Best Beaches Near Perth Reachable by Hire Car

Perth is blessed with one of the finest urban beach coastlines in the world, with pristine white sand and Indian Ocean water stretching north and south of the city for hundreds of kilometres. The difference between having a hire car and relying on public transport is the ability to reach the quieter, less crowded beaches beyond the main city beaches, to stop when something looks good, and to explore the coast at your own pace.

Burswood Car Rentals has been helping Perth visitors discover Western Australia for over 42 years. Hire a car from Burswood and take your pick of the Perth coast.

Hire a Car and Hit the Beach

Burswood Car Rentals: from $25/day, no hidden fees, near Perth Airport. Call (08) 9362 4777.

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The City Beaches (10 to 15 km from Perth CBD)

Cottesloe Beach

Cottesloe is Perth’s most iconic and photographed beach. Norfolk Island pines frame the foreshore, the historic Indiana Tea House overlooks the water, and the beach is well-serviced with facilities, cafes, and a good surf break. Ocean swimming conditions are generally calm and family-friendly. Cottesloe hosts the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition every March.

City Beach

City Beach is a broad, open beach approximately 10km from the CBD, popular with families for its excellent facilities including a large playground, kiosk, cafe, and ample parking. Conditions are good for swimming and the beach is less crowded than Cottesloe on most days.

Scarborough Beach

Scarborough, approximately 14km from the CBD, is Perth’s main surf beach, with consistent Indian Ocean swells that attract beginner to intermediate surfers. The Scarborough foreshore has been significantly redeveloped in recent years, with a new amphitheatre, restaurants, bars, and a water playground. It has a livelier atmosphere than the more sedate city beaches.

North of Perth (20 to 60 km)

Trigg Beach and Mettams Pool

Trigg Beach, just north of Scarborough, offers a quieter alternative to the main surf beach, with a rocky reef break popular with experienced surfers and a small sheltered area at Mettams Pool that is excellent for snorkelling in calm conditions. The natural reef just offshore creates a protected swimming area.

Sorrento and Mullaloo

Continuing north along the coast, Sorrento and Mullaloo beaches offer suburban beach atmosphere without the tourist crowds. Both have good facilities, a beachfront cafe or kiosk, and consistent swimming conditions. Sorrento is adjacent to Hillarys Boat Harbour, which has a marina, restaurants, and the departure point for the Rottnest Island ferry.

Yanchep Beach

Approximately 56 kilometres north of Perth, Yanchep and the nearby Two Rocks area offer beaches with a significantly quieter atmosphere than the city beaches. The drive north along Marmion Avenue and then the Mitchell Freeway extension is straightforward. Yanchep National Park is adjacent and has a population of western grey kangaroos and a cave system, making it worth a combined beach and park day trip.

South of Perth (20 to 40 km)

Rockingham Beaches

Rockingham, approximately 47km south of Perth via the Kwinana Freeway, offers calmer swimming conditions than the open ocean beaches north of the city, as parts of the Rockingham coastline are sheltered by nearby islands. Point Peron and the Palm Beach area offer white sand and clear water in a more sheltered environment. Rockingham is also the departure point for tours to Penguin Island, where a colony of little penguins can be observed.

Mandurah

At approximately 72km south of Perth, Mandurah is at the outer edge of a day trip but is worth including in a longer coastal drive south. The Mandurah Estuary and the beaches along the Dawesville Channel offer a different coastal experience to the Indian Ocean beaches, with calm, warm estuary water popular with families.

Beach Distance from Perth Character Best for
Cottesloe ~12km Iconic, heritage foreshore, calm water First-time visitors, families, photography
City Beach ~10km Broad, well-facilitated, family-friendly Families, swimming
Scarborough ~14km Lively, surf beach, redeveloped foreshore Surf, dining, younger visitors
Trigg/Mettams Pool ~17km Quieter reef beach, snorkelling Snorkelling, experienced surfers
Sorrento/Mullaloo ~24km Suburban, uncrowded Quiet swim, locals atmosphere
Yanchep ~56km Remote feel, adjacent national park Half-day trip, wildlife
Rockingham ~47km Sheltered, penguins nearby Families, calm swimming

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Perth beach is best for young children?

City Beach and Rockingham both offer calm, well-supervised swimming conditions with excellent facilities that suit young children. Mettams Pool at Trigg is also excellent for children as the reef creates a partially sheltered, shallow lagoon with calmer water than the open ocean beach.

Are there beach parking fees in Perth?

