The road trip is a great way to explore a new country. Whether you’re a single traveller or a family, there’s nothing quite like being on the open road, exploring a new culture and stopping wherever the fancy takes you. Some enjoy driving to a strict itinerary, whereas others like the flexibility of being able to find new things as they go along, making it feel like more of an adventure. Whatever your style, a destination that’s becoming very popular for road trips is Australia. With plenty of natural beauty, as well as great attractions, here are just a few of the reasons why it’s the perfect place to hit the road:
Image: travel4kids.com.au
1. There are plenty of exciting routes
If you prefer to go on a route that’s been travelled before, there are lots of suggestions for routes online, from road trips through the wilderness, to city to city trips with plenty of stops along the way. Some popular routes include:
Darwin to Broome – 20 hours of driving
Melbourne to Sydney – 9 hours of driving
Sydney to Perth – 40 hours of driving
Brisbane to Adelaide – 22 hours of driving
Along the Great Ocean Road
Although this may seem like a lot of driving, it can be spread over as many days or weeks as you like, with plenty of small towns and attractions to visit on the way. Therefore a 20 hour trip can involve five hours of driving over four days, or just a couple of hours a day over two weeks. It’s really up to you and depends how much time you have to spend.
2. It’s easy to hire a car
Most foreign licences are acceptable in Australia, and you have up to three months before you have to get an international licence. Therefore, if you’re just in the country as a tourist, it’s easy to get a vehicle from the Travel Car Centre without lots of extra paperwork. Hiring a car can also allow you to make one way trips, useful if you’re planning to catch a flight home from a different city. Just remember that Australians drive on the left!
3. Navigation is a breeze
If you’re going from city to city, there are no tiny side road to negotiate. In fact, Australia’s highway system is incredibly easy to navigate, mostly modern, and usually very well signposted. By using the iconic Highway 1, you can travel on an epic round trip around Australia, but at 9,010 miles it’s not for the faint hearted.
If you’re not used to driving long distances, make sure you’re well prepared for your trip. Find out where rest areas and motels are located along the way, and be sure to stop every few hours. If you can share the journey, that’s even better, as it allows you to take in some of the scenery as a passenger. You should also make sure you’ve got some basic supplies on you, as there are certain stretches with very few facilities.
4. There’s something for everyone
Whether your dream trip involves hopping between cities, spending time in the desert, spending time on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, or climbing mountains, Australia really does have something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you decide to tour one of the many national parks, or stop for a tour of a vineyard, you’ll be amazed at the wide range of activities that are on offer. You’ll no doubt return from your trip with a great deal of impressive photos, as well as memories that will last a lifetime, and a desire to return to the great country of Australia.
About the Author:
Started in 1986, Travel Car Centre is a company specialising in providing vehicle hire services. To know more about campervan rental in Australia, turn to travelcar.com.au.