Car hire Perth: info, route suggestions & top offers
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Important info & helpful tips
Perhaps it is because Perth is farther away from any other major city than any other city on earth. Australian connoisseurs describe the metropolis, which is located in the state of Western Australia, as the most relaxed big city on the 5. continent. If you know the relaxed way of life of the other cities Down Under, you can hardly believe it. One possible reason is certainly the almost daily sunshine in the region. In addition, Perth is a very prosperous city with a wide range of things to do. However, as the region is very extensive, you should consider getting a rental car in Perth to be able to really visit all the highlights.
Despite its four terminals, the airport in the central-eastern part of the city is manageable in size. International flights arrive in Terminal T1, where opposite the baggage claim area, as in all terminals, you will find the customer counters of the international car rental companies Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz, as well as the Australian companies Redspot and Thrifty. Other national operators maintain offices in the city. The free terminal transfer bus takes travelers to Terminal T3 in ten minutes, from where the shuttle or public Bus 37 departs for Perth.
Driving into the city
From the airport, highways and freeways in all directions are easily and quickly accessible. There are no toll roads in Perth, and during rush hour, it's usually always easy to get around. Visitors should allow about one hour for driving to all destinations around the Swan River. The northern parts of the city, farthest from the airport, can be reached within ninety minutes.
Parking situation & safety
Outstanding feature of the capital of WA is the enormous space Perth had and has for expansion. Outside the relatively small business district, the Central Business District (CBD), a long search for a parking space is rare. As a precaution against possible break-ins of the rental car, it is sufficient to take all valuables, bags and containers from inside the car and leave the empty glove compartment open.
Recommended excursions by rental car from Perth
With the rented car very worthwhile excursions can be undertaken from Perth. In the following sections we would like to present the most famous sights as well as a few insider tips:
North of the Swan River
The more densely populated area spreads further to the north than to the south. The main road from south to north is the Mitchell Freeway, the state road S2. Along the city center, the maximum speed on the city highway is 80 km/h and after a few kilometers in a northerly direction 100 km/h. From the S2 you can easily reach all parts of the coast to the Indian Ocean such as Cottesloe Beach, City Beach, Scarborough or North Beach.
The neighborhoods become more and more sparsely populated in an easterly direction. On the green borders of the settlement there are some luxury resorts and many splendid villas as well as country mansions. The "district" The Vines, for example, consists almost exclusively of a five-star luxury resort. Next door in Baskerville, wineries and private breweries beckon for tastings. When visiting with a rental car, however, a rustic Australian assessment should be taken into account: "If you drink and drive, you are a bloody idiot".
South of the Swan River
The south of Perth is more sprawling than the north, which is by no means to be taken as a quality judgement. Below the southernmost branch of the Swan River, Canning Vale is located north of the private and amateur Jandakot Airport. There are many small lakes scattered throughout the region, with green spaces and parks around them. It is worth to have a closer look at a map of the area and to visit one or the other lake. On Sundays, take a trip to the Canning Vale Markets, which has something for everyone, from antiques to new goods, crafts to secondhand junk.
Swan Valley & Perth Hills
To explore the internationally known wine valley called Swan Valley as well as the Perth Hills, which are located a bit further east, a rental car is highly recommended, as this is the only way to easily visit the highlights of this diverse region. Whether visiting wineries, lakes or small mountain villages, day trips into the hinterland are truly delightful. In addition, you will pass by good viewpoints that offer a great view of the metropolis and are ideal for photo lovers.
Fremantle
At the mouth of the Swan River, about twenty kilometers from the city center, lies the picturesque town of Fremantle, also called Freo by the locals. In this Victorian-style town, visitors can feel the European influence brought here by the first British settlers, even before Perth came into being. A vibrant cultural and arts scene gives parts of Fremantle an alternative veneer, while next door, former prisoner detention centers and military installations bear witness to British penal colony Australia.
Rockingham
About fifty kilometers south of Perth on the coast lies the small town of Rockingham. It is becoming increasingly popular and has been evolving from an insider's tip to a must-visit destination for the past few years. Rockingham can score points especially with its fantastic sandy beaches and the offshore Penguin Island. The marine park is home to dolphins, pelicans, an impressive colony of penguins on their own island and sea seals. With many festivals and cultural events Rockingham attracts visitors from Perth and elsewhere.
Nambung National Park & Pinnacles
Just 250 kilometers north of Perth lies a national park that every visitor to Western Australia should definitely include in his or her plans. Nambung National Park is home to the Pinnacles, which are famous far beyond the region. The bizarrely shaped limestone pillars seem to grow out of the desert sand. The state road S60, the Indian Ocean Drive, starts at the northern city limits of Perth and leads to the village of Lancelin, which has a paved access to the national park since a few years and also has snow-white sand dunes, which are often used for sandboarding.
If you want to drive into the middle of the surreal landscape of the Pinnacles, you can use a paved sand track. For this tour, however, the rental car must be suitable and ideally have four-wheel drive. With a conventional car you can reach the edge of the desert with a view of the Pinnacle fields.