Australia by Car

The Port of Augusta is located on the east coast of the Eyre Peninsula in the state of South Australia. Positioned right at the head of the Spencer Gulf and within a close proximity to the Flinders Ranges, Port Augusta is a popular holiday destination for those seeking to explore some of Australia’s most beautiful natural landmarks.

Port Augusta sits 322 kilometres north of Adelaide, making it the ideal destination for a driving holiday. You will easily be able to find the car hire depot from which you can pick up your vehicle and then it is completely up to you where you start your exploration from.

This natural harbour town was first settled in 1852 and has thrived into a popular tourist hotspot for visitors from all over the world. It offers everything a modern city should, along with so much more! Popular points of interest include the Australian Arid Lands Botanical Gardens, which offer superb views of the Flinders Ranges. These gardens showcase an array of arid zone environments, along with many special conservation areas where you will be able to view the natural fauna the gardens pride themselves on. There is also an extensive network of meandering tracks, which will allow you to stretch your legs and embark on the nature experience of a lifetime.

The city itself is scattered with many pleasant parks and gardens, with something unique and interesting around every corner. There is also an abundance of shopping opportunities on offer, making it a place any shopaholic could only dream of.

If you want to venture outside of Port Augusta itself, the Flinders Ranges beckon your presence. This magnificent mountain range stretches for over 400 kilometres and is only a short drive away from the town centre. The drive is stunning and will be made even easier with your car rental.

Port Augusta is the “Gateway to the Outback” as well as the “Gateway to the Flinders Ranges“. It is the perfect place to visit to experience some of the country’s best natural highlights, and also to enjoy a holiday experience that you will remember forever!

Nestled in the renowned Cape to Cape region of the south-west of Western Australia, lies the picturesque town of Busselton. Its close proximity to the capital city of Perth, means that you can pick up your car hire vehicle here, then drive the 220 kilometres south until you reach Busselton.

Founded in 1831, by the Bussel family, Busselton has experienced fruitful economic and demographic growth and is now one the state’s top tourist towns. It is home to the Noongar Aboriginal people, who still hold strong ties with the land and whose presence is felt and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Enjoying a mild, Mediterranean climate, Busselton attracts thousands of visitors each year, who are seeking a break from the city and the chance to get back in touch with nature.

While visiting this unique and historic town, there are several sites of interest that you will be drawn to. The Busselton Jetty is perhaps the highlight of the town, and stretches for almost two kilometres out to sea. It is the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and is a great place for a spot of fishing or a leisurely stroll. The jetty is also the site of an underwater observatory and interpretive centre.

For a slice of the town’s history, pay a visit to Wonnerup House. This original homestead was built in 1859 by the Layman Family, the original settlers of Busselton. It depicts the colonial times and the trials and tribulations that were experienced in these times. Another historic site of interest is St Mary’s Church of England, which claims to be the oldest stone church in Western Australia. This stunning church showcases some of the area’s historical architecture and will take you a few steps back to Busselton’s days gone by.

Busselton is also home to some of the nation’s finest festivals and sporting events, including the Festival of Triathlon and Iron Man Championships. These events are a major drawing card of the region and are a lot of fun to watch.

Busselton is a place of pleasant contrasts, from tranquil waters to the rugged cliffs of the surfing coast, ancient caves to picturesque vineyards, and sprawling pastures to magnificent forests. It is truly the perfect place for your next driving holiday in Western Australia.

The port city of Geelong is one of the largest cities in the state of Victoria, coming a close second behind the capital, Melbourne. Nestled on the shores of Corio Bay and the mouth of the Barwon River, Geelong emphasises a strong focus on waterfront living, combined with a trendy, cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Geelong’s location just 75 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, means that you can find suitable car hire there and then adjust to your new driving conditions by taking the short drive out to the heart of Geelong.

Waterfront Geelong is the best place to start your exploration of the city. It is one of Australia’s best waterfront developments and is home to superb restaurants, beautifully landscaped gardens, walking tracks and public art attractions. From here, venture into the city, where you will find some of the country’s most fascinating cultural attractions. One of the most interesting of these would no doubt be the National Wool Museum. Here you will find many displays and exhibitions that demonstrate Geelong’s past and present prominence in the Australian wool industry. This experience will educate you and give you a greater understanding of the processes that go into producing one of the country’s best exports.

The Geelong Art Gallery is another interesting place to visit. The gallery has an outstanding collection of paintings, sculptures and decorative arts that depict Australian times from the colonial days to the present. This experience will be any art fanatic’s dream and will also leave the untrained eye more apt when it comes to Australian art.

Geelong is the perfect place to visit if you are seeking to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle with the benefits of the city. Encompassing a cosmopolitan city, semi-rural and diverse, urban communities, along with endless kilometres of white, sandy beaches, you are sure not to be disappointed with what the amazing city of Geelong has to offer!

