Australia by Car

Nestled in the renowned Cape to Cape region of the south-west of Western Australia, lies the picturesque town of Busselton. Its close proximity to the capital city of Perth, means that you can pick up your car hire vehicle here, then drive the 220 kilometres south until you reach Busselton.

Founded in 1831, by the Bussel family, Busselton has experienced fruitful economic and demographic growth and is now one the state’s top tourist towns. It is home to the Noongar Aboriginal people, who still hold strong ties with the land and whose presence is felt and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Enjoying a mild, Mediterranean climate, Busselton attracts thousands of visitors each year, who are seeking a break from the city and the chance to get back in touch with nature.

While visiting this unique and historic town, there are several sites of interest that you will be drawn to. The Busselton Jetty is perhaps the highlight of the town, and stretches for almost two kilometres out to sea. It is the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and is a great place for a spot of fishing or a leisurely stroll. The jetty is also the site of an underwater observatory and interpretive centre.

For a slice of the town’s history, pay a visit to Wonnerup House. This original homestead was built in 1859 by the Layman Family, the original settlers of Busselton. It depicts the colonial times and the trials and tribulations that were experienced in these times. Another historic site of interest is St Mary’s Church of England, which claims to be the oldest stone church in Western Australia. This stunning church showcases some of the area’s historical architecture and will take you a few steps back to Busselton’s days gone by.

Busselton is also home to some of the nation’s finest festivals and sporting events, including the Festival of Triathlon and Iron Man Championships. These events are a major drawing card of the region and are a lot of fun to watch.

Busselton is a place of pleasant contrasts, from tranquil waters to the rugged cliffs of the surfing coast, ancient caves to picturesque vineyards, and sprawling pastures to magnificent forests. It is truly the perfect place for your next driving holiday in Western Australia.

Situated over 1500 kilometres North of Perth and 850 kilometres south of Broome, lies the interesting township of Karratha. In the language of the local Aboriginals, this translates into ‘good country’, and this statement is certainly true. Karratha’s location in the Pilbara region means that it enjoys a close proximity to tranquil rock pools and beautiful picnic spots. This is a highlight of the coast you simply cannot miss!

Karratha is home to one of the busiest airports in Western Australia, which means that you can catch a plane in, pick up your car hire vehicle and then head out and start exploring this amazing area. Karratha is composed of 5 main suburbs, these being Bullgarra, Pegs Creek, Millars Well, Nickol and Baynton. However, it’s what surrounds Karratha that you will really want to see.

Karratha is right near the magnificent Millstream-Chichester National Park, Karijini National Park and the 42 islands of the Dampier Archipelago. This makes it the perfect base for exploration of these stunning natural wonders. You can also take a short drive out to Cossack, which was the first port of the north-west. It is located just east from Karratha and the coastal drive is simply stunning. You should also take some time to pay a visit to Hearson’s Cove to take a refreshing dip in the cool, fresh water. This will be a pleasant relief from the somewhat hot climate that Karratha experiences.

Back in town, take a trek along the Jaburara Heritage Trail and get a taste of some of the local Aboriginal history. This 3.5 kilometre walk will take you around the town, stopping at Aboriginal carvings, old quarries and shell middens. This is the perfect way to experience Karratha’s humble beginnings!

The best way to get around is in your car rental, as this will allow you to soak up all the amazing sights, sounds and experiences that Karratha has to offer. Enjoy!

Narrogin is a progressive rural community in the Wheatbelt South Region of Western Australia. It is the perfect place to stay for a few days while travelling between Perth and Albany. Located just 192 kilometres south-east of Perth, it is easy for you to pick up your hire car from Perth and be in Narrogin within a few short hours.

Narrogin is a regional centre for the central south region and is renowned for its value of country style and its rapid progression over the past few decades. Narrogin was first settled in the 1860’s and 1870’s by pastoralists but it was not until the development of the Great Southern Railway here, that this town really thrived. It is now one of the larger towns of the Wheatbelt region and is home to pleasant, tree lined streets and attractive, historical buildings that depict the days gone by. The most prominent of these is the Town Hall, which is regarded as the icon of Narrogin. This historic building symbolises the past and present significance of the town and is definitely worth your exploration.