Most Perth beach carparks are free, which makes exploring the coast by hire car very accessible. Some popular areas like Cottesloe and Scarborough have a mix of free and paid parking, with free options within a short walking distance. Burswood Car Rentals’ hire cars carry no rental stickers, so you blend in with locals at all parking areas.

Perth to Rottnest Island: Can You Take a Hire Car?

Rottnest Island is one of Western Australia’s most popular destinations, famous for its quokkas, clear turquoise water, historic buildings, and car-free atmosphere. That last point is the key one for hire car visitors: Rottnest Island does not permit private vehicles on the island. You cannot take your hire car to Rottnest, regardless of which ferry service you use. But your hire car still plays an important role in making the trip happen.

Burswood Car Rentals has been helping Perth visitors explore Western Australia for over 42 years. This guide explains the Rottnest logistics clearly so you can plan your trip with confidence. Browse our Perth hire car options for a vehicle that suits your itinerary.

Hire a Car to Get to the Rottnest Ferry

Burswood Car Rentals: no hidden fees, near Perth Airport, from $25/day. Call (08) 9362 4777.

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Why There Are No Cars on Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island has been car-free for private vehicles since the 1930s. This policy is managed by the Rottnest Island Authority under the Rottnest Island Authority Act 1987. The only motor vehicles operating on the island are managed by the Rottnest Island Authority for essential services, emergency response, accommodation, and specific tourism operations. No private vehicles, hire cars, or passenger vehicles are permitted on the ferry services for general visitor access.

This policy is central to the island’s appeal: the absence of traffic noise and the ability to cycle freely around the island is a defining feature of the Rottnest experience.

How Your Hire Car Gets You to Rottnest

While your hire car cannot cross the water to Rottnest, it plays an important role in getting you to the ferry terminal. There are three main ferry departure points for Rottnest Island from the Perth area:

Ferry terminal Distance from Perth CBD Drive time Notes
Barrack Street Jetty, Perth City centre Walk / city parking Most central; good if you are staying in the CBD
Fremantle Passenger Terminal ~19km from Perth CBD ~30 minutes Most departures operate from here; large adjacent parking facilities
Hillary’s Boat Harbour ~24km north of Perth CBD ~25 minutes Northern suburbs departure point; useful if staying north of Perth

Your hire car can be driven to the ferry terminal of your choice and parked in the designated car parks while you are on the island.

Getting Around Rottnest Island

Once on the island, the primary transport options for visitors are:

  • Bicycle hire: cycling is the classic Rottnest experience and the best way to reach the beaches and bays scattered around the island. Bike hire is available from multiple operators on the island. Book in advance during school holidays and peak periods
  • Island Explorer bus: a hop-on hop-off bus service connects the main settlement with the beaches and attractions around the island. A day pass is available and suits visitors who prefer not to cycle
  • Organised tours: guided tours by bus and electric cart cover the island’s history, wildlife, and geography. Rottnest Island operates its own guided tours from the main visitor hub
  • Walking: the settlement area and some nearby beaches are accessible on foot. The island is larger than it appears, and walking to the outer beaches is a full-day commitment

Spotting Quokkas

Rottnest Island is one of the only places in the world where quokkas can be easily observed in their natural habitat. These small, friendly marsupials are found throughout the island and are particularly concentrated around the main settlement. They are wild animals and should not be fed, but they are accustomed to human presence and are a highlight of most Rottnest visits.

💡  Book your ferry in advance, especially for weekend and school holiday visits: Rottnest Island ferries, particularly the fast-ferry services from Fremantle, book out well in advance during peak periods. Book your ferry tickets before you book anything else, and then plan your hire car dates around the ferry departure and return schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there parking at the Fremantle ferry terminal?

Yes. The Fremantle Passenger Terminal has commercial car parking facilities nearby. Parking at the terminal costs more than parking further from the waterfront and walking, so if you plan to leave your hire car for a full day or overnight, consider the parking options in the wider Fremantle area versus parking at the terminal directly.

Can I do Rottnest Island as a day trip?

Yes, day trips to Rottnest are the most common format. The fast ferry from Fremantle takes approximately 30 minutes. A day trip allows six to eight hours on the island, which is enough to cycle the main circuit, visit two or three beaches, and see the quokkas in the settlement. An overnight stay opens up more of the island. Burswood Car Rentals’ flexible hire options make it easy to match your hire period to your Rottnest itinerary.

