Sydney to Perth Road Trip in 5-Hour Driving Days

Morning — Sydney to Wagga Wagga

Leave Sydney around 7:00am via the Hume Highway, allowing roughly five hours of driving plus a proper coffee or fuel stop around Goulburn or Yass. The road is straightforward but busy leaving Sydney, so getting beyond the southwestern suburbs early makes the trip much easier. Expect to arrive in Wagga Wagga around midday; park centrally near the Civic Centre and take a short break before sightseeing. Keep some flexibility for roadworks and refuel before entering town if needed.

Afternoon — Gardens, art and local history

Start at Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens in Turvey Park, where an hour is enough for the formal beds, native plantings and the gentle paths around the precinct. From there, continue to the nearby Museum of the Riverina, usually open Tuesday–Saturday during daytime hours; allow about an hour and check the seasonal schedule before setting out. It is a good introduction to the Riverina’s farming, sporting and social history. Walk or drive back toward the Civic Centre for the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, generally open Tuesday–Saturday, with regional and contemporary exhibitions that make an easy one-hour visit. Entry is often free, though special exhibitions may charge a small fee.

Evening — Easy first night in town

Finish at The Blessed Bean in central Wagga Wagga for coffee, a relaxed meal or dinner, budgeting approximately A$15–35 per person. The centre is compact, so you can leave the car parked and wander nearby streets after eating. If you arrive late or find the gallery and museum closed, keep the gardens as the priority and shift the indoor visits to the following morning; otherwise, allow about 30 minutes to check into your accommodation and rest before dinner.

Early Morning — Markets and the River

Start at the Wagga Wagga Farmers Market in the Civic Centre precinct if it is operating on your Tuesday morning—market hours can vary, so check the local listing before setting out. Allow about an hour for coffee, fresh fruit, baked goods and Riverina produce; it is a useful place to pick up snacks for the long drive. Then take a relaxed walk beside the Murrumbidgee River, following the riverside paths for another hour. Keep this gentle and unhurried, as you want to be on the road by about 8:00am.

Late Morning to Afternoon — Across the Riverina

Collect the car and head west towards Mildura, following the route through Hay and Balranald. Expect roughly five hours behind the wheel, plus stops, with long open stretches and limited services compared with the Hume Highway. Refuel whenever the tank is comfortably above half-full, and use Hay or Balranald for a proper break rather than relying on small roadside stops. Allow approximately A$70–110 for fuel, and remember that you will cross from New South Wales into Victoria, where Mildura is on Australian Central Standard Time—there is no time change from Wagga Wagga during September.

Evening — Murray River Sunset and Dinner

After checking in, head straight to the Mildura Riverfront for sunset. The promenade is easy to explore on foot, with broad views over the Murray River and plenty of benches for a quiet end to the driving day; allow about an hour, and bring a light layer as the river can feel cool after dark. For dinner, book The Province by Matt DeVere, a polished regional restaurant in central Mildura. Expect approximately A$40–80 per person before drinks, and reserve ahead if possible—especially after arriving on a long-distance driving day.

Morning — Mildura Arts Centre

Before leaving Mildura, spend about 90 minutes at the Mildura Arts Centre on Deakin Avenue. The gallery and Rio Vista Historic House make a good final Riverina stop: the contemporary exhibitions are compact, while the homestead gives you a feel for Mildura’s river-settler history. Check the day’s opening hours before going—gallery and house hours can differ—and allow roughly A$10–20 if a special exhibition admission applies. It is an easy place to park, and you can pick up coffee nearby before heading to the river.

Late Morning — Murray River paddlewheel cruise

Drive a few minutes to Mildura Wharf for the scenic Murray River paddlewheel cruise, allowing around two hours including boarding. The river is at its prettiest in the late morning light, with red river gums, ochre banks and broad stretches of quiet water; bring a light layer, as it can feel cooler on deck even in September. Cruises are schedule-dependent and can sell out, so confirm the departure time in advance and arrive 15–20 minutes early. Once back at the wharf, refuel in Mildura and grab something portable for the road before your planned 1:00pm departure.

