Category: Car Rental

A corporate car hire account does one thing above all else: it takes the payment step out of every individual booking. Instead of an employee putting a hire on a personal card and chasing reimbursement, or an office manager entering card details for the fourth time this month, bookings go against the account and the business gets one invoice. Everything else a corporate account offers, agreed rates, nominated drivers, a named contact who knows your business, follows from that.

This guide is for whoever ends up owning vehicle bookings in a Perth business, which is usually an office manager, an executive assistant or a operations lead rather than anyone with fleet in their job title. It covers what an account actually changes, what to ask before setting one up, and how to work out whether hiring is the right structure at all.

What does a corporate account actually change?

Payment moves off the individual

This is the main thing. Without an account, someone in the business is fronting the cost of a hire and reclaiming it. That means expense claims, receipts, a delay before they get their money back, and a small amount of friction every single time. With an account, the booking is made and the business is invoiced.

The effect compounds. Once the payment step is gone, the person making the booking does not need approval to use their own card, which usually means bookings get made earlier and availability is better.

Booking gets faster

Repeat details stop being re-entered. The business name, the billing arrangement and the usual contacts are already known. For a business hiring several times a month, this is the difference between a two minute task and a ten minute one.

Records get cleaner

Consolidated invoicing gives your bookkeeper one document to reconcile rather than a scatter of individual receipts across several people’s expense claims. If your accountant needs to substantiate business vehicle use, having it in one place matters. Ask what invoicing format and frequency are available, and whether you can have a cost centre or purchase order reference on each booking, because that is what makes the reconciliation easy at the other end.

You get a person

A named contact who knows what your business usually books is worth more than it sounds when something goes wrong at 4pm on a Friday. With a local Perth operator this is a real advantage over booking through a national call centre.

When does hiring beat owning or leasing?

The honest answer is that it depends on how constant your need is, and it is worth being clear eyed about this rather than defaulting to whichever option you used last time.

Your situation	Usually the better structure
A vehicle in use most working days, same type, for years	Ownership or lease
Need that comes and goes, or peaks seasonally	Hire on demand
Vehicle type changes between jobs	Hire on demand
A defined project with an end date	Hire for the project term
Covering a vehicle that is off the road	Short term hire
Growing and not yet sure what the fleet should look like	Hire while you find out
Visitors, contractors or interstate staff needing a vehicle	Hire, every time

 

The test that cuts through it: if a vehicle you owned would sit idle for weeks at a time, you are paying for capacity you do not use. Registration, insurance, servicing and depreciation continue whether the vehicle moves or not.

The reverse is also true. If you would be hiring the same vehicle continuously for years, hire is not the efficient structure and nobody should pretend otherwise.

What businesses in Perth actually use corporate hire for

Fleet overflow

The most common reason by some distance. A business with its own vehicles hits a fortnight with one more job than there are vehicles. Hiring to cover the gap is faster and cheaper than buying an asset for three weeks of use a year.

Visiting staff and contractors

Interstate colleagues flying in, a specialist contractor on site for a month, an auditor for a week. None of them should be driving a vehicle the business owns without thinking about it, and none of them need one permanently.

Client and inbound groups

Moving a group between meetings, site visits or events. This is where a people mover matters more than a sedan, and where being able to book different vehicle types on the same account is genuinely useful.

Project and site work

A job with a defined duration in a defined location. Hire for the project term and hand it back. For work outside the metropolitan area this often means a ute rather than a car, which is again a case for an account that covers the whole fleet.

Replacing a vehicle that is off the road

Accident, breakdown, extended service. The need is immediate and temporary, which is exactly what hire is for.

Executive and client facing travel

Where the vehicle is part of the impression, a standard fleet sedan may not be the right choice. Being able to book a different class occasionally, without owning one, is one of the quieter benefits of an account.

Matching the vehicle to the job

One of the quieter advantages of an account is that it covers the whole fleet, so the vehicle can suit the task rather than the task having to suit the vehicle the business happens to own. Most businesses in Perth end up drawing on four or five classes.

• Compact and economy cars. Single person travel around the metropolitan area, short client visits, staff running errands. Easy to park in the CBD, which matters more than anything else on a two hour booking.
• Family sedans and SUVs. The default for longer drives, for carrying two or three people with bags, and for any trip out of the metropolitan area where comfort over distance matters.
• Site work, deliveries, equipment moves, trade use. If your business does any physical work at all, this is the class that gets booked at short notice and is hardest to find late.
• People movers. Client groups, visiting teams, airport collections where several people arrive together. Eight seats in one vehicle solves a coordination problem that two cars do not.
• Luxury vehicles. Client facing travel where the vehicle is part of the impression. Occasional need, which is precisely the case for hiring rather than owning.
• Electric vehicles. Increasingly relevant where a business has a sustainability commitment it reports against, and worth trialling through hire before committing to a purchase.

The trailer is worth a separate mention. For equipment moves, site clear outs and anything bulky, a vehicle plus trailer is usually cheaper and more practical than a larger vehicle, and it can go on the same booking.

When the need runs into months

There is a middle ground between a few days and a multi year lease, and it is the part of the market most businesses do not know exists.

Long term or monthly hire suits a defined period of extended need. A contractor engaged for six months. A project running through to the end of a financial year. A staged fleet replacement where vehicles are being retired faster than the new ones arrive. A new office opening where you do not yet know what the vehicle requirement will settle at.

