How to Get from Sydney to Perth

Sydney and Perth are on opposite sides of Australia: Sydney is on the south-east coast of the enormous continent, while Perth is on the south-west coast, 2500 miles (4000 km) away. But despite the huge distance, it's quite straightforward getting from Sydney to Perth. Here's how. 

By Air

Duration: 5 hours

Flying is by far the quickest way of getting from Sydney to Perth, with multiple direct flights per day. There's no other way to get to Perth on the same day that you leave Sydney, so if you're in a hurry, this is your best option. You may enjoy some interesting desert views en route, depending on the weather and your flight path.

By Car

Duration: 40+ hours (10 days is preferable)

The only manageable way of driving between Sydney and Perth is to take your time and make it into a once-in-a-lifetime road trip. Many travelers do choose to go overland, because there's so much to see on the way.

The fastest route goes through the New South Wales outback, along the coast of western South Australia and eastern Western Australia, and then through the Western Australia outback. You could also choose to go via Canberra, Melbourne and the state of Victoria, and/or Adelaide, if you wanted to include some bigger cities on your itinerary.

Parts of this trip are very remote, especially the four-to-six hour stretch across the Nullarbor Plains of western South Australia. Watch out for wildlife like camels, kangaroos and emus, especially at dusk (they pose a serious crash risk, as well as being interesting to see!). Make sure you have plenty of emergency provisions, like water and a spare tire, at all times.

By Train

Duration: 3-4 days

A scenic train runs between Sydney and Perth once a week, the Indian Pacific. It's not fast or cheap, but it allows travelers to experience the incredible landscapes between these two cities without the stress of self-driving. Trains are comfortable, and make stops along the way so that travelers can go out on excursions. This is a journey geared towards travelers, rather than a local or commuter train.