many do not have facilities, so it’s best to be self-contained). The best place to find camps is on Wikicamps, where you can also read people’s reviews.

If you prefer more comfort, roadhouses also have powered camping sites and motel rooms available.

The stretch between Ceduna and Norseman is much more limited with accommodation, and you’ll really only have the roadhouses and some stations available (but plenty of free camps to choose from along the entire stretch). If you’re travelling during peak season (autumn, spring or winter holidays) and want to stay in a room or powered site, then I’d recommend booking in advance. Otherwise, it’s possible to also just book on arrival at the roadhouses if you arrive before sunset.

Road Trip Essentials

1 Week Adelaide to Perth Road Trip Itinerary: Day by Day

If you’re planning on driving from Adelaide to Perth, then this 7 day itinerary will help you plan the ultimate road trip. I’m going to outline how I’d spend each day driving from Adelaide to Perth, including all the must see spots along the way and where to stay.

Day 1: Adelaide to Kimba

Distance: 465 km
Driving Time: 5.5 hours

Leaving Adelaide behind, jump onto the highway heading for Port Augusta. The drive is not overly exciting, as you drive out of the city and enter the plains. Take a short break at Lake Bumbunga, a pink salt lake which is right next to the highway. There’s a car park and short walk to a viewpoint of the lake.

The Flinders Ranges will come into view on your right as you get closer to Port Augusta. This is where you can take a detour up into the ranges for a few days, if you have time (I’ll explain more about this below).

When you arrive in Port Augusta, this is where you’ll want to do your last minute shopping. Port Augusta is the last major town in South Australia and a major transport hub, with major highways branching off to the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

It’s the last time you’ll see a major supermarket until nearly in Perth, so make sure you stock up on all your essentials for the next week. As you leave Port Augusta, you’ll officially begin the long drive on the Eyre Highway as it continues all the way to Norseman.

After just under 2 hours from Port Augusta, you’ll arrive in Kimba. This quaint little town is a popular overnight stop on the Eyre Highway. It’s also located at the halfway point of Australia from the east to the west coast, so don’t forget to get a photo at the famous sign. It’s also got some silo art which is worth checking out and a small grocery shop if you need.

Where to Stay: Kimba has a free camp at the Recreation Reserve, with toilets, drinking water, and hot showers ($1 for 2 minutes). They ask for donations to keep the place running. The Kimba Roadhouse also has a caravan park, or you can try the Kimba Gateway Hotel for rooms.

Day 2: Kimba to Penong

Distance: 384 km
Driving Time: 4 hours

The drive from Kimba to Ceduna continues to follow the Eyre Highway through very small towns along the way like Wudinna, Poochera, and Wirrulla. The drive is once again not overly exciting, but any of the towns make for fine little spots to stop and stretch your legs.

An alternative way to reach Ceduna is via Streaky Bay and Smoky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula. This only adds about 50km to the day, so you can certainly do this if you have time. Just after Wudinna, you can turn off the Eyre Highway and head for Venus Bay. Then, follow the Flinders Highway as it heads back up to Streaky Bay and Smoky Bay before rejoining the Eyre Highway.

Once you reach Ceduna, you’ll want to stretch your legs here. This is the last town on the eastern edge of the Nullarbor Plain, so if you need any last minute supplies get them here. It’s worth driving out to Pinky Point Lookout in Thevenard for a nice view.

Ceduna has plenty of accommodation options like this caravan park on Shelly Beach, but it’s best to keep driving to Penong and tick off some more sights in the afternoon. Penong has the open-air Penong Windmill Museum, home to a unique collection including Australia’s largest windmill.

Then, take Point Sinclair Road which takes you down to the famous pink lake. Point Sinclair Pink Lake has become a very popular photo stop on the Adelaide to Perth road trip. If you continue a little further down the dirt road, you’ll reach Cactus Beach, one of Australia’s notorious surf spots (for experienced surfers only). This has a great camp spot which costs $17.50 per person for a basic bush camp very close to the beach.

Where to Stay: Cactus Beach is the best place near Penong to camp, otherwise Penong also has a caravan park or you can opt for one of the free rest stops along the highway before or after town. Otherwise, Penong Hotel has rooms and great food.

Day 3: Penong to Eucla

Distance: 419 km
Driving Time: 4.5 hours

Once you leave Penong, you’ll finally start to hit the Nullarbor Plain. This is probably going to be the best day of your Adelaide to Perth road trip, so be ready to make quite a few stops to enjoy the views.

About 2 hours after leaving Penong, you’ll come across the official sign declaring the Eastern End of the Treeless Plain. There’s a huge gravel area here so you can stop and get a photo with the sign.

Just after this sign, you’ll pass the turn off for the Head of Bight. This takes you down to the Whale Watching Centre and various lookouts over the bight. You have to pay entry for this, and while it can be nice if you see lots of whales, there are plenty of free lookouts further along on the Eyre Highway, so I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily worth it.

