Getting Here

The main gateway to Western Australia is Perth's busy airport. It has two separate terminals—the domestic terminal (by far the busiest, especially during the early morning and late afternoon rush hours) is about 11 km (7 mi) from Perth's central business district, while the international terminal is about 16 km (10 mi) away. A shuttle bus (A$10) connects the two terminals if you need to transfer.

Taxis are at the airport 24 hours a day. Trips to the city cost about A$33 and take around a half-hour. Airport City Shuttles (08/9277-7958) operates frequent coach services from both terminals to Perth city hotels, and between the airport terminals. The cost between terminals is A$8, and to downtown Perth is A$15 from the domestic terminal and A$18 from the international terminal (unless prepaid with your air ticket).

Fewer people arrive by road or rail from the east. Crossing the Nullarbor Plain from the eastern states is one of the great rail journeys of the world. Great Southern Railways' Indian Pacific makes three-day runs from Sydney on Saturday and Wednesday and two-day runs from Adelaide on Sunday and Thursday. The train arrives at the East Perth Terminal in the central business district.

Greyhound Australia has long-distance coaches to Perth from eastern states capitals, arriving at the Public Transport Center, West Parade, East Perth. From Adelaide, the trip takes about 24 hours. If you are driving, the Eyre Highway crosses the continent from Port Augusta in South Australia to Western Australia's transportation gateway, Norseman. From there, take the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway north to Coolgardie and the Great Eastern Highway on to Perth. Driving to Perth—2,580 km (1,600 mi) and 30 hours from Adelaide, and 4,032 km (2,500 mi) and 56 hours from Sydney—is an arduous journey, which should be undertaken only with a car (and mental faculties) in top condition. Spare tires and drinking water are essential. Service stations and motels are spaced at regular intervals along the route.