What it gives you that a lease does not is the ability to stop. If the project finishes early, or the requirement changes, or the business decides it needs a different vehicle type, you are not carrying an obligation for the remaining years. What a lease gives you that long term hire does not is a lower cost per day over a genuinely long horizon.

The practical test is the same as before. If you can say with confidence what vehicle you will need in three years, lease it. If you cannot, hiring buys you the option to change your mind, and for a business that is still working out its shape, that option has real value.

What to ask before setting up an account

Most of these questions never get asked until something goes wrong. Ask them at the start instead.

1. How are drivers nominated, and how quickly can we add one? This is the most important question on the list. A driver not on the agreement may not be covered.
2. What is the invoicing cycle and format? Weekly, monthly, per booking. Can it carry a purchase order or cost centre reference.
3. What are the payment terms?
4. Who is our contact, and who covers them when they are away?
5. How far ahead do we need to book for each vehicle class? People movers and utes are always the tightest.
6. What happens if we need to extend a hire mid-term?
7. What is the damage excess, and what are the options for reducing it? Ask for this in writing.
8. Is there a distance limit, and what is the policy on unsealed roads? This matters enormously for site work outside the metropolitan area.
9. Can vehicles be delivered and collected, and within what area?
10. What happens with fines and infringements incurred by our drivers?
11. What is the after hours process if a vehicle has a problem?
12. Can we book different vehicle types on the same account?

The one to write down. Damage excess and driver nomination are the two things that turn a small incident into a large problem. Get both in writing before the first booking rather than after the first incident, and make sure whoever actually makes the bookings has read them.

Getting the internal process right

The account is the easy part. What determines whether corporate hire runs smoothly is the process inside your own business, and it takes about twenty minutes to set up properly.

• Decide who can book. One or two named people, not everyone. This is the single biggest driver of clean records.
• Keep a current list of approved drivers with licence details, and have a standing way to add someone at short notice.
• Agree what gets booked for what. A simple rule such as sedan for client visits, ute for site work, people mover for groups removes most of the decision making.
• Set a booking lead time. Two or three days for a standard car, longer for utes and people movers.
• Standardise the handover. Photograph the vehicle at collection and at return, every time, and store the photographs somewhere the business can find them.
• Give the driver the details before they collect, including the booking reference, the return time and who to call if something is wrong.
• Reconcile monthly rather than at the end of the quarter, while anyone can still remember what a particular booking was for.

The mistakes that cost businesses money

The unlisted driver

Someone else drives the vehicle for a short leg because it was convenient. If anything happens, the business is exposed. This is the most common and most expensive mistake in corporate hire, and it is entirely avoidable.

Booking too late

Specialist vehicles are a small proportion of any fleet. A business that books a people mover the day before a client group arrives will sometimes find there is not one.

Not photographing the vehicle

Two minutes at collection and two minutes at return. Without it, a dispute about a mark on a panel is a matter of recollection, and recollection is not evidence.

Hiring the wrong class to save money

A sedan booked for a job that needed a ute results in a second vehicle, a second trip, or damage to the vehicle. The saving evaporates immediately.

Nobody owning the account

When bookings are made by whoever happens to be free, details drift, drivers go unlisted and invoices stop matching anything. Assign it to one person.

Common questions

Do we need a minimum volume to open an account?

Requirements vary between hire companies. Smaller local operators are frequently more flexible about this than the national chains, which is worth knowing if your business only hires occasionally.

Can we book a vehicle for a visitor who is not an employee?

Generally yes, provided they are properly nominated as a driver and meet the licence requirements. Confirm the process, because it is a common need and it is better sorted before the visitor lands.

What about long term hire?

Long term and monthly arrangements sit between short term hire and leasing, and are worth asking about if your need is measured in months rather than days. Burswood Car Rentals offers both short and long term hire.

Can the vehicle be delivered to us?

Burswood Car Rentals offers free delivery and collection to Perth city hotels and Crown within 20 kilometres of the depot, which is useful for businesses in and around the CBD and for visiting staff arriving at a hotel.

What if we need a vehicle at short notice?

This is precisely what an account is for. The details are already held, so the booking is a phone call rather than a form. Availability is still availability though, and a specialist vehicle at short notice will always depend on what is on the lot that day.

Setting up an account

If your business is hiring vehicles more than occasionally, an account is worth the twenty minutes it takes to set up. The saving is not only on rates, it is on the administrative time that currently goes into every individual booking and every individual expense claim.

Burswood Car Rentals is a Perth owned family business operating from a single depot at 16 Teddington Road, Burswood, on the airport to city route, and offers corporate accounts across its fleet. To discuss what an account would look like for your business, call (08) 9362 4777, email rentals@burswoodcarrentals.com.au or send a message on WhatsApp to 0438 757 909. For an individual booking in the meantime, the Instant Quote on the site will give you availability and a rate in a few steps.

If there are six to eight of you travelling together in Perth, one people mover is almost always better than two cars. One vehicle means one driver, one fuel stop, one parking bay, one set of directions and one conversation instead of two convoys trying to stay in sight of each other on the Mitchell Freeway. The exception is when the group splits up during the day, in which case two smaller cars genuinely are the better answer.

