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CAR / CAMPERVAN HIRE IN AUSTRALIA

Australia is one of the most stunningly beautiful countries on earth. There is plenty for you to discover on your holiday, whether you are attracted by the cosmopolitan cities, clean sandy beaches, breathtaking coral reefs, magnificent rainforests or the vast grandeur of the Outback.

Travellilng by car or campervan is an excellent way to see the country and offers the freedom and flexibility to travel at your own pace.
Australia has a good network of well-maintained roads and highways and, for the more adventurous, quite a few dusty tracks to the Outback.

Travellers are unaware of the sheer distances from one destination to the next on this huge continent.
The chart below will give you an indication.

You should not plan on driving more than 300 kilometers a day, and always fill up on petrol before it gets too low, as distances between petrol stations in more remote areas can be considerable. With a little caution and preparation there is nothing to fear - especially if you have good common sense.

Driving Laws.
Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road. The maximum speed limit in cities and towns is 60km/h (35mph) and 100km/h (62mph) on country roads and highways, unless signs indicate otherwise.
Strict drinking laws apply. Random breath testing is conducted in most Australian states and the driver's permitted alcohol level is 0.05 percent. It is compulsory for drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts at all times.

Driver's Licence.
A bona fide tourist may drive in Australia on a valid overseas driver's licence for the same class of vehicle. Licences must be carried when driving. If the driver's licence is not in the English language, the visitor must carry an International Driver's Permit accompanied by a valid home driver's permit.

Outback Travel.
You can drive all the way around Australia on Highway 1, or through the middle from Adelaide to Darwin on sealed/bitumen roads. This system of all-weather roads and highways will take you to all of the major tourist attractions. But not very far off the beaten track you may find yourself on dirt roads. If you plan to travel dirt roads or 4WD tracks you'll have to book a 4WD vehicle. It's here you need to be most prepared for the outback. Take precautions when travelling independently in isolated Outback areas. Plan your trip with the aid of a reputable map, stay on recognised routes and check facilities and road conditions before departure. Advise someone of your route, destination and arrival time and ask them to notify the police if you have not contacted them by an agreed time. Make sure you carry ample supplies of petrol, food and water. Allow at least five litres of water per person per day. Drink water regularly and in sufficient quantities to prevent dehydration. In the case of a breakdown, stay with your vehicle where there is shade and protection from the heat. When driving a rental vehicle, you should contact the vehicle-rental company, which will arrange to send a road service to your location to repair the vehicle.

Tips.

  • Keep up-to-date maps handy.
  • Monitor weather and road conditions - particularly in the wet seasons in Australia's North (November to March).
  • On outback roads - particularly at night - cattle, sheep and kangaroos are common hazards.
  • Cattle grids should be approached slowly, with car.
  • Slow down for oncoming road trains (trucks) and give them plenty of room.
  • Avoid driver fatigue. Take regular two hour breaks and avoid driving more than 5 hours a day.
  • Never exceed 60 km/h on unsealed or gravel roads.
  • If you plan to travel through Aboriginal Land, you must obtain a permit early.

TRAVEL DISTANCES

Adelaide

2683

Albany

1538

3581

Alice Springs

2075

4396

2994

Brisbane

511

2775

1630

1621

Broken Hill

4277

2638

2748

4680

4379

Broome

3487

5808

2416

1715

3033

4007

Cairns

1209

3892

2747

1267

1108

5218

2712

Canberra

3628

1311

4146

5341

3720

1463

5500

4837

carnarvon

1766

4030

2329

746

1255

3998

1377

1264

4975

Charleville

3041

4441

1503

3435

3133

1881

2857

4034

3175

2770

Darwin

2200

899

3098

3913

2292

2183

5325

3409

1506

3547

4601

Kalgoorlie

2725

4125

1187

3119

2817

1566

2541

3718

2959

2454

316

4320

Katherine

732

3415

2270

1697

857

5010

3109

651

4360

1661

3773

2932

3457

Melbourne

2719

4762

1181

1813

2403

2869

1235

2412

4265

1148

1622

4314

1306

2809

Mt Isa

2721

404

3619

4434

2813

2229

5846

3930

907

4068

4037

599

3721

3453

4800

Perth

320

2363

1218

2033

412

3966

3445

1529

3308

1667

2721

1880

2405

1052

2399

2401

Port Augusta

4357

2040

3294

5226

4449

611

4648

5566

874

4561

2423

2235

2107

5089

3413

1636

4037

Port Hedland

2409

4730

2490

637

1955

4173

1078

1634

5574

878

2931

4247

2615

2031

1309

4768

2367

4722

Rockhampton

1419

3937

2792

978

1162

5226

2693

289

5067

1237

4007

3639

876

2310

3975

1574

5611

1477

Sydney

2044

4087

506

2488

2136

2241

1910

3087

3640

1823

997

3639

681

2776

675

4125

1724

2788

1984

2984

Tennant Cr

1999

4320

2866

128

1545

4582

1783

1224

5265

618

3307

3837

2991

1621

1685

4358

1957

5098

705

936

2360

Toowoomba

3141

5462

2070

1369

2687

3755

346

2366

5154

1331

2511

4979

2195

2763

889

5500

3099

4302

732

2347

1564

1437

Townsville

Travel Distances
All distances shown in Kilometres. To convert these distances into Miles use the following calculations. Kilometres x .625 = Miles