Australia by Car

Discover the fascinating diversity of North Queensland and embark on an exploration of Townsville. This is Australia’s largest tropical city and is a charming blend of old and new. The drive here alone is stunning, from whichever direction you come from, and your car rental will allow you to take in the stunning surrounds at your own pace and leisure.

The city of Townsville offers everything a major city should, along with so much more! From lush rainforest to the Great Barrier Reef and from a luxurious resort on a tropical island to a cattle ranch in the golden outback, Townsville has it all.

When it comes to culture and adventure, you will never be left without something to do here. You will find the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium, a wildlife sanctuary, an excellent casino, beautiful beaches, historic museums and culinary delights at the multiple restaurants that are speckled throughout the city. The city has a rich history and its cultural depths will surprise and enchant you.

While exploring the surrounding areas in your car hire vehicle you will come across some of the most spectacular places that North Queensland has to offer. Just north of the city you will find some breathtaking National Parks and World Heritage Listed areas that will provide you with hours of recreational enjoyment. The seaside towns of Ingham, Cardwell and Mission Beach, are home to some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, rainforests and waterfalls. These natural highlights are simply stunning and the very sight of them will be imprinted in your heart and mind forever.

The beautiful climate and relaxed lifestyle of Townsville, combined with the lure of the tropics and all of the attractions of a big city, will make you never want to leave this amazing place. It is the ideal stepping stone to the outback, rainforests, magnificent waterfalls, tropical islands and the Great Barrier Reef, making this the ultimate family holiday destination.

There is no better way to discover the best of Australian wildlife than to pay a visit to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to hundreds of native animals displayed in natural bushland and rainforest settings.

Currumbin is a unique area of the Gold Coast. It is where the bush and lush rainforests meet the coastline, and some of Queensland’s most beautiful beaches. When you hire a car rental here, you can begin your holiday at the beach and than head inland to discover the wonders of the natural rainforest. Travelling along the Gold Coast Highway, you won’t be able to miss the huge sign, indicating the turn off for the Wildlife Sanctuary. Take the turn and you will be transported into a world of wonder, beauty, nature and all that is wonderful.

The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary offers a rare opportunity to get close to amazing native wildlife as it is home to more than 1400 animals and birds. The Sanctuary was established nearly 60 years ago and has thrived since then to become one of the state’s most popular tourist attractions, dedicated to preserving the state’s natural and cultural heritage.

The park features fascinating wildlife displays and shows that the entire family can enjoy. ‘Wild Island’ is an outdoor adventure playground and interactive science activity zone, that combines fun filled entertainment and adventure with nature. The ‘Wild night Adventure’ is another popular attraction, allowing visitors to discover an Aboriginal Dance Show and nocturnal animal display discovery tour. This is a display of traditional culture and Australian animals at their very best; definitely not one to miss!

The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is home to practically every Australian mammal, reptile, bird and amphibian that you could think of. This makes it the wildlife experience of a lifetime, and one that is best discovered on your car hire holiday of the Gold Coast. Apart from the beautiful beaches and stunning scenery, this will be the highlight of your trip, full of memories that will last you a lifetime!

When it comes to thriving regional cities, Queensland sure doesn’t disappoint. Central Queensland in particular offers some of the state’s most beautiful towns, the most notable of these being the regional city of Rockhampton. As the largest urban centre in this part of the state, Rockhampton is home to endless attractions, landmarks, wildlife and beautiful scenery, making it the ideal destination for a driving holiday in a car rental.

Rockhampton’s position close by to Great Keppel Island means that it attracts thousands of tourists who are keen to explore the mainland attractions. Popular attractions in the Rockhampton region include the Riverbank Parklands, a riverfront parkland attraction located on the banks of the Fitzroy River, and the Rockhampton Botanical Gardens, which is home to excellent specimens of palms, cycads and ferns.

For those history and culture lovers out there, Rockhampton is also the residence of the Dreamtime Cultural Centre, which is Australia’s largest cultural centre. The centre is home to native plants, trees and waterfalls, and is the perfect way to discover Australia’s Indigenous history.

The city itself is surrounded by coastal and rural landscapes, which will be fantastic to explore in your car hire vehicle. The Berserker Range lies just on the eastern side of the city and is definitely worth the drive. The views up here are simply stunning and will give you an idea of just how vast and beautiful the city is.

Rockhampton truly is where the outback meets the reef. It is the perfect place to visit for a taste of the best of both worlds. Best explored by car, there is just so much to see and do here that you may never want to leave.

