Australia is the third-largest country in the world and this makes a cross country tour a rather daunting proposal. The entire centre of the country is desert, so all of its major cities are along the coast. A popular route could take you from the southern coast's mountains and wineries, around the east coast taking in Sydney, Australia's cultural capital, and up the Gold Coast, where surfing and beach bumming is the order of the day.

For those with a penchant for adventure and roughing it, a trip across the continent through the rugged terrain of South Australia and the Northern Territory will keep outdoorsmen happy. Tasmania, an island just south of New South Wales, also offers a more off-the-beaten-track journey.

For coastal drives, you will find that Australia's road networks are for the most part excellent, with well-marked exits and signs. Australia economical auto rental rates The well-maintained highways are straightforward and British drivers should have a pleasant driving experience being that Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road, saving you the trouble of adjusting to driving on the opposite side of the road.

The road system here also uses roundabouts, allowing junctions to flow smoothly, and outside major urban centres, congestion is rare. The large motorways are usually classified as ‘A' routes where the speed limit is between 60 and 68mph (100 and 110kph), while ‘B' routes are usually dual carriageways and the speed limit is 60mph (100 kph). A ‘C' route will pass through a suburban or built-up area. The speed limit on these routes is 30 to 35mph (50 to 60kph).

Service stations are abundant along major routes and many of them are open 24 hours. If you're driving between major cities, it is a god idea to stop every few hours to take a break. It's not recommended that you drive for more than 3 hours at a time, and no more than 370 miles (600kms) a day. Even though the driving isn't very stressful, being behind the wheel for long periods of time can lead to silly mistakes and dangerous driving. It's also advisable to book an overnight stop before you set out on your day's journey.

The other side of driving in Australia is traversing the outback, which is quite a different story than negotiating its easy to use motorways. Once you are away from civilisation, you'll definitely need a four-wheel vehicle to ensure your safety on the dusty and unkempt roads. Service stations in the outback are sporadically found here and there, so there is a lot more planning to do for a trip like this. Aside from the potholes you'll encounter, other hazards include wildlife and breakdowns.

Always keep supplies of food and water with you, as you may have to wait a while until help arrives. Joining an auto club is also advisable and can give you peace of mind in such unpredictable conditions. For assistance in any state, call: 13 11 11. There is no speed limit in the outback of the Northern Territory, but this isn't the Autobahn and it's better to play it safe.

The minimum driving age in Australia varies from 16 to 18 years depending on the state. To rent a car is easy and if you're in the country for less than 6 months, you can use your licence from your home country. An international licence is not required. Australia hire car discounts


Inside the car, you are required by law to wear a seatbelt at all times and it is illegal to talk on a mobile phone while driving. Drunk-driving laws are also strict with random checkpoints set up in all states. If your blood alcohol level is more than 0.5 mg/ml, you can receive a hefty fine.

Fuel prices vary from urban areas to outback petrol stations, but generally range from A$0.90 to A$1 per litre.