Nullarbor Net
Melbourne to Perth Drive
Melbourne to Perth by road is about 3,400 kilometres. Most people drive to Adelaide, then take the Eyre Highway across the Nullarbor — 1,206 kilometres between Ceduna and Norseman with nothing but roadhouses in between.
The distances
| Leg | Approx. distance |
|---|---|
| Melbourne to Adelaide | 725 km |
| Adelaide to Port Augusta | 307 km |
| Port Augusta to Ceduna | 468 km |
| Ceduna to Norseman (the Nullarbor) | 1,206 km |
| Norseman to Perth (via Coolgardie) | 725 km |
| Melbourne to Perth | about 3,400 km |
Our Perth to Adelaide and Eastern Australia trip planners route via Kalgoorlie and Streaky Bay, which adds about 95 km — use them for distances between any two stops.
How many days?
Five long days is about the minimum. Seven days is a comfortable pace, and two weeks lets you explore along the way.
Seven days, Melbourne to Perth
| Day | Drive | Approx. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melbourne to Adelaide | 725 km |
| 2 | Adelaide to Kimba | 465 km |
| 3 | Kimba to Ceduna | 310 km |
| 4 | Ceduna to Nullarbor Roadhouse | 299 km |
| 5 | Nullarbor Roadhouse to Cocklebiddy | 470 km |
| 6 | Cocklebiddy to Norseman | 437 km |
| 7 | Norseman to Perth | 725 km |
Five days, Melbourne to Perth
| Day | Drive | Approx. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melbourne to Adelaide | 725 km |
| 2 | Adelaide to Ceduna | 775 km |
| 3 | Ceduna to Mundrabilla | 563 km |
| 4 | Mundrabilla to Norseman | 643 km |
| 5 | Norseman to Perth | 725 km |
Driving Perth to Melbourne, reverse the order.
Plan your days around daylight. Wildlife is most
active at dawn and dusk, so aim to finish each day well before sunset. Accommodation on the
remote stretches can fill up, so book well ahead where possible.
Worth stopping for
- The Bunda Cliffs and the Head of Bight — Southern Right Whales, June to October.
- The 90 Mile Straight between Balladonia and Caiguna.
- Nullarbor Links, the world's longest golf course.
- Cactus Beach near Penong, and the oysters at Ceduna.
Before you go
- Fuel stops and distances — the longest gap is 191 km.
- Quarantine rules — no fresh fruit, vegetables or honey across the border.
- Time zones — up to two and a half hours' difference.
- Free camps and rest areas if you're towing or camping.
- The free printable checklist (PDF).
More Nullarbor planning
- Crossing the Nullarbor: the complete guide
- Nullarbor Links golf course
- EV charging on the Nullarbor
- Free camps and rest areas
- Perth to Adelaide drive
- Sydney to Perth drive
- Nullarbor fuel stops and distances
- Nullarbor quarantine rules
- How many days to cross the Nullarbor
- Nullarbor time zones
- The 90 Mile Straight
- The Bunda Cliffs
- Best time to cross and weather
- Towing a caravan across the Nullarbor
- Phone coverage and emergencies
Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.