To gain a better understanding the town’s past, embark on the Narrogin Heritage Trail, a guided tour which starts at the Old Court House Museum. This stunning building contains extensive displays of the town’s memorabilia and will broaden your knowledge of how this interesting town was discovered. This heritage trail encompasses most of the old properties and buildings of the region and makes for an extremely interesting day out.

Another tour that you can embark on is the Narrogin District Heritage Trail. This is when your car rental will come in really handy. This trail is a 117 kilometre drive that will take you through the entire Narrogin district. Pass through Doddum Farm, Hillside, Chuggamunny, Nebrikinning and Murrin Murrin. This pleasant drive through the pleasant countryside will be an enjoyable experience and hopefully one you won’t soon forget.

Narrogin comes to life in late October with the onset of the Narrogin Spring Festival. The gardens are in full bloom which means that you can enjoy a wide variety of garden styles and vibrant colours. The festival features open gardens, garden sundowners, market stalls and an art exhibition. This is one not to miss!

Narrogin is a truly unique and beautiful town that will surprise and entice you. It’s so lovely in fact that you may never want to leave!

Mandurah is one of the most thriving regional cities in Western Australia. It is located just an hour’s drive south of Perth, which makes it the perfect place to escape to for the weekend. Staying in the peaceful city of Mandurah allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of big city life and ease into a more laid back, mellow cosmopolitan setting.

Home to a unique blend of coastal, bushland, industry and inner-city living, there is always something happening in Mandurah. The area is known as the capital of the Peel region and is home to some of Australia’s finest waterways. This status has made it one of the country’s most popular places for fishing, crabbing and prawning, attracting enthusiasts all year round. The area is also famous for its abundance of surrounding wineries, which thrive in the ideal climate of the Peel region. The award winning wines will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more.

This premier leisure region offers something for everyone when it comes to recreational and thrilling adventures. Catch a glimpse of the bottlenose dolphins that inhabit the many waterways of Mandurah or take a white-water rafting cruise on one of the surrounding rivers. However, if all you want to do is sit back, relax and take it easy, Mandurah offers a relaxed, holiday atmosphere that will allow you to do this with ease.

Exploring Mandurah and the Peel region is made easy if you have your own set of wheels. Car Rental will make your trip to Mandurah all that more enjoyable. All you have to do is have a good time, take in the stunning and beautiful surrounds and take lots of photos to remember this special place.

The city of Perth is the fourth largest city in Australia and is our Western state’s capital. The city itself is located 20 kilometres inland from the south west coast, nestled between the Indian Ocean and the Darling Range. The city centre is positioned right on the banks of the Swan River, which provides the basis for many of the city’s recreational activities.

Perth was founded by Captain James Stirline in 1829 and since then has grown into one of Australia’s most thriving metropolises. Surrounded by rolling hills and valleys of native bushland, vineyards and orchards, the city enjoys a stunning backdrop of spectacular scenery. The main buzz of the city is focused on Swan River, which flows through the very heart of the city centre. Take one of the famous river cruises and soak up the panoramic views of the city, King’s Park and the Botanic Gardens. The sights will leave you amazed and in awe as their beauty is simple breathtaking.

There is a great wealth of shopping opportunities within and around Perth and most attractions are easily accessible through the frequently running ferries on the Swan River. This is the perfect way to get around because it will allow you to take your car rental with you wherever you want to go.

The modern and vibrant city is nicely contrasted with its historic counterpart - the port city of Fremantle. This picturesque city is only a 20 minute car drive north of Perth, which makes it an essential place to visit while staying here.

The city of Perth offers pleasant contrasts between cosmopolitan and natural attractions. This is the fundamental reason for the city’s undeniable growth and prosperity over the past few decades. Next time you are in Western Australia or trying to decide on your next holiday destination, be sure to add Perth to your itinerary.

Kalgoorlie is the fifth largest region in Western Australia and is situated a vast 595 kilometres from the state’s capital, Perth. Sharing a close border with the town of Boulder, Kalgoorlie is the last town encountered before entering the vast stretch of the Nullarbor Plain. This makes it an essential stop to refuel, re-energise and explore this interesting and productive region.

