Car travel around Australia certainly allows you to explore the country in depth, however, you must take into account the large driving distances. There are various options open to you, whether you buy your own vehicle or hire a car or a van to travel around Australia.
Driving around can work out expensive, unless you are travelling in a group. You have to consider fuel costs, costs of parts and labour if something should go wrong, insurance fees and other general car running costs. However, you do save money on other transport ticket costs, as well as having the flexibility to travel when and where you want.
Car Rental and Hire in Australia
If you hire a rental vehicle it offers you flexibility and independence, with the security that if something goes wrong with the vehicle it will be replaced or repaired.
If you are planning on camping or travelling long distances it would be a good idea to hire a van rather than a car, as it gives you more storage space, and often cooking and sleeping facilities. This means you can stop and rest for the night at one of the camping grounds or designated camping spots, without having to find accommodation.
Avis is the leading car rental company across Australia. With over 240 locations around the country including all major airports, Avis is conveniently located close to your favourite holiday destination.
The average age of the Avis fleet is less than a year and ranges from the economical Toyota Corolla through the popular Holden Commodore to the luxurious Holden Statesman, plus the exciting Astra convertible, Renault Laguna and the Rover 75 Connoisseur. Vehicles also include the 4WD Mitsubishi Pajero and the roomy 8 seater Toyota Tarago.
Travelling to an unfamiliar city? Add Avis’ portable GPS to your rental and never get lost again.
Avis is also a partner in a wide range of rewards programs including the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, the Air New Zealand Air Points program, British Airways Executive Club and United Airlines Mileage Plus program.
Valid for Rentals commencing on or before Sunday 25 March 2012
Rent a Group X (e.g. Hyundai Getz) through to Group P (e.g. Ford Falcon XR6) with Avis in Australia for 3 days, including a Saturday night keep and receive the 3rd Day Free.
Include coupon TPPA034 in your reservation. Offer valid on rentals commenced prior to 25 March 2012. Blackout period: 22 December 2011 to 3 January 2012.
# Subject to vehicle availability
# Free day is applicable to time and kilometre charges only
# Rental must include a Saturday night keep
# Avis standard age, credit and driver requirements apply
# Offer available at corporate and participating licensee locations in Australia
# Subject to the terms and conditions of the Avis Rental Agreement at the time of rental
# Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, coupon or promotion and is not available on package tour, travel industry or government rates
Valid for Rentals commencing on or before Sunday 25 March 2012
Rent any car with Avis in Australia for 7 or more consecutive days and receive your 7th day free of the time and kilometre charges.
Include coupon number TPPA022 in your reservation. Offer valid on rentals commenced prior to 25 March 2012
# Subject to vehicle availability
# Free day is applicable to time and kilometre charges only
# Rental must include a Saturday night keep
# Avis standard age, credit and driver requirements apply
# Offer available at corporate and participating licensee locations in Australia
# Subject to the terms and conditions of the Avis Rental Agreement at the time of rental
# Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, coupon or promotion and is not available on package tour, travel industry or government rates
Valid for Rentals commencing on or before Sunday 25 March 2012
Rent any car with Avis in Australia for 15 or more consecutive days and receive 3 days free of the time and kilometre charges. Plus, you can earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points*.
Be sure to include coupon number TPPA035 in your reservation. Offer valid on rentals commenced before 25 March 2012. Blackout period applies.
# Subject to vehicle availability
# 3 free days applicable to time and kilometre charges only
# Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer
# Offer applies to rentals commenced before 25 March 2012
# Blackout period: 22 December 2011 - 3 January 2012
# Offer available at corporate and participating licensee locations in Australia
# Refuelling service charge, local taxes, excess kilometres, optional insurance cover, Vehicle Registration Fee, Concession Recovery Fee or Premium Location Surcharge (if applicable), administration fee, miscellaneous charges, and GST on these items are not included
# The standard Under 25 Fee around Australia is $28.46 including Administration Fee and GST
# This applies to all drivers aged 21 to 25
# Drivers under 25 can only rent car groups Economy - Standard 4 door automatic
# Avis standard age, credit and driver requirements apply
# Subject to the terms and conditions of the Avis Rental Agreement at the time of rental.
Valid for Rentals commencing on or before Sunday 25 March 2012
Rent any car with Avis in Australia for 12 or more consecutive days and receive 2 days free of the time and kilometre charges. Plus, you can earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points*.
