Month: July 2026

Perth looks straightforward on a map. A coastal strip, a river bisecting the southern suburbs, a CBD grid, and a network of arterial roads heading north, south, and east. But like any large city, Perth has its quirks: roads that seem to double back on themselves near the river, a CBD that requires a bit of thought around one-way streets and free transit zones, a freeway system that still catches newcomers off guard, and a scale that surprises visitors who do not appreciate how spread-out a city of this size becomes.

Burswood Car Rentals has been helping visitors and locals navigate Perth from our base at 16 Teddington Road, Burswood for over 42 years. Here is the local knowledge guide: what you need to know about Perth’s roads before you get in the driver’s seat.

Use a Navigation App, Not Printed Maps

The single most important navigation decision you make before driving a hire car in Perth is to use a live, GPS-based navigation application on your phone. Google Maps and Apple Maps both work well in Perth and WA. Waze is popular for city driving. All three update in real-time for traffic conditions, which matters in Perth’s peak-hour freeway merges.

Before you drive, set up your navigation for the first journey while the car is parked. Enter your destination, review the route, and start the audio navigation. Do not try to read a map on your phone while driving: it is illegal and unsafe. A phone mount on the windscreen or dashboard keeps your navigation visible without requiring you to pick up your phone.

Understanding Perth’s Freeway System

Perth’s freeway network is the main structural element of its road system. Understanding the key freeways makes most navigation decisions much simpler:

• Mitchell Freeway (north/south in the northern corridor): runs from the Narrows interchange near the CBD northward through Joondalup and beyond. If you are heading to Scarborough, Hillarys Boat Harbour, Joondalup, or anywhere in Perth’s north, the Mitchell Freeway is likely your primary route
• Kwinana Freeway (south): runs from the Narrows southward through Fremantle direction, Cockburn, and toward Rockingham and Mandurah. Also provides access to Fremantle via the Stock Road turnoff. If you are going south of the river, the Kwinana Freeway is your main arterial
• Graham Farmer Freeway (east-west link): runs through a tunnel under Northbridge, connecting the Mitchell Freeway north of the CBD to the Eastern Freeway. Useful for bypassing the CBD when moving between north and east Perth
• Great Eastern Highway: the main road heading east toward the Perth Hills, Mundaring, York, and beyond into the Wheatbelt
• Tonkin Highway and Roe Highway: the eastern bypass route connecting the southern and northern suburbs without entering the CBD or using the coastal freeways

Driving in Perth’s CBD

Perth’s city centre has several features that catch out unfamiliar drivers:

One-way streets

Parts of Perth’s CBD grid run on one-way systems. Hay Street and Murray Street in the mall area, and sections of St Georges Terrace and Adelaide Terrace, operate differently to what navigation apps sometimes show on their first suggestion. Trust your navigation app over any instinct: it knows the one-way system.

Free Transit Zone parking restrictions

Perth CBD has a Free Transit Zone (FTZ) for public transport, but driving and parking within the CBD is separate from this. Parking in the CBD requires paid parking at meters or in commercial car parks. Council parking regulations in the inner city are actively enforced. For multi-hour CBD visits, using an off-street car park (Convention Centre car park, Wilson Parking on Roe Street, and others) is simpler than hunting for meter parking.

The Causeway and the Narrows

Crossing the Swan River between the north and south sides of Perth requires either the Causeway (connecting East Perth to Victoria Park) or the Narrows Interchange (the main freeway connection near the CBD). Both are clearly signed. The Narrows is the faster option for freeway travel; the Causeway is useful for accessing East Perth and Burswood from the south. Burswood Car Rentals is located right at the Burswood interchange, making it very easy to reach from both directions.

