Hiring a car in Australia
Planning a trip to another region of Australia? While the major cities have good public transport, many of Australia’s most iconic spots are located outside of the city limits. Rent a car in Australia to make the most of your holiday and see everything that the region has to offer. Webjet compares car rental rates from a variety of companies to ensure you’ll be getting the best deal. Book your car rental in Australia, and get ready to experience just how amazing Australia is.
Things to know before hiring a car in Australia
The minimum requirements to rent a car in Australia are to have a full driving license and be at least 21 years old. Up until the age of 24, renters will have an extra fee added onto their rates due to their status as a young driver. If you have a non-Australian driving license, it is valid to use in Australia as long as it is in English. If your license is in a different language, you’ll need to obtain an international driving permit, which you can apply for online.
Car insurance is a must in Australia, and you may already be covered. Many Australian credit card companies offer rental car insurance to their customers. If you aren’t covered through your credit card company, you can purchase rental car insurance from the rental company for a small fee.
While general road rules apply across the country, you need to pay special attention in rural areas if you are not used to driving outside of cities and suburbs. Animals, such as kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats can cross in front of cars often. Keep an eye on the side of the road and be alert in case any animals come out. Not only will hitting an animal hurt them, but it will also do damage to the rental car. These animals come out the most at night, so avoid driving at night time in rural areas if you can.
Do some research on the exact areas you are hoping to visit with your rental car. Some of the most iconic places to see are located down roads that are only accessible by 4x4. Dirt roads that require a 4x4 are especially common in the Outback and Top End. If you are travelling to one of these areas, it may be worth paying a bit more to rent a 4x4 so you don’t miss out on any amazing spots.
What to do when hiring a car in Australia
Wherever you are headed in Australia, you’ll find an abundance of scenic drives and beautiful spots to visit by car.
One of the most iconic road trips in Australia is the road from Darwin to Adelaide. This road will take you through the heart of the Outback and past some Aussie icons, including Uluru, Kings Canyon, and Kakadu National Park.
From Melbourne, head west out of the city to experience the Great Ocean Road. All throughout the drive, you’ll see breathtaking views of the ocean while driving as well as lots of natural beauty and the occasional koala. Great Ocean Road is especially known for the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and the best surfing beaches in Victoria.
The east coast of Australia is made up of some of the most beautiful beaches and beach towns in all of Australia. Between Sydney and Cairns, there are so many incredible places to explore, including Newcastle, Byron Bay, the Whitsundays, and tropical north Queensland.
Wine lovers will be in heaven throughout Australia. All over the country, there are vineyards where you’ll find lots of world-famous wines. Some of the most popular wine regions throughout Australia are the Yarra Valley, Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley, and Margaret River.
