Safety
Staying Safe in Australia: Sun, Surf & Wildlife
Swim between the flags, respect the UV index and know what to do around snakes, jellyfish and crocodiles. Practical safety rules for every traveller.
Transport guide
Getting Around Australia: Flights, Trains & Road Trips
Australia is almost as big as the contiguous United States. Planning realistic distances is the key to a relaxed trip.
- 7 min read
- Travel time estimator
Distances: think in hours, not kilometres
First-time visitors often underestimate the scale. Sydney and Perth are about 3,300 km apart in a straight line and roughly 3,900 km by road – a drive of four to five long days, or a flight of around 4.5 hours. Even "nearby" Sydney and Melbourne are some 880 km apart by road.
3,900km by road, Sydney – Perth
4.5hours flying, Sydney – Perth
1,500km, Darwin – Alice Springs
3mainland time zones
Rule of thumb: fly between regions, then explore each region by car, train, boat or guided tour. Two or three regions in two weeks is comfortable; five is exhausting.
By air
Domestic flights
The backbone of almost every multi-region itinerary.
Qantas
The full-service national carrier, with checked baggage and snacks included on most fares and the widest network, including regional QantasLink services.
Virgin Australia
The main competitor on trunk routes and leisure destinations such as the Whitsundays, Uluru and Hobart, with bundled and lighter fare options.
Jetstar
Qantas' low-cost arm. Base fares are cheap but usually include only 7 kg of carry-on – add checked bags when booking to save money.
Regional airlines
Rex (Regional Express) and smaller carriers serve country towns, islands and outback communities, often on turboprop aircraft.
Airports in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are busy hubs; allow at least 90 minutes when connecting from an international to a domestic flight, as you will pass border control and re-check bags.
Long-distance trains
Rail is not the quickest way to cross Australia, but it is one of the most memorable. The great transcontinental trains are all-inclusive journeys with cabins, dining cars and off-train excursions.
The Indian Pacific
Sydney to Perth via Broken Hill and Adelaide: 4,352 km over 4 days and 3 nights, including the world's longest straight stretch of railway across the Nullarbor Plain.
The Ghan
Adelaide to Darwin through Alice Springs and Katherine: 2,979 km, usually over 3 days and 2 nights, with a longer expedition version in the dry season.
Spirit of Queensland
Queensland Rail's tilt train between Brisbane and Cairns takes about 25 hours and offers lie-flat RailBed seats – a scenic alternative to flying up the coast.
For shorter hops, NSW TrainLink's XPT links Sydney with Melbourne and Brisbane, and V/Line serves regional Victoria.
Self-drive and campervans
Driving gives you the freedom to stop at every lookout, winery and beach – and routes such as the Great Ocean Road, Tasmania's east coast and Western Australia's south-west are made for it. Roads are generally well maintained and signposted, but distances and conditions demand respect.
- Drive on the left, give way to the right at uncontrolled intersections and on roundabouts.
- Bring your full licence; if it is not in English, add an International Driving Permit. Most rental firms require drivers to be at least 21, with a surcharge under 25.
- Typical limits are 50 km/h in towns and 100–110 km/h on rural highways; speed and mobile-phone cameras are common.
- The blood-alcohol limit for full licence holders is 0.05.
- Check your rental terms: many prohibit unsealed roads and night driving in remote areas.
- City toll roads in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are cashless – rental cars usually have an electronic tag, billed afterwards.
Campervan tips
Campervans and motorhomes are popular for longer trips. Book powered sites in holiday parks during school holidays, follow local rules on free camping (it is banned in many coastal towns) and remember that a one-way rental can carry a significant relocation fee. Fuel is noticeably more expensive in remote areas.
Ferries and island hops
Some of Australia's best moments happen on the water. The Spirit of Tasmania carries passengers and vehicles across Bass Strait between Geelong and Devonport; the crossing takes most of a day or a night, so book a cabin for overnight sailings.
- Sydney Ferries from Circular Quay to Manly – a harbour cruise for the price of a commuter fare.
- Fast ferries from Perth and Fremantle to Rottnest Island.
