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Driving in Australia
Driving conditions Roads between cities are generally two-lane only. There are usually overtaking lanes at regular intervals, generally at ascents which slow trucks, and these are signposted some distance in advance. Outback tracks For a really spectacular drive, tackle an Outback track. A few of these are suitable for a conventional two-wheel-drive car but always take local advice before setting out. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are also available for hire. Remember that when things go wrong in the Outback, disaster can follow quickly, so prepare thoroughly for your trip and stay within the limits of your experience. Tell someone your route and destination and ask them to notify the police if you have not contacted them by an agreed time. Permits are needed to pass through most Aboriginal land, and also to visit some national parks. Bad weather Seasonal rainfall can quickly wash out a track and make it impassable. Roads may be closed in the wet season even to four-wheel-drive vehicles to avoid them churning up the surface which, when dry, forms impassable ruts. Fines for drivers using a road that's officially closed can be severe. Speed limits A general speed limit of 60kph applies in built-up areas but lower limits - down to lOkph in a shared traffic zone - may be posted. Speeding and drink-driving are severely dealt with in Australia and police make extensive use of radar to enforce speed limits. Try speeding in the state of Victoria and you will certainly be caught and fined. By contrast, the Northern Territory is one of the few places left in the world to have no open road speed limit, but even there police will expect you to stick to an appropriate speed for the conditions. Animals Cattle and kangaroos are a major hazard on country roads. A collision with a heavy creature like this can be serious, and further accidents are caused by drivers swerving to avoid an animal. Local cars are often fitted with roo bars to lessen the impact but hire cars usually aren't. Avoid driving at night, and take great care around dawn and dusk when animals are most active.
Ayers Rock (Uluru) is in the heart of the Outback but is easily accessible by paved highway Traffic priorities The give way to the right rule applies. In built-up areas priorities are usually clearly marked, but on rural roads with no markings be ready to yield priority to vehicles entering from the right. Rural roads are often single track. Pull off the road to let oncoming traffic pass - if you simply pull on to the gravel at the side of the road and keep driving you risk getting a cracked windscreen from flying stones. In more remote areas, it's customary and polite to acknowledge drivers you meet with a wave of the hand. Pull well over and slow down if you see a road train coming. These 50-metre long monster trucks can kick up a blinding plume of dust. Don't drive with your arm (or any other part of your body) hanging out of the window - it's an offence in the Northern Territory. Parking Always park in the direction of traffic flow. A no-standing sign means you may stop to let passengers on or off. There are parking meters in cities. Illegal parking will attract the attention of the local 'brown bombers' (parking wardens who, confusingly, wear grey uniforms). Trams Trams are a feature of driving in Melbourne. Only overtake a tram on the left, and stop behind at halts to allow passengers on and off. Obey road markings at right turns to avoid obstructing trams. Fuel Fuel is generally cheaper than in the UK, but prices can rise significantly in isolated areas. Fill up with fuel whenever you can in remote areas, especially before weekends when filling stations may close. If you're relying on getting fuel at an isolated filling station, phone ahead first to check it hasn't run out of supplies.
Extracted from Haynes Glovebox guide DRIVING ABROAD by Robert Davies. This authoritive guide provides a wealth of information on all aspects of driving abroad. Order from www.haynes.co.uk
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Away from its major cities Australia has vast, empty stretches of wild country. Outback Australia is magnificent to drive through but distances are huge so don't be over-ambitious when planning your itinerary and take frequent breaks to guard against fatigue. Even Melbourne and Sydney, which look so close on the map, are a 550-mile drive apart. If you're planning a big trip, consider hiring cars separately in areas you want to explore and travel between them by plane or train. Motorhomes are becoming easier to hire, though are less popular than you might expect; most tourists stick to a car and spend the nights in the good value motels that abound across Australia.
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