Perth to Kalgoorlie Road Trip: 12+ Things To Do On The Way

Dreaming of a classic Aussie road trip? The journey from Perth to Kalgoorlie is an adventure that takes you through Western Australia’s rugged landscapes and historic towns. Whether you’re planning a family getaway, a solo adventure, or simply keen to explore the outback, this guide has you covered.

Having driven this route countless times, I’ve uncovered the best stops, local secrets, and practical tips to make your journey unforgettable. From quirky roadside attractions to the best spots to stretch your legs, here’s everything you need to know to hit the road with confidence!

Perth to Kalgoorlie Drive Time

Perth to Kalgoorlie-Boulder is 595km, or a 7-and-a-quarter-hour drive each way on sealed roads, without stops.

Driving 7 or so hours, through regional WA might sound daunting, but it’s surprisingly manageable. Take your time, enjoy the scenery, and plan a few stops along the way to stretch your legs and grab a bite.

If you’re new to outback driving, plan for extra time to stretch your legs, refuel, and enjoy a snack or two at charming roadside cafes.

Pro Tip: Always check your vehicle before heading out—Kalgoorlie’s remoteness means long stretches without fuel stations, so fill up in Perth and top off whenever you can.

For peace of mind, pack a jerry can of fuel and plenty of water, especially if you’re traveling during WA’s warmer months.

For me, a good road trip isn’t complete without a great podcast. There are long stretches with no mobile reception, so I always download a few episodes to keep me company

How to Get From Perth to Kalgoorlie-Boulder by Car

To begin your journey, you’ll need to make your way to the Great Eastern Highway, which is the main road connecting Perth to Kalgoorlie.

Route Directions:

1. Start in Perth’s eastern suburbs, following the Great Eastern Highway.
2. Keep following the highway eastward, passing through various towns and scenic spots.
3. As you approach Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the highway continues directly into the city.

Make sure to plan for a few stops along the way to both rest and take in the local sights.

Best Stops Between Perth and Kalgoorlie Boulder

A road trip from Perth to Kalgoorlie-Boulder offers a scenic journey through historic towns and stunning natural landmarks.

The importance of each stop will depend on how much time you have. Whether you’re planning a leisurely trip or aiming to get there quickly, this list includes stops conveniently located along the main route.

Use it to pick one or two highlights, explore a few spots, or skip the stops altogether and head straight to Kalgoorlie—it’s entirely up to you!

1. Mundaring

📍Mundaring | Google Maps | 📍Distance From Perth: 34km | 📍Distance From Kalgoorlie: 559km | Most Famous For: Mundaring Weir

The Mundaring Weir is a must-see for history buffs and nature lovers alike. I love taking a moment here to enjoy the stillness of the water – it’s the perfect start to the trip!

This engineering feat is the start of the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail, which carries water to the Goldfields.

2. Northam

📍Northam | Google Maps | 📍Distance From Perth: 95km | 📍Distance From Kalgoorlie: 497km | Most Famous For: Hot Air Balloon Rides

Northam is your next stop on the Perth to Kalgoorlie Boulder road trip. We stop here to swing by the Spud Shed and stock up on cheap fruit before hitting the road again!

Northam is also the place to be for an unforgettable sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Avon Valley, and where you can admire one of Australia’s longest pedestrian suspension bridges.

Northam is also unique for its white swans, the only place in Australia where these birds breed naturally in the wild, and is famous for having the very first set of silos to be painted in Australia, which are a favourite photo op for locals and travellers alike.

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3. Cunderdin

📍Cunderdin | Google Maps | 📍Distance From Perth: 159km | 📍Distance From Kalgoorlie: 440km | Most Famous For: Ettamogah Pub

Cunderdin is fairly typical of wheatbelt towns in Western Australia, quaint, quirky, and full of history.

Stop here to see the Cunderdin Hill Lookout, just a kilometer south of Main Street, presenting breathtaking 360-degree views of the town and its vast farmlands, revealing the stark beauty of the landscape and the challenges of salinity.

If you like old machinery, don’t miss the Cunderdin Museum, which showcases an impressive collection of farm equipment and memorabilia.

For a unique experience, visit the Ettamogah Pub, a very interesting-looking local hotel inspired by Ken Maynard’s comics.

The town’s resilience is also on display at the Meckering Earthquake Preserved Faultline, where visitors can see the impact of the 1968 Earthquake through the preserved 1km faultline.

4. Kellerberrin

📍Kellerberrin | Google Maps | 📍Distance From Perth: 203km | 📍Distance From Kalgoorlie: 390km | Most Famous For: Kokerbin Rock

Kelleberrin offers a glimpse into classic wheatbelt country. Just like Cunderdin, it has a lookout just out of town called Kellerberrin Hill, with a lookout platform and picnic facilities, and a Pioneer Museum that features old machinery and implements.

If you like wildflowers, consider taking a detour along Kellerberrin-Trayning Road during Spring. There are two excellent places to enjoy the wildflowers, being Durokoppin Wildlife Sanctuary and Charles Gardner Nature Park.

30km south of Kellerberrin, you might want to detour to see Kokerbin Rock, which is reputed to be Australia’s third largest monolith. Kokerbin Rock has a picnic ground at the base of the rock with toilets and running water.

5. Doodlakine

📍Doodlakine | Google Maps | 📍Distance From Perth: 222km | 📍Distance From Kalgoorlie: 379km | Most Famous For: Baandee Ski Lake

Doodlakine is known as the Forgotten Capital, as back around Federation when the nations politicians were choosing a site to become the capital of Australia, Doodlakine was put forward.

