Driving is one of the best ways to truly experience the beauty of Australia. If time is no object, there is no better way to see as much of the country as you possibly can. Driving from Melbourne to Perth via Kojonup offers the chance to witness some of Australia's most incredible natural and man-made wonders, and it pairs well with our list of amazing WA Christmas travel destinations if you are planning a summer crossing.
From beautiful beaches and stunning sunsets to quaint towns and fascinating heritage museums, there are sights for every traveller to tick off the bucket list. Set aside at least 9 days for this once-in-a-lifetime road trip.
What to know before driving from Melbourne to Perth
The drive from Melbourne to Perth is nearly 5,000 kilometres long, so plan it with your favourite humans. Make sure you get along and can stand each other's company for 9 to 14 days, depending on your itinerary. There is so much ground to cover that you can be assured of amazing attractions and an experience that is hard to forget.
Here is an interesting fact you should know about this road trip: you will gain time when driving from Melbourne to Perth, and you will lose time when driving back. That is because you will be passing through three time zones. Consider this when making arrangements for either end of your trip to avoid confusion.
From Melbourne you will be driving mostly on sealed roads, so it does not matter whether you have a 4WD ute or a trusty old van: every stage below is reachable in an ordinary vehicle.
The route at a glance
| Stage | Where | Worth it for |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Melbourne | Markets, street art, St Kilda beach, the State Library of Victoria |
| 1 | Great Ocean Road | The Twelve Apostles, waterfalls and lighthouse walks, Torquay to Nelson |
| 2 | Mount Gambier | The Blue Lake and the sunken garden |
| 3 | Adelaide | Wineries, metropolitan beaches and restaurants |
| 4 | The Nullarbor | 1,200 km of open desert road and the Great Australian Bight |
| 5 | Albany | The ANZAC memorial, The Gap and whale watching June to October |
| 6 | Kojonup | The overnight stop before Perth: beds, dinner and Kodja Place |
| Finish | Perth | 3 hours up the Albany Highway from Kojonup |
Your road trip itinerary
Here are the highlights of the route, stage by stage.
Point of origin: Melbourne
Victoria's capital, Melbourne, has a lot to offer, and you will find great things to do no matter your interest:
- Wander around the city's various markets.
- Enjoy quirky street art.
- Relax on St Kilda beach.
- Marvel at the beautiful State Library of Victoria and its collection of more than two million books.
When you have had your fill of this charming city, you can get on with your road trip.
The Great Ocean Road
If there is one thing the Great Ocean Road is famous for, it is the Twelve Apostles, but there is more to this scenic route spanning from Torquay to Nelson. Some of the highlights include:
- Hopetoun Falls, Otways. A 500-metre walk down the stairs will let you see probably the most picturesque waterfall in the whole of Victoria at eye level.
- Loch Ard Gorge, Twelve Apostles Coast. This protected sandy beach nestled amongst cliffs turns a glassy turquoise blue when calm.
- The Razorback, Twelve Apostles Coast. This enormous slice of limestone sticks out above the Southern Ocean. Apart from being great for photography, the Razorback is also one of the best places to catch the sunset and see the remaining Apostles that are not visible from Castle Rock.
- Griffiths Island Lighthouse Walk, Port Fairy. Head further down the Great Ocean Road to reach the lovely fishing village of Port Fairy. It houses the photogenic Griffiths Island Lighthouse, where you can spot wallabies. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a Southern Right Whale out at sea from June to October.
Mount Gambier
Located between Melbourne and Adelaide, Mount Gambier offers both the liveliness of a big city and the comforts of a small town. It is famous for the Blue Lake, which changes colour from steel blue to a brilliant turquoise from November to March. The city is also popular with visitors for the sinkhole right in the middle of town. Known as the sunken garden, it is often covered in blooming flowers.
Adelaide
Adelaide has something for every traveller who comes its way. From chic boutiques, amazing metropolitan beaches, world-famous restaurants and seaside beach bars, the city is a mecca for fashionistas, beach lovers and foodies. It is also home to some of the top wineries in Australia.
Just 20 minutes by car from the city, the Adelaide Hills can be explored in one day. You can choose from more than 60 wineries to visit, many of which are known for Sauvignon Blanc. Meanwhile, McLaren Vale to the south of Adelaide, and the Barossa Valley to the north, are known for their Shiraz.
The Nullarbor
The Nullarbor means "no trees". As the name implies, the Nullarbor Plain is one huge empty space. You will endure 1,200 kilometres of hot desert road and live to tell the tale. It is an experience like no other and will make you realise just how big Australia is. The Nullarbor Plain covers two Australian states and features breathtaking sights such as the Great Australian Bight.
Albany
Western Australia's second-largest city, Albany, boasts a beautiful ANZAC memorial, fantastic views and interesting natural phenomena such as The Gap (a crevice between two cliffs) and blowholes. You can enjoy whale watching if you visit between June and October.
Kojonup
Just 3 hours south-east of Perth is a bustling country town steeped in history. Kojonup is a popular rest stop for travellers going to Perth from Albany. Hungry drivers make a beeline for the Black Cockatoo Cafe, Kojonup Country Kitchen and the Royal Hotel, three of the town's most popular spots; our own Kojonup dining guide covers all of them. And do not forget to visit the award-winning Kodja Place to learn about Kojonup's links to the Noongar Aboriginal people.
The final leg: Albany to Perth, through Kojonup
After Albany the trip turns north onto the Albany Highway for the last day of driving. Kojonup sits right on the route, 160 km and about 2 hours from Albany, with the remaining 250 km to Perth taking about 3 hours. That geometry is exactly why so many travellers sleep here: you arrive in Perth fresh instead of finishing a 5,000 km crossing with one long final slog.
This is the same stretch of highway we cover stop by stop in our Perth to Albany drive guide, just driven in the opposite direction, so use it to plan fuel and coffee stops for the run into Perth.
Enjoy a restful night in Kojonup
You will need more than just a few hours to visit all the exciting places in Kojonup, so why not spend a night or two in town? When considering your stay options in the Kojonup region, Cornwall House Accommodation is here to make sure you get a restful night's sleep, so you can safely and happily continue your road trip feeling completely refreshed.
Our 12 rooms are clean, well appointed and all include reverse cycle air conditioning, free WiFi, a 32-inch Smart TV, microwave, refrigerator and tea and coffee making facilities. There are queen, twin and family rooms, a shared Camp Kitchen if you are cooking on the road, and free onsite parking for whatever is carrying you across the country. Contactless check-in is available from 2pm, however long the day's leg ends up running.
Check our availability and book your room today. You can call us on (08) 9831 0214 or email your enquiries to stay@cornwallhouseaccommodation.com.au for more information.
Check availability and book Call us (08) 9831 0214
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Melbourne to Perth?
The drive is nearly 5,000 kilometres. Allow at least 9 days, and ideally 9 to 14 depending on how many stops you want to build in along the way.
Do I need a 4WD to drive from Melbourne to Perth?
No. This route travels mostly on sealed roads, so a 2WD car, a ute or a trusty old van will all handle it comfortably.
Will I cross time zones between Melbourne and Perth?
Yes, three of them. You gain time driving west to Perth and lose it driving back east, so factor the change into any arrangements at either end of the trip.
Where should I stop on the last stretch into Perth?
Kojonup, about 3 hours from Perth on the Albany Highway, is the natural overnight stop after Albany. Cornwall House Accommodation is in the centre of town, directly on the highway.
How far is Kojonup from Albany and Perth?
Kojonup is 160 km north of Albany, about 2 hours of driving, and 250 km from Perth, about 3 hours, all on the Albany Highway.