Key Routes Worth Knowing

Destination	Recommended route	Notes
Perth Airport from city	Orrong Rd or Great Eastern Hwy east	Follow airport signs from Great Eastern Hwy
Fremantle from city	Kwinana Fwy south to Stirling Hwy	Or Stirling Hwy direct; 20-25 min
Cottesloe or City Beach	West via Hay St then Stirling Hwy	Stirling Hwy runs along the coast
Scarborough Beach	Mitchell Fwy north, West Coast Hwy exit	30 min from city in light traffic
Swan Valley	Great Eastern Hwy or Midland and north	Midland Gate is the gateway suburb
Hills and Kalamunda	Great Eastern Hwy east to Zig Zag	Winding roads in the Hills; take it easy
Margaret River (280 km)	Kwinana Fwy south to South West Hwy	Allow 3 to 3.5 hours

 

Perth Driving Habits to Know About

Local knowledge goes beyond knowing the roads. Here are a few Perth-specific driving habits that help newcomers blend in and stay safe:

• Merging at freeway on-ramps: Perth’s freeways use zip-merge (alternate merge) at on-ramps. Do not stop at the top of an on-ramp: accelerate to match freeway speed and merge when a gap appears
• Right turns at traffic lights: unless there is a dedicated right-turn arrow, you may be required to wait for a gap in oncoming traffic before turning right. Do not block the intersection while waiting
• School zones: 40 km/h speed zones operate around schools on weekday mornings and afternoons when the zone lights are flashing. These are heavily policed and the reduced limit genuinely applies even when the streets appear quiet
• Cyclists: Perth has an expanding network of dedicated cycling infrastructure, but cyclists are also present on many roads. Give cyclists at least one metre of clearance when overtaking (1.5 metres on roads above 60 km/h)
• Kangaroos at dusk and dawn: on regional roads outside the metropolitan area, particularly on routes heading toward the Wheatbelt, South West, or north of the city, kangaroos are a genuine road hazard at dawn and dusk. Slow down and stay alert on country roads in low-light conditions

With a good navigation app, a well-maintained hire car from Burswood Car Rentals, and the local knowledge in this guide, Perth’s roads are straightforward and the rewards of getting out and exploring are enormous. Whether you are heading to Fremantle, the Hills, Margaret River, or simply getting around the city, Western Australia is best experienced from behind the wheel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Perth roads easy to drive for visitors?

Generally yes. Perth’s roads are well-maintained, clearly signed, and less congested than Sydney or Melbourne. The main adjustments for visitors are driving on the left, understanding the freeway merge system, and watching out for speed cameras, which operate throughout the metropolitan area and on country roads. The Burswood FAQs page has more practical answers for first-time Perth visitors.

Is there a toll system in Perth?

Perth does not have a toll road network. There are no tolls on the Kwinana Freeway, Mitchell Freeway, or other metropolitan roads. You can drive anywhere in the Perth metropolitan area without toll charges, which is a practical advantage compared to Sydney and Melbourne.

What size hire car is best for driving in Perth?

For solo travellers and couples, a compact car or mid-size sedan is easy to park and navigate in Perth’s CBD and inner suburbs. For families or groups, the 8-seater Kia Carnival people mover handles Perth’s wider roads and regional highways comfortably. For a premium experience, Burswood’s Audi luxury range delivers exceptional comfort across both city and regional driving.

Perth is one of the world’s most driveable cities for international visitors. The roads are wide, the traffic is manageable by major city standards, the scenery is stunning, and within an hour of the city centre you can be in some of the most beautiful landscape on earth. The hire car is how most international visitors get the best out of WA, and getting the paperwork right before you pick up the keys makes the whole experience significantly smoother.

Burswood Car Rentals has been welcoming international visitors to Perth for over 42 years. We are conveniently located on the route from both the domestic and international airports, and our local team speaks from real experience when guiding overseas visitors through the hire process. Here is everything you need to know.

Driving Licence Requirements for International Visitors

Your ability to drive legally in Western Australia depends on the country that issued your licence and whether it is written in English.

