Yahoo Lifestyle The best ways to see Australia
Want to get to those interesting, out of the way places that make Australia really unique? If you want to get off the tourist trail and carve your own path, there are plenty of options available – from caravans, campervans, car, train, boat, bike or bus – even walking! They all have their pros and cons, depending on what you want to see and how long you have. So to make you get the best out of your stay, we help you find the best solution.
By Caravan
Australia is a big place – and if you’re looking at getting round most of it by car, the costs can quickly build up when you consider fuel, accommodation, eating out and tourist activities.
Campervans not only ensure your accommodation costs are sorted out, they give you the freedom to literally stay wherever you fancy! Hiring a budget van with all the gear will set you back around $50 - $80 a day, and if you want to stay at a campsite to park a van will cost around $30 a night – but unless there is a sign saying no camping. If you are considering a trip for three months or more, consider buying your van outright.
Pros: Can be a cheaper way of exploring Australia, giving you the freedom to stay where you want for how ever long you want, without having to book accommodation. You will also be able to cut costs by preparing and cooking your own food.
Cons: Vans use significantly more fuel that cars, and if you’re ok with staying in backpackers, hiring a car can sometimes be a cheaper option.
By Car
Road trip! A car is a great way to get around, especially if you chose to stay in B&Bs and backpackers – you’ll meet all kind of colorful characters along the way. While it’s possible to drive all the way around Australia on Hwy1 and through the Centre from Adelaide to Darwin without leaving sealed roads, there are also plenty of other routes that really show true outback Australia. Most of the time you wont’ even need a 4WD to tackle most of these roads, but you do need to be carefully prepared for the isolation and lack of facilities.
Pros: Australia has a vast network of well-maintained roads and some of the most beautiful touring routes in the world.
Cons: Driving can be exhausting, and it can take a long time to cover what looks like a short distance on the map. Fuel can also be expensive.
By Train
Train is a great way to see Australia – while it may not be the cheapest or even the fastest option, it is a lot more comfortable than a car or bus. The ‘romance of the rails’ is still alive and well on Australia’s most famous rail journeys -The Indian Pacific across the Nullarbor Plain and the Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin. This is a great option if you want to see some of the more remote parts of the country, or if you don’t want to be exhausted from driving for eight hours a day. Train lines also connect most major towns and cities.
Pros: Convenient, affordable and scenic way to explore Australia. Great way to kick back, relax and enjoy the scenery without the exhaustion of driving long distances.
Cons: Can be a slow mode of travel
Bus
Cheap, reliable and can get you about anywhere you need to go - Australia bus network is one of the most extensive in the world. It can be tedious way of travelling but it can also be a great way to meet other travelers. If you go with smaller bus companies, the drivers sometimes double as tour guides. The condition and quality of buses in Australia is good and most should have air conditioning, toilets and video.
Pros: A cost effective and reliable solution to get from A-b. Services are frequent, affordable and efficient.
Cons: Can be a rather slow method of transport and not for travelers who like to go it alone.
By Plane
Want to see Uluru, climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge, snorkel The Great Barrier reef, catch a sunset in Perth and only have two weeks to do it in? Unless you’ve invented teleportation, the only way you’re going to tick them all off your list is by plane. For example, a trip from Sydney up to Hamilton Island will only take half a day of travel, allowing time for connecting flights – but if you attempt it by car, you’ll be looking at a good three day journey. The decision on whether or not to fly really depends on what you want to see and what you hope to see along the way – but there’s no arguing it’s the fastest way to do it!
Pros: You’ll spend less time travelling and more time on the ground, will see a lot in a small space of time, and can be a cost effective way of travelling especially if you start to add up fuel costs of travelling by car
Cons: You will miss seeing a lot of smaller, out of the way areas you may see on a road trip
By Bike
Consider yourself fit, healthy and really want an adventure to write home about? Seeing Australia by bike is more popular than you may think – from bike paths that wind through our major cities to good country roads and stretches of flat countryside – there’s plenty to see on two wheels. However, this isn’t a trip to do on a whim – you need to be prepared. Biking many roads – including the dessert - is out of the question in summer, but in winter, many areas lend themselves very well to biking. The story goes that Eastern Australia was settled on the principle of not having more than a day’s horse ride between pubs, so it’s possible to plan routes and still get to a hostels, hotels or caravan parks by the end of each day.
Pros: Great biking roads, cost effective and a memorable way to see the countryside
Cons: Weather and season dependant, requires a lot of planning and not for the feint hearted!
Motorbike
If you really want to get off the beaten track, a motorbike can offer you the freedom to do just that. The climate is good for bikes for much of the year, and the many small trails from the road into the bush lead to perfect spots to spend the night.
Having said that, you need to plan your route according to the season. There are some parts of Australia you cannot travel at certain times of the year due to either extreme temperatures or floods. This is another method of travelling that requires diligent planning. Always work out your fuel requirements between stops and you’ll also have to avoid travelling at night in many areas because of the risk of hitting wildlife, such as kangaroos.
Pros: Fantastic way to get up close with the landscape, and have the freedom to stop where you like.
Cons: At the mercy of dirt roads, weather, seasons and requires a lot of planning.
By Boat
Embarking on a yachting adventure, island hopping on a local ferry, or charging up the coast via cargo ship can be a wonderful way to experience our world-famous coastline. While circumnavigating the entire country by boat may require at least a year out of your timetable there are many options to do smaller stretches by boat.
Consider a chartered boat, yacht or cruise ships or even hitch a ride on a cargo ship. Also look for local operators for boat and yacht charters. If a ferry is more your speed, then the Spirit of Tasmania runs a passenger and vehicle ferry service between Melbourne and Tasmania, while Sealink ferries connect South Australia and Kangaroo Island. Ferries connect suburbs in our capital cities – they cris-cross Sydney Harbour, the Swan River in Perth and the Brisbane River in Brisbane.
Pros: Great way to see the coastline and local marine life
Cons: Can be expensive to charter boats or yachts and are recommended for smaller stretches of travel if you’re time poor.
Walks
Australia is famed for some of the longest – and most spectacular - tracks and trails in the world in Australia. These journeys of a thousand kilometers or more can take several weeks to complete, but those who have traversed Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed wilderness on the Overland Track or followed the Larapinta Trail across the Northern Territory’s West MacDonnell Ranges have boasted about the adventure for years to come. There are plenty of options - sections of South Australia’s Heysen Trail, which stretches from the Fleurieu Peninsula to Flinders Ranges, the Blue Mountains, or Yungula Rainforest in North Queensland. If a six-day trek isn’t for you, then there are plenty of day walks or short scenic sections in our national parks. Opt for walking as a cheap and scenic way to explore our cities and towns.
Pros: cost effective, great way to soak up the beauty of the landscape
Cons: tired feet!! Long treks require good quality equipment and a lot of planning. You also need to be considerably fit.
RELATED READING:
Your personal roadmap to holistic eating
10 ways to be fit over 40
Top 10 life stressors to avoid
BLACKMORES HEALTHY AGEING INFORMATION:
Healthy ageing community
Exercise for healthy ageing
Heart health foods for healthy ageing
Berries: the superfood of healthy ageing
Whey protein and muscle health the key to healthy ageing
What's your health age?
Five ways to age your brain gracefully
