Getting Around - Driving In Australia
To discover the real Australia there is no better way than to hire a car or campervan and pack some walking boots. Renters have to be 21 or older and hold a current driver's licence.
Australians drive on the left, which can be initially disconcerting for international visitors used to driving on the right side of the road. However, it does take only a small amount of time to adjust - just remember, passenger on the kerb side. Roads are generally good and major routes are well signposted.
Seatbelts must be worn by drivers and all passengers. Infants must be in 'baby capsules' and small children in child seats, which can be hired from car rental companies.
The following car rental and campervan hire companies can help you out with your hire car and campervan needs:
Flights
Capital City Transport
Sydney
Sydney airport is 10 kilometres south of the city. There’s an efficient rail and bus system connecting the airport to the city; taxis cost around $25. There’s no charge for the driver’s advice on who should be running the country. Buses, trains, light rail, monorail and ferries operate daily. Sydney’s a good ‘walking’ city, and there’s a city Explorer Bus that loops around the major attractions - and it’s value for money.
Canberra
Canberra is 30 minutes by air or three hours by road from Sydney. From Melbourne it’s seven hours by road or 50 minutes by air. The airport is 10 kilometres east of the city and taxis cost around $16. There’s an efficient bus service connecting the city and suburban areas. You can cycle the foreshores of the lake or take a leisurely cruise on it. While driving in the city is easy, some people do get lost on the ring-road system. The tip here is to keep your sense of humour and enjoy the sights as you follow the loop to another exit.
Melbourne
Melbourne Airport is 20 kilometres north-west of the city, a bit more than half an hour’s drive and about $30 in a taxi. The city and suburbs are serviced by tram, bus and rail. A Met ticket allows you to use all public transport. By day, a free City Circle tram operates. Melbourne can be a bit tricky in the CBD. For a few tips – Drive Me Crazy.
Brisbane
Brisbane Airport is 13 kilometres from the city, and has bus and rail transfers; taxis charge around $25. Public transport within Brisbane is efficient, whether it be rail, bus or ferry. The Brisbane River ferry services link north and south of the city (departing from Edward Street and Customs House). Fast, comfortable and economical, they also provide good views of Brisbane. The central city and South Bank areas are flat and ideal for walking. Buses run regularly from the centre of the city and from the Roma Street Transit Centre, which services the Gold and Sunshine coasts, and the intra and interstate journeys.
Perth
Perth Airport is 20 kilometres north-east of the city. The 20 to 30- minute trip by taxi to the city will cost around $25 (coaches also run). To get around Perth, public transport is good (bus, train, ferry). Bus travel is free within a central free-transit zone.
Darwin
The airport is 12 kilometres from the city and a taxi ride between the two costs around $20. Bus services operate between the city and suburbs. The Tour Tub is a bus service that loops around the city every hour and you can get on and off as you wish. Cullen Bay Marina is the departure point for cruises around Fannie Bay, Stokes Hill Wharf and Frances Bay, and ferries to the Cox Peninsula. If you hire a car and plan on exploring outside Darwin, check the fine print on driving on unsealed roads.
Adelaide
The airport is 7 kilometres south-west of the city, and a taxi ride to the city costs around $18. The Explorer Tram tours the city sights with recorded commentary. A fleet of motor launches cruise the River Torrens. Buses and trains connect the city with the suburbs. The O’Bahn is a bus route that uses road and rail, and operates between the city and Tea Tree Gully. A tram runs to the beach at Glenelg and there are free inner city and city-loop buses Monday to Friday.
Hobart
Hobart International Airport is 22 kilometres from the city and the trip costs around $25 by taxi. Day and evening coach tours are on hand for a quick and comfortable tour of the city and surrounds. There are also escorted Historic Hobart walks or you can pick up a self-guide walking map. For a birds eye view of the area, scenic flights take off from Cambridge Airport for spectacular views of the Tasman Peninsula, East Coast, Port Davey and the Southwest wilderness.