The complication is luggage. An eight seat people mover with all eight seats in use has considerably less boot space than the same vehicle with the third row folded, and this is the single most common miscalculation people make when booking one. This guide covers how to work out what you actually need, what Western Australian law requires when children are travelling, and what to check before you book.

When does a people mover beat two cars?

The decision usually comes down to four questions.

Does the group stay together?

If everyone moves as one group all day, a people mover wins comfortably. If half the group wants Fremantle and half wants the Swan Valley, two cars are more useful even though they cost more to run.

How many drivers do you have?

Two cars need two licensed, insured, nominated drivers, available every day of the trip. If you only reliably have one confident driver, or if some of the group hold overseas licences that complicate things, one vehicle removes the problem entirely.

How far are you going?

On a long WA drive, one vehicle is meaningfully less work. Everyone stops at the same time, nobody gets separated, and route decisions are made once rather than negotiated by phone. On short hops around the Perth metropolitan area, the advantage is smaller.

How much luggage is there?

This is the one that decides it more often than anything else. Eight adults with eight suitcases will not fit in one eight seat vehicle. Six adults with six bags usually will. Work this out honestly before you book.

The luggage rule of thumb. With all seats in a people mover occupied, plan on roughly one carry on sized bag per person plus a couple of larger cases, not a full sized suitcase each. If your group is arriving on an international flight with checked luggage, either drop the passenger count or add a second vehicle.

What does Western Australian law require?

Two rules matter for group travel and both come from the Road Traffic Code 2000.

One person per seating position

The Code provides that there must not be more passengers in a motor vehicle than there are seating positions. An eight seat vehicle carries eight people, and that count includes the driver. Two children sharing a seat is not permitted and no exception applies because the journey is short.

This sounds obvious and it catches out groups constantly, usually at the point where a ninth person turns up expecting to squeeze in for a twenty minute drive.

Child restraints

The requirements are set by age and are more specific than most people remember:

Age of passenger	Required restraint
Under 6 months	Rearward facing child restraint, properly fastened and adjusted
6 months to under 4 years	Rearward or forward facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness
4 years to under 7 years	Forward facing restraint with an inbuilt harness, or a properly positioned booster seat with a lap and sash seatbelt, or a lap only belt with a child safety harness
7 years and over	A suitable restraint or a properly adjusted and fastened seatbelt

 

Restraints must comply with the Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754.

There are also rules about where children may sit. A passenger under four years of age must not travel in the front row of a vehicle with two or more rows of seats. A child aged four to under seven may only travel in the front row where all the other rows are already occupied by passengers under seven.

In a people mover this is rarely a constraint, because there are three rows and plenty of rear seating positions. It becomes relevant on the way back when the group has thinned out and someone assumes the front seat is now available.

Which seats take a child restraint?

Not every seating position in every vehicle is suitable for a child restraint. Anchor point locations vary between models and between rows, and a seat without a suitable anchor point is not a seat you can install a forward facing restraint in. If you are travelling with young children, this is the specific question to ask when you book, rather than assuming that eight seats means eight child seat positions.

Who hires a people mover in Perth?

Four groups account for most bookings, and each has a different set of concerns.

Families travelling together

Usually two households combining for a holiday, or a family with grandparents along. The pressure points are child restraints and luggage. The advantage is that everyone is in one vehicle, which on a long drive to Margaret River or Albany makes a real difference to how tired the driver is at the other end.

Groups arriving through Perth Airport

Interstate and international visitors landing together, often with a lot of checked luggage. This is the group most likely to underestimate boot space. It is also the group for whom collection logistics matter most, and the Burswood depot sits on the airport to city route, which makes the pick up straightforward on the way in.

Corporate and inbound groups

Conference attendees, site visits, client groups being moved between meetings. Here the value is not cost, it is that everyone arrives at the same time. A corporate account removes the payment step from each individual booking.

Sporting clubs and community groups

Weekend fixtures, tournaments, choir and club travel. Usually a lot of gear as well as people, which is the case where a people mover plus a trailer becomes the sensible combination.

How to work out what size vehicle you need

Do it in this order and it takes two minutes.

1. Count the people, including the driver. Not the adults. Everyone.
2. Count the child restraints needed and note which ages, because that determines which seating positions can be used.
3. Count the bags honestly. Full size cases, carry on, and anything awkward like a pram, golf clubs or sporting gear.
4. Decide whether the group splits during the trip. If it does, one vehicle may not be the answer regardless of how well everyone fits.
5. Check the parking at your destination. A people mover is taller and longer than a sedan. Some Perth hotel and apartment carparks have height restrictions that an eight seater will not clear.

If step three gives you a number that will not fit, you have three options: reduce the luggage, add a second small car, or add a trailer. For sporting groups and anyone travelling with bulky gear, the trailer is usually the least expensive of the three.

What if you need more than eight seats?

Once you go past eight, the options narrow quickly and it is worth understanding why before you spend an afternoon searching.

Vehicles built to carry more than twelve adults including the driver sit in a different category and generally require a light rigid licence rather than an ordinary C class. That puts them outside what most people can simply book and drive away. Between nine and twelve seats there are vehicles available, but they are specialist, they are held in small numbers, and availability in Perth is limited.

