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Australia offers a huge range of
options for those visitors wishing to explore at
their own pace and under their own steam. Whether
you arrive in Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns or any of
the other capital cities there are self-drive holiday
options to suit everyone.
Australia offers driving holiday
experiences that can range from a few hours to a
few weeks. As you drive Australia’s roads and highways
you can visit small fishing villages and isolated
beaches along the coast, the laconic country towns
in Australia’s famous outback, spectacular ancient
rainforests that open onto unspoilt sandy beaches
in the tropical north, the rugged wilderness of
Tasmania, the majestic vastness of Australia’s arid
interior and you will meet Australia’s colourful
and wonderfully hospitable people along the way.
Australia is a large and in some
areas, sparsely populated, country. The distances
driven can be large (the distance between 2 towns
in Australia can be the equivalent of driving across
several European countries) and it is not uncommon
not see another car on the road, or any sign of
human habitation for many hours, also the time spent
behind the wheel can be long and drivers must be
aware of fatigue – driver fatigue accounts for 20%
of motoring fatalities in Australia.
Major highways in Australia have
many rest stops where drivers can pull off the road.
During Holiday periods, when most accidents occur,
many small towns also have ‘driver reviver'
stops where drivers can stop, stretch their legs
and get a free cup of tea or coffee. It is recommended
that drivers stop for a break at least every 2 hours.
The main danger periods are during the night and
in the very early morning or in the afternoon (1pm-3pm).
As much driving in Australia is
done in remote areas there are several things drivers
should keep in mind – always carry a spare tyre,
always carry a first aid kit and drinking
water. If you see an animal on the road at night
dim your lights and brake – avoid swerving.
If driving through Australians
vast and remote interior carry a radio transmitter
– as it may be several days before you see another
person, also be aware of road trains, these are
large trucks, like semi-trailers, but towing a dozen
or more trailers and they travel at high speed so
pull well off the road and allow them to overtake.
Australia has strict drink driving
rules – for inexperienced drivers (under the age
of 25) the legal blood/alcohol limit is 0.02% (this
level can be reached after 1 standard drink) for
drivers over 25 the legal blood/alcohol limit is
0.05% (this level can be reached after 2 standard
drinks in an hour for men, and 1 standard drink
for women, this level can be maintained by consuming
1 standard drink per hour) It should also be noted
that a blood/alcohol level over the prescribed limit
can still be present the morning after a night of
drinking.
The only way of reducing the level
of alcohol in the blood is to allow time for the
body to rid itself of the alcohol – Black coffee,
cold showers, driving with the radio on and the
window open have NO effect.
Random Breath Testing of
drivers is carried out at the roadside throughout
Australia, including in Country areas. Drivers can
expect to be tested and penalties range from a $1,000
fine and disqualification of license for a low range
offence up to $3,000 and 18 months in gaol (jail)
for a high range offence.
It is illegal to refuse a random
breath test in Australia and the penalties for refusing
a test are the same as for a high range offence.
Many states in Australia are in
the process of implementing, or have implemented,
random road side drug testing that detects
the presence of Marijuana and Amphetamines.
A network of major highways link
all the major cities in Australia, however many
of the tourist roads are off the main highways and
care should be taken and speeds reduced when traveling
on these secondary roads.
It is essential that anyone planning
to drive in the more remote 'outback' areas
contact
one of Australia's motoring organisations beforehand
to obtain maps and advice on road and weather conditions,
supply points and spare parts to be carried. This
is not intended to deter would be tourists, but
is necessary because some of the roads in these
regions are occasionally affected by excessively
wet or dry weather.
Australia is one of the most highly
motorised nations in the world. Consequently, there
are service stations and vehicle repairers in all
cities and towns. Visitors must remember that distances
between cities and towns are often great and should
ensure they have adequate fuel and that their vehicles
are in first-class mechanical condition before driving
in country areas.
Unleaded petrol is 2-3 times more
expensive in Australia than overseas. All new cars
(this will include most rental cars) take unleaded
petrol except for commercial vehicles such as Trucks
which use Diesel Fuel. Older model cars will take
leaded petrol and this is available at most petrol
stations.
Two grades of petrol are readily
available - regular unleaded of 91 octane rating
and leaded of 97 octane rating. Many service stations
in major cities also sell premium unleaded of 96
octane rating. Most service stations also sell LPG
gas although its availability in regional and outback
areas can't be ensured. Hours of opening vary in
different areas and it is advisable to obtain details
locally.