Not far down the Eyre Highway from here, you’ll come to the famous Nullarbor Roadhouse. This is the most iconic roadhouse on the entire road trip, so whether you need fuel or not I suggest stopping to snap a couple of photos. It’s usually the most expensive roadhouse for fuel though, so I avoided filling here as it was $2.84 for diesel when I crossed.

The change in scenery is quite remarkable; it really does become a treeless plain, with just saltbush for as far as the eye can see. About 50km down the road from the Nullarbor Roadhouse, the Eyre Highway heads down to the coast and hugs the Great Australian Bight all the way to Eucla.

If you’re free camping, I highly suggest opting for one of the many camps along the Bunda Cliffs. These are not marked from the highway, but accessed by one of the dirt tracks leading down to the cliffs. Some of them have now been closed for restoration, but there’s plenty of options available. I suggest checking Wikicamps and reading all the reviews.

If you’re not camping on the cliffs, continue on the highway and you’ll be able to view the cliffs from the free designated lookouts. I suggest stopping at:

Great Australian Bight Scenic Lookout 1: The best viewpoint of the Bunda Cliffs, there is a gravel walking track to a lookout with a barrier.
Great Australian Bight Scenic Lookout 2: Not as good as the first lookout, but still worth it if you have time.
Great Australian Bight Scenic Lookout 3: A different view of the coast, more of the stunning blue water and the incredible untouched sandy beach that stretches for miles.

Just before the WA border, you’ll reach Border Village Roadhouse. Stop here and check your fridge and food storage for any items not allowed into WA, including fresh produce, honey and seafood.

Then, drive to the quarantine station and wait until you’re checked by an officer. The SA-WA border sign is tucked away on the left just after the quarantine station if you want a photo. Otherwise, continue not far to Eucla.

Where to Stay: Eucla has a caravan park and motel joined together at the roadhouse. Otherwise, you can also free camp down from Eucla at the Old Telegraph Station Campground.

SA WA Border Nullarbor — Eucla Roadhouse

Day 4: Eucla to Caiguna

Distance: 342 km
Driving Time: 3.5 hours

In the morning, I suggest driving down from Eucla to the coast towards the old Telegraph Station. This is a a short corrugated road, but doable for all vehicles. There is a small gravel car park area, from where you can walk to the old ruins of the station.

From there, you can cross the sand dunes and continue to the beach where there’s an old jetty. The Eucla Jetty was pretty cool to see and the beach is beautiful, but be careful as there is not a single trail to reach it and it can get confusing. If you have the free Maps.Me downloaded for offline use, you’ll be able to locate yourself if you’re unsure.

Head back up to the Eucla Roadhouse and then get back onto the Eyre Highway to continue your Adelaide to Perth road trip. Interestingly, the road becomes less flat here, and it starts to climb up a gentle hill to Madura Roadhouse.

Just past this roadhouse, pull into the Madura Pass Lookout on the right side of the road. This is actually a free camping spot, but it also offers a great view over the plains down to the coast.

Continue driving to Caiguna, the eastern end of the 90 Mile Straight, one of the longest straight roads in the world.

Where to Stay: While it’s not a long drive from Eucla to Caiguna, there’s basically nothing after Caiguna until you finish the 90 Mile Straight and make it to Balladonia. So I suggest staying at the caravan park or rooms at the Caiguna Roadhouse.

Day 5: Caiguna to Norseman

Distance: 372 km
Driving Time: 4 hours

As soon as you leave Caiguna, you’ll hit the 90 Mile Straight, Australia’s longest straight road at 146.6 km long. Some people claim that it doesn’t feel that long when you drive it, but honestly I did feel like it was a long way and even had a break at a rest stop halfway along.

Out the other side of the straight, you’ll come to Balladonia Roadhouse, the official end of the Nullarbor road trip. After that the road continues to Norseman. Just a few minutes before reaching Norseman, I recommend stopping at Jimberlana Hill. This is a free camp area, and I recommend walking up to the top of one of the oldest geological sites in Australia. It’s a pretty short but steep walk up to the top of the rocky hill, with a bit of a scramble at the end. The views are incredible, especially over to Lake Cowan.

Arriving in Norseman, this small town feels a bit like a wild outpost. There’s only a small main street, but it’ll be the first supermarket you see since Ceduna so most travellers stop at the IGA to stock up on some essentials.

Where to Stay: There’s not much after Norseman until you reach Southern Cross, so I suggest staying at the free RV rest stop in town or at the caravan park. For rooms, The Railway Hotel is a good choice. Or free camp back at Jimberlana Hill.

View from Jimberlana Hill — Jimberlana Hill at sunset

Day 6: Norseman to Southern Cross

Distance: 355 km
Driving Time: 3.5 hours

The drive from Norseman to Perth is honestly not that exciting with few things worth seeing along the way. But it’s quite a long way to drive in a single day, so you can break it up into two days if you have the time with a night at Southern Cross.