Be sure to include coupon number TPPA038 in your reservation. Offer valid on rentals commenced before 25 March 2012
# Subject to vehicle availability
# 2 free days applicable to time and kilometre charges only
# Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer
# Offer applies to rentals commenced before 25 March 2012
# Blackout period: 17 December - 3 January 2012
# Offer available at corporate and participating licensee locations in Australia
# Refuelling service charge, local taxes, excess kilometres, optional insurance cover, Vehicle Registration Fee, Concession Recovery Fee or Premium Location Surcharge (if applicable), administration fee, miscellaneous charges, and GST on these items are not included
# The standard Under 25 Fee around Australia is $28.46 including Administration Fee and GST
# This applies to all drivers aged 21 to 25
# Drivers under 25 can only rent car groups Economy - Standard 4 door automatic
# Avis standard age, credit and driver requirements apply
# Subject to the terms and conditions of the Avis Rental Agreement at the time of rental.
* You must be a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program to earn points in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program. A joining fee applies. Points are not awarded on package tour, government, travel industry and some corporate rates
Valid for Rentals commencing on or before Saturday 31 March 2012
Rent a car with Avis in Australia for 4 days or more and save $20 on your rental, and at selected locations get an Avis Holiday Vouchers Booklet valued at over $300. Plus, you can earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points*.
# Blackout period: 17.12.11-03.01.12.
# Subject to vehicle availability
# Offer applies to car groups B, C, D, E, P, G, H, L and Z.
# Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, coupon or promotion and is not available on package tour, travel industry or government rates
# Offer available at corporate and participating licensee locations in Australia
# Avis standard age, credit and driver requirements apply
# Subject to the terms and conditions of the Avis Rental Agreement at the time of rental.
Valid for Rentals commencing on or before Saturday 31 March 2012
Rent a car with Avis in Australia for 6 days or more and save $30 on your rental, and at selected locations get an Avis Holiday Vouchers Booklet valued at over $300.
Plus, you can earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points*.
Offer valid on rentals commenced prior to 31 March 2012. Blackout period: 17.12.11-03.01.12. Include coupon number MPPA105 in your reservation.
# Subject to vehicle availability
# Offer applies to car groups B, C, D, E, P, G, H, L and Z.
# Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, coupon or promotion and is not available on package tour, travel industry or government rates
# Offer available at corporate and participating licensee locations in Australia
# Avis standard age, credit and driver requirements apply
# Subject to the terms and conditions of the Avis Rental Agreement at the time of rental.
* Membership and points are subject to the terms and conditions of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. A joining fee may apply. For more information about earning points on car hire see Qantas.com.au.
Budget
Budget is renowned for meticulously maintained vehicles and quality service. Budget offers a wide range of cars, 4WDs and minibuses as well as Australia's largest fleet of trucks and commercial vehicles. The fleet is constantly being updated to ensure you enjoy the best in comfort and safety.
Budget also offers the convenience of over 240 locations Australia wide, so you are never far from a pick up point or friendly advice. We offer not just great rates but a variety of additional services to provide you with added value each time you rent from Budget.
Valid for Rentals commencing on or before Saturday 31 March 2012
Free Upgrade on us when you rent for 2 days or more.
Special Offer Details
Rent an Economy car (E.g. Group A, Hyundai Getz or similar) through to a Full Size car (E.g. Group E, Holden Commodore or similar) for 2 consecutive days or more and receive a free one car-class upgrade* (to a maximum Premium Full Size car, Group P).
Quote coupon UPNZ009 when making your booking. Offer is valid for rentals commencing between 9 January and 31 March 2012
# Upgrade valid for car groups A, B, C, D and E with a maximum upgrade from Group A to Group B, Group B to Group C, Group C to Group D, Group D to Group E and Group E to Group P.
# Offer valid at participating Budget Australia locations, excluding the locations from Western Australia.
# Minimum rental: 2 day.
# One way rentals are not permitted.
# Driver must meet Budget age; driver's licence and credit requirements.
# Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, coupon or promotion including local branch specials. Cannot be used with contracted, corporate or industry rates.
# Vehicles and upgrade are subject to availability.
# Subject to the terms and conditions of the Budget Rental Agreement at the time of rental.
Valid for Rentals commencing on or before Saturday 31 March 2012
2 Days FREE when you rent for 10 days.
Special Offer Details
Rent a Group B, Group C, Group D, Group E or Group P car from participating Budget Australia locations for 10 consecutive days or more and get 2 days FREE of time and kilometre charges*.
Quote coupon TPNZ090 when making your booking.
Offer is valid for rentals commencing between 9 January and 31 March 2012.