- Vehicle ferries from Cape Jervis to Kangaroo Island in South Australia.
- Island transfers around the Whitsundays from Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island.
In the cities
City transport cards
Public transport is clean, safe and easy to use. Tap on and tap off every trip.
| City | Card | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Opal | Trains, buses, ferries and light rail. You can also tap on with a contactless bank card or phone; daily and weekly fare caps apply. |
| Melbourne | myki | Trains, trams and buses. Trams in the CBD's Free Tram Zone cost nothing – no need to tap on there. |
| Brisbane & South East Queensland | go card | Covers Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Contactless bank cards are accepted on most services. |
| Perth | SmartRider | Transperth trains, buses and ferries. Free CAT buses circle the city centre. |
Fares, caps and payment options change regularly – check the local transport authority's website or app before you travel.
Side by side
Transport options compared
| Mode | Best for | Sydney – Melbourne | Cost | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | Crossing regions quickly | About 1.5 h | $–$$ | Baggage fees on low-cost fares |
| Train | Scenery and the journey itself | About 11 h (XPT) | $–$$$$ | Limited frequency; premium trains book out |
| Hire car | Coastal and wine-region touring | 9–10 h direct, 2–3 days via the coast | $$ | Fatigue, wildlife at dusk, one-way fees |
| Campervan | Slow travel and nature | 2–4 days | $$–$$$ | Campsite bookings in holidays, fuel costs |
| Coach | Budget travel on the east coast | About 12 h | $ | Long hours in a seat |
| Ferry | Tasmania, islands, harbours | – | $–$$ | Seasonal timetables, weather |
Interactive
Travel time estimator
Pick two cities to compare approximate flying time with the driving distance.
Plan a leg
–approx. flying time
–approx. driving distance
Choose two different cities.
Estimates only: flying time is non-stop time in the air (westbound flights take longer because of headwinds); driving time assumes an 80 km/h average without stops.
Frequently asked questions
Flying. Domestic flights link all state capitals several times a day – Sydney to Melbourne takes about 1.5 hours, Sydney to Perth around 4.5–5 hours. Driving the same routes takes days, so most itineraries combine flights between regions with driving or tours within them.
Generally yes, as a visitor, if your licence is current and in English. If it is not in English, carry an International Driving Permit or an approved translation together with your original licence. Rules differ slightly by state, so check with your rental company. Australians drive on the left.
Yes – the Indian Pacific runs between Sydney and Perth via Broken Hill and Adelaide, crossing the Nullarbor Plain. The 4,352 km journey takes four days and three nights and is a premium, all-inclusive experience rather than budget transport.
Yes. The Spirit of Tasmania car ferry sails across Bass Strait between Geelong (near Melbourne) and Devonport. Many travellers find it easier to fly to Hobart or Launceston and hire a car on the island – check whether your rental company allows its vehicles on the ferry.
Keep planning
Related guides
Budget
Money & Budget Tips for Travelling in Australia
What a coffee, a meal and a night in a hotel really cost, how tipping works and smart ways to stretch your budget.
Planning
Best Time to Visit Australia: A Region-by-Region Guide
Australia's seasons are reversed and its climate zones vary wildly. Find out when to visit the reef, the outback, Tasmania and the big cities.
Let us handle the logistics
Self-drive and multi-region tours
Flights, hire cars and routes pre-planned – you just enjoy the ride.
Victoria
The Great Ocean Road & Grampians Self-Drive
Drive one of the world's most scenic roads to the Twelve Apostles, spot wild koalas and hike the peaks of the Grampians – at your own pace.
Tasmania
Tasmania's Wilderness & Culinary Trail
A self-drive from Hobart and MONA to Wineglass Bay and Cradle Mountain, with artisan cheese and cool-climate wine along the way.
New South Wales & Queensland
The Ultimate East Coast Explorer
Sydney's icons, a full day on the Great Barrier Reef and nights in the ancient Daintree Rainforest – the classic Australian journey in one 14-day trip.
Want a route that actually works?
Tell us where you want to go and how long you have – we will suggest a realistic itinerary.
Plan my route Browse all tours