When driving in Australia, you will notice the roads are well signposted. Signposts will mark routes, points of interest, speed limits and warnings. If you are planning to travel around Australia by car, you will be able to turn your GPS off during longer stretches of road and navigate by signpost only.
If you plan to self drive in Australia make sure to stick to marked speed limits. Australian road rules are strictly enforced. Roads are frequently patrolled by police and on speeding ‘hot spots’ are often targeted by fixed speed cameras in unmarked cars on the side of the road. Fines are quite hefty and not something you’ll want to add to your holiday budget. Unmarked, but strongly enforced, are 50km/hr limits in suburban streets. Additionally, please ensure that you slow down during school times and obey the reduced speed limits.
100km/hr is the norm for freeways (unless otherwise signed) although some more remote areas allow up to 110km/hr. Smaller highways you’ll travel at 70 – 80km/hr. It’s usually 60km/hr on smaller connecting roads. If you see police or emergency services on the side of the road, make sure you slow down to 40km/hr for their safety. This rule is in force even if you are in a 100km/hr zone. This new rule has been designed to keep emergency officers safe whilst working on the side of the road. If you speed on past you may be issued a fine.
Great tips! You’re making me miss driving in Australia. It’s so funny that I’ve been driving in the US for three years but as soon as I go back home to Australia, I feel like I’m a much better drive. I much prefer driving on the left,and dealing with round abouts instead of stop signs.
Those 4 way stop signs in Canada killed us. I’m not sure if they have them in the US. We still didn’t quite get it even after a week haha!
This is pretty useful guide for renting cars. Been thinking about this should we visit Australia again, and maybe rent a camper van to hit the road.
I am always a bit cautious about hiring a car in another country. Posts like this are great so that you are well prepared. Thanks for sharing.
I’m going to Australia next year and started to think about transportation. I would consider driving but I would have to be more confident on driving on the left side (I’m Canadian and I drive on the right…eek). Thanks for sharing all the great tips!
Great tips on driving in a foreign country, I think I would be scared to! I am so dying to see Australia!~\\
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Useful tips for any country. I remember the first time I drove in England…it was a scary experience to say the least! If only I applied some of your tips… You learn from your mistakes!
Your advice to hire a personal driver when visiting Australia is wonderful. I really appreciate your information that a personal driver will be able to navigate the streets quickly and efficiently and you can relax more. This will be really helpful for my brother because he will be vacationing in Australia during the beginning of summer.
This is so informative! I remember when I first went to Australia, the opposite roads totally confused me for awhile haha I hope to do a road trip with my boyfriend in Aussie next time when I move there in September!
Australia is so high on my list of must-visit places. I also love driving around new places and exploring on my own so you have some great tips here that I can use! Gorgeous photos too!!
I have driving experience only in the U.S. and some European countries, wonder if it would differ that much in Australia. The thought about driving on the left makes me dizzy though!