Getting around in Australia

Australia has very different regions and climates. It's important to plan where to go and how to get there.

When you compare car-hire, insurance, petrol and accommodation costs in Australia, you can see that a flight from Sydney to Perth is more appealing. If you're short on time, you can either rely on internal flights or visit only one region.

How much time you have, your level of luxury, and your carbon footprint are some of the factors that should be considered when choosing the best way to travel around Australia.

If you're short on time, you'll need to take internal flights

Only flying can take you to more than one state. The main domestic airlines in Australia offer regular flights to major cities and tourist sites. The major players are Qantas and Virgin Australia.

Traveling by long-distance bus is the best budget option

Australia's extensive bus network is a reliable way to get between towns and cities, but are often vast so be prepared for long days or nights. The majority of Australian buses have air-conditioning, comfortable seats and toilets, all of which are smoke-free, as well as wi-fi andusb charging. You can ask about hop-on hop-off fares. Some operators offer discounted fares for senior citizens.

Greyhound Australia, Firefly Express, Integrity Coach Lines, and V/Line are the main bus companies in Australia.

You can take a tour to get around. Some offer the entire package, others are less formal options to get from A to B and see the sights along the way. AAT Kings, Adventure Tours Australia, Untamed Escapes, and Oz Experience are some of the popular coach tours.

Experience Australia's epic train journeys

Long-distance rail travel in Australia is something you do because you really want to. There is a certain "romance of the rails" in Australia, and trains are more comfortable than buses. There are a number of long-distance rail journeys in Australia.

V/Line within Victoria, which links up with coach connections into New South Wales, is one of the operators of inter- and inter- state trains.

Road-tripping in Australia is an amazing experience

Exploring Australia by road is one of the best ways to get around the country. You will need specialist skills, maps and equipment for motorcycle adventures.

Depending on how long you are traveling, you can either hire a car or buy one. In the hire vs buy debate, there are some things to think about.

Hiring a car or camper means you've got a reliable vehicle

It is more cost effective to hire a car for short trips. A newer, safer and more reliable vehicle is what you will get. Roadside support is available if you have any issues and your costs are fixed. There are large car-hire companies in airports. Drivers must be over the age of 21 to drive. One-way hires are more expensive.

Campervans can be rented in Australia to cover some of your costs. You have to pay to stay at a campsite or find a spot where you can free camp. Australia based companies that hire Campervans include Apollo, Britz, Hippie Camper, Jucy, Maui, and Spaceships. Car hire deals can be found at CarHire.com.

For car and van hire, all the usual advice is applicable. The contract needs to be read. You have to put down a large deposit with the car hire firm if you want to buy your own accident excess cover. All of your drivers need to have travel insurance. Before you leave, make sure to thoroughly inspect the vehicle. You should ask for unlimited kilometers in Australia as you are most likely going to travel a lot. You can find out if you can take the vehicle on the open road.

Buying a car or a van might be best for longer trips

Buying your own vehicle gives you the freedom to go where and when you please, and may work out cheaper than renting. The admin costs are one of the drawbacks of doing it yourself.

If you want to buy a vehicle in Australia, you have to transfer the registration within 14 days. There are slightly different requirements for each state. If you don't change the registration or give the vehicle away, you'll still have to pay fines from the new owners.

Transferring registration in most states requires a roadworthy certificate from the seller. Before you agree on the price of a vehicle, ask for a roadworthy certificate. This will save you money if you don't know the repair costs. There is a list of licensed vehicle tester. If you're planning to sell your vehicle at the end of your trip, you should know that it can take more time and money to register it in a different state.

It's a good idea to have a vehicle checked by an independent expert before buying it. There are lists of licensed garage to book in with directly.

Beware of common driving hazards  

There are many things to think about when traveling to Australia. The risks to be aware of are listed.

There may be animals on the road, particularly at night

Many Australians don't travel after the sun goes down because of the risks of animals on the road. Animals are common on country roads and in the desert. Slow down if you see a kerchief hopping across the road, as its friends may be just behind it.

Drive slowly and carefully on dirt roads in the countryside 

There are different road conditions depending on the weather and road condition. Cars and vans are very different on dirt. If you go faster, you won't have time to respond to a sharp turn, animals on the road, or an unforeseen hole. If you travel in tropical northern Australia during the summer "wet season" (November to April), you should be aware of the dangers of a wet dirt road.

Look out for road trains on the highways

You are likely to cross paths with road trains if you have a lack of rail infrastructure. It's risky to take. When a truck approaches, it is a good idea to get off the road. If you can, get as far out of the way as you can.

In remote areas fill up with fuel at every chance

In cities and towns, petrol stations are plentiful, but distances between fill-ups can be huge, so pay attention to your fuel gauge and those yellow road signs. If you have to take a diversion due to a flooded road or some other weather related event, filling your tank whenever you can is the best way to go. There are electric recharging spots all over Australia that make hybrid and electric road trips a viable alternative.

Do not ignore tiredness when driving 

Driving long distances in the heat can be tiring. It's very dangerous to fall asleep at the wheel. Change drivers, do some exercise, and have a coffee. If you're feeling sleepy, don't drive.

Drive responsibly and minimize your impact

There are ways to minimize your environmental impact if you buy a car or van in Australia.

• Ensure your vehicle is well serviced and tuned.
• Travel lightly and drive slower to reduce fuel consumption.
• Stay on designated roads and vehicle off-road tracks (if you’re 4WDing).
• Don't drive on walking tracks and avoid driving on vegetation. Cross creeks at designated areas.
• Always take all your rubbish if you’ve been camping overnight.
• Consider ride-sharing with fellow travelers where possible.

Road trip around Australia on this 3-month-long itinerary 

You have a tourist visa and you want to visit all of Australia? It's not possible to see everything, but if you're willing to keep moving, you can do both coasts and the outback.

You should start in Perth. To get to the west coast, take Albany to the south, then drive up to Broome, then over to Darwin. You can take a detour through Alice Springs. You can either take the Stuart Highway toAdelaide or you can take the more scenic coastal route. You can get to far north Qld via the beaches of Southern New South Wales, the waterfalls inland from Byron Bay, and the Daintree rainforest. You can always come back via bus or plane after you have off loaded your vehicle, since it has just had an extra 20,000 km added to it.

The article was updated in 34 minutes.