• Licences issued in English: a valid overseas driving licence that is written in English may be used in Western Australia. Carry your licence at all times while driving
• Licences not issued in English: if your overseas licence is not in English, you will generally also need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive legally in WA. The IDP is a translation document issued by the motoring authority in your home country, and must be carried alongside your original home-country licence
• Your IDP cannot be used alone: an IDP is a translation document. It is not valid without the original licence it translates. Always carry both

Specific requirements, including any time limitations on using an overseas licence, are set by the Road Traffic Administration Act and related regulations in Western Australia. Please verify current requirements with Main Roads WA at mainroads.wa.gov.au before your trip. Requirements can change.

The First Rule of Driving in Australia: Keep Left

If you are visiting from a country that drives on the right (which includes the USA, most of Europe, China, and many other nations), the single most important adjustment to make is driving on the left side of the road.

This sounds straightforward until you are tired from a long-haul flight, it is your first time in an unfamiliar hire car, and you are making a right turn at a busy Perth intersection. Here is how to set yourself up for success:

• At every intersection, consciously remind yourself to keep to the left as you exit the turn
• At a roundabout, traffic flows clockwise: give way to vehicles already in the roundabout, entering from your right
• The driver sits on the right side of the car in Australia: if you feel like you are in the wrong seat, you are in the right one
• Be particularly careful when departing from quiet car parks or after a rest stop, as these are common moments for left-right disorientation
• Give yourself an easy first drive: do not leave the airport at peak hour heading directly into the CBD. A short, quiet route on your first drive helps the left-side habit settle in

Key Road Rules for International Visitors to WA

Western Australia’s road rules are based on the Australian Road Rules, which apply across the country with minor state variations. The following are the most important for international visitors to understand:

• Speed limits: 50 km/h in built-up residential areas, 40 km/h in school zones when active, 60 km/h on most urban arterial roads, 80 or 100 km/h on suburban freeways, and 110 km/h on open highways. Speed cameras operate extensively across WA and fines are substantial
• Seatbelts: mandatory for all occupants in all seating positions. The driver is responsible for ensuring all passengers under 16 are properly restrained
• Mobile phones: it is illegal to hold or use a mobile phone while driving in WA. Hands-free systems are permitted. Even brief phone handling at traffic lights is an offence. Use your phone before you start driving or invest in a car mount for navigation
• Blood alcohol limit: 0.05 for most licence holders. Zero for learner and probationary licence holders. Western Australian police conduct roadside breath testing. The penalties are severe. Do not drink and drive
• Give way to pedestrians: at marked pedestrian crossings, pedestrians have right of way. At intersections, give way to pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into
• Bicycle lanes: do not drive in bicycle lanes. Some bicycle lanes in Perth allow car access only at specific times and for specific purposes

What to Bring When Hiring a Car in Perth

When you arrive at Burswood Car Rentals to pick up your vehicle, bring:

1. Your original overseas driving licence
2. Your International Driving Permit (if your licence is not in English)
3. Your passport
4. The credit or debit card you will be paying with (the same card used for the booking)
5. Your booking confirmation if you have one

If you have any questions before you arrive, the Burswood FAQs page covers many common hire questions, or you can call the team directly on +61 8 9362 4777.

Perth Distances and What Vehicle to Choose

Understanding Perth’s geography helps you choose the right vehicle for your trip:

Destination	Distance from Perth CBD	Vehicle recommendation
Fremantle	About 20 km south-west	Any vehicle in the fleet
Swan Valley	About 25 km north-east	Compact or mid-size sedan
Rottnest Island	Ferry from Fremantle	Ferry only; leave the hire car in Fremantle
Margaret River	About 280 km south	Sedan or SUV; comfortable for the drive
Albany	About 420 km south-east	Sedan or SUV; allow a full day’s driving
Kalbarri	About 590 km north	SUV recommended for longer trip comfort
Groups or families	Varies	8-seater Kia Carnival people mover

For families or groups, Burswood’s 8-seater Kia Carnival makes large-group travel comfortable and economical compared to two separate vehicles. For a premium Perth experience, our Audi luxury vehicles deliver a driving experience that matches Perth’s world-class attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hire a car in Perth if I am under 25?

Burswood Car Rentals has minimum age requirements for hire vehicles. Check the FAQs page or contact the team directly to confirm the current minimum age requirements and any applicable young driver policies. The minimum age varies by vehicle type.

