Australia by Car

Driving up into the mountains of the Sunshine Coast hinterland there is a noticeable change in the air around you. It takes on a crisp edge- brisk and vibrant. Just by breathing it in you feel more alive- a feeling that can only be complemented by a visit to Montville, a cosy village with spectacular ocean and National Park views.

Montville has the air of an English Village, especially in the winter time when the high altitude makes things rather chilly. Settled in 1887 by citrus growers, the heritage of the region is evident in its architecture. Most of the houses are log and stone cottages built in a definite English style, with a few Swiss and Bavarian cottages thrown in too. Many of the houses offer a view across the coastal plain to the beautiful Sunshine Coast beaches in the distance.

Often referred to as the ‘creative heart of the Sunshine Coast’, Montville contains a delightful collection of galleries, studios and specialty shops, showcasing the arts and crafts of the many artists that glean inspiration from the beautiful surroundings here.

One such creative stronghold worth a visit is the Black Forest Hill Clock Centre, where thousands of cuckoo clocks and German Grandfather Clocks are on display. Built according to the clock making traditions of the Black Forest region in Germany, each clock has meticulous attention to detail and its manufacture is overseen by a genuine German clock maker.

Just north of the village is the Kondalilla National Park, where there are a number of trails that take you through the thick lush rainforest and past stunning waterfalls. Its a great days outing.

Montville and the rest of the Sunshine Coast hinterland are yours to explore in a rental car from Discovery Car Hire. Enjoy!

The town of Chillagoe in Queensland came into being because of the richness of minerals lying beneath its surface. Although now that the heady days of the mineral boom at the turn of the last century are long over, it is what lies underground at Chillagoe that still supports the town.

When the shallow sea covering it receded thousands of years ago the limestone reefs that were exposed have since been shaped by the elements and large underground caves have formed. These caves are one of the chief reasons people come to Chillagoe.

They lie in the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park, and their dazzling caverns and archways covered in stalagmites and stalactites can be explored via several walking tracks or on a guided tour. Expect to see lots of species of bats, and if you are lucky other unique wildlife such as rock pythons!

Its not just the caves that people come for though- its a combination of them, the beautiful outback scenery, the laid back country atmosphere and the mining heritage. This heritage can best be experienced in the Chillagoe Museum, where a collection of old mining equipment and interesting Aboriginal artefacts are on display.

The Chillagoe Mine itself is protected under the State Heritage Register, and in the old township the smelters (where once 1000 people worked) still dominate the skyline. Stories of the mining days of old abound, and you will learn much about the staunch pioneers that established towns like these.

200 kilometres inland from Cairns, a drive in your hire car from there will take about 3 hours. Most people coming here will choose to stay in the Chillagoe Cabins, beautiful self contained cottages that really complement the outback experience. There are also a couple of hotels in town too. For all your hire car needs visit Discovery Car Hire.

Darwin has an unexpected vibe to it. For such a far flung and isolated city it has a very contemporary and cosmopolitan feel - everyone is happy and relaxed, and when the sun goes down the parties really begin. With a strong mix of cultures evident, the Asian influence is especially clear here, and there is a lot of culinary diversity for you to enjoy.

Darwin is mostly used as a base from which explorations of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks are made. The varied landscapes of Kakadu are only a couple of hours drive away, although you will need at least a couple of days if you want to appreciate the Aboriginal heritage, hordes of wildlife and stunning scenery.

Litchfield, to the south, is even closer, and some say even nicer to visit than Kakadu. It is famous for having numerous waterfalls and high gorges, in which there are plenty of rock pools that have no crocodile inhabitants and are safe to swim in. This article tells you more about Litchfield.

In Darwin itself you can get up close and personal with crocodiles and other animals in a safe environment at Crocodylus Park. You should also not miss Aquascene, a spot right in the heart of the city where thousands of fish come to shore to be hand fed by people on the bank and in the water. If youre in town on a Thursday or Sunday dont miss the Mindil Markets, which are a lively, fun and creative arena for displaying talents and selling goods!

Although the heat can sometimes be stifling, there is relief in the form of frequent thunderstorms which also provide a bit of excitement and drama. There really is never a dull moment in Darwin, and to appreciate it to the maximum potential make use of Discovery Car Hire’s booking service and secure yourself a reliable hire car!