Afternoon — Mildura to Broken Hill, then the Living Desert

Take the sealed route via Wentworth and the Barrier Highway, allowing roughly 3½–4 hours of driving. Fuel availability becomes more limited once you leave the larger towns, so fill the tank before departing Mildura; keep water and snacks in the car, and watch for wildlife near dusk. After checking in at Broken Hill, continue west to Living Desert State Park, around 12 kilometres from town. Allow about 90 minutes for the sculpture setting and sunset—the sculptures are especially atmospheric as the light turns warm over the Mundi Mundi-like desert landscape. Park only in designated areas and bring a torch for the return drive.

Evening — The Silly Goat

Finish at The Silly Goat in central Broken Hill, a relaxed café suited to an uncomplicated meal or dessert after the drive. Expect approximately A$20–40 per person; check its current evening hours, as regional cafés can close earlier or vary their service by day. If you still have energy afterward, take a short wander around the heritage streets near Argent Street, but keep the evening easy—tomorrow’s short run to Silverton is best enjoyed without a rushed start.

Morning — Broken Hill’s art trail

Start with the Pro Hart Gallery in Broken Hill, allowing about an hour to see the city’s best-known artist’s vivid outback scenes and machinery-inspired work. It is generally open during daytime business hours, but check the gallery’s current opening time before setting out; entry is usually free or by small donation. From there, drive or walk into central Broken Hill for the Silver City Mint and Art Centre on Argent Street. Give yourself another hour for the local art, handmade pieces and the enormous Big Picture. Central parking is usually straightforward, though a car is useful today because the next stop is outside town.

Late Morning — Drive to Silverton

Leave Broken Hill around 11:00am for Silverton, following the Barrier Highway for roughly 25 minutes. This is an easy sealed-road drive, but watch for emus, kangaroos and wandering stock, particularly near dawn and dusk. Park in the village and take the afternoon slowly on foot—Silverton is compact, dusty and atmospheric, with old corrugated buildings and wide desert light rather than a conventional town centre.

Afternoon — Historic Silverton

Begin at the Silverton Gaol Museum, where about an hour is enough to explore the preserved cells, mining-settlement relics and memorabilia. Opening days and hours can be seasonal, so confirm before leaving Broken Hill, and carry water as shade is limited around the village. Continue to the John Dynon Gallery, an entertaining 45-minute stop for eccentric, colourful outback art; it is exactly the sort of place where a quick visit can stretch if you enjoy quirky local stories. Allow time to browse the surrounding historic buildings before driving back to Broken Hill.

Evening — Dinner back in Broken Hill

Return to Broken Hill before dark—the road is unlit, and wildlife becomes harder to spot—and have dinner at The Silly Goat. Expect approximately A$20–40 per person, with a relaxed café-style setting suited to winding down after the drive. Book or check service hours ahead, particularly outside peak periods, as regional venues can close early or operate reduced days. Keep the evening gentle: tomorrow’s longer cross-country drive starts early, so refuel the car in Broken Hill tonight and have water and snacks ready.

Morning — Silverton to Port Augusta

Leave Silverton around 7:00am for Port Augusta, routing back through Broken Hill and then west on the Barrier Highway toward Peterborough. Allow five to six hours of wheel time, plus fuel, breakfast and the NSW–South Australia border. This is a long, open-road day, so fill up in Broken Hill and again whenever a reliable roadhouse appears; keep water and snacks in the car, and watch for emus and cattle near the road. Aim to reach Peterborough Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre late morning, where an hour is enough to explore the preserved locomotives, railway workshops and displays explaining how the railway shaped South Australia’s inland towns. Check the seasonal opening hours before leaving—opening times can be limited outside peak periods—and allow roughly A$15–25 for entry.

Afternoon — Port Augusta’s regional culture

Continue to Port Augusta, arriving around 2:00–3:00pm depending on stops. After checking in, head to Port Augusta Cultural Centre–Yarta Purtli in the town centre for about an hour. Its regional exhibitions and local arts program are a good introduction to the landscapes and communities around the upper Spencer Gulf; gallery hours can vary, so confirm the day’s opening time before relying on it. From the centre, drive about 10 minutes to the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden, where the walking trails lead through native desert plantings above the gulf. Give yourself 90 minutes, ideally arriving before late afternoon so the light falls across the ranges and water. Wear a hat, carry water and use the shorter loop if the wind is strong—there is little shade on some sections, and the garden can feel exposed even in September. Entry is generally free, with donations appreciated.

