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Australia is so vast (and so
empty in places) that something like 80% of long-distance
trips by public transport are made by air. For
many years, Qantas and Ansett monopolised the
domestic scene and a cosy cooperation between
the two ensured that domestic air travel remained
relatively expensive. Recently Ansett and the
regional airlines it owned have either collapsed
or run a skeleton service, while upstart airlines
have taken on Qantas, and there's a sense of competition
in the air. Few people pay full fare for domestic
air travel because the airlines offer a wide range
of discounts, including random discounting and
air passes.
Few people travel long-distances
by train because it's usually the slowest mode
of overland transport and remains relatively expensive
(though it is generally more comfortable for overnight
trips).
There are several long-distance bus companies
but only one truly national service, Greyhound
Pioneer Australia. Buses are comfortable, but
if you're travelling between major cities, be
prepared for a long trip. Australia has a skeletal
rail network linking all major cities except Darwin.
Many visitors group together and hire or purchase
a car. The latter can be an economical way of
travelling around Australia, as long as you don't
have too many mechanical failures. Highway 1 circumnavigates
the continent, sticking close to the coast much
of the way. Watch out for monstrous road trains
(trucks with multiple trailers) on outback roads;
naturally it's wise to give way to anything bigger
than yourself.
River Boats
In popular holiday areas, you can rent boats ranging
from dinghies to multi-berth sailing yachts to
motor cruisers to houseboats. You can either sail
the boat yourself or rent one with one or more
people aboard as crew. In most cases, you'll need
to return the boat to the place where you picked
it up, although you may be able to arrange a one-way
charter, especially if the boat is crewed.
Train
Local train services are a great way to get around
in the major cities or from one state to the other.
One way to explore Australia's east coast is
with a Countrylink East Coast Discovery Pass.
You get six months' economy class travel, one
way on NSW's Countrylink and Queensland Rail's
rail and coach networks, plus unlimited stopovers.
Car
Vehicle Hire: Many travellers prefer
to rent a vehicle rather than take a guided tour.
The major international car rental companies are
located here and most of them have both conventional
(2-wheel-drive) and 4-wheel-drive cars and campervans.
Most car-rental companies restrict where you can
go, so be sure to check before you head off onto
unsealed (unpaved) roads or even all the way across
or around the country. Also check exactly what
the insurance covers. The standard insurance for
rental cars often does not include damage to tires
and windscreens (windshields), but you should
be able to pay a bit more to include that coverage.
Be wary also of the "excess" or deductible
clauses, the amount you pay for any damage before
the insurance covers the remainder.
Caravans and Tent-trailers: A caravan
(called "travel trailer" or "mobile
home") is towed by a car or truck. New and
used caravans are readily available. Some are
designed specifically for off-road use. Many popular
designs use a pop-top to keep the caravan's profile
low during towing. Trailers with fold-out tents
are very popular; some of these open into quite
elaborate structures.
Motorcycle: You can buy or hire a motorcycle,
or take an escorted tour. The requirements for
buying a motorcycle are similar to those for buying
a car.
Bicycle: You can buy or hire a bicycle,
or take an escorted tour and if you happen to
be visiting West Australia there are literally
miles and miles of cycle paths taking you almost
from one end of the state to the other. If you
enjoy cycling, this is the state in which to do
it as it’s one of the flattest.
People can and do ride bicycles around the whole
country, but it's difficult unless you have a
support vehicle carrying your supplies. Although
Australia is mostly flat, compared to many countries,
it's a very long way between towns in much of
the country, and you have to carry a lot of water.
Most roads are quite dangerous for cyclists because
they don't have much of a shoulder and in many
cases the shoulder isn't paved.
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