# Offer applies to car groups B, C, D, E, and P only.
# Offer subject to vehicle availability.
# Offer valid at participating Budget Australia locations, excluding Perth City, Perth Airport, Fremantle, Burswood, Redcliffe and Balcatta.
# 2 days free will be applied at the time of rental.
# Minimum 10 day rental applies.
# Offer valid at participating Budget Australia locations
# Rate includes GST, Admin Fee and Vehicle Registration Recovery Fee.
# Rate excludes Refuelling service charge, optional excess reduction and other optional miscellaneous charges.
# One-way rentals are not permitted.
# Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, coupon or promotion including local branch specials, contracted, corporate and industry rates.
# Driver must meet Budget age; drivers licence and credit requirements.
# Budget standard age, credit and driver requirements apply.
# Subject to the terms and conditions of the Budget Rental Agreement.
Valid for Rentals commencing on or before Saturday 31 March 2012
Rent a Group B car or larger from participating Budget Australia locations for 3 consecutive days or more and get $20 OFF your rental.*
Quote coupon number MPNZ068 when you book.
Offer is valid for rentals commencing between 9 January and 31 March 2012.
# Offer applies to car groups B, C, D, E, P, K, F, G, H, L, V and W only.
# Subject to availability.
# $20 off is applicable to time and kilometre charges only.
# Offer valid at participating Budget Australia locations.
# Minimum 3 day rental applies.
# Rate includes GST, Admin Fee and Vehicle Registration Recovery Fee.
# Rate excludes Refuelling service charge, optional excess reduction and other optional miscellaneous charges.
# May not be used in conjunction with any other promotional, coupon or discounted offer including corporate, travel industry, net and non-discountable rates as well as local branch specials.
# Driver must meet Budget age; drivers licence and credit requirements.
# Budget standard age, credit and driver requirements apply.
# Subject to the terms and conditions of the Budget Rental Agreement at the time of rental.
Valid for Rentals commencing on or before Wednesday 19 December 2012
Book your 2012 holiday today and save!
Rent a Group B or larger from participating Budget Australia locations for 7 consecutive days or more and get your 7th day FREE of the daily base rate*.
Quote coupon TPNZ002 when making your booking.
Valid for rentals commencing between 9 January and 19 December 2012.
# Offer applies to car groups B, C, D, E, P, K, F, G, H, W, V and L. Subject to availability.
# Offer valid at participating Budget Australia locations.
# 7th day free will be applied at the time of rental.
# Minimum 7 day rental applies.
# Offer valid at participating Budget Australia locations
# Rate includes GST, Admin Fee and Vehicle Registration Recovery Fee.
# Rate excludes Refuelling service charge, optional excess reduction and other optional miscellaneous charges.
# One-way rentals are not permitted.
# Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, coupon or promotion including local branch specials, contracted, corporate and industry rates.
# Driver must meet Budget age; drivers licence and credit requirements.
# Budget standard age, credit and driver requirements apply.
# Subject to the terms and conditions of the Budget Rental Agreement.
Buying a Car in Australia
If you buy your own vehicle then there are a few things you should consider beforehand. It is generally better to buy a Holden, Ford, or another known Australian car, as you have more chance of getting hold of parts if you do break down in the outback or a small country town. Although the Car Registration (Rego) includes basic insurance, this only covers you for injury and not vehicle or property damage. For this reason it is best to buy extra insurance, just so you are covered in the unfortunate case of an accident. Also check the vehicle over before you buy it, and if need be pay the RAA to do this for you.
Rules when Driving in Australia
Below are a few rules and guidelines for driving in Australia:
Drive on the left-hand side of the road
Give way to the right
Never drink and drive, as tere are large fines if you are found with a blood-alcohol level of more than 0.05%
Always stick to the speed limits as there are cameras around the cities, towns and along the highways. The general speed limits are 50km in built up areas, and 110km on highways
Always carry at least one spare tyre (two when driving in the outback) as blowouts are common
When driving in the outback and on long journeys make sure you carry plenty of water in case you break down
If travelling through the desert or remote areas, make sure that you carry a radio transmitter so that you can communicate in case of an emergency
Always carry a basic first aid kit which can act as a temporary measure against injury, until further help can be received
Try to avoid driving at night as this is when road trains and animals are out on the road
Always pull over to allow road trains to pass, as if they have to pull out to overtake, their carriages often start to sway and can knock you off the road
If you are going to hit an animal press the brakes and dim your lights, although try to avoid swerving unless it is safe to do so