Evening — A relaxed Port Augusta finish

For an easy dinner or coffee, settle at Hailing Station Café, a casual local option suited to a travel day rather than a lengthy formal meal. Budget around A$20–40 per person, and check the kitchen’s closing time because regional cafés often finish earlier than city restaurants. If you still have energy afterward, take a brief drive along the foreshore near Matthew Flinders Red Cliff Lookout for sunset views over the water and the distant Flinders Ranges, then return early for a good night’s sleep before tomorrow’s drive toward Ceduna.

Morning — Outback context at Wadlata Outback Centre

Make Wadlata Outback Centre your first stop, ideally arriving around 9:30am. Allow about 90 minutes for the indoor displays, which explain Aboriginal culture, early exploration, pastoral life and the geology of the Flinders Ranges in a particularly accessible way. It is a useful introduction before you head into the surrounding country. Check the current opening hours before setting out; admission is usually around A$20–30 for an adult, with family and concession pricing available. The centre has on-site parking, so it is easy to visit with the car and continue without repacking everything.

From there, drive roughly 10 minutes to Matthew Flinders Red Cliff Lookout. Allow 45 minutes for the short walk and photographs, especially if the weather is clear: the view takes in the red ranges, the salt flats and the long sweep of Spencer Gulf. Bring water and a hat, as there is little shade. This is best treated as a relaxed viewpoint rather than a major hike, and the low winter sun can make the colours particularly good in the late morning.

Afternoon — Heritage railway through the ranges

Allow time for lunch in Port Augusta before making your way to Pichi Richi Railway in Quorn, about a 35-minute drive along the Flinders Ranges Way. The heritage train journey takes around three hours when operating, travelling through the Pichi Richi Pass in restored carriages behind a historic locomotive or railcar. Services are seasonal and do not run every day, so confirm the timetable and book ahead; fares commonly sit around A$80–150 depending on the excursion and seating. Arrive early for check-in and allow extra time for the return drive. If your date does not match a scheduled service, keep the booking flexible rather than assuming a train will be available.

Evening — Waterfront walk and dinner

Return to town for an easy stroll along Port Augusta Wharf, where the waterfront is most pleasant as the light softens over the gulf. Allow about 45 minutes; it is a good place to stretch your legs after the railway and watch the changing colours over the water. Finish at the Standpipe Golf Motor Inn restaurant for a straightforward sit-down dinner, budgeting approximately A$30–55 per person. Book a table if a railway service has brought visitors into town, and check the restaurant’s evening hours in advance, as regional kitchens can close earlier than city restaurants.

Morning — Port Augusta to Kimba

Leave Port Augusta around 7:00am on the Eyre Highway, with roughly five hours of driving spread across the day. This is a big-sky road rather than a fast sightseeing route, so top up fuel before leaving town and carry water and snacks; services become more widely spaced as you head west. After about two hours, stop at the Kimba Halfway Across Australia Cairn on Eyre Highway for around 30 minutes. It is an easy roadside photo stop marking the approximate midpoint between Australia’s east and west coasts, with parking immediately nearby. Check your fuel gauge before continuing—the next useful stop is Minnipa, where the small town’s facilities are handy but limited.

Midday — Minnipa Pinkawillinie Conservation Park

Continue west to Minnipa Pinkawillinie Conservation Park, allowing about an hour for a short walk through the park’s granite-country landscape. The rounded granite outcrops and low coastal scrub feel distinctly different from the Flinders country around Port Augusta, and the light is especially good here in the late morning. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water; tracks can be rough or sandy, and phone coverage may be unreliable. Afterward, refuel and have a simple takeaway lunch in Minnipa or keep something in the car, then drive the final stretch to Ceduna. On arrival, allow time to check in and freshen up before heading into town.

Afternoon and Evening — Ceduna and Murat Bay

Spend the afternoon at the Ceduna Aboriginal Arts & Culture Centre, where an hour is enough to browse locally made paintings, textiles, carvings and crafts. Opening hours can vary by season and community events, so call ahead or check locally before relying on a late visit; allow extra time if you are interested in buying artwork and ask about provenance and safe transport. From there, it is a short drive to the Ceduna Foreshore—park near the waterfront and wander along Murat Bay for an hour around sunset. The calm water and wide western horizon make this one of the best easy evening stops in town. Finish at the Ceduna Oyster Bar for local oysters and seafood, budgeting about A$25–60 per person depending on whether you order a tasting, fish and chips or a fuller meal. Book or arrive early if visiting on a busy evening, and keep tomorrow’s early Eyre Highway departure in mind.