Nowadays, you could almost blink and miss it, but there is a general store, and just 5km east of Doodlakine is Baandee Ski Lake, a gazetted water skiing area popular with locals. A boat ramp, BBQ area, showers and toilets are available here, with swimming and skiing possible for some months of the year.

6. Merredin

📍Merredin | Google Maps | 📍Distance From Perth: 259km | 📍Distance From Kalgoorlie: 333km | Most Famous For: Merredin Peak

With its sprawling parks, heritage trails linking significant buildings, and the stunning Merredin Peak, visitors can immerse themselves in the town’s charm. The Merredin Militiary Museum, with its extensive military history and agricultural displays, provides a deep dive into the region’s past.

For a unique experience, the vibrant artwork on the CBH Merredin Silos, part of the PUBLIC Silo Trail, showcases local talent and adds a splash of color to the landscape.

7. Burracoppin

📍Burracoppin | Google Maps | 📍Distance From Perth: 281km | 📍Distance From Kalgoorlie: 310km | Most Famous For: Hunt’s Wells

Originally a bustling railhead during the 1890s, Burracoppin played a pivotal role in the Yilgarn gold rush, serving as a crucial stop for prospectors on their way to Coolgardie.

Today, visitors can explore the remnants of this once-thriving community, including the site of one of Hunt’s Wells, and imagine the hardships and hopes of those early adventurers.

8. Moorine Rock

📍Moorine Rock | Google Maps | 📍Distance From Perth: 345km | 📍Distance From Kalgoorlie: 246km | Most Famous For: Moorine Rock Hotel

22km west of Southern Cross is the tiny town of Moorine Rock. Here, you will find a general store and the Moorine Rock Hotel, and not much else in the way of tourist attractions aside from the similarly named Moorine Rock, 22km north west of town.

9. Southern Cross

📍Southern Cross | Google Maps | 📍Distance From Perth: 367km | 📍Distance From Kalgoorlie: 226km | Most Famous For: Yilgarn History Museum

Gold was first discovered in Southern Cross in 1888, and today, it still offers a unique glimpse into Australia’s gold rush era, with streets and landmarks named after celestial bodies reflecting its astronomical namesake.

Visitors can explore the Yilgarn History Museum to learn about the local heritage, or enjoy the natural beauty at spots like Baladjie Rock.

The panoramic views from Wimmera Hill Lookout offer sights of the surrounding farmland and gold mines.

10. Karalee Rocks

📍Karalee Rocks | Google Maps | 📍Distance From Perth: 422km | 📍Distance From Kalgoorlie: 177km

The Karalee Reservoir and Dam, situated 50 km east of Southern Cross, is a testament to historical ingenuity and the critical role of water in the steam railway era.

Recognized for its heritage significance in 2001, this natural rock formation was ingeniously adapted to capture and store rainwater, addressing the dire water needs of locomotives, construction, and railway workers on the Perth to Kalgoorlie line.

Constructed between 1895 and 1896, the reservoir was designed to support the burgeoning demand of the gold rush, which saw the number of trains skyrocket far beyond initial estimates.

Utilizing two massive granite outcrops, engineers created a comprehensive system to collect runoff into a vast earthen reservoir, demonstrating remarkable engineering foresight given the area’s minimal rainfall.

Now under the care of the National Trust (WA), Karalee offers a unique glimpse into the solutions devised to overcome the challenges of water scarcity in Western Australia’s arid landscape.

11. Boorabbin National Park

📍Boorabbin National Park | Google Maps | 📍Distance From Perth: 449km | 📍Distance From Kalgoorlie: 142km | Most Famous For: Great Western Woodlands

Boorabbin National Park is an interesting stop on the Perth to Kalgoorlie Boulder road trip, offering a refreshing break amidst the vast Eucalypt woodlands.

This park, located conveniently on the Great Eastern Highway, is a gateway to experiencing the unique biodiversity of the Great Western Woodlands.

Visitors are treated to a spectacular display of wildflowers in season, including the vibrant Flame grevillea, Grass leaf hakea, and Roe’s featherflower, alongside three semi-arid banksia species unique to the area.

12. Coolgardie

📍Coolgardie | Google Maps | 📍Distance From Perth: 553km | 📍Distance From Kalgoorlie: 38km | Most Famous For: Birthplace of the Great Gold Rush

Before reaching Kalgoorlie-Boulder, pause at Coolgardie.

Once a bustling gold rush town with a population of 30,000, Coolgardie now invites visitors to explore its rich history and preserved heritage.

Wander down the wide main street lined with imposing nineteenth-century buildings, including old hotels, clubs, and banks, offering a glimpse into its prosperous past.

The town’s museums, such as the Goldfields Exhibition Museum, house extensive collections that narrate the dramatic tales of early settlers and gold prospectors.

The Coolgardie Pioneer Cemetery tell stories of triumph and tragedy, while attractions like Ben Prior Park and Warden Finnerty’s Residence provide insights into the daily lives of its former inhabitants.

Wrapping Up: Perth to Kalgoorlie Road Trip

The Perth to Kalgoorlie drive is one of my favorite ways to experience the heart of regional WA. There’s something special about watching the landscape shift from Perth’s green hills to the red dirt of the Goldfields, with each stop along the way offering its own little slice of history and charm.