For a group of nine to twelve, the practical answer is usually one people mover plus one car. It sounds like a compromise and it is, but it has two real advantages. You get a spare vehicle if the group needs to split, and you get somewhere to put the luggage that will not fit in the eight seater. It also means you are booking two common vehicle classes rather than chasing one rare one.

For larger groups again, a coach or charter operator is the right call rather than self drive hire, and that is a different service to vehicle rental.

Where a people mover earns its keep around Perth

Some journeys suit one vehicle far more than others, and it is worth thinking about the trip rather than just the headcount.

The airport run

A group landing together with luggage is the clearest case for one vehicle. Two cars means two sets of luggage decisions, two drivers finding the same address, and two lots of unfamiliar navigation straight after a flight. One vehicle makes the arrival considerably simpler, and collecting on the way in from Perth Airport rather than after checking in to a hotel saves a leg of the journey entirely.

The drive south

Margaret River, Busselton, Dunsborough and the wineries beyond are the classic group trip from Perth, and the drive is long enough that the difference between one vehicle and two is felt. Everyone stops together, nobody gets separated on the Forrest Highway, and the passengers can share the map reading.

Day trips around the metropolitan area

Fremantle, the Swan Valley, Kings Park, Hillarys. These are short enough that two cars are not much harder, but parking usually decides it. One vehicle needs one bay, and in Fremantle on a weekend that is not a small consideration.

Events, functions and weddings

Where the group is arriving somewhere together at a set time, one vehicle removes the coordination problem completely. It also means one nominated driver rather than two, which matters when the event involves a long lunch.

Driving a people mover if you normally drive a sedan

It is not difficult, but it is different, and the differences all show up in the first hour.

• It is taller. Watch for height restriction bars at shopping centre and hotel carparks. Perth CBD carparks in particular have low clearances in the older buildings.
• It is longer. Parallel parking takes more room and reversing takes more care. Use the cameras and sensors if fitted, but check over your shoulder as well.
• Blind spots are larger, particularly over the left shoulder with all three rows occupied and luggage stacked at the back. Mirror discipline matters more.
• It is heavier when loaded. Braking distance increases noticeably with eight people and luggage aboard. Leave more room than usual.
• Fuel use rises with the load. Plan fuel stops on longer regional drives rather than assuming the same range you would get in a car.
• Sliding doors need clearance. In a tight bay, passengers still need room to get out. Park accordingly.

Practical notes for booking a people mover in Perth

• Book earlier than you would a car. Eight seat vehicles are a small part of any fleet and they are the first category to run out during school holidays and over summer.
• Ask about child restraints when you book, not on the day. Burswood Car Rentals offers child and baby seat restraints on request, and requesting them at the time of booking is the only way to be certain they are fitted and ready.
• Nominate every driver who will actually drive. If the group intends to share the driving on a long trip, everyone driving needs to be on the agreement.
• Confirm the exact seat count of the vehicle class, because people mover is a loose term across the industry and covers everything from seven to twelve seats depending on the supplier.
• Ask about delivery. Delivery and collection to Perth city hotels and Crown within 20 kilometres is available, which is useful when a group is arriving with luggage and does not want to make its way to a depot first.
• Photograph the vehicle before you leave, including the interior with all rows in place.

Common questions

Does the driver count as one of the eight seats?

Yes. An eight seat vehicle carries seven passengers plus the driver.

Can we fold a row down for luggage?

In most people movers, yes, and this is the practical answer for a group of five or six with a lot of bags. You lose the seats you fold, so count your people first.

Do I need a special licence?

No. A standard C class licence covers a vehicle up to 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass, which includes eight seat people movers. Vehicles configured to carry more than twelve adults are a different matter and fall outside the ordinary hire fleet.

Can we tow with a people mover?

Where the vehicle is fitted for it and the hire agreement permits it. If you are travelling with sporting gear or camping equipment, ask about the vehicle and trailer together when you book. Note that in Western Australia any vehicle towing a trailer is limited to 100 km/h under the Road Traffic Code 2000, whatever the posted limit.

Can we take it on a long regional drive?

People movers are well suited to distance driving and it is one of the situations where one vehicle is clearly better than two. Check the hire agreement for any distance limits or restrictions on unsealed roads before you commit to a route.

Getting a people mover booked

Count the people, count the bags, then check availability. Because eight seat vehicles are always the tightest category in any fleet, booking early makes a bigger difference here than it does with a standard car.

The Instant Quote on the Burswood Car Rentals site will show you what is available for your dates. If you are travelling with young children, or you are not certain the luggage will fit, call (08) 9362 4777 or message on WhatsApp on 0438 757 909 and describe the group. It is a faster way to get the answer right than guessing from a photograph.

If you are towing a trailer anywhere in Western Australia, the single most important thing to know is that you are capped at 100 km/h, even on roads posted at 110. That limit comes from the Road Traffic Code 2000 and it is not signposted anywhere. It applies no matter how light the trailer is. Plenty of people who have towed for years in other states do not know this, and it is the most common way an otherwise careful driver picks up a fine on a WA highway.

The rest of the rules are less surprising but no less important. This guide covers what the law requires of you when you tow in WA, what to check before you leave, and how to load a trailer so it behaves itself at speed. It is written for people hiring a trailer rather than owning one, so it assumes you have not towed recently and are not familiar with the specific unit.

How fast can you tow in Western Australia?

100 km/h. That is the maximum, full stop.

