How to Travel Around Australia: A Complete Guide to Exploring the Land Down

Australia is a vast and diverse country, making travel between its major cities and remote areas a unique challenge. If you’re wondering how to travel around Australia, this guide will walk you through the best options. Depending on your budget, time, and travel style, you can explore Australia by self-driving, public transport, domestic flights, or even guided tours or shore trips from port.

Understanding the Travel Distances in Australia

Exploring Australia requires careful planning due to its immense size. Traveling between major cities involves long distances, and venturing into the Outback adds another layer of complexity. To understand how to travel around Australia it’s important to grasp the actual distances between key cities and remote destinations.

• Australia’s Size: The country spans approximately 7.7 million square kilometers, making travel between cities a significant journey. Driving between Sydney and Perth, for instance, takes about 40 hours non-stop, while flying covers the distance in just over four hours.
• Key Travel Routes:
  • Sydney to Melbourne (878 km): A popular route with multiple transport options.
  • Perth to Adelaide (2,600 km): A long-haul journey best suited for flights or adventurous road trips.
  • Brisbane to Cairns (1,700 km): A scenic coastal route with plenty of stops for nature lovers.
• Climate Considerations: Traveling through the Outback can be dangerous due to extreme heat, lack of water sources, and limited connectivity. The tropical north experiences a wet season from November to April, affecting road accessibility.

How to Travel Around Australia by Self-Drive

If you love adventure and flexibility, self-driving is an excellent way to explore Australia’s breathtaking landscapes. If you’re planning how to travel around Australia with maximum freedom, nothing beats the flexibility of a self-drive journey. It allows you to create your own itinerary, explore remote regions, and enjoy some of the most scenic routes in the country.

Why Choose Self-driving for your Aussie Adventure?

When considering how to travel around Australia, self-driving often stands out for those seeking freedom and flexibility. It’s a fantastic option for independent travelers who want to explore the country’s lesser-known corners without being tied to fixed schedules. From iconic highways to hidden inland gems, the road is yours to conquer.

• Freedom to explore: Unlike public transport, driving allows you to visit less accessible destinations, including national parks and remote beaches.
• Scenic experiences: Australia is home to breathtaking road trip routes, making self-driving an unforgettable adventure.
• Cost-effective for groups: Splitting fuel and rental costs among friends or family can be more economical than purchasing multiple flight tickets.

Challenges of Self-driving Tours in Australia

Although self-driving offers incredible freedom, it’s important to be aware of the challenges that come with it. Traveling in Australia by car can mean long hours behind the wheel, logistical costs, and unique safety risks, especially in remote or unfamiliar regions. Preparing well for these factors will ensure a safer and more enjoyable journey.

• Long distances and fatigue: Driving between major cities can take days, requiring careful planning and rest stops.
• Fuel and rental expenses: While road trips can be budget-friendly, fuel prices fluctuate, and car rental costs vary by season and location.
• Safety considerations: Wildlife, road conditions, and unpredictable weather pose risks, especially in remote areas.

Top Famous Self-drive Routes

If you choose self-driving as your method for getting around Australia, you’ll be rewarded with some of the world’s most scenic and unforgettable routes. The below road trips offer a rich tapestry of natural beauty, local culture, and adventure at every turn.

• Great Ocean Road: A stunning coastal journey in Victoria with famous landmarks like the Twelve Apostles.
• The Red Centre Way: A route through Australia’s heart, featuring Uluru, Kings Canyon, and Alice Springs.
• The East Coast Drive: From Sydney to Cairns, this drive passes through iconic destinations like Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, and the Great Barrier Reef.
• The Nullarbor Plain: A challenging yet rewarding cross-country road trip from South Australia to Western Australia.

Get around Australia with Public Transportations

For those who prefer to sit back and relax while traveling, public transport offers a hassle-free and cost-effective alternative. Australia’s public transport system is well-developed in cities but limited in remote areas.

Popular Public Transport Options for Tourists

For travelers researching how to travel around Australia on a budget or without the hassle of driving, public transport provides several practical options. From long-distance trains and buses to convenient city trams and scenic ferries, public transport in Australia is reliable, affordable, and well-integrated in major urban areas.

Travel by Train:

• The Indian Pacific (Sydney to Perth) and The Ghan (Adelaide to Darwin) offer luxury rail journeys with scenic landscapes.
• Suburban rail networks are efficient in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Travel by Buses:

• Long-distance bus services like Greyhound Australia and Premier Motor Service are cost-effective options for budget travelers.
• Many buses include hop-on-hop-off passes, allowing flexible travel.

Trams and Ferries:

• Melbourne has the largest tram network in the world, providing easy urban transportation.
• Sydney’s ferry services offer stunning views of the harbour and access to destinations like Manly and Taronga Zoo.