Perth to Fremantle by Car: What to See Along the Way

Fremantle is one of Perth’s most visited destinations and one of the easiest by hire car. Just 19 kilometres south of the Perth CBD, the drive takes approximately 30 minutes in normal traffic, though there is no shortage of worthwhile stops that can stretch the journey into a half-day or full-day experience. Whether you are a first-time visitor to Western Australia or a Perth local exploring your own backyard, the Perth to Fremantle drive rewards a leisurely approach.

Burswood Car Rentals is conveniently located near Perth Airport and has been serving Perth visitors and locals for over 42 years. Hire a car from Burswood to explore Fremantle and the coast at your own pace.

Explore Perth and Fremantle at Your Own Pace

Burswood Car Rentals: from $25/day, no hidden fees, RAC roadside assistance. Call (08) 9362 4777.

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Route Options: Direct or Scenic

There are two main route options for the Perth to Fremantle drive, each with a different character:

  • Stirling Highway (via Cottesloe and Mosman Park): the most scenic coastal route. Stirling Highway runs south through the leafy western suburbs, passing close to the coast and through the beach suburbs of Claremont and Cottesloe before arriving in Fremantle. This is the recommended option for first-time visitors as it passes through some of Perth’s most attractive suburbs
  • Canning Highway (via South Perth and Applecross): a riverside route that follows the Swan River south before crossing to Fremantle. This route passes through the Applecross foreshore area, which has river views and a good cafe strip

What to See on the Way

Cottesloe Beach

Cottesloe is Perth’s most iconic beach and is just off the Stirling Highway route. A well-maintained foreshore with Norfolk Island pines, a heritage beach pavilion (the Indiana Tea House), ocean swimming, and weekend markets make Cottesloe worth a 30 to 60 minute stop. It is family-friendly, has good facilities, and is one of the most photographed beach locations in Western Australia.

Mosman Park and Peppermint Grove

The drive through Mosman Park and Peppermint Grove on Stirling Highway passes through some of Perth’s most established and affluent residential streets, with large heritage homes and significant streetscapes. It is a pleasant drive in itself even if you do not stop.

North Fremantle

North Fremantle, just before you cross the Swan River into central Fremantle, has a good cafe and restaurant strip along the waterfront. The area has a more local character than the tourist-facing parts of Fremantle and is worth considering for a coffee stop.

What to Do in Fremantle

  • Fremantle Market: the historic Fremantle Market at South Terrace operates on Friday afternoons and over weekends, offering fresh produce, crafts, clothing, and food stalls in a heritage market building
  • The Cappuccino Strip: South Terrace is Fremantle’s main cafe and restaurant street, known locally as the Cappuccino Strip. It has been the social heart of Fremantle for decades and remains a great spot for coffee and people-watching
  • Fremantle Prison: a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most intact colonial-era prisons in the world. Guided tours, night tours, and tunnel tours operate daily and are well worth booking in advance
  • Fishing Boat Harbour: the working fishing harbour and adjacent restaurant strip is the best place in Perth for fresh fish and chips eaten waterside
  • WA Maritime Museum: the Western Australian Maritime Museum houses the winning yacht from the 1983 America’s Cup (Australia II) along with extensive maritime history displays. Free entry for the main museum
  • Fremantle Arts Centre: a beautiful heritage building (former lunatic asylum) now operating as an arts venue and gallery, with a courtyard cafe
✦  Parking in Fremantle: Fremantle has a mix of paid street parking, free timed street parking in some areas, and paid parking stations. The Kings Square area and the Fremantle Railway Station precinct have the highest concentration of parking. On market days (Fridays and weekends), parking fills quickly around the South Terrace area. Arriving before 10am on a weekend secures much better parking options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I plan for a Perth to Fremantle day trip?

A morning departure from Perth with stops along the way and several hours in Fremantle makes for a comfortable full-day experience. If you add Cottesloe Beach as a swim stop, a Fremantle Prison tour, the market, and lunch at the Fishing Boat Harbour, five to six hours in the Fremantle area alone is not excessive.

Is Fremantle easy to navigate by car?

Fremantle is compact and easy to navigate. The main tourist areas are concentrated within a few streets of each other. Parking at one location and exploring on foot is the most practical approach. Burswood Car Rentals’ hire cars have no rental stickers, so you arrive without advertising that you are in a rental vehicle.

Perth to the Pinnacles by Hire Car: Everything You Need to Know

The Pinnacles Desert is one of Western Australia’s most extraordinary natural attractions. Thousands of ancient limestone pillars rising from golden sand in Nambung National Park create a landscape that looks unlike anywhere else on earth. It makes for one of the best day trips or overnight getaways from Perth, and the drive up the coast to reach it is worth the journey in its own right.