The Road Traffic Code 2000 provides that a person must not drive a vehicle to which a trailer or other vehicle is attached at a speed exceeding 100 km/h. Main Roads Western Australia lists this among the statutory speed limits, which are the limits that apply by regulation rather than by sign. The Code expects you to know them as a condition of holding a licence.

Three consequences worth being clear about:

• It applies regardless of trailer weight. A small box trailer with a bicycle in it is subject to the same 100 km/h cap as a loaded tandem.
• It overrides the posted limit where the posted limit is higher. On a 110 zone heading north on the Brand Highway, you are still limited to 100.
• Where the posted limit is lower, the posted limit wins. The statutory limit is a ceiling, not a licence.

Your vehicle’s manufacturer may also specify a lower towing speed for that model, particularly at higher trailer weights. Where the manufacturer specifies a lower figure, that is the one to work to.

Why this catches people out. Most states set the towing speed at the posted limit, or apply a reduced limit only above a combined mass threshold. Western Australia applies a flat 100 km/h to every towing combination. If you have towed interstate and are applying that experience here, you are probably applying the wrong rule.

Does the trailer need brakes?

It depends on the gross trailer mass, and the thresholds are set out clearly in the Department of Transport’s safe towing guidance.

Gross trailer mass	Braking requirement
Single axle, not over 750 kg	Brakes not required
Over 750 kg	Brakes required
Over 750 kg and not over 2,000 kg	Braking on the wheels of at least one axle. Over-ride brakes are permitted
Over 2,000 kg	Braking on all wheels, operated from the driver’s seated position. Over-ride brakes are not permitted

 

There is a companion rule that matters just as much and is easier to miss. If a trailer is not fitted with brakes, its loaded mass must not exceed 750 kg. That is a limit on what you can put in it, not just on what the trailer weighs empty. A light unbraked trailer loaded with pavers can exceed 750 kg without looking full.

This is one reason a braked tandem trailer is a more forgiving thing to hire than an unbraked box trailer. Burswood Car Rentals hires braked tandem trailers, which removes the 750 kg loaded mass ceiling from the equation and gives you braking that works with the tow vehicle rather than relying on it entirely.

What about safety chains?

Safety chains are mandatory. Their job is to keep the trailer attached to the vehicle if the coupling releases, which is a rare event with an enormous consequence.

The Department of Transport’s Safe Towing Guide sets the requirement by aggregate trailer mass:

• Under 2,500 kg aggregate trailer mass: at least one safety chain.
• Between 2,500 kg and 3,500 kg: two safety chains.

Chains must meet the applicable Australian Standard. For trailers up to 3,500 kg aggregate trailer mass, Australian Design Rule 62/02 requires compliance with AS 4177, the standard covering caravan and light trailer towing components. Complying chain carries a marking repeated along its length, which is how an inspector tells rated chain from hardware store chain.

In practice, on a hire trailer, the chains will already be correct. What you need to get right is how you connect them. Cross the chains under the drawbar so that if the coupling lets go, the drawbar lands in the cradle the chains form rather than digging into the road. Leave enough slack to turn, but not so much that the drawbar can reach the ground.

Is the tow vehicle up to the job?

Two numbers matter and they are not the same number.

The towbar and coupling capacity must be at least equal to the loaded mass of the trailer. On a vehicle built after January 1992, the towbar must be marked with its load capacity along with either the vehicle model it was designed for or the manufacturer’s part number. If you are looking at an unmarked towbar on a modern vehicle, that is a problem.

The vehicle’s towing capacity is set by its manufacturer and is often quoted as two separate figures, one for a braked trailer and one for an unbraked trailer. The braked figure is usually much higher.

Where a vehicle was built before 1 January 1992 and the manufacturer never specified a maximum towing capacity, the fallback guidance is 1.5 times the unloaded mass of the vehicle for a trailer fitted with appropriate brakes, and a maximum of 750 kg for a trailer without brakes. This is rarely relevant to a hire vehicle but it comes up with older private tow vehicles.

The loaded mass of the trailer must never exceed the trailer’s aggregate trailer mass, which is the maximum the trailer itself is rated to weigh when loaded. If you are unsure what your combination actually weighs, a public weighbridge will tell you in a few minutes.

How do you load a trailer so it tows properly?

Trailer sway is almost always a loading problem rather than a driving problem. Get the loading right and most of the difficulty disappears.

Put weight forward of the axle

The heaviest items go slightly forward of the trailer’s axle, low down and centred. This puts a modest downward load on the towball, which is what keeps the trailer tracking behind you. A trailer loaded heavy at the back will lift the ball, unload the tow vehicle’s rear wheels and start to sway.

Balance side to side

A load stacked against one side pulls the trailer out of line and loads one tyre far more than the other. Spread it.

Restrain everything

In Western Australia, load restraint on all vehicles is governed by the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014, which reference the Load Restraint Guide 2004, Second Edition. This is a genuine difference from most of the country. Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the ACT reference the 2018 light vehicle guide instead. The National Transport Commission has noted there is no material practical difference between the performance standards in the two editions, but the version with legal standing in WA is the 2004 guide.

The headline standard is that the restraint must withstand 0.8 times the mass of the load in the forward direction, which is what hard braking generates. Use rated straps and ratchet tie downs rather than rope, use a net or tarp over anything that could lift out, and check the load again after the first twenty minutes of driving.