Morning — Ceduna to Penong and Cactus Beach

Leave Ceduna around 8:00am with a full tank, water and snacks; Penong is roughly 2½ hours west along the Eyre Highway, with very limited services between towns. On arrival, park in Penong and make the coastal run to Cactus Beach, allowing about 1½ hours for the drive, lookout stops and a walk. The beach is a rugged, wind-exposed surf coast rather than a conventional swimming spot, so stay well back from the water and check local conditions before approaching the shoreline. A four-wheel-drive is preferable on some access tracks; do not take a hire car onto unsealed roads unless your rental agreement allows it.

Late Morning — Windmills and the coastal detour

Return to town for the Penong Windmill Museum, an open-air collection that reflects the ingenuity required to farm in this dry country. Allow around 45 minutes; it is generally an informal, self-guided stop, so opening arrangements and donation details can vary. Afterward, take the detour to Fowlers Bay, allowing about two hours return plus time to wander among the pale dunes and quiet shoreline. Check road conditions locally before setting out, particularly after rain, and keep enough fuel for the return to Penong—there is no need to rush this section, and the empty coastal landscape is the main attraction.

Evening — Country-pub dinner

Back in Penong, settle in at the Penong Hotel for a straightforward country-pub dinner, budgeting about A$25–45 per person. Meals and kitchen hours can be seasonal or limited, so confirm service times when you arrive rather than assuming late dining is available. This is also a good place to ask about the next day’s Eyre Highway conditions and fuel availability; after dark, keep the evening low-key, as wildlife on the roads is a serious hazard around the Nullarbor.

Morning — Penong to the Head of Bight

Leave Penong around 7:00am with a full tank, water, snacks and a paper map or downloaded offline navigation. The Eyre Highway is long and isolated, and fuel prices rise sharply at the roadhouses, so treat every open station as a useful top-up rather than assuming the next one will suit your timing. Allow about five hours of driving overall, plus sightseeing and stops; note that you cross from South Australia into Western Australia, gaining 1½ hours when you reach WA time. Turn off toward the Head of Bight lookout early enough to allow roughly 90 minutes for the boardwalks and viewing platforms. Southern right whales may still be visible in September, although sightings are never guaranteed; bring binoculars, and check the access road and lookout fee—usually around A$15–25 per adult—before leaving Penong.

Lunch — Nullarbor Roadhouse

Continue west to the Nullarbor Roadhouse, a practical rather than polished stop roughly midway through the day. Refuel, stretch your legs and have lunch in the roadhouse café, budgeting about A$20–40 per person for a main meal and drink. Keep your expectations firmly outback: opening hours can change, hot food may be limited, and card payments or fuel availability can occasionally be affected by outages, so carry some cash as backup. From here, continue to Eucla, watching carefully for emus, kangaroos and wandering livestock near the road. The landscape becomes especially striking late in the day as the plain meets the escarpment and the Southern Ocean disappears beyond the horizon.

Afternoon and Evening — Eucla ruins and the escarpment

After checking into Eucla, drive the short unsealed track toward the Eucla Telegraph Station ruins—a high-clearance vehicle is helpful after rain. Allow about an hour to walk around the partially buried remains; sturdy shoes, water and sun protection are worthwhile, and do not climb unstable walls. Return toward the coast for the Eucla dunes and escarpment lookout, timing your 45-minute visit for sunset. The dunes glow beautifully in the low light, but keep well back from cliff edges and allow enough daylight to drive back safely. Finish at the Eucla Roadhouse for an uncomplicated dinner—budget approximately A$25–45 per person—and check its kitchen hours on arrival, as service often follows the needs of passing road travellers rather than a strict city schedule.

Morning — Eucla to Madura on the Eyre Highway

Leave Eucla around 8:00am with a full tank, plenty of drinking water and offline navigation loaded. The drive west to Madura takes about 4½–5 hours before stops, following the Eyre Highway through open Nullarbor country. Keep an eye out for emus, kangaroos and wedge-tailed eagles, but don’t stop on the road shoulder unless there is a broad, clearly safe pull-off. Mobile coverage is patchy, and roadhouse fuel is expensive—budget roughly A$80–130 for the day’s fuel.

