Transports in Australia
Australia is a huge country, with points of interest very geographically distant from one another. However, most metropolitan and regional areas can be reached by public transportation. Airlines, trains, and bus networks serve the country well. Despite this, many people, especially those outside of larger cities, prefer the convenience of having their own car over dependence on public transportation.
Air travel in Australia
Most major Australian cities are separated by long distances but can easily be reached by air travel. Australian airlines and airports are modern, efficient, and safe, serving both business and personal travelers. Fares can be competitive, as many airlines fly the same routes as one another and want to compete against each other for customers. You can often save money on flights by booking online well in advance of your travel, avoiding peak travel times, such as holidays and school vacations, and by participating in airline loyalty programs.
Websites like Kiwi, Kayak, and Google Flights allow you to compare prices for domestic flights around Australia. Flights, depending on distance, can vary hugely in price. However, due to the sheer size of Australia, flying can be the most efficient way to see all Australia has to offer.
Australia's major domestic airlines include:
- Qantas: Qantas is Australia's national airline and operates flights to most major Australian cities, as well as many regional destinations.
- Virgin Australia: Virgin Australia is one of Australia's largest airlines and operates flights to most major Australian cities
- Jetstar: Jetstar is a low-cost airline owned by Qantas and operates flights to many Australian cities and regional destinations.
- Regional Express (REX): REX is an Australian regional airline that operates nationwide flights to many regional destinations. REX offers a single class of service.
As well as these major airlines, smaller regional airlines operate flights to more remote parts of the country, such as Airnorth, Cobham Aviation Services, and Sharp Airlines. It's worth researching your destination in advance rather than just going with the more famous carriers, as small airlines often have reasonable prices. It's worth noting that following the COVID-19 pandemic, some airlines have reduced their domestic flight schedules, increased prices, and limited some routes.
Long-distance train travel in Australia
Australia has about 41,000 kilometers of railways; however, train travel in Australia is slow, so it is not usually a popular method of travel for those seeking the swiftest way to get from A to B. However, it is popular with tourists who make the most of the longer travel times and use the slow pace to see and explore the country. You can travel partly by train with trips from Brisbane to Rockhampton, Sydney to Perth, which spans the Australian continent from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean, or Adelaide to Darwin, which is a 47-hour journey. It is a great way to view the vastness and diversity of Australia and is very comfortable, but unlike in some other countries, railway travel in Australia is not a budget option. Instead, traveling long distances by train involves hefty price tags starting from AUD 3,000 up to AUD 8,000.
Some of the long-distance rail options to check out include:
- Great Southern Rail: Great Southern Rail operates three iconic train journeys in Australia: The Ghan, which travels from Adelaide to Darwin through the heart of Australia; The Indian Pacific, which travels from Sydney to Perth via Adelaide and the Nullarbor Plain; and The Great Southern, which travels from Adelaide to Brisbane via the Great Ocean Road, the Grampians, and Canberra. These train journeys offer comfortable accommodation, dining options, and onboard entertainment.
- Queensland Rail: Queensland Rail operates passenger train services across Queensland, including the Spirit of Queensland, which travels from Brisbane to Cairns; the Spirit of the Outback, which travels from Brisbane to Longreach; and the Kuranda Scenic Railway, which travels from Cairns to Kuranda through the tropical rainforest.
- NSW TrainLink: NSW TrainLink operates passenger train services across New South Wales, including the XPT service, which travels from Sydney to Melbourne, Brisbane, and regional destinations in New South Wales.
- V/Line: V/Line operates passenger train services across Victoria, including regional services to destinations such as Ballarat, Bendigo, and Geelong.
- Transwa: Transwa operates passenger train services across Western Australia, including services to regional destinations such as Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, and Broome.
Commuter rail options in Australia
In urban areas, commuter rail trains are a great way to get around the city and surrounding towns, offering frequent services and reasonable fares. In most cities, commuters can purchase a transport card, such as Sydney's Opal Card or Melbourne's Myki card, which allows you to save time and pre-pay for your weekly travel. Some of the major commuter rail options are:
- Sydney Trains: Sydney Trains operates the suburban rail network in Sydney, which consists of 10 lines and over 170 stations. The network serves the greater Sydney metropolitan area, including the CBD and suburbs, as well as regional centers such as the Blue Mountains and Central Coast.
- Melbourne Metro: Melbourne Metro operates the suburban rail network in Melbourne, which consists of 16 lines and over 200 stations. The network serves the greater Melbourne metropolitan area, including the CBD and suburbs, as well as regional centers such as Geelong and Ballarat.
