Perched on the coast of Western Australia, approximately 424 km north of Perth, Geraldton is an ideal destination for beach lovers. With Tarcoola Beach, Pages Beach, Champion Bay, Town Beach, Sunset Beach and more to explore, this is the ideal town to pick up a hire car. Car hire in Geraldton will free you up to cruise around at your leisure, taking in the coastal sights, enjoying watersports and perhaps even venturing inland to check out Hutt River Principality, Australia’s famous micronation.
Geraldton Airport (GET) lies around 10 km inland from the coastal town. There are some hangars and buildings used by charter companies and Royal Flying Doctor Service. However, for commercial flights, there’s just one terminal, referred to as "the general aviation terminal". Here, you will find kiosks for companies providing car hire in Geraldton, including Avis, Hertz, Budget and Thrifty. These are usually staffed to meet incoming flights. However, booking in advance through KAYAK can help you secure a better deal and ensure the vehicle you want is available.
Geraldton has a small CBD with a thriving cafe scene. Between the locals and the tourists, there’s generally quite a lot of foot traffic, so when you’re exploring the attractions in the city, it’s important to keep your attention on the road and drive cautiously. You’ll also be sharing the road with plenty of cyclists, so it’s important to give them as much room as you can and check your blind spots before turning or changing lanes.
As a coastal town in Western Australia, Geraldton can be prone to both cyclones and dust storms. Cyclones and tropical storms can create destructive winds, flash flooding and other hazards on the road. For this reason, it’s important to keep an eye on weather forecasts and pay attention to any warnings. Dust may interfere with visibility on the road, particularly if you take the inland routes to spots like Kalbarri or Hutt Lagoon. Fog lights can help when driving through dust, but in a severe dust storm, it’s best to pull off the road when safe to do so and wait it out.
Electric cars are available for hire and can be a good choice for cheap car hire in Geraldton. That being so, some companies have installed EV car charging stations that are accessible to the public. There are fast-charging EV stations with payment facilities near the entrance to the Francis Street car park. If you don’t want to waste time when driving your hire car in Geraldton looking for charging stations, book your stay at hotels with charging stations. One example of this is The Gerald Apartment Hotel.
Geraldton car hire is available for drivers 21 years and older. An underage surcharge is applied to car hire for customers aged between 21 and 24 years by some car hire companies – something to keep in mind when looking for cheap car hire in Geraldton. Regardless, all drivers are required to provide a current and valid driver’s licence that’s been in use for one year or more and can use a credit or debit card, under their name, from a major company. If you’re not an Australian national, car hire companies require you to provide your domestic licence alongside an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) and your passport.
Driving your hire car in Geraldton can be hectic during peak traffic hours. From around 6 am to 9 am and 4:30 pm and 7 pm, some roads are heavily congested. Avoid routes like the Geraldton-Mount Magnet Road during these hours, to prevent wasting time on congested roads and getting to your destination late. Alternatively, we advise you to travel in the afternoon or plan your trip ahead and include time for potential traffic delays, pit stops, fueling and sightseeing. You can leave early in the morning and stay overnight at your destination rather than spending more time in traffic when driving back.
Book your rental car in Geraldton at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Standard rental cars in Geraldton are around 4% more expensive than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Geraldton
What type of car is recommended for driving in Geraldton?
If you’re looking for cheap car hire in Geraldton, a compact vehicle will be more than enough to get you to all the beaches and attractions around town. Those travelling in larger groups or bringing their own gear for watersports may wish to go for an SUV, which will offer more space. If you’re keen to get into some 4-wheel driving, it’s important to check with your Geraldton car hire company to ensure this is allowed.
What’s the speed limit in Geraldton?
Around the Geraldton CBD, the default speed limit is generally 50 km/h unless otherwise posted. Keep an eye out for speed signs in high pedestrian traffic areas and school zones, as you may be required to slow down to 40 km/h or 25 km/h. Once you’re on the highway, the speed limit is usually 100 km/h, with some open stretches allowing you to travel at 110 km/h. Look out for speed signs, as there may be lower limits as you approach built-up areas or temporary roadworks.
Where are the best places to park in Geraldton?
Geraldton has both paid and free parking options. It’s important to note that the free parking may be timed, so you’ll need to check the signs and ensure you abide by the limit for your space. You will find free 1h, 2h and all-day parking spots. In the paid car parks, the fees are generally around A$ 1.60 per hour, A$ 8.40 per day or A$ 31 per week.
How much is gas price in Geraldton?
The average gas price in Geraldton is ₪14.55 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between ₪175 and ₪233, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in Geraldton?
Standard (Mazda CX-5 or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Geraldton.
How much does a Standard car rental cost in Geraldton?
A Standard car rental in Geraldton costs ₪247 per day, on average.
How much does a Mini car rental cost in Geraldton?
A Mini car rental in Geraldton costs ₪212 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car rental cost in Geraldton?
An Intermediate car rental in Geraldton costs ₪273 per day, on average.
What is the child seat rule in Geraldton?
The child seat rule by laws provided by the Department of Transport in Western Australia follows that children six months and younger should be restrained in a rear-facing child restraint like an infant capsule. Those aged six months to four years should be restrained in either a rear- or forward-facing child restraint with an in-built harness.
What road trips can I take from Geraldton?
With your hire car in Geraldton, there are plenty of places you can drive to in 3 hours or less. Only about 2 hours away from Geraldton, you can drive your hired 4WD to Jurien Bay, to enjoy snorkelling and sandboarding. Kalbarri Gorges, about an hour and a half north of Geraldton, is a great hiking destination.
