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Travel - Internal
AIR: Australians rely on aviation to get from place to place as inhabitants of smaller countries rely on trains and buses. The network of scheduled services extends to more than 150,000km (95,000 miles) and covers the whole continent. Both first-class and second-class service is available, with meals and hostess service on many routes. Recent deregulation of Australia’s domestic airlines means that flight services are more competitively priced. Aircraft can be chartered by pilots who pass a written examination on Australian air regulations and have their licences validated for private operations within Australia.
The major domestic airlines are: Qantas Domestic, Virgin Blue, Impulse (a subsidiary of Qantas)and East West, which serve the major resorts and cities throughout Australia. In addition, Hazelton Airlines and Eastern Australia Airlines operate throughout New South Wales; Air North operates throughout the Northern Territory; Kendell Airlines operates throughout Victoria and South Australia; Sunstate Airlines operates throughout Victoria and Queensland; Australian Regional Airlines operates throughout Queensland; and several small airlines operate to the islands off Tasmania (see Tasmania section). Nearly all the domestic airlines operate special deals or air-passes at greatly reduced prices. For further details, contact Qantas (see Travel – International for contact details).
Domestic airports: There are a great number of airports and landing strips throughout the country, including airports in all capital cities and regional centres such as Alice Springs, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Launceston. For further information contact the Australian Tourist Commission (see Contact Addresses section).
SEA/RIVER: There are 36,738km (22,600 miles) of coastline and many lakes, inland waterways and inlets, all of which can be used for touring by boat. From paddle steamers along the Murray River to deep-sea fishing cruisers along the vast Barrier Reef, all are available for charter or passenger booking. Most tour operators also handle shipping cruises. There is a regular car-ferry service linking Melbourne with Tasmania.
RAIL: Over 40,000km (24,850 miles) of track cover the country. Due to the vastness of the country internal flights are a preferred option for travelling long distances, particularly as rail travel can be slow and relatively expensive. For further information on rail transport within the different States, see the individual State entries, or contact Rail Australia (website: www.railaustralia.com.au).
Only one service spans the continent from coast to coast – the twice weekly Indian Pacific, running 4350km (2704 miles) on standard 1435mm (56.5-inch) gauge from Sydney on the east coast to Perth on the west coast, via Adelaide. The journey takes three days and three nights, crossing the Nullarbar Plain on the famous 478km (297-mile) stretch of straight track, the longest in the world. The Indian Pacific is fully air-conditioned and soundproofed, with first- and second-class sleeping cars, a lounge car and good restaurant facilities.
Other express service links (not always daily) from the state capitals are as follows:
The Ghan links Sydney and Melbourne via Adelaide (two days and two nights). The Canberra Monaro Express and the fast XPT Express link Canberra with Sydney in four or five hours. The Sunlander and the Queenslander link Brisbane with Cairns (31 hours). The Prospector links Perth with Kalgoorlie and this is one of Australia’s fastest trains (6-7 hours). The Vinelander links Melbourne with Mildura (overnight). The Spirit of Capricorn links Brisbane with Rockhampton (overnight). The Spirit of the Outback runs the same route but connects further to Longreach. Both first- and second-class tickets are available, with sleeping accommodation on long hauls. Several routes have motor-rail facilities. There are also a number of scenic rail journeys available: the Great South Pacific Express is a luxury train resembling the Orient Express and travels along the East Coast from Brisbane to Cairns, Brisbane to Sydney and Sydney to Cairns; the Kuranda Scenic Railway links Cairns with Kuranda via a 14-mile (34km) climb through tropical rainforest. Long-distance trains are air-conditioned and have excellent catering facilities and showers. Reservations for seats and sleeping berths are essential on all long-distance trains and are accepted up to six months in advance. Luggage allowance: All interstate rail passengers are allowed 50kg (111lb). Medium-sized suitcases and hand luggage can be placed in the passengers’ compartments. Large suitcases must be carried in the guard’s van and checked in 30 minutes prior to departure. Sleeping berths: Single and twin apartments are available for a surcharge on most inter-capital overnight services. All ‘Twinettes’ have two sleeping berths and wash basin. Twinettes are available either first-class or holiday-class; the first also offer individual showers. ‘Roomette’ (single compartment) cars have showers at the end of each car. These are first-class only. Cheap fares: Unlimited travel, valid for 14, 21 and 30 days, with seven day extensions available, is available with an Austrailpass, which must be purchased outside Australia, and can only be used by non-Australian passport holders. Only economy-class passes are available. Each State operator offers its own Austrailpass scheme. The Austrail Flexi-Pass is valid for 8, 15, 22 and 29 days within a six-month period, although it cannot be used on the Ghan or the Indian Pacific. The pass only offers economy-class accommodation. Both the Austrailpass and the Austrail Flexi-Pass must be purchased outside of Australia. The East Coast Discovery Pass offers six months’ travel on the eastern coast. An Austrailpass does not include meal or sleeping berth charges. The passes must be used within 12 months of issue.