I don’t think that there is anyone in Australia that hasn’t heard of Kakadu National Park! However, for those of you that must be living under a rock and haven’t, here is just a slice of what you can expect of Australia’s most culturally significant and well-known World Heritage Area.

Kakadu is managed jointly by its Aboriginal traditional owners and the Director of National Parks. Kakadu National Park is (after Uluru) the natural highlight of the Northern Territory of Australia, located in the far northern reaches of the country. It is situated approximately 200 kilometres east of Darwin along a sealed highway, which means that you can pick up your car rental from here and head out. When travelling from Darwin, you can enter Kakadu from the north via the Arnhem Highway, which offers a stunning outback drive that you won’t quickly forget.

The park spans 200 kilometres from the north to the south, and 100 kilometres from east to west. From rugged sandstone escarpments, to extensive woodlands and vast wetlands, this cultural landscape will simply take your breath away. The park gained world heritage status for its outstanding cultural and natural values, and this could not be any more apparent!

Highlights of Kakadu include a collection of some of the finest and most extensive rock art, in the world, the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, which contains displays and information on many aspects of the Aboriginal culture of the region, and Gunlon, a stunning waterfall that can either be viewed from the plunge pool at the base or from the top, where you can explore the amazing stone country. The park is also home to some world-renowned walking tracks and a remarkable variety and concentration of native Australian wildlife. All these natural highlights will make your Kakadu experience one to remember for many years to come.

The best way to get to and around Kakadu National Park is with a car rental. This will give you the freedom to explore every inch, nook and cranny of this one-of-a-kind Australian masterpiece.

When it comes to the harsh Australian outback, there are few towns that will pleasantly surprise you and make you actually want to stay. However, the city of Broken Hill will do exactly this, as well as much, much more!

Broken Hill is a thriving community on the edge of the New South Wales outback and is situated approximately 1,100 kilometres west of the capital, Sydney. It is the economic and cultural hub of far western NSW, and although it is regarded as an isolated mining city, it is often regarded as the “Oasis of the West” and the “Capital of the Outback“. Renowned for its vibrant art community and many artists’ studios, Broken Hill places a strong emphasis on the artistic and the unique. The city also cherishes its heritage, which is evident through the lovingly restored historic buildings and monuments that line the city streets.

When travelling to Broken Hill, there are several options you can take. If you choose to fly in, there are a few car hire depots in the city from which you can pick up your car rental. Alternatively, you can brave the harsh outback and drive all the way from Sydney: guaranteed to be a road trip you will never forget. Continuing on with your driving adventure, while in town take some time to venture along “The Silver Trail”, a 40 kilometre self-drive tour that will take you at least 2 hours. This drive features 113 fascinating local sites that will capture your eye’s attention and give you an insight into the local history and way of life.

Another short drive, south-east of Broken Hill is the Kinchega National Park. This park is noted for its interesting collection of Aboriginal artefacts and abundant native wildlife. It is definitely worth the 110 kilometre drive, as some of the sights here will simply amaze you. The drive along is stunning, with desert statues and natural rock formations offering pleasant changes from the otherwise harsh plains.

The city of Broken Hill will surprise and excite you, in more ways than one and will leave you with a new found appreciation of our great country’s outback.

The New South Wales Northern Rivers are undeniably one of the most beautiful areas in the state and feature some of the country’s best river landscapes. The main commercial and entertainment hub of the area is the town of Ballina, and although it is often overshadowed by the popular tourist destination, Byron Bay, it offers something unique and different that Byron simply cannot compete with.

Ballina is centred on an island at the mouth of the Richmond River and is nestled amongst a total of 32 kilometres of stunning, white sandy beaches. Essentially, Ballina is a natural fun park for beach lovers, surfers, keen fishers, and eager boaties and eco-adventurers. There are so many beautiful beaches that the only difficulty you will have here is choosing which ones to visit. The great thing about the Ballina beaches is that they still enjoy the great surf and sheer beauty of the Byron beaches, but without all the crowds.

The river also plays a prominent role in the community and is the source of much recreational pleasure. Take a river cruise along the Richmond and you will be able to partake in a spot of fishing, spot some humpback whales or simply sit back and take in your stunning surrounds. If you want to put your fishing rod to further use, take a short drive in your car rental out to Flat Rock or Angels Beach, the area’s secret hotspots for excellent fishing.

If the beach and river is not for you and you would simply prefer to browse the shops and enjoy some local cuisine at a trendy cafe, than a stroll along River Street is sure to please. The street runs parallel to the river and is where you will discover some fantastic cafes, restaurants and boutiques. There are also two major shopping centres, which will further ensure your shopping experience in Ballina is one to remember.

Next time you are in the great state of New South Wales, you just have to take a few days to explore the wonder and beauty of Ballina. The best way to do this is by renting a car, and there are several car hire depots in the area that will make this experience simple. Whatever you choose to do here, you are guaranteed not to leave disappointed!