Travel Australia

Travelling Australia By Road

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 often the only way to gain access to some parts of Australia that are serviced only by road transport. Australia’s major roads and highways are all sealed, so you can see just about all the major attractions the country has to offer without going off the bitumen.

Australia’s towns and cities are linked by a network of well signposted, well maintained sealed highways and major roads which allow for easy travel between localities. In most states, the speed limit on the open road is 110 kilometres per hour. In built up areas the speed limit is either 50 kilometres per hour or 40 kilometres per hour. Speed limits are clearly marked with International-standard signage. In Australia, a drivers licence from your home country or another Australian state is sufficient to drive a motor vehicle in all states and territories, as long as it is current, has photo identification and is for the same class of vehicle you intend to drive.

Iconic Road Trips

In our busy, modern-day world where we expect everything to happen instantly, travel time is so often seen as an inconvenience and a waste, rather than an opportunity to take it easy, relax, stop and smell the roses. If you are one of those people to whom the journey is as important as the destination, these are the iconic drives across all Australian states and territories that will not only enhance your travel experience, but could well be the highlight of your travels. They include a variety of journeys, from single day trips to cross country treks.

Regional Road Trips

These journeys are ideal for anyone in a capital city or major regional centre who is desirous of getting out of the big smoke and exploring the surrounding countryside or regions beyond. As with the interstate road trips, most of these drives are on sealed roads and are suitable for any kind of vehicle – 2 or 4 wheel drive, campervan, or towing a caravan or trailer, except where stated otherwise.

Road Travel Distances

By state: Tas | Vic | NSW | Qld | NT | WA | SA

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Driving Times

Allow 1 hour for every 100 km of travel on Australia’s major highways. Increase this by 20% when calculating travel times on lesser roads which travel through regional centres and small towns. Breaks of up to 30 minutes should be added every two to three hours to counter driver fatigue. The best way to prevent driver fatigue is to make sure you have enough sleep before driving, regardless of the length of your trip. Rest areas are places where you can park safely, get out of your car and refresh yourself before continuing on your journey. They are available 24 hours a day all year round and are clearly signposted. Service centres, petrol stations, parks and country towns are other places you can stop and take a break from driving.