| Touring Australia by car offers a unique freedom | | | | well-marked. |
| and more and more people choose to traverse | | | | The motorways are classified as 'A' routes. Their |
| this beautiful land on their own four wheels. For | | | | speed limits are between 60 and 68mph (100 and |
| New South Wales and the Queensland coast, no | | | | 110kph). 'B' routes are smaller highways, usually |
| special considerations need to be taken into | | | | having two lanes, but are equally well-maintained. |
| account when renting a car. Just make sure the | | | | rates Australia rental autos You can comfortably |
| seats are nice and soft, as you'll be in the car for | | | | travel at 60mph (100kph). When you get into |
| long periods. | | | | suburban areas or city driving, this will be |
| If you're heading for the hinterlands of central | | | | considered a 'C' route and your speed should not |
| Australia, it's a different matter altogether. A | | | | exceed 30 to 35mph (50 to 60kph). |
| four-wheel drive vehicle is a must, and you'll need | | | | If you're heading to the outback, regular highway |
| to bring your own food and water supplies as well | | | | rules apply, except on the Northern Territory's |
| as extra fuel. | | | | remote roads. These roads are long, narrow and |
| It is generally a hassle-free experience to rent a | | | | straight. For the most part, these routes are |
| car in Australia. As long as you are staying for | | | | hassle-free, but be prepared for a few potholes |
| less than 6 months, you can drive anywhere with | | | | and adverse weather conditions. A dust storm will |
| your driving licence from home. deals Australia car | | | | reduce your speed to a crawl. |
| rentals Australia recognises foreign licences and | | | | Service stations are spread roughly between 60 |
| you are not required to use an international | | | | and 200 miles (100 and 300kms) along |
| permit. | | | | motorways, many of them open 24 hours, |
| The road rules are fairly straightforward and | | | | making it easy to travel continually. A few hours |
| common sense should prevail. Everyone in the car | | | | is all you should undertake in one driving session |
| must be strapped in with a seat belt, while 0.5mg | | | | before stopping to rest. The best way to travel is |
| ml is the legal alcohol limit. The police conduct | | | | to plan ahead to stop somewhere overnight. |
| random stops in all states. Australians drive on the | | | | Having more than one driver will also help the long |
| left-hand side of the road. | | | | journeys to pass more easily. |
| The driving age is 16 to 18 years old, depending | | | | In the outback, it's not so cut and dry. The |
| on the state. Expect to part with anywhere from | | | | operating hours of service station are erratic, and |
| A$0.90 to A$1 per litre at the pump. You may | | | | you may not find it as easy to use your |
| notice prices are higher in the outback compared | | | | overseas credit card. As with everything in the |
| to those on a highway near Sydney. | | | | outback, it's always better to plan ahead as there |
| In developed areas, Australia's motorways are | | | | are many more chances to be stranded in this |
| excellent. They are all paved, wide and | | | | massive desert. One precaution could be to join |
| uncongested outside of the big cities. They are | | | | an auto club. In case of emergency, dial: 13 11 11 |
| also simple to navigate with all signs being | | | | for roadside assistance. |