Your main break is Mundrabilla Roadhouse, roughly partway along the route. Allow about 30 minutes to refuel, stretch your legs and pick up coffee or supplies; opening hours and food availability can change, so treat it as a practical outback stop rather than a guaranteed café service. Continue west to Madura Pass Lookout, where the landscape changes abruptly as the highway drops towards the coastal plain. Allow 30 minutes for the view and photographs, taking care near the edge and keeping clear of passing trucks.

Afternoon — Madura Plains and the roadhouse

After arriving near Madura, set aside about an hour for a short birdwatching and wildflower walk across the Madura Plains. September can bring colour to the roadside vegetation after rain, although conditions vary considerably from year to year. Stay close to established tracks, wear enclosed shoes and carry water—the heat and glare can be tiring even in spring. Ask at the roadhouse which nearby section is currently suitable, as access and walking conditions can change.

Finish at Madura Roadhouse for an outback lunch or dinner, budgeting approximately A$25–45 per person. The menu is generally hearty and practical—exact offerings and serving times vary—so confirm whether the kitchen is open when you arrive, particularly if you are planning an early dinner. Accommodation and fuel are limited, so keep tomorrow’s route and tank level in mind before settling in for the night.

Morning — Madura to Balladonia

Leave Madura around 7:30am with a full tank, plenty of water and offline navigation. Allow roughly five to six hours of driving to Norseman, with fuel and coffee stops at Cocklebiddy and Caiguna—services are sparse and roadhouse opening hours can change, so don’t pass a functioning fuel station casually. Between Balladonia and Caiguna, take about 30 minutes to appreciate the 90 Mile Straight, one of Australia’s great road curiosities; use marked stopping areas only and be alert for road trains.

At Balladonia, spend about 45 minutes at the Balladonia Museum, a small, wonderfully eccentric collection covering the Nullarbor, local pastoral history and the famous 1979 Skylab debris story. Allow extra time if you stop for food or fuel at Balladonia Roadhouse, and check ahead for current museum access and roadhouse hours.

Afternoon — Lake Cowan and Norseman

Continue to Norseman and make the Lake Cowan viewpoint your first town stop. The wide salt-lake landscape is especially striking in the afternoon light; allow around 45 minutes, and bring a jacket because the open lookout can feel cool and exposed in September. From there, drive into town to the Norseman Visitor Centre for another 45 minutes of local context, including gold-mining history, Aboriginal heritage and current road-condition information. It is also a sensible place to confirm fuel, accommodation and the next day’s route; visitor-centre hours can vary seasonally, so check locally if arriving late.

Evening — Country-pub dinner

After checking in, walk or drive to the Norseman Hotel for a straightforward country-pub dinner, usually around A$25–45 per person. Expect hearty meals rather than fine dining, and confirm kitchen hours before settling in—small outback hotels may stop serving earlier than city restaurants. Keep the evening relaxed: tomorrow’s run toward Kalgoorlie-Boulder is shorter, but this is still a good night to refuel the car, download maps and rest after the long Nullarbor day.

Morning — Norseman to Kalgoorlie-Boulder

Leave Norseman around 8:00am with a full tank and water for the roughly 2½-hour run north on the Goldfields Highway. The road is easy to follow but remote, with long stretches of bush and limited services, so download your map before leaving. On reaching Kalgoorlie-Boulder, go straight to Hannans North Tourist Mine on Hannan Street. Allow about two hours for the underground-history displays, old mining equipment and above-ground workings; it is a good place to understand how demanding early gold mining was. Admission is typically around A$20–30 for adults, with seasonal opening hours usually beginning in the morning—check the current timetable before setting out.

Afternoon — The Golden Mile and Boulder’s goldfields history

Drive about 10 minutes to Super Pit Lookout, where the enormous open-cut mine fills the view below. Give yourself 45 minutes, preferably in daylight when the scale and terraced walls are easiest to appreciate; the lookout is free, though wind can be strong and the access road is industrial in character. Continue roughly 10 minutes to Boulder for the Museum of the Goldfields, allowing around 1½ hours. The museum’s gold-rush displays and regional collection provide useful context after seeing the modern mine, and entry is generally around A$15–20 for adults, with opening hours commonly concentrated in daytime hours.

