Travelling round Australia

Travelling by road

Australians drive on the left and your UK driving licence should be valid. Roads and highways are generally well-maintained and of a good quality although you will find that roads in isolated areas consist of only poorly maintained dirt tracks.

Distances are given in kilometres and are vast. Expect to travel for hours or even days to commute between the major towns & cities.

• Melbourne to Sydney: 9-10 hours
• Brisbane to Sydney: 12-13 hours
• Perth to Sydney: 50 hours
• Sydney to Canberra: 3-3.5 hours
• Adelaide to Melbourne: 8-10 hours
• Brisbane to Melbourne: 19-20 hours
• Melbourne to Perth: 40 hours
• Perth to Adelaide: 32 hours

Highways are shared with ‘road-trains’ – massive lorry cabs that pull two or more trailers. They take a long time to speed up and even longer to slow down, and can be scary when they bear down on you in your rear view mirror!

If you are travelling away from the busier roads and intend to venture into inland Australia, you would be well advised to take some precautions. People stranded on these smaller roads die from heat and dehydration at any time of the year. The advice is to alert local police and family/friends of your itinerary and be prepared for any eventually by carrying spare fuel, food, lots of water and spare parts for the car. You could even hire a satellite phone in case of an emergency. If stranded, stay with your vehicle to maximise the chances of being found.

Travelling by train

Although air travel is faster and is often cheaper, travelling by train is a much better way to see the countryside (not to mention better for the environment). The rail networks in Australia are not great – huge distances, low populations and a lack of cooperation between states have all contributed to this, but they are extensive. It is possible to take a rail journey from coast to coast – offering an incredible sightseeing opportunity whilst travelling in comfort. Check out some of the popular rail journeys you can take on International Rail.

Travel Australia by bus or coach

Travelling by bus around Australia can be a cheap, flexible and fun way to take in the sites. Buses generally have air conditioning, adjustable seats and onboard entertainment, making travelling on them reasonably comfortable and you will certainly have a laugh with your fellow passengers. However, travelling by bus does mean you will have to conform to a timetable and set routes and will certainly take away the feeling of freedom that backpacking should be all about. Whoever you travel with, make sure you can get on and off as you please so you have more control over your journey. Greyhound is Australia’s only national bus service and travels to all the main national destinations. They have a variety of ticketing options to suit your requirements and also offer a hop on hop off service. Oz Experience is a popular hop on hop off adventure bus company that caters mainly for backpackers and travellers. aged 18-35. You buy a pass that lasts for 6 months and then catch whatever timetabled bus suits you to take in your chosen points of interest. They aim to take you to the hot spots and off the beaten track highlights, such as Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kakadu National Park, the Blue Mountains, the Great Ocean Road, as well as the popular East Coast between Sydney and Cairns.

Travelling by campervan or stationwagon

Buying or renting a campervan is a popular option in Australia. This is a lovely way to travel the country – providing you with both accommodation and travel in one go and offering the ultimate freedom to travel where you want. Renting is not a cheap option but has the advantage that if it breaks down, you simply get given a new one. Buying your own van could be an excellent financial strategy if you get it right as you could potentially sell if for the price you bought it for and save on all that rental money. However, make sure you get the AA to check it over before you buy it to make sure it is a sound investment. Don’t risk buying a ‘dud’ van that could end up being a drain on your finances.

You could also think about buying or renting a stationwagon or even a normal car. This would be a much cheaper option than a campervan but will still provide you with total travel freedom. Stationwagons have enormous boots that will easily fit all your gear and could even be slept in fairly comfortably (as long as you’re not too tall!). Whatever you choose to do, remember that you can advertise lifts to other backpackers or travellers and get them to share with petrol costs. Make sure you meet up before starting your journey to make sure you get on though!

Travel by internal flights

There are two internal airlines in Australia which cover an extensive flight network – Virgin Blue & Qantas. It is possible to book your flights in advance and you may well find that you get a cheaper deal by doing so. Make sure you check out both airlines for your chosen route as you may find it cheaper to fly one way with one company and back with the other – much as the no-frills airlines in Britain operate.

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