Travel Australia
Transport Options
Australia is a nation of car drivers and in our day to day lives,
we'd rather jump in the car to get from A to B ahead of any other mode
of transport available. This in part is because of the small
populations in many regional areas and the high cost of building
transport infrastructure there. Road is often the only means of access
to such places, therefore to get there you have to either go by coach
(if the locality is on a major transport route) or drive there in your
own (or hired) vehicle.
After cars, buses (coaches) are generally the next cheapest form of
transport. Buses are the first choice of backpackers, their support has
ensured bus services on major routes are plentious. Air and rail are
not far behind - air can at times be the cheapest form of travel when
discounted fares are on offer, but remember that advertised discount
fares often only include carry-on baggage and you will be charged extra
for stored luggage, as well as to nominate a specific seat and to pay
by credit card (try buying your tickets with cash and you will be
politely refused!). By the time these extras are added, your budget
fare may not be much cheaper than the regular fares of another airline
flying the same route and offering a greater choice of flights.
Rail services of late have improved on what they used to be,
particulary in regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Services are frequent and the cost is very reasonable. The regional
areas of Australia, though often reglected by both interstate and
overseas travellers, have much to offer the visitor and are easily
accessed and well serviced by trains.
Because of both distance and the limited number of travellers utilising
these services, some long distance rail services, like The Ghan to the
Northern Territory, and the Indian Pacific (east to west) run only once
or twice weekly, depending on the season. Care must therefore be taken
in planning, so that you are not left wasting valuable time at a place
you don't want to be, waiting for a connection.
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