Nullarbor Net
Perth to Adelaide Drive
Perth to Adelaide is one of the great Australian drives: about 2,700 kilometres on the most direct route, and the 1,206-kilometre Nullarbor crossing between Norseman and Ceduna in the middle. Here are the distances, how many days to allow, and where to stop — in either direction.
The distances
| Leg | Approx. distance |
|---|---|
| Perth to Norseman (via Coolgardie) | 725 km |
| Norseman to Ceduna (the Nullarbor) | 1,206 km |
| Ceduna to Port Augusta | 468 km |
| Port Augusta to Adelaide | 307 km |
| Perth to Adelaide | about 2,700 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?
Four long days is about the minimum — that's 560 to 780 kilometres, or six to eight hours at the wheel, every day. Six days is a far more comfortable pace, and a week or more lets you see the sights.
Six days, Perth to Adelaide
| Day | Drive | Approx. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perth to Norseman | 725 km |
| 2 | Norseman to Cocklebiddy | 437 km |
| 3 | Cocklebiddy to Nullarbor Roadhouse | 470 km |
| 4 | Nullarbor Roadhouse to Ceduna | 299 km |
| 5 | Ceduna to Kimba | 310 km |
| 6 | Kimba to Adelaide | 465 km |
Four days, Perth to Adelaide
| Day | Drive | Approx. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perth to Norseman | 725 km |
| 2 | Norseman to Mundrabilla | 643 km |
| 3 | Mundrabilla to Ceduna | 563 km |
| 4 | Ceduna to Adelaide | 775 km |
Driving Adelaide to Perth, just 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.
Other ways to go
- Via Kalgoorlie: Perth–Kalgoorlie–Norseman adds about 75 km and takes you through the Goldfields.
- Via Esperance: head south to the coast and join the Eyre Highway at Norseman — a longer but popular alternative.
- Via Streaky Bay: on the South Australian side, the coast road through Streaky Bay adds a little distance and a lot of scenery.
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
- Melbourne to Perth 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.