Saturday Traffic: Joondalup Festival Crowds and CBD Bus Disruptions

Weekend Traffic and Commute Overview

Commuters and weekend travelers across Perth should prepare for increased activity and localized delays this Saturday, March 7, 2026. While the major freeway arteries are currently flowing well, several community events and scheduled maintenance projects are set to impact travel times, particularly in the northern suburbs and the CBD. If you are heading out to enjoy the start of the autumn event season, planning ahead is highly recommended.

Major Event Alerts: Joondalup and Yanchep

The Joondalup Festival officially kicks off today, bringing a significant influx of visitors to the northern corridor. Authorities have issued specific warnings for those heading toward Hillarys Boat Harbour. Parking at the harbour is expected to reach capacity by early afternoon. To avoid frustration, commuters are encouraged to utilize public transport, specifically Bus Route 423, which provides direct access to the precinct. Expect heavy congestion on Marmion Avenue and Hepburn Avenue leading toward the coast.

Further north, the first of the 'Station Sounds' concert series is taking place at the new Yanchep Station. The free community event runs from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. While no major road closures are in place for the event, a high volume of pedestrians is expected around the station precinct. Event-goers are encouraged to take advantage of the Yanchep Line to minimize traffic pressure on Wanneroo Road and the Mitchell Freeway extension.

Public Transport Disruptions

Transperth has confirmed several service disruptions for Saturday. Commuters using the following services should check for temporary stop closures and slight delays:

• Red CAT: Specific bus stop disruptions are in place throughout the CBD today.
• Route 28: Service disruptions are reported for Saturday, which may affect travel between East Perth and the western suburbs.
• Southern Routes: Routes 32, 33, 72, 73, 176, 177, 178, 179, and 930 are experiencing bus stop disruptions today and tomorrow.
• Stirling Station: A reminder for those planning their Sunday commute—major bus stand changes at Stirling Station take effect tomorrow, March 8. Saturday is the final day of the current configuration.

Roadworks and Maintenance

For those traveling late this evening, be aware of nightly roadworks on Mirrabooka Avenue. Restrictions are in place between Robertsbridge Road and Reid Highway starting at 7:00 pm and continuing until 5:00 am. Heavy vehicle operators should note that wide-load restrictions apply in this area.

Finally, for travelers heading south-east of the metropolitan area, the Wagin Woolarama event is expected to increase traffic on Albany Highway. Please allow extra travel time if you are transiting through the Wheatbelt region today.