Pictures of the attractions on the Great Ocean Road grace the covers of tourist brochures across the world. But, beautiful as the images are, they still do not do justice to the majestic sights and scenery that this coastal drive takes you past. The only way to experience the true wonder of the Great Ocean Road is to make the drive yourself. And as it is only just under 100 kms from Melbourne to the start of the drive at Torquay, it is an easy and accessible road trip with extremely satisfying rewards.

As it is part of the Limestone Coast the rock structure of the shoreline is malleable, and over the years has been shaped by the ocean into intriguing geological features such as the ‘Twelve Apostles’, which attract tourists from all over the globe. These are situated close to the small town of Port Campbell, where this is plenty of accommodation available, and next to the Apostles is a large visitor centre and viewing platform. This article will give you more idea about things to see and do on the Great Ocean Road.

Before you reach Port Campbell however you will pass Apollo Bay, a serene coastal settlement situated on a picture perfect wineglass shaped bay. Primarily a fishing village, Apollo Bay is also close to the lush yet rugged Otway Ranges, a haven for nature lovers and bushwalkers alike. There are a number of stunning waterfalls in these mountains, with the Erskine Falls being especially popular amongst tourists.

Another popular town on the drive is Lorne, but if its classic beaches and surf you are after then spend a bit of time in Torquay. Here you will find Bells Beach, the infamous home to the annual Rip Curl Pro.

If you need a safe and reliable car booking for your Great Ocean Road adventure, then try out Discovery Car Hire. Enjoy the ride!

Speed, loud engines and lots of dust, all tearing up the heart of the Australian outback. What is it? Its Australia’s most gruelling offroad challenge, the Finke Desert Race, which takes place on the Queens Birthday Weekend every June, this year running from Friday 6th June until Monday 9th. If you’re in the area you’d be crazy to miss this truly unique outback event!

The track runs for 450 kilometres across all sorts of desert terrain, beginning just south of Alice Springs and continuing south to the small community of Finke (Aputula). En route it crosses the Finke River, reputedly the oldest river in the world. As you would expect of the outback, it is a rugged route that only the hardiest vehicles survive. While there are many bike, car and buggy entrants from all over the globe, only relatively few make it to the end.

The Finke is quite a spectator affair, with over 1200 people camping along the length of the track to catch a glimpse of the speeding vehicles, or to assist with refuelling and the like. Its a great time to experience the outback and an unique Australian event simultaneously. You are sure to have a whole heap of adventures of your own to go along with the excitement on the track.

The best means of getting to the Finke is to fly into Alice Springs and head down to the track from there. If you need a hire car, check out Discovery Car Hire. If you want more information on Alice Springs and things to see and do there, read this article.

A 260 kilometre long kaleidoscope of colour alive with weird and wonderful underwater creatures, Ningaloo Reef is a must-see for any visitors to Western Australia. Often compared to its eastern big brother the Great Barrier Reef in terms of the diversity of life on display, Ningaloo has one distinct advantage: its ease of accessibility. Most of it lies just a short swim from the shore! Check this article for more reef details.

Most visitors to the reef stay in Exmouth, which is a 1270 kilometre flight from Perth. An old navy town, Exmouth is now base to many diving and fishing charters that will help you explore this beautiful stretch of the coast. Being so close to the shore, the reef is perfect for snorkelling which really opens it up to kids and the less mobile. With over 500 species of tropical fish and 220 species of coral, the minute your mask goes under the surface a whole new world is opened up!

The underwater life gets a whole lot bigger than tropical fish too… in fact it gets up to 14 metres in length! Im talking about the whale sharks, the gentle giants that inhabit these waters between March and June. Their presence is celebrated in the Whaleshark Festival held every year in May, and if you get the opportunity to dive with these beautiful beasts you’ll never forget it. Other larger animals you may bump into are groups of loveable dugongs, and the occasional Loggerhead or Hawkesville Turtle.

Another attraction of Exmouth is the Cape Range National Park, which is just a 30 minute drive inland. Expect to be blown away by stunning gorges, and when the season is right, carpets of wildflowers. Bird and wildlife fanatics are in for a treat here, as are bushwalkers and hikers.

You’ll need a reliable vehicle if you are going to be exploring the Exmouth coastline, and you don’t get more reliable than Discovery Car Hire!