Do not fill it just because it is empty

Volume is not the constraint. Mass is. A tandem trailer will physically hold more sand than you are allowed to carry in it.

The pre-departure check

Five minutes before you leave, every time. Most towing incidents trace back to something on this list.

1. Coupling seated and locked. Latch fully engaged, locking pin or clip in place. Lift the drawbar to confirm it will not come off the ball.
2. Safety chains crossed and connected to rated attachment points, with enough slack to turn and not enough to touch the road.
3. Lights working. Indicators, brake lights, tail lights and number plate light. Have someone stand behind while you cycle through them. Trailer lights must operate in unison with the vehicle’s.
4. Electrical plug seated and the lead routed so it cannot drag or stretch on a tight turn.
5. Pressure and condition on the trailer and the tow vehicle. Trailer tyres often sit for long periods and lose pressure. Do not forget the spare.
6. Jockey wheel raised and locked clear of the road.
7. Load restrained and, if applicable, the tarp or net secured at every edge.
8. If the trailer is wider than the tow vehicle, you need to be able to see past it. Extension mirrors may be required.
9. Brake controller set if the trailer has electric brakes.

Driving with a trailer behind you

The vehicle you are driving is now considerably longer and heavier, and it responds differently to everything.

• Braking distance increases. Leave much more room than feels necessary, particularly on a wet Kwinana Freeway.
• Keep back from heavy vehicles. When towing in WA you must stay at least 60 metres behind a heavy vehicle or another towing vehicle, unless you are overtaking.
• Take corners wider. The trailer cuts inside your line. Roundabouts and kerbside turns in the older inner suburbs are where trailers meet kerbs.
• Overtake with far more room than you would normally use, and think carefully about whether you need to at all.
• Avoid sudden steering inputs. Sway is usually triggered by a quick correction. If it starts, ease off the accelerator, keep the steering straight and let it settle rather than braking hard.
• Reversing takes practice. Small steering inputs, and an observer outside the vehicle is genuinely helpful. Find an empty carpark and try it once before you need to do it in a driveway.

What are people usually hiring a trailer for in Perth?

Four jobs account for most trailer hires, and each one has a different answer to the question of what else you need.

Moving house

The most common reason and the one where a trailer changes the day most. A trailer behind an SUV or a ute turns a repeated shuttle into one or two runs. If you are moving a full household, hiring the tow vehicle and the trailer together from the same supplier means the combination is matched and approved, and you are not trying to fit a hired trailer to a car that was never set up to tow.

Tip and green waste runs

Perth’s transfer stations are built for trailers. Watch the loaded mass rather than the volume, particularly with soil, sand and wet green waste, which are all much heavier than they look.

Renovation and garden projects

Pavers, sleepers, mulch, demolition waste. This is the category where the 750 kg unbraked limit bites hardest, and where a braked tandem is worth the difference.

Taking gear away for a trip

Camping equipment, bikes, boards, fishing gear. Bulky rather than heavy, so mass is rarely the constraint. What matters here is that everything is covered and restrained, because this is the load type most likely to lift out at speed.

Practical notes for hiring a trailer in Perth

• Check your vehicle is actually set up to tow before you book the trailer. A towbar is not standard on every vehicle and an electrical connection is not always fitted even where a towbar is.
• If you are hiring the tow vehicle too, book both together. It removes the question of whether the combination is approved.
• Photograph the trailer before you leave. Chassis, tyres, lights, coupling, and the interior of the tray.
• Practise the reverse once. Five minutes in an empty carpark is worth an hour of frustration later.
• Plan your parking. A tow vehicle and trailer will not fit in a standard bay, and many Perth shopping centre carparks have height and length restrictions.
• The Burswood depot is at 16 Teddington Road, on the airport to city route, which makes collection straightforward from most directions.

Common questions

Can a learner driver tow a trailer in WA?

Under WA licensing rules, a learner may tow while accompanied by an experienced driver. This differs from several other states, where learner drivers cannot tow at all. Hire agreements set their own driver requirements though, and these are usually stricter than the licensing rules, so confirm before booking.

Do I need a special licence to tow?

For a light trailer behind a standard vehicle, no. A C class licence covers it, provided the combination stays within the rated limits of the vehicle, the towbar and the trailer.

Can anyone ride in the trailer?

No. Never, under any circumstances.

What if a light stops working on the way?

You cannot legally continue with a trailer whose lights are not operating. Most failures are the plug working loose rather than a bulb, so check the connection first.

Booking a trailer

Work out the mass of what you are moving before you choose the trailer, not after. If the load is heavy, a braked tandem is the right unit. If you also need the tow vehicle, book both on the same reservation so the combination is matched.

The Instant Quote on the Burswood Car Rentals site will show availability for trailers and tow vehicles together. If you are not sure whether your own vehicle is suitable, call (08) 9362 4777 or send a message on WhatsApp to 0438 757 909 and describe the vehicle and the load.

If you are moving a fridge, taking green waste to the tip, picking up flat pack furniture or running tools to a job site, a ute is the right vehicle. If you are moving a whole household, a ute on its own will cost you more trips than it saves, and a ute towing a trailer is usually the better answer. That is the short version, and for most Perth jobs it is the whole answer.

