While British drivers may complain about spending a couple of hours in the car to get from one side of the country to the other, in Australia it is a fact of life.
Indeed for some, such a journey may be a weekly necessity – a mere nip to the shops – in a country that measures over 1,842,675sq miles.
Yet, the vast distances Down Under are not discouraging overseas visitors from renting a car during their stay in Australia due to the complete independence and flexibility it offers.
And the value for money is good too. For seven days and six nights, the cost of hiring a Group B car is around £160 with rental companies such as Hertz, including unlimited mileage and tax.
One-way car rentals are also possible, sometimes at an extra cost, allowing travellers to drop off the car at their final destination rather than driving in a complete circle.
For total independence, hiring a campervan or motorhome meets visitors’ travel and accommodation needs simultaneously. Rates for a mobile home sleeping two adults start at around £34 per day with Maui.
Alternatively, other options for self-drivers include buying a hotel pass from companies such as Best Western Hotels and Flag Choice Hotels. Flag produces a series of brochures that outline suggested routes and accommodation.
Travel Weekly has compiled a selection of six of Australia’s most popular flydrive itineraries:
Great Pacific Touring Route
Route: Sydney to Brisbane.
Distance: 603 miles.
Time: six days/five nights.
Highlights: this tour is one of contrasts, boasting great beaches and soft-adventure opportunities. Start with wine tasting in the Hunter Valley near Sydney; surfing at Newcastle; dolphin watching at Port Stephens and four-wheel-drive safaris on the giant sand dunes at Stockton Beach. A stop at Coffs Harbour for white-water rafting on the Nymbodia River or surf rafting in the sea is a must before heading on to picturesque Byron Bay, the most easterly point of Australia. From here it’s a 6hr drive to Brisbane along the Gold Coast.
Accommodation en route: four-star Hunter Valley Resort; four-star Peppers Anchorage, Port Stephens; four-star All Seasons Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour; the four/five-star boutique hotel Rae’s On Watego, Byron Bay.
Operator view: “For a first-timer to Australia, this is the best route because it is so varied, giving a real cross-section of attractions and activities. Whether you’re looking for soft adventure, culture or relaxation on a beach, you’ll find it along the way. It’s well signposted and the roads are well maintained.”
Robbie Orr, deputy head, Tradewinds`
Desert Safari
Route: circular route from Alice Springs via Ayers Rock, the Olgas and King’s Canyon.
Distance: 844 miles.
Time: five days/four nights.
Highlights: this tour explores Australia’s Red Centre – a vast desert of rich, brilliant red sand – and other famous natural attractions such as King’s Canyon and the mighty Ayers Rock. Just 1hr (34 miles) from here is Kata Tjuta, also know as the Olgas. Be sure to walk down the Valley of the Winds where you will be dwarfed by the enormous, smooth-rounded boulders.
Accommodation en route: four-star Alice Springs Resort; three-star Kings Canyon Resort; and four-star Sails in the Desert at Ayers Rock.
Operator view: “This tour lets you experience the true heart of Australia and being in the desert doesn’t mean you need to ‘rough it’. There is a wide range of quality accommodation, though you should book in advance. Don’t underestimate the length of your journey. Always ensure that you have enough petrol, the next service station could be some distance away, and always carry plenty of water. Stick to the sealed roads, unless you are in a four-wheel drive.”
Tim Jones, marketing co-ordinator, Qantas Holidays
TABLE: I’m still standing: the Twelve Apostles are one of the highlights of the Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road
Route: Geelong to Nelson in Victoria.
Distance: 278 miles.
Time: two days/one night.
Highlights: with golden beaches on one side and the forests and mountains of the Ottway Ranges on the other, this is one of the most stunning coastal drives in the world. Pretty fishing villages such as Anglesea and Apollo Bay lead to the Port Campbell National Park with its amazing collection of rock sculptures. Most famous and impressive are the Twelve Apostles – huge stone pillars that tower above the sea, and London Bridge, a rock arch jutting out into the ocean.
Accommodation en route: three-star Apollo International, Apollo Bay; three-star Mid City Motor Inn, Port Campbell.
