Major city · Australia
Merredin
Stop one night on the Perth–Kalgoorlie drive or train, or skip: the museums take two hours, the town is done by mid-afternoon.
Merredin is a Wheatbelt service town 261 km east of Perth on the Great Eastern Highway, built on an 1880s gold rush and now ringed by grain silos. Trains from Perth take about 3 h 30 min. Two small museums, a 1928 theatre and a caravan park are the whole visit; most travellers break a Perth–Kalgoorlie trip here rather than stay longer.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (40 °C (104 °F) days), harvest dust in Novavoid Dec–Feb (104 °F (40 °C) days), harvest dust in Nov
- Airport
- PER
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Merredin000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Merredin, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyA small, quiet town; the real risks are heat, long empty highway stretches and patchy phone signal.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPER Perth Airport (261 km (162 mi) west by road; no scheduled flights at Merredin.PER Perth Airport (162 mi (261 km) west by road; no scheduled flights at Merredin.
- Getting aroundThe town centre is walkable in 15–20 minutes, but summer heat makes a car useful for the golf course and outlying roads.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or café breakfastA$8–20 (≈ US$6–14)
- BeerBeer at the Commercial HotelA$7–12 (≈ US$5–8)
- Budget bedCaravan or campervan powered site, a night, per personA$30 (≈ US$20)
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomA$150 (≈ US$100)
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomA$200 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$150 (≈ US$100) · High A$240 (≈ US$160)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PER Perth Airport (261 km (162 mi) west by road; no scheduled flights at Merredin. Check Transwa and Prospector times before booking a same-day arrival.)PER Perth Airport (162 mi (261 km) west by road; no scheduled flights at Merredin. Check Transwa and Prospector times before booking a same-day arrival.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Feb
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Mar
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jul (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jul (10 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Merredin: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Feb
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Dec
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town centre is walkable in 15–20 minutes, but summer heat makes a car useful for the golf course and outlying roads. No local bus network; the railway station is a platform halt in the middle of town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2.5 h each way
Drive south on the Hyden–Merredin road, about 200 km (124 mi)Drive south on the Hyden–Merredin road, about 124 mi (200 km)
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep at Hyden.
Door to door: About 1.5 h by train
Prospector or Merredinlink train west, or drive the Great Eastern Highway
Main Wheatbelt town on the way to Perth; good half-day.
Door to door: About 2 h by train
Prospector or Merredinlink train west
Check return train days: the Merredinlink runs only Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Door to door: About 3.5 h by train
Prospector train east, or drive Highway 94
Gold-mining city; continue rather than return the same day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Barrack Street, facing the station
Commercial Hotel and the IGA; walk to both museums and the cinema.
Great Eastern Highway motels
Olympic, Merredin Motel and Plaza sit on or just off the highway; easiest with a car.
Merredin Tourist Park, Oat Street
Caravan and campervan hookups plus a double room; roadhouse fuel nearby on Todd St.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$80–130 (≈ US$55–90) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$130–200 (≈ US$90–140) excl. bed
- High
- A$200 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × A$150 | A$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$150 | A$300 |
| Prospector return fare from Perth2 × A$51 | A$102 |
| Railway Museum entry2 × A$15 | A$30 |
| Military Museum adult entry2 × A$10 | A$20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$20 | A$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$64 |
| Trip total≈ A$353 per person per day, bed included | A$706≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and train fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or café breakfast | A$8–20 (≈ US$6–14) |
| Pizza or Chinese main | A$15–28 (≈ US$10–19) |
| Beer at the Commercial Hotel | A$7–12 (≈ US$5–8) |
| Unleaded fuel per litre | A$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) |
| Motel double room, room only | A$120–160 (≈ US$80–110) |
| Caravan park powered site | A$35–50 (≈ US$25–35) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Fuel gaps on the Great Eastern Highway: fill at Merredin, not after.
- Mobile coverage is patchy — Optus 4G is the most reliable, Telstra is weak, Vodafone has nothing here.
- Summer days pass 40 °C (104 °F); carry water and avoid walking at midday.Summer days pass 104 °F (40 °C); carry water and avoid walking at midday.
- Museum and café hours are short and can change: check before you rely on them.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MerredinMerredin
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, thanksTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
Embassy
No consulates in Merredin; embassies and consulates-general are in Perth (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Prospector Perth → Merredin: about A$51 (≈ US$35) return in 2023, 3 h 30 min
- Merredinlink Perth → Merredin: Monday, Wednesday and Friday only; check times
- Fuel, Merredin roadhouse: open daily 6AM–7PM
Say or show
- Where's the servo? — Where is the fuel station?
- Have you got signal out here? — Is there phone signal here?
- Just the one night, thanks — One night, please
- How far to the next town? — How far to the next town?
Fuel, water and phone coverage are the three things to sort before leaving town.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Merredin. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (40 °C days), harvest dust in Nov · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PER: last Transwa and Prospector connections field-checked, drive-time fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster around the station: both museums, Cummins Theatre, Orana Cinema, IGA and the Commercial Hotel.
- Place pages with verified opening hours for the Railway Museum and Military Museum, and eat pages with last orders.
- Fuel and coverage fixtures for the Great Eastern Highway so the drive legs can go green.
Sources
Ask about Merredin
Loading…