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