Advantages of Public Transport when Travel around Australia

Using public transport in Australia is a great choice for city explorers and eco-conscious travelers. Beyond being cost-effective, it offers convenience in urban hubs and reduces environmental impact. If you’re deciding how to travel around Australia without the stress of navigating or high fuel costs, this option ticks many boxes.

• Affordability: Bus and train travel is cheaper than renting a car or booking flights.
• Eco-friendly: Public transport has a lower carbon footprint compared to self-driving or flying.
• Convenience in cities: Trains, buses, and trams operate frequently in metropolitan areas, making city exploration easy.

Disadvantages You Should Prepare

While Australia by bus or train can be a smart way to travel in cities and along major routes, it comes with limitations. If you’re venturing into the Outback or smaller regional towns, you’ll find fewer connections and less flexibility. For those mapping out how to travel around Australia extensively, the below constraints should be taken into account.

• Limited access to rural and remote areas: While great for urban travel, public transport is sparse outside major cities.
• Fixed schedules: Unlike driving, public transport requires adherence to set departure times.
• Longer travel durations: Bus and train journeys can take significantly longer than flights or self-driving.

Flying – The Fastest Way to Travel Around Australia

If time is your priority, flying is the best way to travel between distant locations in Australia. Domestic flights connect all major cities and even some remote regions, making air travel the most efficient option for long distances. For these circumtances, travelers should consider to get around Australia by plane:

• Covering vast distances quickly: Flights are the most efficient option for traveling between distant cities (e.g., Perth to Sydney).
• Time constraints: If you have a tight schedule, flying maximizes your time in each destination.
• Remote destinations: Some regions, such as Tasmania, require flights due to limited road access.

However, despite its advantages, flying also comes with several downsides that travelers should consider. From higher costs compared to other modes of transport, to the time spent on airport transfers and security checks, as well as potential flight delays and environmental impact. Being aware of these drawbacks can help you plan your trip more effectively and make informed travel decisions.

Travel Around Australia by Cruise Ship

Exploring Australia by cruise ship offers an unparalleled travel experience, especially for discerning older and wealthy travelers seeking comfort, convenience, and enrichment. Unlike the hustle and stress often associated with air or land travel, cruising provides a leisurely pace, luxurious amenities, and the unique opportunity to witness Australia’s diverse coastal beauty from the comfort of a floating resort.

Why Choose a Cruise for Traveling Around Australia?

Australia’s vast coastline stretches over 25,000 kilometers, encompassing iconic cities, pristine beaches, remote islands, and fascinating cultural sites. For affluent travelers in their golden years, cruising allows them to cover these spectacular destinations without the fatigue of packing, unpacking, or constant transfers.

The cruise ship itself becomes a five-star hotel, complete with gourmet dining, wellness facilities, entertainment, and attentive service tailored to senior guests’ needs. Moreover, cruising caters well to those who appreciate safety, ease, and a stress-free itinerary. For many older travelers, the stability and accessibility of modern cruise ships, including medical services on board, add peace of mind.

The Appeal of Shore Excursions: Enriching the Experience

One of the greatest joys of an Australian cruise lies in the thoughtfully curated shore excursions offered at each port of call. Australia shore excursions are specially designed tours and activities that allow travelers to explore the local culture, history, and natural wonders in a comfortable, guided setting.

Many tour providers such as Global Shore Excursions also provide private or small-group shore excursions, ensuring a personalized and flexible experience without the rush or crowds.  These excursions range from leisurely city sightseeing, visits to world-famous landmarks, wine tasting in renowned vineyards, to gentle nature walks along secluded beaches.

Guided Tours – A Stress-Free Travel Option

Exploring Australia’s vast and diverse landscapes can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially for travelers who want to make the most of their trip without the hassle of planning every detail. Guided tours offer a stress-free way to experience the best of Australia, providing expert knowledge, seamless logistics, and curated itineraries that take the guesswork out of travel.

Choosing a guided tour to travel around Australia offers numerous benefits that make traveling easier and more enriching, include:

• Hassle-free experience: No need to plan routes, book accommodations, or navigate unfamiliar roads.
• Expert guides: Learn about Australia’s history, wildlife, and culture from knowledgeable tour guides.
• Meet like-minded travelers: A great option for solo travelers looking to make new connections.

While guided tours provide convenience and structure, they also come with certain limitations. Understanding these downsides can help travelers decide if a guided tour is the right fit for their travel style and preferences.

• Less flexibility: Fixed itineraries mean less freedom to explore at your own pace.
• Higher costs: Professional guides, transportation, and accommodations can make tours more expensive.
• Group dynamics: Traveling with a group may not suit those who prefer solitude or independent travel.

Australia offers multiple transportation options for those looking to travel around Australia, each catering to different travel preferences. Understanding the pros and cons of each mode will help you make the best decision for your Australian journey. You can also contact with Global Shore Excursions to get some suggestions for your trips from ports. Happy travels!