There was an old line from the movie Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy which went: “Space is big. Really big”. For the traveller who has yet to experience the great southern continent of Australia, this line could well have been written about Australia.
The fact is, Australia is a massive country, and the sheer size of it quite often confounds first-time arrivals. This is particularly true for backpackers and those who want to extend their travel itinerary well outside of the capital cities.
Travel in capital cities
Tourists landing in Aussie capital cities will find that the major urban centres are what would be expected in a western nation. From the Central Business District out to the suburban sprawl, public transport is relatively cheap and easily accessible. Trains, buses, and taxis abound, and in the case of Melbourne, an inner-city tramway adds a neat old-world touch to the transport network.
Internet connectivity is generally good, with multiple WiFi hotspots available if you look for them. So you can track your progress on Google maps or while away your travel time with online sites like spinpalace.com/nz/ as you transit around any of the major metropolitan areas.
For those preferring to drive themselves, hire cars are plentiful, and the bitumen road systems are world-class and relatively easily navigated, especially with a Satnav. For American arrivals, remember that Australia follows the left-hand drive system and the metric system. Car rentals are typically available at major airports and central city locations, so hiring a vehicle is easy.
Domestic air travel
Unless the plan is for a longer-term road trip from place to place, the quickest and most convenient mode of travel between capital cities is by air. Considering that a road trip from east to west across the continent can take two to three days, depending on stopovers, flying is the best way to cover those long distances in a relatively short time!
Travelling by road
If the plan is to travel outside of the cities to visit rural areas, the traveller will find a range of some of the most stunning road trips in the world. Generally, roads are of good quality and sealed, even in remote areas, but be prepared for rough dirt tracks if travelling the outback.
Depending upon the location and time of years, the sheer range of conditions encountered surprises many a first-time traveller and can span humid tropical rainforest in the north, to a desolate desert in the centre, and even snowfields in the south.
The tip is to be prepared and study the route well in advance of the trip. Take clothing and equipment to suit the conditions. For extended outback trips, be sure to seek local advice, take necessary survival equipment, and always let somebody know where and when you are travelling.
Travel by train
On the east coast, capital cities are connected by train, and this may be an alternative option to air travel if time is less of a consideration. Other stunning train journeys are available, including the Ghan, which travels across the outback from south to north and follows the old camel routes of Afghan cameleers.
A big country
Remember: “Australia is big. Really Big”. Be prepared and plan the adventure early, as there is an awful lot to see on this stunning continent.
