Driving Around Australia: What Do I Need to Know?
If you're thinking of staying for a long time in Australia, one of the best ways to see all of Australia is by car. Driving around Australia gives you the freedom to plan your own route, you're not tied to certain destinations and restricted on times for buses.
The beauty of driving is if you decide to stay longer in a place, you can and if you don't like a place you can just move on without having to wait for scheduled trains or buses to take you to your next destination.
Companies such as Avis, Thrifty and Europcar all operate in Australia. The minimum age is 21 to rent a car and and there's a large choice of different rental cars to choose from. A Ford Falcon station wagon is amongst the most popular rental car and they are reliable and easy to drive.
Because of the long distances and vastness of the country, it's advisable to partner up with travel buddies. Not only will you have someone to share the driving with but it also adds to the safety aspect in case you break down in remote locations. Australians do drive on the right side of the road so be careful when going around roundabouts if you're used to driving on the left.
You may choose to just buy a car instead and the cities are the best places to pick up a bargain. If you're starting your road trip from New South Wales, hostels in Sydney, Australia can point you in the direction of where to buy one.
Many travellers sell their cars after they have been travelling so a good tip is to think where your end destination will be to be able to sell the car afterwards. You need to consider how many people will be travelling with you and how much luggage you can fit in whilst still being comfortable.
Most cars that are advertised indicate if any mechanical checks have been performed so that you know exactly what you're buying before you see it. There's also the Sydney Travellers Car Market which provides the opportunity to talk directly with the owners before you buy.
Summer time between September and February is a great time to think about selling on your car as there are more travellers around and you may end up selling it for what you paid at the beginning which works out much cheaper than renting a car.
The beauty of driving is if you decide to stay longer in a place, you can and if you don't like a place you can just move on without having to wait for scheduled trains or buses to take you to your next destination.
Companies such as Avis, Thrifty and Europcar all operate in Australia. The minimum age is 21 to rent a car and and there's a large choice of different rental cars to choose from. A Ford Falcon station wagon is amongst the most popular rental car and they are reliable and easy to drive.
Because of the long distances and vastness of the country, it's advisable to partner up with travel buddies. Not only will you have someone to share the driving with but it also adds to the safety aspect in case you break down in remote locations. Australians do drive on the right side of the road so be careful when going around roundabouts if you're used to driving on the left.
You may choose to just buy a car instead and the cities are the best places to pick up a bargain. If you're starting your road trip from New South Wales, hostels in Sydney, Australia can point you in the direction of where to buy one.
Many travellers sell their cars after they have been travelling so a good tip is to think where your end destination will be to be able to sell the car afterwards. You need to consider how many people will be travelling with you and how much luggage you can fit in whilst still being comfortable.
Most cars that are advertised indicate if any mechanical checks have been performed so that you know exactly what you're buying before you see it. There's also the Sydney Travellers Car Market which provides the opportunity to talk directly with the owners before you buy.
Summer time between September and February is a great time to think about selling on your car as there are more travellers around and you may end up selling it for what you paid at the beginning which works out much cheaper than renting a car.
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