Explore Australia by Car
Australia is the smallest continent and the largest island in the world. In terms of size, it is nearly as large as the 48 adjacent U.S.. With 20.4 million people in population, largely concentrated in the eastern and southeastern coastal urban areas. This means that there are huge open spaces to explore in the rest of the country, and this can often be accomplished by car. Stunning coast lines, inland mountainous areas and verdant tropical forests with exotic plants and wild life are there for the traveler to see.
A traveler with an international driving licence or a validated American or European driving license in English can easily arrange for a car rental at the airport or hotel. There are heaps of car hire companies offering various types of vehicles, from different makes and sizes of cars and SUVs to minivans, camper vans and RVs, minibuses, and 4WDs. No matter what your needs and requirements are, there will always be a vehicle to suit you. Just to illustrate, those who want to camp can find campervans that will sleep up to 6 people, and come equipped with a microwave, gas stove, griller and refrigerator. Some even have double beds, toilet and shower in addition to the mini kitchen. There are four-wheel-drives that would be suitable for more tough terrain. If you are travelling on a budget, there are economy compact cars and economy campers. There are also convertibles and luxury large cars.
Driving in Australia can be dissimilar from other countries: driving on the left side of the road, observing the different speed limits (in kilometres) and regulations in the States to be visited, checking weather and road conditions before travel, letting police know of travel plans if driving in rural areas, making way for the road trains (a semi-truck hauling 3 large trailers), etc. Anticipate the car hire company to provide detailed information on driving rules and regulations, supplies to take (most importantly, plenty of water), processes in case of emergency, potential dangers such as wildlife and driving at night, as well as accommodations, routes and resources on the road. Study and preparation in advance will ensure a successful and enjoyable car vacation in Australia.