The longer version matters because hiring the wrong vehicle is expensive in a way that does not show up on the invoice. It shows up in the third trip back to Osborne Park, in the couch that did not fit, and in the load that shifted on the Graham Farmer Freeway. This guide covers what a ute is genuinely good for in Perth, what Western Australian law requires of you once something is in the tray, and how to work out whether you need the ute, the trailer, or both.

What is a hire ute actually good for?

A ute earns its keep when the load is heavy, dirty, awkwardly shaped or all three. The open tray is the point. You are not trying to angle a wardrobe through a door aperture or worrying about what a bag of garden soil is doing to the boot carpet.

The jobs a ute handles better than anything else in a hire fleet:

• Tip runs. Green waste, renovation offcuts, an old mattress. Perth’s transfer stations are set up for utes and trailers, and an open tray is far quicker to unload than a boot.
• Building and landscaping supplies. Bagged soil, pavers, timber lengths, plasterboard sheets. Bunnings and the trade suppliers along Great Eastern Highway load straight into a tray.
• Single large items. A fridge, a washing machine, a bed base, a ride on mower. One item, one trip, no disassembly.
• Tools and trade gear. If you are working across sites for a week and need everything with you, a dual cab gives you a locked cabin for the valuable gear and a tray for the rest.
• Anything wet, sandy or muddy. Boat gear after a morning at Hillarys, camping equipment coming back from Lancelin, surfboards and wetsuits. A tray hoses out.

The jobs a ute handles badly are the ones people most often hire one for. A full house move is the main offender. A tray holds a lot less than it looks like it does once boxes are stacked to a height that can actually be strapped down, and every load is exposed to weather and to the road.

Do you need a ute, a trailer, or both?

This is the question that decides the booking, and it is worth two minutes of thought before you book anything.

A ute on its own

Right when the load is heavy for its size and you want to load and unload quickly. Soil, sand, pavers, appliances, tools. A ute is also easier to park and reverse than any towing combination, which matters if the job is in Northbridge or somewhere in the western suburbs with a narrow verge.

A car or SUV towing a trailer

Right when the load is bulky rather than dense, and when you also need to carry passengers in comfort. A trailer gives you volume. It is also the better answer for a single awkward item that will not fit in a tray, like a long ladder or a canoe.

A ute towing a trailer

Right for a genuine house move or a big clean out. This is the combination that turns a three trip job into a one trip job. Burswood Car Rentals hires braked tandem trailers alongside its Toyota Hilux utes, so both halves of the combination can come from the same booking and you are not coordinating two suppliers on the same morning.

Worth knowing before you commit to towing. In Western Australia the Road Traffic Code 2000 sets a statutory maximum of 100 km/h for any vehicle towing a trailer, regardless of what the trailer weighs and regardless of the posted limit on the road. It is not signposted. If your run includes a stretch of highway zoned at 110, you are still capped at 100 the moment a trailer is on the back.

What licence do you need for a hire ute in WA?

A standard C class licence is enough. It covers vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass, which takes in the single cab and dual cab utes that make up a hire fleet. You do not need a light rigid licence or any endorsement.

Towing does not change the licence class either, provided the combination stays within the limits of the tow vehicle and the trailer. What it does change is how the vehicle behaves, which is a separate problem and one that catches out drivers who have never towed.

If you hold an overseas licence, the licence itself is generally not the obstacle. The hire company’s own requirements are. Confirm those when you book rather than at the counter.

How do WA load restraint rules work?

This is the part most guides get wrong, and it is worth getting right because Western Australia is genuinely different from the eastern states.

The Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 reference the Load Restraint Guide 2004, Second Edition. Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the ACT moved to the Load Restraint Guide for Light Vehicles 2018. Western Australia and the Northern Territory did not. The National Transport Commission has said there is no material practical difference between the performance standards in the two editions, but the version with legal standing in WA is the 2004 guide.

What that means for you in the tray of a ute is straightforward. Your restraint has to be strong enough that the load does not move under the forces of normal driving. The headline performance standard is that the restraint must withstand 0.8 times the mass of the load in the forward direction, which is the force generated by hard braking. The guide sets lower standards for rearward, sideways and vertical movement. In plain terms, the forward direction is the one that will catch you out, because braking is where a load wants to go through the back of the cab.

The guide is guidance, not prescription. You can restrain a load any way you like as long as you can demonstrate it meets those performance standards.

What that looks like in practice

• Use rated straps and ratchet tie downs, not rope. The Department of Transport is explicit about this. Rope stretches, loosens and is almost impossible to tension properly.
• Use the rated anchor points. Check them for damage before you load. An anchor point that has been bent is not rated any more.
• Cover loose material with a net or tarp. Anything that can lift out in airflow needs to be contained, not just held down. Bagged mulch at 100 km/h behaves differently to bagged mulch in a driveway.
• Load heavy items forward and low, over or ahead of the rear axle, and spread the weight evenly across the tray rather than to one side.
• Tie down at an angle, not straight across a tall load. A strap running flat over the top of a high load does very little to stop it sliding forward.
• Check the load during the trip. Anything that can settle will settle, and a strap that was tight in the driveway can be slack twenty minutes later.

If you are putting a ladder or long timber on a roof rack rather than in the tray, the same principle applies and there is a weight limit on the rack itself. The Department of Transport publishes a bulletin specifically on tradespeople’s roof racks.

