Getting around Australia takes planning, because the one word that best describes this country is "vast". The continent is 3,700 kilometres long from the north to the south and 4,000 kilometres wide from west to east. For visitors this means, unless you plan on staying in one city or spot, you will have to use various means of transportation to get from one place to another. Fortunately, Australia is prepared to help guests enjoy their visit by offering a number of transportation options.
Before talking about travelling distances, it's important to know that there are many guided tours available. For example, in Sydney you can cruise the harbours on ferries or take a walking tour. In Victoria you can take a guided tour of the Great Ocean Road which is an enchanting trip along the coast. A walking tour of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre and the surrounding bush area near Ayers Rock is another favourite choice by visitors.
When you wish to travel outside a specific city or area though, getting around Australia requires more pre-planning. Plane travel is commonly used to travel long distances from one section to another. For example, if you wish to spend a few days in Sydney and then visit the Great Barrier Reef, the only way to manage the trip within a reasonable amount of time is by air. Some guided tours can actually be taken by air also such as one offered in Kimberly so that visitors can see the Bungle Bungles formations.
There are plenty of ways to get from one destination to another by bus also. The only national bus company operating long distance routes is Greyhound. The company offers specially priced passes for regular trips to popular places such as the Great Barrier Reef, Monkey Mia, Port Macquarie, Kakadu National Park and the many popular horse racing tracks. You can begin your trip from several originating destinations within the country.
The train is another great way to choose for getting around Australia. There are train routes criss-crossing the continent and also routes that follow the breathtaking coast line. For an adventure, you can ride the high speed Tilt Train or enjoy a plush ride on the Indian Pacific to name just two of the wonderful train travel options. The train companies sell rail packages that offer discounted prices and unlimited travel within a designated period of time.
Of course, renting a car is also a great option for managing reasonable distances between sights. Travelling by car gives you the opportunity to stop where you want when you see something of interest. There are major car rental companies throughout the country. But before renting a car, make sure you understand how far you plan on driving. One of the common mistakes people make is underestimating the vastness of the continent. Also it is important to take driving lessons, because the rules of the road are different from many other countries.
No matter which form of travel you choose, it's important to have travel insurance in Australia. Travel insurance can protect you in the event of cancelled trips, unexpected accidents and a host of other unplanned problems. Getting around Australia is easy with all of the travel options, and travel insurance gives you peace of mind that nothing can ruin your trip.