Get the low down on the Land Down Under
There is so much to do and see when you set out on a motorhome rental trip in Australia, and equally as much information we could give you to make sure your holiday runs smoothly and safely. However, it would be nigh on impossible to type it all out, and there’s no single blueprint for a memorable journey in any case - so we’ll give you the necessary basics, and like any adventure worth anything, you can create it for yourself from there.
Main road rules
Like the US, Australia is divided into states, and each has an individual road code. You can find them all here should you need details, but here are some things to keep in mind which will apply nationwide:
● Drive on the left.
● Take note of speed limit signs for the applicable speed limit. These show a black number inside a red ring, and state limits in kilometres per hour.
● The blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers in all states is 0.05%, with varied lower limits in cases such as commercial vehicles or drivers not fully licensed.
● All drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts, and children under the age of seven must be in an appropriate child restraint for their height and weight.
● The use of a handheld mobile phone while driving is not permitted.
Choosing the right campervan
For most motorhome travellers, the decision of which motorhome rental to pick is dependent on space, features, number of beds and whether you want a self-contained vehicle or not. In Australia, there are some places in which a 4WD campervan would come in handy, so there’s that to consider too. If you are heading into the Outback, to Cape York, to Kakadu National Park or the more remote areas of northern WA, think about whether 4WD capabilities would be of use.
Camping
There is a range of campsite types in Australia, offering different levels of comfort and facilities (and price ranges) which will suit different holidaymakers. Holiday parks generally have shared kitchens, lounges, well-equipped bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets, and often even playgrounds or pools. Privately owned campsites may be a step down from this but with everything you need, even if you have a non-self contained vehicle.
National park campsites and other state-run sites in Australia are generally low cost with minimal facilities, although there are some with electricity and toilets and a higher price tag. Research the fees, passes, and booking procedures for any campsites you plan to use individually as the governing of them is done at the state level and operates with different systems.
Free camping is not out of the question in Australia, although there are laws and guidelines for it. Take a look at our guide to responsible free camping in Australia if you are interested, and ensure you have a self-contained vehicle.
The above considerations are just a few that you will need to ponder before setting out on an Australian campervan hire adventure, but they are some of the most important - building blocks of a successful excursion! Drive safely and enjoy the Land Down Under.
