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PLAN & BOOK: VEHICLE HIRE

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If you are planning a trip to Australia and have a rough idea of what you'd like to see, we can put together an itinerary with you that will save you time and money and suggest places to see and things to do that you might otherwise not know about. More >>


Vehicle hire

Australians don't need to be told this, but for the benefit of International travellers, let me say that if you want to get to see the real Australia, you have to do at least some of your travelling by road. Driving your own vehicle, or hiring one, is sometimes the only way to gain access to some parts of Australia that are serviced only by road transport.
Car hire is relatively easy in Australia, with major car rental chains having branches at the airports, central business districts and suburban centresin the metropoliltan areas of Australia's capital cities. Most regional centres also have branches. In Australia, with many car rental chains it is possible to hire a vehicle at one locality and return it to another, even in another state. A surcharge usually applies to cover the cost of return of the vehicle to its home branch. To plan or book vehicle hire, select from one of the options in the right hand column.

Vehicle transfer, the cheapest way to rent a vehicle

Transfercar is an online relocation service providing really cheap rental cars, motorhome and campervan hire. Some cost only a dollar a day to hire, though most times it's free. So how can they afford to do this?
Here in Australia we call it relocating but overseas the concept is called driveaway or one way hire. Rental car or camper van companies need to move vehicles between their branches all the time. They can either use expensive trucks or trains or they can let you drive it for free. The rental operators win, you win. More >>

Vehicle purchase, a viable alternative for overseas travellers

Purchasing an older vehicle is a viable option to renting one, thanks to websites like Cars 4 Backbackers/Travellers Auto Barn which provide a useful service for travellers wishing to take up this travel option. Travellers can purchase a cheap car, campervan, station wagon and 4wd through the website, and when they have finished with it when they are ready to leave Australia, they simply advertise it on the website and sell it to another traveller seeking their own set of wheels during this visit to Australia.
Using the search engine (right), check out what vehicles are available. If you like what you see, you can put down a deposit, securing that vehicle for the day you arrive. You can buy vehicles from an unlimited number of private sellers who can list for free, or from Travellers Auto Barn, which has sold over 30,000 vehicles to backpackers since 1993. 
All vehicles bought through Travellers Auto Barn come with 3 day money back guarantee, 5000km engine/ gear box warranty and a guaranteed buyback from six Australia wide locations. All campervans and wagons come with the ability to sleep in the vehicle ... meaning big savings on your accommodation budget.
Check out what vehicles are available at the time you want to travel by using the search engine on this page.


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Driving in Australia

Australians drive on the left hand side of the road. The maximum speed limit in cities and towns is 60km/h (35mph) and on country roads and highways, 100km/h (62mph) - 110 km/h (68 mph) unless signs indicate otherwise. Strict drink-driving laws apply. It is illegal for both drivers and passengers to not wear a seatbelt and you must have your drivers licence with you at all times when you’re driving or you will be fined.

Tourists may drive in Australia on a valid overseas drivers license for the same class of vehicle. Licenses must be carried when driving, in addition to a valid passport. An International Drivers Permit is not sufficient by itself and must be accompanied by a valid drivers permit.