Australia Car Hire

Guide to Australia

In terms of geographic area Australia is the sixth largest country in the world, covering some 7.7 million-square-km. It comprises of the Australian mainland and several islands. This vast country has an amazingly diverse landscape which includes desert, rainforest, mountains and stunning coastlines. Australia has a population of almost 25 million. Most of the population is located in the eastern states, in major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.

A Brief History

An ancient rock-shelter, Madjedbebe, is the oldest evidence of human activity in Australia and potentially dates from around 50,000 years ago. The indigenous inhabitants of Australia included the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These groups had, by the arrival of Europeans, established a significant oral tradition which honoured and respected the land. At this time, it is estimated there was an indigenous population of between 300,000 and 750,000.

In 1788 Europeans made their first permanent settlements in country and although some aboriginal communities continued as previously, Europeans controlled most of Australia in just over a hundred years. The Pintupi were the last people living a traditional hunter-gather lifestyle, in the Gibson desert until contact was made in 1984. As a British colony, Australia is well known as a place convicts were sent, in fact over 160,000 were sent to Australia from Britain between 1788 and 1868. Australia was united on January 1^st, 1901 as The Commonwealth of Australia.

21^st Century Australia

Today Australia is a modern country with a diverse and growing population. It is a vibrant, fun-loving nation and 65% of the population is of working age. Over 80% of the population live in cities, the largest being Sydney. Arts and culture is a significant part of the modern Australian economy with world-class venues such as the Sydney Opera House drawing in tourists from all over the world. Sport is also a massive part of the national identity with rugby, cricket and soccer having huge popularity, however the most popular sport in Australia is swimming, perhaps unsurprising for a country where 85% of people live within 50km of a beach.

Places to visit in Australia

Things to see and do in Australia

Sydney Architecture and Opera House

Sydney is the oldest city in Australia and its architecture reflects this, with a wonderful melting pot of styles, periods and design. St Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral is a fine example of the city’s Gothic Revival architecture, whereas the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge demonstrates the steel-arched modernity of the 1930s.

It is of course the Sydney Opera House which is the most famous building in Sydney. Opened in 1973 this attraction brings in over 10 million visitors every year. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. With around 40 shows every week, ranging from traditional dance to classical music there’s something for everyone here.

Melbourne Botanical Gardens

Get back to nature with a visit to Melbourne’s world class botanical garden. Though there are options to pay for guided tours, entry to the grounds is free. Make a whole day of memories wandering amongst rare plants, trees and wildlife. There are special children’s gardens and plenty of amazing activities for all the family. Save money and bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy in the beautiful grounds, but no barbeques.

Telstra Tower, Canberra

Standing at 195 metres above Black Mountain, Telstra Telecommunication Tower offers unrivalled panoramic views of Australia’s capital city and its surroundings. Access for adults costs $7.50 with children and seniors costing $3. Be sure to visit the café for coffee with one of Australia’s most spectacular views.

Surfer’s Paradise

Located in the Gold Coast region of Queensland, Surfer’s Paradise is a hub of tourism, not only for surfers but for anyone wanting to enter into coastal vibe of surf culture. With an impressive skyline of high-rise buildings and some spectacular shopping opportunities, ‘Surfers’ is a fun-packed destination for everyone. Of course, while you’re here you might want to ride a wave or two, and even if you’re not an experienced surfer help is on hand. Go Ride A Wave is a popular surf school, offering instruction not only with surfing, but also kayak, stand-up-paddle-boarding. They even offer specialist instruction for kids.

Alice Springs Desert Park

Australia is the driest country on earth, so it’s hardly surprising it has some wonderful desert to explore. Spend a few hours here and you will discover the desert is far from an empty barren place, instead you’ll see what a richly diverse landscape it is, which is home to a wide range of plants and animals. The park is open daily (except 25^th Dec) from 7.30am to 6pm. Entry is $37 for adults with children under 5 receiving free entry, there are a range of other concessions available on the official website.

Getting to and from Australia

There is lots of choice when it comes to your flight options. The busiest airport in Australia is Sydney, followed by Melbourne and Brisbane. Most of the world’s major airlines have routes to Australia, including British Airways, Virgin and Emirates.

Flights to Australia usually involve a layover and can take anywhere between 22 and 55 hours depending on how long it is between your flights. You could choose to take advantage of your layover in a city such as Hong Kong or Bangkok with a few days there, just be sure to check out Visa requirements. Recently Qantas has been testing direct non-stop flights from both the UK and USA to Australia and other airlines are likely to follow suit.

Enjoy is available to pre-book vehicles for collection through our partners at airports and cities throughout Australia. Be sure to book in advance to avoid any disappointment or inability to secure the size and type of car you need for your trip.

Car hire in Australia

Being the 6th largest country in the world, with a land mass of 2,969,121 square miles, Australia proudly displays its supremacy with over 300 cities. Led by Sydney, the cities spread across the six states. And they bear the true definition of the Australian culture.

Car hire is an excellent option for travellers who like the freedom to plan their own schedule and the ability to travel any distance in comfort. Enjoy works with a wide range of local partners across Australia to offer you the best deals. Booking in advance of your trip will save you time and money, it will also ensure you have the widest possible choice of vehicles, meaning you can have peace of mind, knowing your booking is secured.

Some rules of the Australian road

• In Australia you should drive on the left
• All passengers must wear seatbelts, in the front and rear of the vehicle.
• Australia has a number of speed-reducing-initiatives, including cameras, so stay within the limits.
• You must not use your phone while driving.
• The blood alcohol limit in Australia is 50mg