Can I pick up my hire car from Perth Airport?

Burswood Car Rentals is located at 16 Teddington Road, Burswood, on the route from both Perth’s domestic and international airports to the CBD. We offer free pickup from Perth hotels in the city. Contact the team to arrange airport or hotel pickup for your hire vehicle.

What is the nil damage excess policy?

Burswood Car Rentals offers a nil damage excess policy, which means you are not required to pay an excess in the event of accidental damage during your hire period. This is particularly valuable for international visitors who may not have suitable travel insurance cover for hire car excess. Review the full terms or ask the team to explain the policy clearly at pickup.

Travelling responsibly does not mean giving up the freedom and flexibility of a hire car. It means making thoughtful choices about which vehicle you hire, how you drive it, and how you plan your trip. For visitors and locals in Perth, there are genuinely meaningful ways to reduce the environmental impact of your hire car travel without compromising on where you go or how comfortable you are getting there.

Burswood Car Rentals has been a Quality Tourism Accredited Perth car hire company for over 42 years. As Perth’s transport landscape shifts toward lower-emission vehicles, we are shifting with it. Here is the practical guide to eco-friendly car hire in Perth.

Step 1: Choose the Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicle for Your Trip

The single biggest factor in the environmental footprint of your hire car trip is the vehicle you choose. A smaller, more fuel-efficient car produces meaningfully less CO2 per kilometre than a large SUV or ute, regardless of how eco-consciously you drive.

Burswood’s practical guide to vehicle choice by trip type:

• Solo travel or couple in Perth: a compact car like the Kia Rio or similar economy option is the lowest-emission choice in the conventional fleet and is perfectly adequate for Perth CBD and inner suburb travel
• Family or small group: a mid-size sedan or small SUV uses fuel more efficiently than an 8-seater if you don’t genuinely need the extra seats. Hire the right size, not the largest available
• Any trip where charging is viable: the CUPRA Tavascan produces zero tailpipe emissions. For Perth city and short regional trips where the charging network supports the route, the electric option is the most environmentally responsible choice available

Step 2: Consider the Electric Vehicle Option

Burswood Car Rentals is currently trialling the CUPRA Tavascan, a premium electric SUV that produces zero tailpipe emissions. For a visitor to Perth whose itinerary includes the city, Fremantle, the Swan Valley, and possibly Margaret River, the Tavascan covers the journey without burning a single litre of petrol.

The environmental argument for an EV hire in Perth is straightforward. A week of city and regional driving in a petrol vehicle produces a substantial CO2 output. The same trip in the CUPRA Tavascan produces no direct tailpipe emissions. The full lifecycle carbon comparison between EVs and petrol vehicles is more complex (manufacturing, battery production, and the grid mix all factor in), but for the in-use travel emissions that most travellers think about, an EV hire is the clear environmental choice.

Step 3: Drive More Efficiently

Once you have the right vehicle, how you drive it has a significant effect on fuel consumption and emissions. These habits apply equally to petrol and EV hire cars (for EVs, they extend range and reduce overall energy use):

• Smooth acceleration and braking: rapid acceleration burns significantly more fuel than gradual acceleration to cruising speed. Anticipate the road ahead, accelerate gently, and let the car coast before braking where safe and legal to do so
• Maintain a steady speed on highways: fuel consumption increases sharply above 100 km/h on Western Australian highways. Keeping to the posted speed limit is both the legal and the more fuel-efficient choice
• Use air conditioning strategically: air conditioning adds fuel consumption. In mild Perth weather, opening windows is more efficient. In summer heat, air conditioning at moderate settings is more efficient than open windows at highway speeds
• Avoid unnecessary idling: turning off the engine at extended stops of more than a minute or two reduces fuel consumption and emissions
• Check tyre pressure before longer trips: underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance and fuel consumption. The Burswood team maintains vehicles in good condition, but it is worth a quick check before heading out on a longer regional drive

