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.