Driving tips for Australia

To take in all of Australia’s sights demands a great deal of time, as the distances between places can be awe-inspiringly far by European norms.

Being the third-largest country in the world, unless you have unlimited time, you will have to choose which part of the country most appeals to you and stick with it. The camping variety would do well to set off into the outback of the Northern Territory, perhaps travelling between Darwin on the north shore and Adelaide on the south coast, a journey of roughly 2,000 miles! Another option would be to explore the untamed island of Tasmania.

If you’re in your Volkswagen van with a surfboard on top, the east coast might be more your speed. From Sydney all the way to Brisbane, you’ll find places like Byron Bay to appease any beach-seeking appetite. Ending the journey in Surfer’s Paradise seems apt.

Between these two kinds of Australian adventures, you’ll need to choose an appropriate vehicle. To cruise between cities and vineyards, a comfortable car with no bells and whistles will suffice (air conditioning is a good idea, though). Petrol is still cheaper than in Europe and you can expect to pay anywhere from A$0.90 to A$1 per litre.

If you’re going to be travelling through the outback, you will definitely need a foul-wheel drive truck of some kind, with enough space to carry supplies of water, food and whatever else you may need. Service stations in the more remote areas can be few and far between and you may find yourself left to your own devices. For this reason, it’s recommended to join an auto club. If something goes wrong, you can dial: 13 11 11 from any state for roadside assistance.

There are no speed limits on the back roads of the Northern Territory, but there is plenty to be careful of, such as potholes, large transport trucks and wildlife. The outback roads are generally long, narrow and straight. In Europe, the danger is the amount of cars on the road, whereas here it’s the lack thereof. It is advised that you plan your trip ahead of time so you have a place to stay each night, and don’t drive more than 370 miles (600kms) in any one day.

Even if you’re driving between the cities or in the more built-up areas where the roads are excellent, well-lit and well-maintained, it’s still recommended to limit your driving to a few hours at a time, before getting out of the car to stretch your legs and have a short rest.

The motorway system is identified with a letter ‘A’ and the speed limit on these roads is between 60 and 68mph (100 and 110kph). The limit is 60mph (100kph) on routes marked ‘B’, which are smaller, two-lane highways. Limits of 30 to 35mph (50 to 60kph) are in place in residential or suburban areas.

In all states, everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt and the driver’s blood alcohol level must not exceed 0.5mg/ml. There are random stops in all states by local police.

To rent a car, you must possess a licence from your home country. You don’t need to worry about getting an international driver’s licence. If you plan to stay for more than 6 months, you may have to apply for an Australian driver’s permit.