Car Hire in Australia - A Guide for the UK Traveller |
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By: Sam Philp Posted: 2008-01-06 03:50:55 |
| As a casual tourist you wanted to do was laze around on the beach and soak up the sun. You thought that lolling about, shopping and eating would be fun and you would have the time of your life.Now all that rest and relaxation has gotten boring and all you want to do is gun an engine and zoom down a wide open space without any disturbances. Australia offers numerous opportunities to born drivers who want to feel the wind in their hair. The easiest way to make the most of your trip is to look for car hire in Australia as it really opens up the whole country to you. But if you want to make sure that your experience with car hire in Australia doesn't go awry I have prepared some easy tips for you to follow so you trip and experience is positive experience. Tips for UK Drivers in Australia:-1. Since the Australians drive on the same side as the Britons (the sensible side) you don't need to worry about driving on the wrong side of the road. The car hire in Australia will probably breathe a sigh of relief when they hear that you are a British citizen, as driving in Australia is a lot easier than driving throughout Europe and the British Iles.2. You will need your passport for car hire in Australia; you also need to have a valid driver's license in order for you to actually go somewhere. International driver's licenses are easy attained from your local motoring body or organisation3. Although roundabouts are a bit confusing, you will find that they are incredibly handy for making continually needed U-turns. People have been trapped in roundabout for hours on end while they try to figure out what exit to take, so best to carry a map or ask the car hire in Australia for help if required. Or even better ask you car hire company about getting a GPS system in your hire car.4. Although roundabouts are common in town. If there is more than one lane keep the car you hire in Australia to the left if turned left or going straight through, use the right lane if turning right. Indicate left or right on entry as you would for an intersection.5. On dirt roads or single track roads in the outback drive in the centre of the road but slow down and pull to the left if there is on-coming or overtaking traffic.6. Always take A LOT of water with you when you are driving in Australia, getting stuck without water in the Australian outback is a lethal situation.7. Speed limits vary but are typically 50km in town and 100km on the open road or 110km on the freeway. The open speed limit in the Northern Territory is 130km (until recently it was unlimited). Near schools you will see 40km limits during school opening/closing times, school terms only. Keep a close eye on this as the speed camera operators find it very easy to meet their quota by setting up shop near schools.8. Remember that not all cars are automatics in Australia, though they are becoming more common, so it might be an idea to keep this in mind when looking for car hire in Australia.9. Central Melbourne has the notorious hook rule on a few central city intersections. The central city has an extensive tram network with trams running down the middle of the road and having right of way over cars. When you want to turn right at one of these intersections you move to the leftmost lane and wait until the light turns red against you and then you have the right away in front of the traffic driving straight thru on your left. It is very weird but does in practice work surprisingly easily.10. Scarily on narrow inner city streets you will share the single lane with trams as well and yes, you give way to both the tram and passengers walking across your path to alight or enter the tram.We hope that some of these tips will make your experience driving around Australia more pleasant and memorable. Just remember that it is a truly massive country and car hire in Australia is really the only way to get the freedom that you will need to see all of the sights that appeal to you. AussieCasino07.Sam Philp is a garduate of Tourism from Swinburne Univeristy in Victoria, Australia. He has extensive experience travelling Australia and is regular writer on Casino in Australia and Cheap Car Hire Australia |
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