Australians drive on the left hand side of the road. Tourists may drive in Australia on a valid overseas driver's licence and the same class of vehicle. When driving you must carry your licence with you as well as a valid passport. It is not sufficient to have just an International Driver's Permit.

Australia has very strict traffic and drink driving laws. Maximum speed limit in cities and towns vary from 50 km/h in residential areas, to 60 km/h on main city roads. There are also strict school-zones where you can only drive 40 km/h (couple of hours in the morning and afternoon), and these zones are frequently monitored by police. Outside cities the speed limit is between 100 and 110 km/h, unless a sign indicates otherwise (never above 110 km/h). Strict drink-driving laws apply, and seat belts must be worn by drivers and all passengers (front and back seats) at all times.

Petrol is sold by the litre and the cost varies during the week with Monday and Tuesday being the cheapest. A special additive can be added to unleaded petrol to create a 'leaded' petrol equivalent. In November 2005 the cost of 1 litre of unleaded petrol was between $1.16 and $1.26. Prices are often higher in country areas. There are many petrol stations that also sell confectionary and basic household items. They operate from early morning hours until late at night and almost always on the weekend.

Most Australians are very dependent on their cars and believe that having your own car is a must. This is partly true, especially for larger cities (Sydney in particular) and if you want to travel around the countryside.

Transport

All transport in Australia is dealt with at a federal level by the Department of Transport and Regional Services http://www.dotars.gov.au. Public transport, however, varies from region to region and town to town. Most cities have reasonably good and inexpensive public transport, with some suburbs, particularly on the outskirts of big cities, having poorer services. Public transport services are also reduced on weekends and public holidays. Australians, second only to Americans, are very attached to and dependent on their cars. This of course creates another problem - traffic jams and parking, particularly in more populated areas and cities.

Australia is a very big country with huge distances between capital cities. Whilst travelling by train between the cities can be a visually impressive experience, it can also become dull as in some parts of the country the scenery doesn't change very often. Flying from city to city saves time and is relatively inexpensive if booked well in advance, particularly during school and public holiday seasons.

Trains are the fastest form of transport when travelling within Australia's major cities. This is particularly important during peak-hours when traffic jams in Sydney can halt you for up to an hour!

Taxis operate 24 hours a day in most Australian cities. Your fare is shown on a meter displayed on the dashboard, and sometimes you will need to pay an additional fee for a motorway, tunnel or bridge toll. Some outer suburbs are only serviced by local taxis.

Sydney: public transport in the largest Australian city is an integrated service including buses, trains and ferries. There is also a monorail and tram, but more as a tourist attraction than a serious form of transport. Of all Australian cities Sydney has the most expensive public transport. Helpful websites: City of Sydney http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au (About Sydney/Parking and Transport/Public Transport), Transport Infoline http://www.131500.info/realtime/default.asp, Sydney Buses http://www.sydneybuses.nsw.gov.au, City Rail http://www.cityrail.nsw.gov.au, Sydney Metro Lightrail and Monorail http://www.metrolightrail.com.au.

Melbourne: the privatised public transport system has trams, trains and buses in the second largest Australian city. Trams are the main form of transport throughout the Central Business District and run on most main streets. Trains operate throughout the greater Melbourne area. Public transport in Melbourne is reasonably inexpensive and efficient, with trams being one of the world's most extensive networks, and the only one remaining in Australia. Helpful websites: City of Melbourne http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=140&pg=1560, Metlink guide to public transport http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au.

Brisbane: Translink provides one single public transport network of buses, trains and ferries, covering south-east Queensland from Gympie North/Noosa to Coolangatta and west to Helidon. Translink http://http://www.translink.com.au, City of Brisbane http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au.

Perth: Transperth is an integrated metropolitan public transport system and is well serviced by buses, trains and ferries. Passengers may transfer from any service to another with one ticket. The Perth Central Business District is also a Free Transit Zone, where travel is free at all times. City of Perth http://www.cityofperth.wa.gov.au (City Services/Getting Around/Public Transport).

Adelaide: has a well organized public bus and train transport system that includes a free bus service around Adelaide city. Adelaide Metro http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au has the latest route and timetable information and a journey planner. You can also find guides to fares and ticketing. There is also a tram that runs to bayside Glenelg Beach from the city and buses that also use an 'O-Bahn' dedicated track.

Canberra: in the capital of Australia public transport is provided by the Action Buses http://www.action.act.gov.au/default.cfm

Darwin: buses are the main mode of public transport, connecting the city with all suburbs within the Darwin municipality. Services run regularly seven days a week, with weekends and public holidays having less frequent timetables. Helpful website: Darwin City Council http://www.darcity.nt.gov.au/darwin.html (About Darwin/Parking & Transport/Public Transport).

Hobart: the second oldest city in Australia with an efficient public transport service provided by Metro Tasmania http://www.metrotas.com.au

Got something to add to this section? Spotted something which should be changed? Please let us know!

Click here to return to the contents page for "Australia - a guide for business travellers."