Driving in Australia? Here’s what you need to know.
Everything you need to know about driving vacations in Australia, from finding gas stations to traveling across the outback, is included in this guide.
By Lee Atkinson
A road trip vacation is one of the most exciting and well-liked methods for visitors to Australia to see the country. It doesn’t matter whether you want to stick close to the water or explore the interior of the country;
There are plenty of gorgeous roads to choose from. The road system in this country is extensive, and there are a number of simple choices for renting a vehicle or campervan.
Although some rural and remote places have dirt roads, the majority of highways in the country are paved and have clear signage. In addition to this, gasoline is readily available (however it is recommended that you bring an extra fuel container along with you if you want to travel in a more rural location).
As soon as you leave the larger cities, the traffic is minimal, and the majority of drivers are courteous; in Australia, it is customary to wave hello to other vehicles on the road.
HOW TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE IN AUSTRALIA
Always keep left while driving.
When it comes to driving in Australia, the fact that we drive on the left side of the road is the single most critical fact you need to be aware of.
If you’ve spent most of your life driving on the other side of the road, simply keep in mind that you should keep as near to the center of the road as possible at all times.
Also, stay in the left lane unless you’re passing another vehicle (passing should always be done on the right); a broken white line in the middle of the road indicates that you can pass another vehicle if it’s safe to do so;
However, if there are two lines, you can only pass another vehicle when the line closest to you is broken.
Best advice
If you are not accustomed to driving on the left side of the road, it is recommended that you rent a vehicle that has an automatic gearbox so that there is one less thing for you to get used to.
To the right, please give way.
Roundabouts, also known as traffic circles, move in a clockwise manner and require drivers to yield to oncoming traffic on the right. At junctions, you should also yield to traffic coming from the right.
If you drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, often known as a stick shift, you will need to train yourself to change gears using your left hand rather than your right.
It’s possible that the indicators and windshield wipers will be located on the other side of the steering wheel from what you’re accustomed to, but the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal will always be in the same spot.
Licences
You have up to three months to drive with your foreign driver’s license as long as it is translated into English within that time.
When you get behind the wheel, you should never leave home without your passport, even if it doesn’t include a picture. If the language on your driver’s license is not English, you will need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you leave your home country.
This permit may be obtained through your local car association.
PRINCIPLES TO KEEP IN MIND
Seatbelts
In Australia, wearing a seatbelt is mandatory, and there are additional regulations concerning the use of child safety seats and infant capsules.
You are required to wear a helmet if you are on a motorcycle, scooter, moped, electric bicycle, or regular bicycle.
Mobile phones
Even if you are waiting at a red light or are otherwise unable to move, it is against the law to use a cell phonewhile operating a motor vehicle.
Make sure you have a cradle that allows you to use your phone without having to hold it if you plan on using it for navigation.
Driving while impaired is illegal.
The legal limit for blood alcohol content is 0.05, and it is a violation of the law to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Police all around the nation perform random breath and drug testing at highway checkpoints.
Speed limitations
Because the metric system is used in Australia, all measures, including speed restrictions, are done in kilometers rather than miles.
In spite of the fact that the stated speed limit in metropolitan areas is often fifty kilometers per hour, you should constantly adjust your driving style to account for the current weather.
The majority of the country’s other roadways have a maximum speed restriction of 100 kilometers per hour, although some portions of highway allow for 110 kilometers per hour.
On the other hand, reduced speed restrictions are regularly stated on all open roadways, notably in the vicinity of educational institutions.
It is important to resist the urge to go faster than the posted speed limit since the highway patrol is highly stringent about enforcing these laws.
In some states, going only one or two kilometers above the limit is enough to result in a ticket, and it is common practice to utilize covert speed cameras.
If you fail to pay the penalty, the amount will be charged to the credit card you used to rent the automobile or deducted from the security bond you posted.
Parking
Always park on the left side of the road. Never on the right. It is against the law to park with your back to incoming traffic.
Check to see if there are any parking signs; 2P, for instance, indicates that you may park for two hours, while 3P indicates that you can park for three.
The laws are also tightly enforced, and if you overstay the authorized period, you may be subject to a fine.
Even though the gates at the railroad crossing are open, you are required to come to a complete stop before proceeding across the crossing.
Additionally, pedestrians always have the right of way, regardless matter where you are.
HOW TO PURCHASE FUEL IN THE COUNTRY OF AUSTRALIA
Fuel types
However, many 4WDs, motorhomes, and certain campervans may use diesel; it is important to confirm this before you fill up your tank.
Unleaded gasoline is the most common kind of fuel used in vehicles on Australian roads.
Garages and service stations
In Australia, gas stations are referred to as fuel stations; however, the common term for these establishments is “servos,” which is an abbreviation for “service station.”
They are convenient not just for using the restroom but also for purchasing additional supplies of gasoline, beverages, and food.