Operator view: “This route offers breathtaking scenery with viewpoints allowing easy parking and the opportunity to get great photographs. It is just one well signposted road so driving is straightforward. We suggest drivers extend the route by starting in Melbourne and ending in Adelaide, taking in the Barossa Valley on the way – this takes around three days and two nights.”
Jayne White, product manager, Kuoni
Western Route
Route: circular route from Perth to the Pinnacles.
Distance: 1,066 miles.
Time: six days/five nights.
Highlights: one of the most popular attractions in Western Australia is Monkey Mia within the Shark Bay World Heritage and Marine Park. Here dolphins swim into knee-deep water, nudge up against you and even take fish from your hand. The other popular site is the Pinnacles Desert. Set within the Nambung National Park near Cervantes, the flatness of the desert is broken only by peculiar limestone pillars, some up to five metres high. From here, it’s 161 miles back to Perth.
Accommodation en route: Mercure Inn, Geraldton; Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, Monkey Mia; Kalbarri Beach Resort, Kalbarri; Cervantes Motel, Cervantes.
Operator view: “Western Australia is surprisingly undiscovered – if you see another car along the way you’ll be lucky, but watch your speed, the police are hot on speeding out there. Don’t underestimate the time it takes to get around -Êit’s around 540 miles from Perth to Monkey Mia so stops along the way are a must. Mind you, when you get there it’s well worth it – I’d recommend a stay of at least two days. The Pinnacles are incredible and further north into the Kimberley is also beautiful.”
Andrew Chapman, marketing director, Ausbound
Discover Tasmania
Route: Hobart to Launceston via Strahan, Cradle Mountain and Davenport.
Distance: 399 miles.
Time: six days/five nights .
Highlights: Hobart is a beautiful, historic city nestled at the base of Mount Wellington on the edge of the River Derwent. Nearby is the Tasman peninsula and Port Arthur. This tour will take you through some of the island’s stunning countryside among the wild mountain scenery of Lake St Clair National Park. At Cradle Mountain walk through Pencil Pine Forest before heading off to Devonport, stopping to admire the views of Leven Canyon. At Launceston make time to explore its many museums.
Accommodation en route: four-star Franklin Manor, Strahan; three-star Cradle Mountain Lodge, St Clair National Park; four-star Birchmore, Davenport; four-star Novotel, Launceston.
Operator view:”Primarily Tasmania appeals to repeat visitors who have experienced the ‘must-see’ locations on the mainland. The vast majority of visitors choose to explore by car. Tasmania offers a fantastic combination of historical sites like Port Arthur and superb National Parks. The state is perfect for self-drives and is one of our biggest selling areas for pre-planned routes, as well as being very popular for independent car hire. In addition, the fact that driving distances are so manageable is another reason in encouraging people to travel independently in Tasmania.”
Andrea Robinson, product manager, Travel 2
Queensland Coast
Route: Brisbane to Cairns.
Distance: 1,150 miles.
Time: seven days/six nights.
Highlights: glorious beaches, a plethora of islands to explore and the colourful Great Barrier Reef are the highlights along this route. Partying opportunities abound along the commercial Gold and Sunshine Coast, while Hervey Bay is possibly one of the best places for whale-watching between August and mid-October. Just off-shore is Fraser Island – the world’s largest sand island where you can join a four-wheel-drive tour. Further north are luxury islands such as Hamilton Island, Dunk Island and Hayman Island. Airlie Beach is one of the best places to join a cruise or take a diving course. Then on to Cairns – the centre for activities and day trips to areas such as Cape Tribulation or Daintree Forest.
Accommodation en route: three-star Saville Suites, Surfers Paradise; four-star Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island; four/five-star Palm Cove, Cairns.
Operator view: “There are so many attractions that, if time is on your side, you will be stopping every few miles. The biggest attraction is the Whitsunday Islands which must be explored. But you must be prepared to leave the car while you go on a cruise – sometimes for a couple of days.”
Harry Phillips, marketing co-ordinator, Jetset