Late Afternoon and evening — Coffee, Burt Street and a relaxed dinner

For a later meal, head back toward central Kalgoorlie-Boulder and settle at Percy’s Place, a contemporary café suited to a proper lunch or early dinner rather than a rushed takeaway; budget about A$20–45 per person. Finish in Boulder with an hour wandering Burt Street and the surrounding heritage streetscape. Look for the historic shopfronts, old hotels and grand civic buildings as the light softens, when the area feels much more atmospheric than it does in the heat of the afternoon. Keep dinner timings flexible: some Goldfields venues close earlier than city restaurants, especially outside peak mining-week nights, so check same-day trading hours and refuel before settling in for the evening.

Morning — Kalgoorlie-Boulder to Coolgardie

Leave Kalgoorlie-Boulder around 8:00am on the Great Eastern Highway, allowing roughly four hours of driving in total, including stops. Keep the fuel tank comfortably above half-full and download offline directions before leaving; services become sparse once you are west of town. After about 40 minutes, pull into Coolgardie and spend around an hour at the Coolgardie Museum. The exhibits give useful context for the gold-rush settlements, mining life and the tough overland routes that shaped this part of Western Australia. Check the museum’s opening hours before departure, as regional hours can vary; allow approximately A$10–20 for entry. Coolgardie is a good place for a coffee, toilet stop and short stretch before continuing west.

Afternoon — Koolyanobbing Range and Southern Cross

Continue along the Great Eastern Highway toward Koolyanobbing, watching for the turnoff and allowing extra time for slower road conditions around trucks and mining traffic. The Koolyanobbing Range lookout is worth a 45-minute pause: its exposed iron-rich hills and sudden rocky rises feel very different from the flatter goldfields country behind you. Bring water and sensible shoes, and treat the lookout as a brief scenic stop rather than a long hike. From there, continue to Southern Cross, arriving in the mid-afternoon. At the Southern Cross Historical Museum, allow about an hour to explore local gold-discovery stories and the district’s early settlement history; confirm opening times in advance, particularly if the museum operates limited weekday hours.

Late Afternoon and Evening — Southern Cross heritage walk and dinner

After checking in, take an easy 45-minute walk through central Southern Cross, looking at the town’s historic civic and commercial buildings and the wide streets typical of old goldfields settlements. It is compact and best explored on foot, with the late-afternoon light giving the weatherboard façades and verandahs a warmer feel. Finish at the Southern Cross Hotel for dinner, where a straightforward pub meal is usually the most practical option after a long day on the road. Budget around A$25–45 per person, and check the kitchen’s closing time before setting out on the heritage walk—regional pubs can stop serving earlier than expected on quieter evenings.

Morning — Southern Cross to Perth, with a worthwhile detour

Leave Southern Cross around 5:00am if you want to include The Pinnacles Desert without turning the day into a marathon. Drive west on the Great Eastern Highway, taking the northern route toward Cervantes and Nambung National Park; the detour adds substantial distance, so check your rental-car drop-off time and fuel before committing. Allow roughly 1½ hours at The Pinnacles, where the pale limestone pillars are at their best in the low morning light. The park entry fee is generally around A$15 per vehicle, and there are basic facilities but no café inside—bring breakfast, water and sun protection. If you are flying from Perth later the same day, skip the detour and continue directly to the city, stopping around Northam for coffee and a leg stretch.

Afternoon — Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Aim to reach Perth around midday or early afternoon, allowing extra time for city traffic and rental-car return. After dropping the car, take a taxi or rideshare to Kings Park and Botanic Garden—it is about 10 minutes from the CBD, traffic permitting. Spend around two hours wandering the Federation Walkway, Megan Gale’s Wildflower Garden and the lawns above the Swan River; September is a particularly good month for Western Australian wildflowers. The park is free and open during daylight hours, with cafés near the main visitor areas, but comfortable shoes matter because the best viewpoints are spread out.

Late Afternoon and Evening — Waterfront, dinner and the flight home

From Kings Park, a short rideshare or bus trip brings you into the city for a relaxed walk around Elizabeth Quay. Allow about an hour for the waterfront promenade, Elizabeth Quay Bridge and views toward South Perth; it is an easy final taste of the city without adding another museum or timed attraction. For dinner and a celebratory drink, head to Petition Beer Corner inside the State Buildings on Barrack Street. Expect approximately A$40–80 per person for modern Australian food and drinks; check the current service hours and reserve if travelling on a busy evening. From the CBD, allow roughly 20–30 minutes by taxi or rideshare to Perth Airport, longer in peak traffic. Return the rental car before check-in, and allow at least two hours for the domestic flight to Sydney, plus extra time if the vehicle return desk is off-terminal.