Step 4: Plan Your Route to Minimise Distance

The greenest kilometre is the one you do not drive. Perth is a large, spread-out city, and route planning genuinely affects total distance travelled:

• Use a navigation app with live traffic data to avoid congestion, which dramatically increases fuel consumption
• Cluster activities by area on each day of your trip rather than crisscrossing the city
• For shorter distances in central Perth, consider using public transport (the free CAT buses in the city centre, or the train network to Fremantle) and using the hire car for the trips that genuinely require one
• When driving in the Perth Hills, Margaret River region, or other scenic areas, plan a circuit route rather than an out-and-back where possible

Step 5: Offset What You Cannot Avoid

For the emissions you cannot eliminate, consider a carbon offset. Several Australian organisations offer verified carbon offset programmes. A two-week hire car trip in WA can be offset for a relatively modest cost. Look for offset programmes that are independently verified against recognised standards (such as the Australian National Carbon Offset Standard or Gold Standard accreditation).

A Note on Vehicle Returns and Fleet Efficiency

Burswood Car Rentals maintains its fleet to a high standard, with regular servicing that keeps vehicles operating at their rated fuel efficiency. The no-hidden-fees, nil damage excess policy means there are no incentives for customers to hide vehicle issues that might affect performance, which helps us keep the fleet in optimal condition for both efficiency and safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hiring an electric car in Perth more expensive than a petrol car?

The daily hire rate for the CUPRA Tavascan is higher than our economy and standard petrol vehicles, reflecting its premium positioning. However, the lower cost of charging versus petrol partially offsets the rate difference, particularly on longer hire periods. For customers for whom the environmental benefit or the premium driving experience has value, the Tavascan represents good value on both dimensions. Contact us for current pricing.

Which car in the Burswood fleet has the lowest emissions for a short Perth city trip?

For a short Perth city trip, the CUPRA Tavascan has zero tailpipe emissions and is the clear lowest-emission choice where the route is viable. For those who prefer a petrol vehicle, our economy and compact options have the lowest fuel consumption per kilometre in the conventional fleet.

Perth has changed. A city that was once almost entirely reliant on the car and the petrol bowser now has a growing network of EV charging infrastructure, a new generation of genuinely impressive electric vehicles on the road, and hire car customers asking a question that barely existed five years ago: should I hire an electric car?

Burswood Car Rentals has been on Perth’s roads for over 42 years and has recently added the CUPRA Tavascan to the fleet as part of our commitment to giving customers modern transport options. Whether an electric hire car is right for your Perth trip depends on where you are going, how far you are travelling, and what kind of driving experience you are looking for. Here is the honest guide.

What Is Available for Electric Hire in Perth?

Burswood Car Rentals is currently trialling electric vehicle hire in Perth with the CUPRA Tavascan, a premium electric SUV from the SEAT/Volkswagen Group’s CUPRA brand. The Tavascan is not a budget compact: it is a proper, striking SUV with European design, instant acceleration, a quiet and refined cabin, and the kind of technology package you would expect from a premium vehicle.

The CUPRA Tavascan delivers an experience that is genuinely different to a conventional petrol car. The acceleration is immediate and smooth. There is no engine noise, which gives the cabin a calm, quiet quality that is particularly noticeable on long highway stretches. And at a time when Perth petrol prices remain a talking point for everyone from commuters to tourists, the running costs of an EV tell their own story.

What Are the Advantages of Hiring an Electric Car in Perth?

• Running cost savings: charging an electric vehicle costs significantly less per kilometre than fuelling a petrol car at Perth pump prices. For a week-long hire in an EV, the difference between charging costs and petrol costs represents a genuine saving, particularly on longer drives
• Zero tailpipe emissions: for travellers who want to reduce the environmental impact of their visit to Western Australia, an EV hire produces no direct tailpipe emissions
• The driving experience: instant torque, smooth acceleration, and a quiet cabin are features that experienced EV drivers consistently describe as something you can’t appreciate until you have driven one. The CUPRA Tavascan in particular delivers genuine driving pleasure alongside its efficiency
• Technology and comfort: the Tavascan comes with advanced driver assistance technology, a premium interior, and cutting-edge infotainment, making it a compelling option for business travellers and anyone who values a premium-quality hire experience
• City driving efficiency: EVs are particularly well suited to city driving because the regenerative braking system recovers energy during deceleration. Perth’s stop-start CBD and inner suburb driving is well matched to an EV’s strengths

What Are the Limitations to Consider?

