How to travel around Western Australia

There are many ways to explore metro and regional areas in WA, with free and affordable travel options.  

WA is Australia’s largest state, with over 2.5 million square kilometres of diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, and stunning natural attractions.  

Navigating such a large area can be daunting, but don’t worry! Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get around our amazing state. 

Public transport in the Perth metropolitan region

Getting around Perth is easy with our well-connected public transport system. Perth’s public transport network is provided by Transperth, helping you travel across metropolitan areas with ease. 

We recommend getting a Transperth SmartRider card(Opens in a new tab/window) to receive fare discounts and travel around more conveniently. This is a card where you can top up your balance and tap on/off public transport. 

There are different modes of transport available via Transperth: 

• Bus: There are bus services in most suburbs connecting to the nearest train station. You can find bus timetables including school, Uni & TAFE services. See timetable(Opens in a new tab/window).
• Free CAT bus: Take advantage of the free CAT (Central Area Transit(Opens in a new tab/window)) buses operating in the central areas of Perth, Fremantle and Joondalup.
• Train: There are 6 train lines with 76 stations to get you in and out of Perth city. These lines will take you to Fremantle via the west, Joondalup right up to Yanchep in the north, east to Perth Airport or Midland and Armadale and Mandurah in the south. See timetable(Opens in a new tab/window). 
• Ferry: Travel across the Swan River foreshore between the Elizabeth Quay Jetty and Mends St Jetty. See timetable(Opens in a new tab/window).

Riding to and from train stations is made easier with bike racks and secure bike parking(Opens in a new tab/window) available through the SmartRider card. Remember to pre-register your SmartRider to gain access to secure parking. 

More stations and routes are being added as we expand our transport network through the METRONET(Opens in a new tab/window) project. 

Find the best way to get from A to B and plan your journey today at Transperth(Opens in a new tab/window).

Public transport in regional WA

If you’re looking to travel around regional WA, there are affordable transport options available with road coaches and rail services through Transwa. 

Transwa is a public transport service connecting cities, towns, and people across WA, with a network of 240 destinations. Make the most of the discount fares available through SmartCommuter(Opens in a new tab/window) and other special offers.  

You can plan your journey and book tickets at Transwa(Opens in a new tab/window). 

Walk, wheel or ride

Western Australia has an ideal climate for spending time outside and boasts world class paths and trails making it easier to walk, wheel or ride to get around. 

In Perth, high-quality shared paths often follow major road and rail corridors to help people choose to actively travel as part of their everyday journeys. Paths along the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan) and our coastline also allow you to get up close and personal with the natural beauty on offer. 

In regional centres, opting to actively get from A to B is also made easier with a growing network of paths for all to share. 

Whether you want to walk, wheel or ride for transport, work, recreation, exercise or to see the sites – you can plan a trip using the Your Move Journey Planner(Opens in a new tab/window), a free tool that helps you find more ways to get to where you need to go. 

For more of an adventure, WA is world renowned for the trails it offers in destinations across the state. Consider the options on the Trails WA(Opens in a new tab/window) website.

Road

If you want to explore more of WA’s expansive, beautiful regional areas, you may want to take to the road. Here are some options: 

• Car: Renting or owning a car is a popular way to travel around WA. There are plenty of popular car rental companies and dealerships that you can search for.  
• Caravan: For a more adventurous journey, explore WA’s vast and extraordinary landscapes in a caravan with many caravan parks located across the state. Check out some at westernaustralia.com(Opens in a new tab/window). 
• Rideshare and taxis: There are several rideshare service available in WA as well as taxis in regional towns so Google the options near you. 

We recommended having a four-wheel-drive(Opens in a new tab/window) (4WD) if you’re planning a road trip to explore some of the more diverse, off road and remote regions. You’ll get to access more places, drive on some of our iconic beaches and go on epic 4WD adventures. Remember to take a 4WD course if you plan on driving off road to ensure you know how to drive safely in some of our more challenging terrains and beaches. 

For electric vehicle (EV) owners, there are hundreds of EV chargers(Opens in a new tab/window) throughout Perth and WA. We have one the longest EV charging networks in Australia. You can find EV chargers everywhere in Perth, including carparks, restaurants, and shopping centres.  

Boats and ferries 

WA is surrounded by pristine coastlines and is home to wonderful islands, archipelagos and reefs. From the turquoise waters of Rottnest Island to the amazing gorges of the Kimberley, there are many ways to explore WA’s incredible coastline and waterways.

You can take a short ferry ride(Opens in a new tab/window) from Perth to get to Rottnest Island, a paradise with fabulous beaches, beautiful scenery, crystal-clear waters and unique wildlife, including the world-famous quokka. 

There are also many cruises to take you along the region’s coastline and explore incredible destinations such as Ningaloo Reef, Rowley Shoals, and Penguin Island. 

If you are getting out on the water on your own boat, visit the Department of Transport to get advice on recreational boating(Opens in a new tab/window) in WA. 

Flights

Whether you're travelling for business or leisure, flying is a great option for those who want to save time and take in the breathtaking views of WA from above. 

WA has several domestic airports, making it easy to fly to and from different destinations.  

Our network of airports includes Perth(Opens in a new tab/window), Broome(Opens in a new tab/window), Carnarvon(Opens in a new tab/window), Derby(Opens in a new tab/window), Karratha(Opens in a new tab/window), Albany(Opens in a new tab/window), Geraldton(Opens in a new tab/window), and many more. To find out more visit westernaustralia.com(Opens in a new tab/window) 

We’re also developing our aviation infrastructure to build and upgrade airports across WA, connecting our communities and making travelling between regions more accessible. Find out more about our aviation plan here(Opens in a new tab/window).