When you think of beaches, water holes, mountains, waterfalls and the Big Banana, only one place should spring to mind: Coffs Harbour. This coastal city is located on the north coast of New South Wales and is a popular tourist destination for those wishing to escape the hassle of city life.

Coffs Harbour is nestled between a high mountain backdrop and dozens of unspoiled beaches, and is the main metropolitan region of the north coast. It is surrounded by stunning seaside towns, all within an hour’s drive, which means that you really will need to book a car hire vehicle while here.

Some of the best places to discover in your car rental are the beautiful beaches that dot the coastline. Personal favourites of these would have to be the Sapphire Beach, Moonee, Emerald Beach and Woolgoolga. These beaches are free from the crowds, while also remaining safe for swimming, surfing or any other beach activity that comes to mind.

Heading inland just outside of Coffs Harbour will take you into the rainforests and winding roads of the Orara Valley. Here you will find flowing mountain creeks and hidden pockets of lush, green forest that nestle on the banks of some of the most stunning fresh water holes that you will ever see. This is the perfect destination for a family picnic, a dip in the refreshing water or a simple, scenic drive.

Back in the city of Coffs Harbour itself, you will find everything that a good city should encompass. Several shopping centres, fantastic restaurants, and the family favourite, the Big Banana, will top of your visit to this amazing city, embedding the memories you have made here in your mind forever.

New South Wales truly does have some of the most beautiful townships in Australia! One of these would have to be the large town of Port Macquarie which is situated on the mid-North Coast of the state. This picturesque settlement is nestled 390 kilometres north of Sydney, and 570 kilometres south of Brisbane, which means that you can pick up your car rental from one of these major cities and embark on a scenic road trip.

Port Macquarie sits at the mouth of the Hastings River and enjoys Australia’s best climate. It is one of the country’s best loved holiday destinations and this comes as no surprise because it offers everything your ultimate holiday destination should. Home to glorious bays and beaches, precious island walkways, stunning rainforest pockets and evergreen hinterland, Port Macquarie enjoys the best of coastal and natural living.

Port Macquarie offers such a diversity and wealth of scenery and activities that it is the ideal place for any holiday you may wish to take. Whether it is a fun filled family holiday, a weekend getaway, an active adventure vacation or simply an opportunity to explore the many surrounding National Parks, State Forests and reserves, Port Macquarie is sure not to disappoint.

While visiting, take some time to enjoy the stunning coastal walks, surf some of the amazing waves, swim in the crystal clear waters, spot some whales in the distance or even brave a camel ride. There are over 15 local beaches and most of these are patrolled so you can be sure the whole family will be safe.

The historical highlight of Port Macquarie would have to be Timbertown, an entire, re-created village that is nestled in 87 acres of natural forest. Timbertown demonstrates the struggles and achievements of our pioneers and is definitely not one to miss for any keen history buff!

The best way to get to and around Port Macquarie is with a car hire vehicle. This will allow you to explore all the wonder and beauty that this amazing town has to offer.

When it comes to coral, brightly coloured fish, hundreds of tropical islands and miles of pristine beaches, there really is none better than the Great Barrier Reef. As the largest coral reef system in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is often labelled as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, and this is no mistake as it truly is spectacular.

The reef stretches for a total of 2,600 kilometres and is situated in the Coral Sea, just off the coast of Queensland. If you ask me, the best way to see it all is to take a driving trip up the coast, starting anywhere from as south as Bundaberg. The best way to do this is to pick up a car rental from your starting destination and than head north, sticking to the coast.

Some of the best places to base yourself for exploration of the reef would have to be Cairns, Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation. Cairns has all of the ingredients for an idyllic tropical holiday and also enjoys the perks of city living. Port Douglas is just 70 kilometres north of Cairns along a spectacular scenic drive, which will be made easy in your car hire vehicle. Port Douglas has a distinctive tropical charm and is the perfect place to relax, take it easy and explore some of the country’s most breathtaking beaches.

The Great Barrier Reef itself supports a diversity of life, including many vulnerable and endangered species. The reef is scattered with beautiful tropical islands and thousands of coral cays. It is essentially the best place in the world to go snorkelling and scuba diving and is even more popular for reef cruises. Stretching for as far as the eye can see, the reef is alight with colour and life and is undoubtedly the state icon of Queensland.

The Great Barrier Reef is a must-see for any Australian or visiting tourist. It is the quintessential highlight of the state and one of the best natural features of our great country!