Half way between Norseman and Southern Cross is a small town called Coolgardie. It’s got some incredibly impressive old buildings in the main street and a small Foodworks store, so you can stretch your legs there for a bit.

Southern Cross is a classic rural town in Western Australia. There’s not much to it but the locals are friendly enough and the pubs are great.

Where to Stay: There’s a free RV rest stop and a caravan park in town, plus a couple of hotels and a motel to choose from.

Optional Kalgoorlie Side Trip

Distance: 188 km
Time: 2 hours

Kalgoorlie-Boulder is an iconic town in Australian history. It’s a detour off the highway between Norseman and Coolgardie, and is about 188km from Norseman. Famous for mining, the town was founded when gold was discovered in the late 1800s. It’s still a huge hub for the outback communities and mining industry, with streets lined with grand colonial architecture.

There’s plenty of little historical sites around town and mine tours available, if that’s your sort of thing. It’s also a large town with lots of amenities and services. Many people take the extra day to stay the night in Kalgoorlie.

Sunset from Fremantle in Perth — Driving into Perth

Day 7: Southern Cross to Perth

Distance: 373 km
Driving Time: 4.5 hours

The final day of driving on this Adelaide to Perth road trip is from Southern Cross into Perth. By this point, you’ll likely be ready to stop driving and simply just arrive at your destination. Northam is a nice town on the way that is the first place you’ll see a major supermarket since Port Augusta, so it can be a convenient spot for a break.

Otherwise, the final stretch into Perth drops down to the coast from where you can see the small but lively city appearing in the distance. Traffic is not much of an issue in Perth during the day, so you should be able to make it to wherever you’re staying with ease. Now, you’ve finally made it across to Western Australia!

Keep reading to find out how you can extend this road trip in both South Australia and Western Australia.

Find accommodation in Perth!

Innes National Park road viewpoint — Innes National Park road (Yorke Peninsula)

Options to Extend This Road Trip

The above week-long itinerary is based on the most direct route from Adelaide to Perth. However, there’s plenty of options to extend this trip and take some detours to places along the way.

If you have the time and are interested in exploring more of the incredible coastline and rugged inland ranges between Adelaide and Perth, then here are my suggestions with the time you’ll need.

Yorke Peninsula (4 days)

As you leave Adelaide and head to Port Augusta, there’s a unique boot leg-shaped peninsula dividing the Spencer Gulf and St Vincent Gulf. The Yorke Peninsula hides some of the most spectacular coastline in South Australia, which few people actually bother to explore.

The highlight by far is getting down to the very tip of the peninsula and exploring Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, which has some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. There’s great camping and walks to do, so you’ll need a couple of days to spend there.

There’s some other great budget campgrounds around the peninsula right on the coast, so it’s ideal for those who want to fish, surf, walk, and camp on the beach without the crowds.

Stokes Hill at sunset (Ikara-Flinders Ranges)

Flinders Ranges (3 days – 1 week)

North of Port Augusta, the Flinders Ranges is one of the most beautiful regions in Australia. Seriously. It’s incredibly underrated, with rugged and rocky mountain ranges rising from the arid landscape for as far as the eye can see.

You can really spend a week or more there, but you can still get a taste for the region in just a few days. If you’re limited to three days or so, then the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is where you’ll want to spend the time. It’s just 2 hours north of Port Augusta and home to the most incredible panoramas around Wilpena Pound, with spectacular hikes, scenic drives, lookouts, and camps.

If you have more than a few days, include visits to Quorn and Melrose and do some more hiking and check out Alligator Gorge in the Southern Flinders Ranges. If you have a 4×4, head further north of Wilpena Pound to Arkaroola to explore the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges.

Eyre Peninsula (1 week+)

A popular detour on an Adelaide to Perth road trip is to the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. Instead of driving on the Eyre Highway from Port Augusta to Ceduna, you can head down the peninsula southwest of Port Augusta and then follow the coast around and back up to Ceduna.

This triangular shaped coastal area is known for its beautiful beaches, delicious seafood and unique wildlife encounters. Top experiences and places to visit include, diving with cuttlefish at Whyalla, camping down in Lincoln National Park and Coffin Bay at the southern tip, swimming with dolphins and sea lions in Baird Bay, and tasting the freshest oysters in Australia at Streaky Bay and Smoky Bay.

Southwest Coast WA (2 weeks+)

Once you make it to Norseman at the end of driving across the Nullarbor, you can detour south along the incredible southwest coast of Western Australia to get to Perth. To really do the region justice, you’ll need at least a couple of weeks as there are endless national parks, mountains (yes, mountains!), beaches, camp spots, surf breaks, trendy towns, and walking trails to explore.

Must visits include Esperance, Cape Le Grand National Park, Fitzgerald River National Park, Albany, Stirling Range National Park, Margaret River, Busselton and Mandurah. There’s lots to see, including some of the best beaches in Australia and incredible wildlife encounters, including Southern Right Whales in the cooler months.

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