Representative in the UK: Rail Australia, c/o Leisurail, PO Box 5, 12 Coningsby Road, Peterborough PE8 8XP (tel: (0870) 750 0222; fax: (0870) 750 0333). Most major tourist attractions can be reached by train; tickets for multiple destinations can be purchased from travel agents outside Australia.
ROAD: Traffic drives on the left. Road signs are international. The speed limit is 60kph (35mph) in cities and towns and 80-110kph (50-68mph) on country roads and highways unless signs indicate otherwise. Seat belts must be worn at all times and driving licences must be in the driver’s possession when driving. Driving off major highways in the outback becomes more difficult between November and February because of summer rain, as many roads are little more than dirt tracks. Road travel is best between April and October. Distances between towns can be considerable, and apart from ensuring that all vehicles are in peak condition, it is advisable to carry spare water, petrol and equipment. Travellers are advised to check with local Automobile Associations before departure in order to obtain up-to-date information on road and weather conditions.
Coach: Major cities are linked by an excellent national coach system, run by Greyhound Pioneer (website: www.greyhound.com.au). Tasmania also has its own coach service, Tasmanian Redline Coaches. There are numerous other companies operating State and Interstate services. The main coach express routes are: Sydney to Adelaide, Melbourne (inland), Brisbane and Canberra; Canberra to Melbourne; Melbourne to Adelaide; Adelaide to Alice Springs, Perth and Brisbane; Darwin to Alice Springs, Cairns, Perth and Kakadu; Alice Springs to Ayers Rock; Cairns to Brisbane; Brisbane to Sydney (inland and coastal) and Melbourne. Coach passes are available for travel on the express services for between seven and 90 days, such as the Aussie Discoverer, the Eastern Discoverer, the Aussiepass, the Aussie Kilometre Pass, the Bus Australia Pass, the Down Under Pass, etc. These normally give unlimited travel throughout the country. It is advisable to purchase these passes before departure from country of origin. Coaches are one of the cheapest ways to travel around Australia, as well as one of the most comfortable, with air conditioning, big adjustable seats and on-board bathrooms; some also have television and the latest videos.
Car Hire: Available at all major airports and major hotels to those over 21 years old. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required by nationals of countries whose official language is not English. International, foreign or national driving permits are generally valid for three months. An International Driving Permit is only valid in conjunction with a valid national licence. Permits must be carried at all times while driving.
URBAN: Comprehensive public transport systems are provided in all the main towns. The State capitals have suburban rail networks, those in Sydney and Melbourne being particularly extensive, and trams run in Melbourne and Adelaide. Meter-operated taxis can be found in all major cities and towns. There is a minimum ‘flagfall charge’ and then a charge for the distance travelled. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped. A small additional payment may be required for luggage and telephone bookings. Some taxis accept payment by credit card. For further details, see individual State entries.
TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Sydney to other major cities in Australia.
| Air | Rail | Coach | | Canberra | 0.40 | 4.30 | 4.00 | | Adelaide | 1.55 | 25.30 | 22.00 | | Brisbane | 1.15 | 16.00 | 16.30 | | Darwin | 5.00 | - | 92.50 | | Melbourne | 1.15 | 13.00 | 14.30 | | Perth | 4.35 | 65.45 | 60.00 | | Hobart | 2.05 | - | - |
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