On all of the main roadways, you’ll find servos spaced out at regular distances. They are also referred to as roadhouses in more rural locations, and they frequently include adjacent cafés and places to stay.
Access and readiness are both available.
Fuel is often accessible around the clock in cities and other big towns, although in rural locations, particularly in the outback, gas stations may be closed throughout the night and on weekends.
Diesel is more commonly accessible than standard unleaded gasoline in the outback, and many Aboriginal settlements offer opal fuel instead of regular unleaded gasoline.
However, regular unleaded gasoline may still be used in any vehicle that ordinarily runs on diesel.
The majority of gas stations feature self-service pumps, so once you’ve refueled your vehicle, you’ll often need to step inside the building to pay for your purchase.
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN AUSTRALIA
The use of maps and navigating
Even though the roads in Australia are adequately marked, it is still important to have a map whenever you are driving. Mobile phone service may be spotty outside of cities and major towns, so you shouldn’t depend on it for navigation if you’re in such areas.
If your automobile does not have a built-in navigation system, the majority of rental car agencies also provide the option to rent a GPS satellite navigation system, often known as a satnav.
Tolls on the roads
Toll roads make up a significant portion of the roadway network in our nation’s major cities; drivers are required to carry an electronic tag or pass in order to make payments on these roadways.
You may rent one of these along with your automobile or campervan, or you can purchase a visiting permit from the website of the local state roads and traffic authority before you go out on the road.
The majority of the time, you will also have the option to pay online up to three days after you have used the road. At each of the toll gates, there will be a sign displaying either a website or a phone number.
Etiquette
The automobile horn is seldom used in Australia, and only under extreme circumstances. If you allow someone into a gap in traffic or pull over on a tiny rural road so that they may pass you, the majority of cars will offer you a modest wave to show their appreciation.
If they also assist you, it is customary for you to return the favor by waving and expressing your gratitude.
WHERE ONE SHOULD SLEEP DURING A CAR TRIP
There are hostels, motels, hotels, and bars.
When it comes to locating a place to stay on a road trip, travelers have a lot of options to choose from. Motels often provide rooms with private bathrooms and parking close to the building.
Country hotels, sometimes known as pubs, are an economical choice; nevertheless, most of the time, guests are required to use bathrooms that are shared.
Caravan parks, also known as vacation parks or tourist parks, are virtually always present in small towns and villages around Australia, even though hostels and other forms of budget housing for travelers are not always available.
These are wonderful possibilities if you want to camp with a tent or a campervan, but most of these parks also feature cabins, which may be more cost-effective than hotel rooms.
In addition, most of these parks provide coin-operated laundry facilities and common kitchens for guests to use. Many are located in breathtaking settings, such as along rivers or in close proximity to beaches.
If you are on a trip with your family, you will find that many of these places include amenities similar to those found at resorts, such as swimming pools and playgrounds.
The campsites in national parks are also wonderful locations to set up a tent, and although they all have restrooms, the vast majority of them do not have showers or access to running water (tap water usually needs to be boiled).
In rural regions, several municipalities provide free overnight parking for campervans, RVs, and other recreational vehicles that have a bathroom on board (often described as self-contained).
You may also choose a fantastic location to set up your tent with the assistance of mobile applications like wikicamps and hipcamp.
WHERE TO STOP ON A MOTORCOACH ADVENTURE
Coastal
One of the most well-known coastal drives in Australia is located in Victoria and is known as the Great Ocean Road.
However, there are many other magnificent coastal drives in Australia, such as the Grand Pacific Drive located just south of Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef Drive located north of Cairns, and the Coral Coast in Western Australia.
Best advice
It’s advisable to avoid driving at night in the outback and other rural places, since it’s difficult to spot creatures like kangaroos and other wildlife while it’s dim out.
The peaks and the brush
The Great Alpine Road is a breathtaking mountain drive that spans the Australian Alps, while the Flinders Ranges in South Australia are one of the most picturesque vistas in the Australian wilderness. Both of these roads are in Australia.
Spend a week or two driving through the wine areas north of Adelaide, or spend a little longer on a circuit of Tasmania, where it seems like every road is a picturesque one.
Either way, if you are a traveler with a keen sense of taste, you won’t be disappointed.
Outback
If you want your travels to be raw and unrefined, you really must take a road trip through the Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory.
If you’re looking for more outback experiences, the Red Centre Way, which travels from Alice Springs to Uluru, is one that you won’t soon forget.
If you’re interested in some 4WD action, you’ll adore the Gibb River Road, which is located in the Kimberley area of Western Australia.
Topic: Driving in Australia
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I am arguably the most popular Australian writer of all time. I am from the town of Karrinyup in rural Western Australia. When I was young, I was fascinated by the unique landscape of Australia, and I decided to support himself by writing books about the Australian landscape.
