Editing Australia (section)

== Getting Around ==
Australia is a BIG country, therefore you should consider your transport needs before you come. Are staying mainly in cities? Do you like the structure of bus pass or would you prefer to be a free spirit and do your own thing? Check out the different types of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_in_Australia transport in Australia], search the [http://www.yellowpages.com.au Yellow Pages] for bus/coach companies, compare and book shared and private transfer prices from all Australian airports with [http://au.jayride.com Jayride], car hire companies or airlines and airline agents (travel agents) throughout Australia.

=== By Car ===
There are a few things to be aware of if you want to drive around Australia. Because Australia is such a large country it is important to be prepared when driving long distances. To get an idea of some distances check out a useful [http://www.racq.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/racq_cms_production/hs.xsl/travel_trip_planner_5940_ENA_HTML.htm trip planner] or search [http://www.maps.google.com.au Google maps] and read [http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Driving_in_Australia this WiKi] carefully!

If you are from overseas it is useful to read about driving in Australia with an [http://www.austroads.com.au/overseas.html overseas drivers licence]

If you’re a visitor and hold a valid driver’s licence (in English) from your own country, fine, you’re allowed to drive throughout all of Australia. (But an international driver's permit, if you have one, does not by itself give you the right to drive in Australia.)

If you do not choose to obtain an International Driving Permit and your "home" driver's licence <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.timewing.com.sg/ <span style="color:black;font-weight:normal; text-decoration:none!important; background:none!important; text-decoration:none;">aircon service</span>] is not in English, a translation may be necessary and you may also need to have an international driver's licence.

If you come from a country where motorists drive on the left-hand side of the road, there’s not much more to know, and you should easily adjust to driving in Australia by following local driving customs and laws.

If you come from the US, or from another country where people <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.timewing.com.sg/ac_service.html <span style="color:black;font-weight:normal; text-decoration:none!important; background:none!important; text-decoration:none;">ac repair</span>] drive on the right-hand side of the road, there’ll be a <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.timewing.com.sg/refrg_service.html<span style="color:black;font-weight:normal; text-decoration:none!important; background:none!important; text-decoration:none;"> refrigerator repair</span>] bit to get used to, the main thing being that <span class="plainlinks">[http://jamumassagesingapore.com/services/dejamu/post-natal<span style="color:black;font-weight:normal; text-decoration:none!important; background:none!important; text-decoration:none;"> jamu postnatal massage</span>] you drive on the left-hand side of the road in Australia; and that if you turn left or right, you must remember to go, as you complete your turn, into the left-hand side of the road you are turning into, instead of to the right as you’re used to.

==== Buying a Car ====
The first thing to do when buying a car is to do a [http://www.revs.nsw.gov.au/ REVS check], if you buy a car with money still owing on it, then you become responsible for that debt! A REVS check will tell you if a car you are considering buying carries debt!

All cars require registration & third party insurance(rego) which has to be renewed every six months or yearly. Cars can be registered in any Australian state or territory - however there are different rules and prices accroding to the state (Generally NSW and VIC are more expensive). Try to buy a car with as much rego as <span class="plainlinks">[http://jamumassagesingapore.com<span style="color:black;font-weight:normal; text-decoration:none!important; background:none!important; text-decoration:none;"> massage centres in singapore</span>] possible because it's less hassle for you and don't buy a car with expired rego, not only do you have to re-register it, but there may be extra safety checks you will have to get a mechanic to perform if it has been unregistered for a while. Note that in New South Wales, all motor vehicles over 3 years old are required to pass an annual roadworthiness inspection ("pink slip") in order to be re-registered.

Check out the different road, rego and licencing authorities for each state below:
* [http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/ DIER] (TAS)
* [http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/566.asp Licencing Services] (WA)
* [http://www.nt.gov.au/transport/mvr/index.shtml NT Transport] (NT)
* [http://www.rego.act.gov.au/ Rego ACT] (ACT)
* [http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/ Roads and Traffic Authority] (NSW)
* [http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/ Transport QLD] (QLD)
* [http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/ Transport SA] (SA)
* [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/ Vic Roads] (VIC)

==== Driver safety ====
Driver fatigue is a major killer in Australia. This is a big flat country, so take breaks every two or three hours and swap drivers if you can. Rest every 2 to 3 hours for 15 or more minutes. You may come across [http://www.driverreviver.com.au/ Driver Reviver] stations during school holidays. Projects such as this aim to reduce driver fatigue by encouraging frequent breaks. Stop off and get a free coffee and biscuit. 

If you are driving in areas likely to have Australian animals nearby, be aware that a lot of activity and feeding happens at dawn, dusk or at night. Animals such as wombats, koalas and possums are very active at night and kangaroos feed around dusk or dawn. If you are not aware then don't drive - you may hit an animal or seriously injure yourself by swerving into a tree at high speed. The [http://www.rspca.org.au/animal/emergency_injured.asp RSPCA] is a great charity that has useful links about animal first aid. If you kill an animal (that is safe to approach) and if it is safe to do so, drag it off the road and check any pouches for babies. If you find a baby call the RSPCA or try and get it to a vet and keep it warm and dark if you have to move it.

