Australia - Transportation

Bus / Coach 

Australia’s bus and coach companies offer affordable, comfortable travel and tours. Coach companies that offer point to point travel, give discounts to holders of student and some other concession cards. 

Other companies cater specifically to backpackers. Rather than sticking to the main travel routes, their scenic tours meander through the countryside. This style of travel suits visitors to Australia, who get to see the beauty of the country and often can get or off largely as they please. Check with your hostel for information. 

Rail 

Australian rail is efficient, reliable and most importantly, affordable - particularly on shorter distances from state capitals. A one-way rail trip from Sydney to Canberra, for instance, cost $A47.30. Australia offers some of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world, from the Indian Pacific across the width of Australia, to rail trips through the sugarcane fields of Queensland. 

Rentals 

Self-drive rental options include cars, vans, four-wheel drive vehicles and campervans. Campervans - sometimes known as motorhomes - combine accommodation and transport. You can stay at any of thousands of caravan parks around the country. If you just want an economical car for a few days and don't plan to venture too far from a city, check the car rental companies that use second-hand vehicles in their fleets. 

Car purchase 

Many dealers specialise in low-cost vehicles to suit backpackers and independent travellers - and there's no shortage of suitably equipped second-hand vehicles advertised on hostel notice-boards. But choose your transport carefully. A vehicle inspection by one of the state motoring organisations is a wise precaution, particularly if you plan to drive long distance.