Getting Around in Australia

Unless you’re hopping over to Australia and setting up shop in one single city, you will most likely be doing a bit of research on your transportation options for getting around in Australia.

Don’t let the maps or the fact that there are few states in the country fool you into thinking it is small… or even of a manageable size to get around. Oh, no, not Australia. Australia is pretty much the size of the United States, but with 84% fewer states and heaps less infrastructure.

So, when you’re planning your trip from one side of Australia to the other, perhaps from Sydney to Perth, you might want to think of it in your head as the distance from New York City to Los Angeles. Yep, long.

Flying in Australia

Because of the distance from across the country, state to state or even from one town to another in the same state, the best overall method of transport tends to be flying, especially for the time poor individuals on their massive 2-week holidays. You can search for cheap airfare within Australia here on the website. Or, if you are searching for something more specific, check out the following combinations:

• Cheap flights to Sydney / Budget Airlines that Fly to Sydney
• Cheap flights to Melbourne / Budget Airlines that Fly to Melbourne
• Cheap flights to Brisbane / Budget Airlines that Fly to Brisbane
• Cheap flights to Cairns / Budget Airlines that Fly to Cairns
• Cheap flights to Darwin / Budget Airlines that Fly to Darwin
• Cheap flights to Perth / Budget Airlines that Fly to Perth

To better acquaint yourself with getting to certain attractions and destinations, you might want to have a read of this post on airports in Australia.

Driving in Australia

There’s nothing like a good campervan trip in Australia, or a road trip in general. When the sun is shining, it’s a great opportunity to drive along the coastal roads that introduce you to sweeping ocean views, cliffs and small beach towns. Driving’s main benefits are the fact that you get to control the pace of your trip and have the freedom to get out and stretch your legs as you please.

Look into renting a vehicle during your time:

• Rent a Car in Australia
• Rent a Car in Melbourne
• Rent a Car in Sydney
• Rent a Campervan

Before setting off, prepare yourself for Australian driving. Yes, we drive on the opposite side of the road here, have to deal with unsealed roads and long distances.

Train Travel in Australia

On the east coast, the train system connecting city to city is fairly decent, and internal city networks are a prime transportation method for anyone commuting to work. When it comes to crossing the country, however, train options are limited.

That said, Australia is home to some of the most epic train journeys in the world! By crossing the country from Sydney to Perth on the Indian Pacific, you ride the rails for 3 nights across the Nullarbor – the most uninhabitable section of the country. It’s an experience I wish everyone could have.

The Ghan is the other epic journey that takes individuals from Adelaide to Darwin.

Bus Travel in Australia

Bus travel, such as that with Greyhound, can take you to most places of interest in Australia, but that travel can be mighty long. You can stand up in the aisle for a minute if need be, but movement is limited. If taking the bus route, I’d be sure to pack some music and books and get comfortable for the very long ride. Or, I’d recommend trying out a hop-on hop-off option if you have the time. You might be able to find a good group bus tour on the Australia tours page.

Saving Money on Getting Around in Australia

We all love to save money, right? Getting around in Australia is generally not a cheap task, so some recommendations I have would be:

• Search for budget flights within the country
• Keep an eye on the Australia travel deals
• Search out a good Australia tour that offers value
• Travel in the off-peak season (see when to go to Australia)

Photo credit: flying, driving, train, bus.