Australia’s vastness and distances between urban areas can make it difficult to travel by road. You will find good signage and well-maintained roads. You don’t need to travel far for scenic trips. Delivery trucks travel most often at night, leaving roads clear of heavy traffic during the day.
Only a short drive from Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road covers Victoria’s south-west coast. It offers incredible scenery. Also booking limo service for relax on the Anglesea sands or at Bells Beach, which is world-famous for its famous waves. Port Fairy is a charming fishing village. You can also join the vibrant arts community of Lorne. You must see the 12 Apostles, which is a series of limestone stacks that rise from the Southern Ocean. This route also includes Great Otway National Park, which is home to waterfalls, gorges, and many other walks. Torquay is also accessible from Melbourne. It takes approximately 1 1/2 hours. This is Australia’s most well-known surf town, and home to the Rip Curl as well as Quiksilver surfwear brands.
Phillip Island is a short day road trip from Melbourne. It lies off Australia’s southern coastline. The Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach at Sunset should be on everyone’s bucket list. A large colony can also be seen from the Nobbies Outcrop. This route is famous for motorsports.
These are our 5 Tips for Road Trip Australia
1. Seek out additional driver packages that are free
You should look out for car rental packages that include an additional driver. This reduces driving time and helps keep costs down. We have Enterprise and East Coast Rentals offering additional drivers as part of our Worldwide Car Hire Tab. The examples of cars provided by each supplier can help you make an informed decision about the size of your car. You are looking for a Motorhome instead of a rental car? We can provide you with a quote.
2. Protect yourself against the Excess
All car rentals in Australia have an excess. The average amount is about 3,000 AUD. If the car is stolen or damage, the excess is the maximum amount you will be charged. There are many ways to cover excess. You can buy a standalone car insurance package. This is the best option for a longer rental at around PS50. Also, be sure to check out Guaranteed Excess Return packages. These packages cover all drivers and the rental total. After your return, you can claim the excess. To reduce your excess, many suppliers will let you pay an additional amount on arrival. This amount is charged daily and includes VAT. This is the best way to reduce exposure and protect excess.
The stand-alone policy also covers towing costs, punctures, and other expenses. You can also add roadside assistance to the package’s basic mechanical coverage. This coverage is often refer to as travel insurance but can also be used for car rental. You will want to make sure you have the right policy when it comes to travel insurance. Your travel insurance will cover you and your belongings if you are involve in a car accident. Car hire insurance does NOT cover you or your luggage. The car will have the supplier’s emergency number on it, regardless of whether there is a collision or a mechanical problem. These numbers are usually kept in the glove box. Your rental agreement will include the emergency number on the jacket.
3. Navigation assistance should be done correctly
The vast open spaces of Australia can make it difficult for mobile phone coverage to be strong. Phone apps like Google Maps may not provide enough information for safe navigation. Tourists can easily get lost and end up in serious danger if they don’t have proper navigation. GPS devices can help you stay on the right path. Once your reservation is confirmed, we can request a GPS device for you. The daily cost of your reservation is approximately $10-15 AUD, depending on the supplier. Thrifty is one example of a supplier that has a monthly limit of $110 AUD. You might find an offer that includes a GPS free of charge. If you are planning to travel far from the main road trip, we recommend purchasing paper maps.
Pre-paid sims can also be purchase on local networks by many travellers for road trips. There are three networks in Australia that offer different coverage. Telstra offers the best coverage. Although its sims can be more costly than those of other providers, it could prove to be a good deal if you are planning to travel far.
4. It’s important to keep it full
This is true for both fuel and devices. It is not uncommon for service stations to be located far from urban centers. When you are driving long distances between cities, it is worth filling up your tank every time you pass one. Keep your gadgets charged and your GPS connected. You can then take in the sights while you’re out in the woods with fully charged equipment. For small devices such as tablets and phones, you can buy cheap dual USB chargers. An inverter is a good investment for larger devices such as laptops and camping gear.
5. Road Trip Essentials
You should take precautions if you travel through remote areas. You will likely be far from any facilities for large portions of your journey. Keep a first-aid kit with you in your car. A torch with fully charged batteries is also a good idea. It is very helpful to lower the heat inside the car while it is park. If needed, it can double as a sun visor for the side windows. Keep plenty of water and snacks in your car. If you’re far from home, you might need to wait several hours for your vehicle to be repaired. In such cases, snacks and water can help. The emergency number will be include in your rental agreement, as we mentioned above.