Kalgoorlie is most famous for its gold mining history and the heritage buildings that line the streets depict the formation of this charming Australian town. Hannan and Burt Streets are the hub of activity and are home to modern cafes, restaurants, accommodation, hotels, clubs and watering holes.

Enjoying a dry climate, with hot summers and cool winters, Kalgoorlie is a popular holiday destination all year round. Perhaps its popularity is due to the annual events that are held each year, that offer fun for the whole family. The Australasian Safari is an off-road rally for 4WD’s, quad bikes and motor bikes and is held each year at the end of August. This motoring event attracts adventure enthusiasts from across the nation and offers a home-grown challenge that is guaranteed to be a fun experience.

Discover the Round is also another popular yearly event that attracts people from far and wide. Featuring horse racing, pacing, fashion and gambling, this event has gained recognition as a world class racing event and has truly put Kalgoorlie on the map.

The easiest way to explore Kalgoorlie is by car and a rental car is definitely the option. Let car rental take care of all the hassles, leaving you to relax and soak up the atmosphere of the outback!

A 260 kilometre long kaleidoscope of colour alive with weird and wonderful underwater creatures, Ningaloo Reef is a must-see for any visitors to Western Australia. Often compared to its eastern big brother the Great Barrier Reef in terms of the diversity of life on display, Ningaloo has one distinct advantage: its ease of accessibility. Most of it lies just a short swim from the shore! Check this article for more reef details.

Most visitors to the reef stay in Exmouth, which is a 1270 kilometre flight from Perth. An old navy town, Exmouth is now base to many diving and fishing charters that will help you explore this beautiful stretch of the coast. Being so close to the shore, the reef is perfect for snorkelling which really opens it up to kids and the less mobile. With over 500 species of tropical fish and 220 species of coral, the minute your mask goes under the surface a whole new world is opened up!

The underwater life gets a whole lot bigger than tropical fish too… in fact it gets up to 14 metres in length! Im talking about the whale sharks, the gentle giants that inhabit these waters between March and June. Their presence is celebrated in the Whaleshark Festival held every year in May, and if you get the opportunity to dive with these beautiful beasts you’ll never forget it. Other larger animals you may bump into are groups of loveable dugongs, and the occasional Loggerhead or Hawkesville Turtle.

Another attraction of Exmouth is the Cape Range National Park, which is just a 30 minute drive inland. Expect to be blown away by stunning gorges, and when the season is right, carpets of wildflowers. Bird and wildlife fanatics are in for a treat here, as are bushwalkers and hikers.

You’ll need a reliable vehicle if you are going to be exploring the Exmouth coastline, and you don’t get more reliable than car hire!

Twenty minutes south of the Western Australian capital Perth the port city of Fremantle sits at the mouth of the Swan River. Its a city that operates on two levels- on the first it is the busiest and most important port in the state, on the second it is a cosmopolitan, funky urban centre that seamlessly blends the old and the new to create a timeless and attractive place to visit.

Its long and rich history has been preserved in many vestiges of heritage all over the city. Just on a casual walk through the suburbs you will spot stunning examples of mid Victorian and Edwardian architecture, and there are numerous museums where you can further delve into the history. Highly recommended is the WA maritime museum, whose remarkable collection of artefacts includes a reconstruction of the Dutch ship Batavia, which sank here in 1629.

There is a definite bohemian air to Fremantle, all the shops and cafes have a very creative edge and its no surprise that some of the countries biggest bands have come from here. Very skilled buskers straddle the street corners, and live music is a stalwart form of entertainment in the pubs and clubs. For a more indepth look at Fremantle have a read of this article.

If you’re looking for a souvenir, some filler for your picnic basket or just want an interesting and fun experience then head to the Fremantle Markets on South Terrace. These indoor markets are located on the ‘cappuccino strip’, so theres lots of cafes to rest your shop-weary legs in! They contain over 150 stalls with goods and food from all over the world- an intriguing cultural experience.

To top off your trip to Fremantle have a meal and a drink in the Little Creatures Brewery. This micro brewery lets you choose the beer you want to drink out of the actual vat it was brewed in! Built in an old boat shed, theres lots of table room and it always attracts a crowd. Travelling around Fremantle is as easy as making a free online booking with car hire!