Vehicle repairers approved by Australia's
motoring organisations are located in most major
cities and towns
National Roads and Motoring Association
(New South Wales) provides motoring, insurance,
roadside assistance and travel information in New
South Wales www.mynrma.com.au
●
Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) provides
motoring, insurance, roadside assistance and travel
information in Victoria.
www.racv.com.au
● Royal Automobile Association
(RAA) South Australia provides motoring information,
weather & road reports for South Australia.
www.raa.net
● Royal Automobile Club
(RAC) Tasmania Tasmania's leading motoring association
offering an enormous range of services
www.ract.com.au
● Royal Automobile Club
(RAC) Western Australia provides membership services,
insurance, finance & motoring help.
www.racwa.com.au
● Royal Automobile Club
of Queensland (RACQ) provides motoring, travel &
insurance services within Queensland.
www.racq.com.au
● Automobile Association
of Northern Territory provides motoring services
within the Northern Territory. 08 8981 3837
Driving licences and permits
must be carried at all times while in charge
of a motor vehicle. Overseas driving licences held
by bona-fide tourists and valid for the class of
vehicle being driven are recognised (usually up
to a maximum period of one year) throughout Australia.
In some States and Territories it is necessary for
visitors to present their licence to the motor vehicle
registration authority on arrival.
International Driving Permits (IDP)
held by bona-fide tourists are recognised in all
Australian States and Territories and are preferred
with national licences. In Victoria, overseas visitors
are permitted to drive on their IDP provided they
do not reside in that State for a continuous period
of three months or more.
While each State and Territory
has its own legislation regarding road rules they
have adopted national standards on road rules, consequently,
there are few differences between driving regulations
throughout Australia. It is, however, essential
to learn and observe the traffic signals, rules
and road signs applicable in each state.
Visitors are urged to obtain a
copy the "Highway Code' (English & foreign language
versions of road rules and advice for international
drivers can be downloaded from relevant government
department – in New South Wales this the Roads and
Traffic Authority at
www.rta.nsw.gov.au ) of the particular Sate
or Territory in which they intend to travel. These
are available from
Australia's
motoring organisations.
In all States and Territories it
is compulsory to wear seat belts if these are fitted
to a vehicle in both the front and rear seats. Children
must travel in the rear seat and be properly restrained
by an approved child restraint or adult seat belt
if fitted to the vehicle. Child restraints are readily
available for hire or purchase in Australia. Failure
to comply will result in a fine.
Australian child restraints must
be fitted with a top tether which is attached to
a suitable mounting point on the vehicle. Use of
European style child restraints without a top tether
is therefore illegal. Suitable restraints are available
from care hire companies
The general rule in Australia is
'keep to the left' except when preparing to make
a right turn or when travelling along a road where
two or more lanes are marked in the same direction
only.
The speed of a vehicle must be
controlled to suit the road, traffic, lighting and
weather conditions and to ensure compliance with
any speed limits. Outside built-up areas there is
usually a general speed limit of 100 kilometres
per hour (km/h) or 110 km/h on freeways. In built
-up areas (where there is street lighting), the
general speed limit is 50 km/h. Speeds higher or
lower than the general limits may be permitted or
prescribed in 'speed zones' eg. in school zones
during school hours. These are defined by means
of restriction signs showing the maximum speed applicable
to the zone.
All major cities and some major
highways, in Australia employ the use of unmanned
speed cameras that will detect speeding offences
even when there is no police presence.
This signs have black and red markings
on a white background – these signs tell drivers
of laws that must be obeyed eg.
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Speed limit 60km/h |
Drivers must
not turn right |
Roundabout
Ahead |
Advisory signs usually diamond
shaped and have black marking on a yellow background,
they show dangers ahead, suggested maximum speeds
in good conditions, or how long to look out for
a particular hazard eg.
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look out for
kangaroos |
road ahead curves
to the right |
road is slippery
when wet |
More information
about road rules can be obtained at the NSW Roads
and Traffic Authority's
International and Interstate Visitors Web
When overtaking vehicles going
in the same direction a driver must do so on the
right hand side, except when the other driver has
signalled they intend turning right or where there
are traffic lanes marked on the roadway. Crossing
the centre line on a blind crest or a curve is strictly
prohibited. In some States and Territories, single
or double unbroken lane lines must not be crossed
from either side.
Overtaking may also be restricted
by road markings as follows:
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Double unbroken
lines:
Crossing prohibited from either
side.
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One line unbroken,
one line broken:
may be crossed from broken side
only.
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In the event of an accident, the
driver must stop. Name and address should be supplied
to other parties involved. This is compulsory in
New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, where
the registration number and vehicle owner's name
and address must also be supplied.
Reporting
procedure varies, but if there is any personal injury,
possibility of injury or significant damage arising
from the accident, it must be reported immediately
to the Police and insurers. It is wise to check
with the local Police at the time of an accident
in relation to reporting procedures. In all cases
stop at the signal or request of any Police Officer.
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