This guide covers everything you need to plan your Pinnacles trip by hire car from Perth. Burswood Car Rentals has been helping Perth visitors and locals get on the road for over 42 years, with no hidden fees and RAC roadside assistance included on every rental.

Hire a Car from Burswood Car Rentals for Your Pinnacles Day Trip

From $25/day. No hidden fees. RAC roadside assistance. Near Perth Airport. Call (08) 9362 4777.

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The Drive: Distance and Time

The Pinnacles are located in Nambung National Park, approximately 245 kilometres north of Perth. The most direct route is via the Brand Highway (Indian Ocean Drive is the more scenic alternative along the coast, adding around 30 to 40 minutes to the journey). Driving time from Perth is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours each way without stops.

Route Distance Drive time Character
Brand Highway (direct) ~245km ~2.5 hours Inland route, more direct, quicker
Indian Ocean Drive (coastal) ~270km ~3 to 3.5 hours Scenic coastal route, passes Lancelin, recommended for the return leg

What to Do at the Pinnacles

Pinnacles Lookout Drive

A 4-kilometre one-way sealed loop road winds through the heart of the Pinnacles formation, allowing you to drive slowly through the limestone pillars and stop at designated pull-off areas for photographs. The loop takes about 45 minutes to an hour if you stop frequently. This is the main Pinnacles experience and it is accessible to all hire car types, including standard sedans.

Walking trails

There is a short walking trail through the Pinnacles formation that allows you to get closer to the limestone pillars than the road allows. The trail is flat and takes approximately 30 minutes at a relaxed pace. Sturdy footwear is recommended.

Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre

The visitor centre at the entrance to the Pinnacles includes displays on the geological formation of the limestone pillars, the history of the area, and local wildlife. Entry to the centre is free with your park pass.

Entry Fees and Park Passes

Nambung National Park is a Western Australian national park and requires a park entry fee per vehicle. A standard day pass can be purchased at the park entry gate (card payment accepted) or in advance through the Parks and Wildlife Service of Western Australia (parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au). A WA Holiday Parks Pass or annual pass provides entry to all WA national parks for 12 months and represents good value if you plan to visit multiple parks during your trip.

The Town of Cervantes: Where to Stop

The small coastal town of Cervantes is approximately 3 kilometres from the Pinnacles entrance and is the best base for refreshments, fuel, and a short stop. Cervantes has:

  • Fuel stations and a small supermarket for supplies
  • Several cafes and restaurants including seafood options featuring local rock lobster
  • The Lobster Shack: a popular attraction offering tours of a working rock lobster processing facility and a restaurant with local lobster meals; bookings recommended during school holidays and peak season

What to See on the Way: Lancelin

If you take the Indian Ocean Drive route on the return trip, Lancelin is worth a stop. Located approximately 130km north of Perth, Lancelin is known for its white sand dunes that extend inland from the coast. The dunes are accessible from the town and are popular with sandboarders. It is a good mid-trip break on the return journey.

💡  Visit early morning or late afternoon: The Pinnacles are at their most photogenic and most comfortable early in the morning (before 10am) or in the late afternoon (after 4pm). Midday visits in summer can be very hot, and the light is harsh for photography. Early visits also mean fewer fellow travellers in your photos. If you plan a day trip, leaving Perth by 7am puts you at the Pinnacles in the best morning light.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a standard hire car do the Pinnacles loop drive?

Yes. The Pinnacles Lookout Drive is a sealed road and is suitable for any standard hire car. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is not required for the Pinnacles experience. All vehicles in the Burswood Car Rentals fleet are suitable for the Pinnacles day trip on the sealed road.

Is it worth staying overnight in Cervantes?

If you want to catch the early morning light at the Pinnacles without the 2.5-hour pre-dawn drive from Perth, staying overnight in Cervantes puts you right at the gate at opening time. Cervantes has accommodation options including caravan parks and holiday units. Staying overnight also gives you time for a late afternoon visit on the first day and an early morning visit the following day, which is the ideal way to experience the Pinnacles. Burswood Car Rentals offers flexible hire periods to suit both day trips and multi-day itineraries.

Is there fuel available at the Pinnacles?

There is no fuel available inside Nambung National Park. Cervantes, 3km from the park entrance, has a fuel station. Fill up before leaving Perth or at Lancelin on the way up, and top up in Cervantes before the return journey.