Australia

Holidays by Destination Australasia Australia Getting Around 

The main challenge, assuming you want to visit more than one place, is that of covering the enormous distances in this continent of a country.

For longer distances consider airpasses and discounts, for example with Qantas if you fly with the carrier internationally.
Internal carriers include Virgin Blue , and Australian Airlines . Smaller names, for example operating to Kangaroo Island in South Australia, are Emu Airlines , Great Western Airlines , Kendell Airlines and Hazelton Airlines, both under Regional Express , Aeropelican and Skywest .

There are also rail passes and though routes are limited, they are growing. In 2004 the Alice Springs to Darwin rail extension opened making Ghan train trips a trans-continental experience from Adelaide all the way to the north coast (predicted to bring more flights into Darwin to connect with it).

A high speed tilting train service started between Cairns and Brisbane in 2003. This takes 25 hours but there is the option of stopovers en route.

If you want more flexibility, campervans are popular, often combined with flights for the longer distances.

Because a harsher terrain than much of Europe's and much less populated, you need to be more careful if driving independently off the beaten track and ideally getting some experience of 4WDs first if that is what you opt for. Even in central Australia, where all major tourist attractions are linked by tarmac roads, a four-wheel-drive is recommended. If you prefer there are semi-organised alternatives which might seem preferable with children.

Visitors are advised not to drive at night outside developed areas because of the risk of animals on the road, and because night is when the road trains - lorries towing several trailers - use the Stuart Highway for example.