When [http://www.desertaccess.com.au/outback_safety.html driving in the outback], be aware of heavy transport [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Road_Train_Australia.jpg/800px-Road_Train_Australia.jpg road trains]. Road trains are trucks that carry two or more trailers. Driving such heavy trucks are only possible over really flat and straight areas. Road trains travel at very high speeds and they can be up to 200 tonnes, driving around or stopping for your car is not possible. It is dangerous to overtake them, if you are unsure, pull over to the side of the road and let the road trains pass you by.

==== Other people's cars ====
Hitch-hiking is not commonplace in Australia any more, but still a viable means of transport that can expose you to the (secret) lives of real Australians while getting you around. Moreover it is the automotive equivalent of couch surfing!

There are some things to consider before setting out by thumb cross country, but none would be so crucial as to maintain some sense of independence against the elements: take a good wide brimmed sun hat, warm and cool clothing, rain gear (if only an umbrella), a water bottle and keep some food on you in case you get hungry. That's the basic minimum that ought not be forgotten when waiting by the roadside in Australia.

Hitchhiking is illegal in Victoria and Queensland. It is also illegal to stand on the verge of motorways in all states (even though many are now permitting pedestrians and cyclists on them). If you are going to hitchhike, be careful of main roads and if in a state where it is illegal, be discreet. You are unlikely to draw police attention as long as you're not a danger to traffic (standing in the roadway). 

Consider you safety - road safety and being safe around strangers. Like many other activities while traveling, there are indisputable risks involved in meeting new and unknown people in  relatively private confines. If that frightens you, you would be ill advised to hitch-hike. If it excites you, then hitch-hiking Australia has a great many rewards to offer. 

Google will point you at any number of resources and travel tales about hitch-hiking Australia. Try these for starters:

* [http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/hitchhiking-in-australia.html Outback Australia Travel Guide]
* [http://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Australia Australia on Hitchwiki]
* [http://www.bugaustralia.com/transport/hitch.html The Backpacker's Ultimate Guide]
* [http://www.jayride.com.au/ Jayride Rideshare and Hitchhike]
* [http://bernd.wechner.info/Hitchhiking/Memories/chapter4.html Anywhere But Here: The Memories of a Hitch-hiker]

[[File:Crux.jpg|frame|The Southern Cross]]

=== By Plane ===
Australian Customs places restrictions on plant and animal goods entering and leaving Australia. You can find a [http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/travel/entering-australia/cant-take useful list] here of things you should be aware of. Australia is an island, it has a fragile ecosystem <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.seoagency.com.vn/seo.php<span style="color:black;font-weight:normal; text-decoration:none!important; background:none!important; text-decoration:none;"> dich vu seo</span>] and needs to be protected. We certainly don't need more rabbits, cane toads, cane beetles and so on! Please leave your native plants, animals and unprocessed foods at home!

==== Cheap Domestic Flights ====
Not everyone is aware of the cheap domestic carriers in Australia, see our list below (note there is a rural service which is not listed here. More information will be available soon!)
* [http://www.virginblue.com.au/ Virgin Blue]
* [http://www.jetstar.com.au/ JetStar]
* [http://www.tigerairways.com/ Tiger Airways]
* [http://www.webjet.com.au WebJet] - Use this to find the best deal from the cheap airlines, but book through the airline website (otherwise you will be hit with the WebJet "finders fee")
* [http://www.cheapflights.com.au/ CheapFlights] - Offers a booking engine where you can search by date and choose the best flights with specific partners.
* [http://www.airfaresflights.com.au/ AirfaresFlights] - Compare domestic flight deals online

If you do not get your flight seats on sale, or you are buying your ticket last minute you should always compare with [http://www.qantas.com.au QANTAS]. While QANTAS is often the more expensive carrier, they include food on most flights, offer frequent flyer miles and serve a much larger range of destinations.

=== By Train ===
If travelling by train is your thing, find below a list of state train companies. If you prefer to travel in style why not consider [http://www.gsr.com.au/our-trains/the-ghan/the-journey.php The Ghan] (Adelaide-Alice Springs-Darwin), [http://www.gsr.com.au/our-trains/indian-pacific/the-journey.php Indian Pacific] (Sydney-Adelaide-Perth) or [http://www.gsr.com.au/our-trains/the-overland/the-journey.php The Overland] (Melbourne-Adelaide)!
* [http://www.qr.com.au/ Queensland Rail] (QLD - Brisbane)
* [http://www.countrylink.info/ Countrylink] (NSW - Interstate or regional train travel)
* [http://www.cityrail.info/ Cityrail] (NSW - Sydney and meteropolitan train travel)
* [http://www.vline.com.au/index.aspx?sid=0# V-line] (VIC - Interstate and regional train travel)
* [http://www.gsr.com.au/ Northern Terriory]