- Queensland Rail City Network: Queensland Rail operates the suburban rail network in Brisbane, comprising 6 lines and over 150 stations. The network serves the greater Brisbane metropolitan area, including the CBD and suburbs, as well as regional centers such as the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
- Transperth: Transperth operates the suburban rail network in Perth, which consists of 5 lines and over 70 stations. The network serves the greater Perth metropolitan area, including the CBD and suburbs, and regional centers such as Mandurah and Joondalup.
- Adelaide Metro: Adelaide Metro operates the suburban rail network in Adelaide, comprising 6 lines and over 70 stations. The network serves the greater Adelaide metropolitan area, including the CBD and suburbs.
Traveling by bus in Australia
Traveling by bus in Australia can be a great way to save money, but it can also take extended amounts of time to travel long distances, as buses often stop at different points along the way to their final destination. A return ticket from Melbourne to Sydney will cost around AUD 250 and will take between 12 to 14 hours. Tourists and backpackers might enjoy purchasing a package that allows unlimited travel for a set duration, where you can 'hop-on, hop off' at points of interest. These include Sydney to Cairns hop on, hop off, Melbourne to Cairns hop on, hop off, and Sydney to Brisbane hop-on, hop-off. Costs start from AUD 149.
Major bus companies in Australia include:
- Greyhound Australia: Greyhound Australia operates a network of bus services that cover most of the country, with over 1,000 destinations across Australia. They offer travel passes, including hop-on, hop-off passes, flexible passes, and fixed itinerary passes.
- Premier Motor Service: Premier Motor Service operates bus services along the east coast of Australia, from Cairns in the north to Eden in the south. They offer a range of ticket options, including single tickets, multi-ride tickets, and backpacker passes.
- Firefly Express: Firefly Express operates bus services between Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney, as well as regional destinations in Victoria and South Australia.
Vans and cars in Australia
Cars and vans can often be the best way to explore a new area in Australia, allowing for freedom to travel and explore at your own pace. Road-tripping around Australia in a campervan is an exciting way to see Australia enabling you to cut costs by sleeping in your van. It is common to drive up the east coast, and the west coast is becoming more popular. Be very wary of long-distance drives; Melbourne to Sydney is 10 hours in a car, so it's best to give yourself plenty of time to move around.
Cars and vans can be rented from companies throughout Australia. Popular ones include Jucy, Europcar, or Hertz, and you can hire cars or vans from the airport or different locations throughout the city. You can also opt for the "relocation" of a van. This service allows you to rent a vehicle at one location and return it to another. However, this will require booking at least two weeks before your departure.
You can also purchase your own vehicle in Australia. Good websites for buying second-hand cars include Gumtree, Car Sales, and even Facebook! If you do buy a car, be wary of the hidden costs with registration, insurance, tolls, and petrol. If you will be commuting to work by train or are living in a larger city, a car may be unnecessary. However, in more remote areas, a car can be the best way to get around.
Good to know:
If you are in Australia for a short period, you can usually use the license from your home country. However, if you plan to remain in Australia for longer, you may be required to get an International Driving Permit or to get an Australian license. More information about licensing can be found on the Aus Roads site.
Challenges of getting around Australia
Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by total area, covering approximately 7.7 million square kilometers (2.97 million square miles). To put this in perspective, it is about the same size as the contiguous United States and almost as large as the entire European continent.
One of the most unusual things about getting around Australia is its sheer size and the vast distances between major cities and landmarks. For example, the distance between Sydney and Perth, two of the largest cities in Australia, is around 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles) by road, which is roughly the same distance as driving from New York to San Francisco in the United States.
Unlike driving across the states, however, you will encounter stretches of road where there are few townships. It's really important to be prepared for this, especially given the extreme weather conditions you may encounter in the outback. Don't expect petrol stations and roadside amenities to be sprinkled along the road as they might be in other countries. In fact, some of the longest stretches of road without townships on them are in Australia: Highway 31 in Western Australia stretches for over 1,500 km (930 miles) without passing through a town or village; Highway 10 in the Northern Territory, Australia, runs for over 1,200 km (750 miles) and Highway 85 in Western Australia covers 1,000 km (620 miles).
These are just a few examples of some of the longest stretches of road without a township in the world. It's important to note that driving long distances without access to services or facilities can be challenging, so it's important to plan ahead and ensure that you have enough fuel, water, and supplies for your journey.
Another thing to remember is that if you are planning to head off into remote or isolated parts of the country, you may need access to four-wheel-drive vehicles or small planes. It's important for travelers to plan their trips carefully, be aware of the long distances involved in traveling around the country, and not assume you'll be easily able to connect the dots.