An honest guide to EV hire would be incomplete without addressing the genuine limitations. These are not reasons to avoid an electric hire car, but they are factors to plan around.

• Range planning: the CUPRA Tavascan has a strong range per charge, but any EV hire in Western Australia requires some route planning if you are heading into regional areas. Perth to Margaret River is an entirely manageable trip in the Tavascan. Perth to Kalbarri or Albany in a single day without advance charging planning requires more consideration
• Charging time vs refuelling time: topping up a petrol car takes four minutes. An EV rapid charge takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on the charger and the state of charge. For some itineraries, this does not matter at all. For others, it requires scheduling a charging stop into the day
• Charging network familiarity: first-time EV drivers sometimes find navigating the charging network slightly unfamiliar. Burswood Car Rentals provides a guide to Perth and WA charging options when you hire the Tavascan, and the car’s navigation system will route you to chargers along your journey

Perth’s EV Charging Landscape

Perth’s public charging network has expanded considerably in recent years, driven by state government investment and commercial deployment. Key charging points relevant to Burswood Car Rentals hire customers include:

• Fast DC chargers in Perth CBD and major shopping precincts including Karrinyup, Innaloo, and Midland Gate
• Rapid charging on the Kwinana Freeway corridor heading south toward Fremantle and Rockingham
• Charging at selected service stations on the South West Highway heading toward Bunbury and Margaret River
• Charging infrastructure at major regional centres including Bunbury and Busselton

The Tavascan’s built-in navigation uses real-time charging point data to plan routes and identify available chargers, which removes much of the guesswork from charge planning.

Is an Electric Hire Car Worth It for Your Perth Trip?

Trip type	EV suitability	Notes
Perth CBD and inner suburbs	Excellent	City stop-start driving plays to EV strengths. No range concerns.
Perth to Fremantle	Excellent	Short trip, easy charging options. Highly recommended.
Perth to Margaret River	Very good	Charging available en route and in the region. Plan one stop.
Perth to Swan Valley	Excellent	Short round trip well within single charge.
Perth to Albany or Esperance	Moderate	Possible with advance planning; requires charging stop at Bunbury or further.
Perth to Kalbarri or Exmouth	Not recommended	Charging infrastructure thins significantly beyond Geraldton.

For the majority of Perth tourist itineraries and business travel needs, the CUPRA Tavascan is not only a viable choice: it is arguably the most enjoyable hire car we have. Contact the Burswood team to check availability and discuss whether the Tavascan suits your planned route.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need special knowledge to drive a hire EV?

No. The CUPRA Tavascan drives like a conventional automatic car with one significant difference: there is no gear selection beyond Drive, Reverse, and Park. The accelerator and brake pedals work the same way. The main adjustment for first-time EV drivers is getting used to regenerative braking (a mild resistance when you release the accelerator) and remembering to plug in at charging stops. Burswood’s team walks you through all the key functions when you pick up the vehicle.

Is the CUPRA Tavascan available at the airport?

Burswood Car Rentals is located at 16 Teddington Road, Burswood, on the route from Perth’s domestic and international airports to the CBD. We offer free pickup and delivery to Perth CBD hotels. Contact us to discuss airport pickup arrangements for the CUPRA Tavascan.

How much does it cost to charge the CUPRA Tavascan?

Public charging costs in Perth vary between providers and tariff types. Fast chargers at shopping centres typically charge by the minute or by the kilowatt-hour. For a full charge from near-flat, a rough comparison to petrol costs consistently shows EV charging to be significantly cheaper per kilometre at current Perth petrol prices. Exact charging costs depend on which network and tariff you use during your hire period.