What can go wrong, and how to avoid it

Overhanging loads

Timber, pipe and ladders routinely overhang the back of a tray. There are limits on how far a load may project and requirements for marking an overhanging load so it is visible to other drivers. If your load is going to hang out the back, plan for it before you load rather than improvising at the supplier.

The load that fits but should not travel

A load can be within the tray and still be unsafe. Loose bricks stacked without restraint, an unsecured toolbox, a gas bottle rolling around. If it can move, it will, and a hard stop on Orrong Road is enough to prove it.

Passengers in the tray

Not permitted, in any circumstances, and prohibited by any hire agreement you will sign. Everyone travels in a seat with a restraint.

Assuming a dual cab has the same tray as a single cab

It does not. A dual cab trades tray length for a second row of seats. If your load is long and you also need to carry three passengers, that is the trade off to think about before you book, and it is often the point at which a trailer starts to make sense.

Single cab or dual cab?

The choice comes down to whether you are moving people or moving things.

A single cab gives you the longer tray. If the job is genuinely a load carrying job and there are one or two of you, this is the more useful vehicle. Long items sit inside the tray rather than hanging over the tailgate.

A dual cab gives you a back seat and a shorter tray. It is the right call when the crew travels together, when you want a lockable cabin for tools and laptops, or when the ute is doing double duty as a work vehicle during the week and a family vehicle on the weekend. Most people hiring a ute for a few days want the dual cab, and most people hiring one for a specific heavy job want the single cab.

Hiring a ute for trade use

Trade hire is a different problem to a weekend tip run, and it is worth treating it as one.

The usual driver is capacity rather than replacement. A business with its own vehicles hits a fortnight where there is one more job than there are utes, or a vehicle goes in for repair in the middle of a run. Hiring to cover that gap is cheaper and faster than buying, and it does not commit the business to an asset it only needs for three weeks a year.

Three things make trade hire work better than ad hoc hire:

• Set up an account rather than booking each time. A corporate or trade account removes the payment step from every individual hire and puts the invoicing on terms your bookkeeper can work with. Burswood Car Rentals offers corporate accounts.
• Book the vehicle class, not the exact model. Availability is easier to secure and you are unlikely to care whether the tray sits on one badge or another as long as it does the job.
• Nominate your drivers properly. Everyone who will drive the vehicle needs to be on the agreement. An unlisted driver is the fastest way to turn a small incident into an uninsured one.

If the vehicle is going to be branded, carrying signage or fitted with anything, ask before you book. Adhesive signage and drilled fittings are almost always outside a standard hire agreement, and it is much easier to find that out beforehand than to explain it at the return.

How long should you book a ute for?

Longer than you think, and this is not upselling. Two patterns account for most of the stress people report on a ute hire.

The first is the half day booking for a job that turns out to need a second trip. Tip runs are the classic case. What looked like one load in the backyard becomes two once it is actually stacked and strapped.

The second is the weekend move that runs into Monday morning. Loading takes longer than expected, the new place is not ready, someone is late. A booking with a day of margin in it costs less than a rushed return and a job half finished.

For trade use across multiple sites, weekly and longer hires generally work out better per day than repeated short hires, and they remove the daily pick up and drop off from your schedule entirely.

Practical notes for hiring a ute in Perth

• The depot sits on the airport to city route. Burswood Car Rentals operates from 16 Teddington Road, Burswood, which is convenient if you are collecting on the way in from Perth Airport or heading out towards the eastern suburbs.
• Delivery is available to Perth city hotels and Crown within 20 kilometres, which is useful if you are working in the CBD and do not want to make the trip to the depot to collect.
• Take photographs before you drive off. Tray, tailgate, anchor points, tyres, and any existing marks. It takes two minutes and it settles any question later.
• Bring your own straps if you have preferred gear. Check what the vehicle comes with when you book rather than assuming.
• Think about where you will park it. A ute is longer than the sedan you normally drive, and a tandem trailer behind it is considerably longer again. Residential streets in the older inner suburbs are tight.

Common questions

Can I take a hire ute on unsealed roads?

This depends entirely on the hire agreement, and the answer varies between companies and between vehicle types. It is one of the most common causes of a dispute after a hire, so confirm it before you book if your plans involve gravel.

Do I need to return it clean?

Return conditions vary. If you have been carrying soil, sand or green waste, a quick hose out of the tray before you return it is sensible regardless of what the agreement says.

Can I tow with a hire ute?

Where the vehicle is set up for it and the hire agreement permits it, yes. Booking the ute and the trailer together from the same supplier is the simplest way to make sure the combination is matched and approved.

What if the load will not fit?

Ring before you book rather than after. Describing the actual load to someone who knows the fleet is faster than guessing from a website, and it is the difference between one trip and three.

Getting a ute booked

Work out the load first, then the vehicle. If it is heavy and compact, a ute. If it is bulky and light, a trailer. If it is a house, both. Once you know which, the Instant Quote on the Burswood Car Rentals site will give you availability and a rate in a few steps, and you can add a trailer to the same booking.

If you are not sure which combination suits the job, describe the load over the phone on (08) 9362 4777 or by WhatsApp on 0438 757 909. It is a two minute conversation that saves an afternoon.

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. Get a Quote

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.

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. Get a Quote

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.

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. Get a Quote

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.

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.