In The Air
International
All major airlines offer routes in and out of Australia and as tourism to the southern hemisphere continues to boom, fares have become increasingly affordable. Prices will vary across the airlines and are affected by the seasons, with the Christmas period generally being the most expensive. Each of the State capitals has at least one airport, as do many smaller towns. Indeed in some remote areas of the country air travel is the only way to reach some towns and there is a Flying Doctor service.
Domestic
Thanks to the introduction of Richard Branson’s Virgin Blue and the more recent arrival of JetStar (launched by Qantas to compete against
Branson), domestic air prices are at all-time lows as the airlines battle for dominance of the skies. Both of these airlines operate multiple routes across the country and the Tasman sea and are continually expanding their routes as demand for low fares increases. As you would expect from these corporate giants, both offer efficient services at excellent prices, enabling both locals and visitors to make the most of the sights and cities that Australia has to offer.
On The Ground
TrainsAustralia’s trains are clean and comfortable and, on the whole, the service is efficient and fairly priced. All major cities across the country have rail links, some operating to smaller rural towns, and there are some breathtaking scenic routes to be experienced.
Buses
The bus network in Australia is extensive and covers most destinations in the country. Buses are clean and comfortable with essential air conditioning. Do bear in the mind the size of the land when travelling as some journeys can take days, so ensure that you are prepared for the trip.
Useful national coach operators:
Greyhound Pioneer Australia.
www.greyhound.com.au (no relation to Greyhound in the USA).
www.busaustralia.com
Driving
If you own a vehicle you really can experience the riches of Australia, as you can reach the places off the beaten track and away from public transport routes.
Compared with the UK, driving in Australian cities is, on the whole, a pleasurable experience. The roads are well maintained and they simply do not suffer from the congestion and traffic that are the cause of so much frustration in other countries. However, in some rural areas some places can be hard to access without a four-wheel drive as dirt roads are common.
Speed limits are 50-60 kilometres per hour (kph) in populated areas, and 100-110 kph on open roads – the equivalent of 31-37 and 62-68 mph, respectively. There are no speed limits on the open road in the Northern Territory. Limits in school areas are usually around 40 kph (25 mph). Surveillance of speeders and drink-driving (the legal limit is a tough .05% blood-alcohol level) is thorough, and penalties are high. Seat belts are mandatory nationwide for drivers and all passengers.
Renting A Car
- Avis. www.avis.com.au
- Budget. www.budget.com.au
- Hertz. www.hertz.com.au
- Thrifty. www.thrifty.com.au
Obtaining An Aussie Driving Licence
You only really need to obtain an Australian driving licence if you take up Permanent Residency as your British one is acceptable for car rental.
If you enter the country with a permanent visa you are allowed to drive on your UK licence for the first three months after becoming an Australian resident. After this you will be required to change to an Australian driver’s licence. As in the UK, you will need to pass a knowledge test, an eye examination and in some cases a driving test. However, Australia recognises countries that have comparable licensing standards to Australia (including the UK) and if you are applying for a class C (car) licence and hold a current UK licence, or one that expired within the last five years, you should not be required to take a driving test.
For information on the Australian driving test refer to:
www.licencequest.com.au
Owning A Car
You can purchase a car easily in Australia and you will be familiar with most of the makes and models on offer. Prices are competitive and do shop around for deals.
To drive a car legally on Australian roads you must register the car. This procedure can vary throughout the States. In general, in order to do this you must have:
- Proof of your identity.
- Proof of how the car is in your possession or proof of how you bought the car.
- A current compulsory third party or green slip – this is the most basic form of car insurance and all you need to drive legally. However, this only covers third party medical costs. It does not cover damage to your own vehicle, nor to the third party’s. Additional insurance is not required, though, obviously, it might be wise to take some out.
- A pink slip – the equivalent of a UK MOT certificate – which is an inspection report verifying that your car is in good enough condition to be used on the roads.
- You will also need to pay an annual registration (‘rego’) fee which is the equivalent of our car tax and is a legal requirement.