How to Prepare for a Road Trip in Australia

You have your flight booked to Australia, you have your maps ready and a checklist of the places you want to go. Make sure to review four top tips specifically to help you prepare for a road trip in Australia.

1. Make sure your driver's license is acceptable in Australia.
English language drivers licenses from any country are valid in Australia for up to twelve months. If you have a license from Quebec you will need to get an international driver's permit from the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA.) It may also help to have your license professionally translated into English. Some car rental companies will require that each driver presents an international driver's permit regardless of your license's language.


2. Get your funds in order
Major credit cards are accepted in Australia and in most cases it is cheaper to convert money to local currency using these cards once you arrive. Find out how you will be charged for this: Some cars will have a surcharge along with a percentage rate, making it cheaper to take out money in a few large chunks instead of using it for individual purchases.


Talk to your credit card company and tell them where you're going. If charges made half-way around the world suddenly appear the company may cancel your card thinking that it has been stolen.


3. Plan your cell phone usage.
Most Canadian cell phone companies have agreements with Australian providers and unless you plan on making a lot of calls roaming charges will be the cheapest option. Expect to spend AU$100 or more if you want an Australian pay-as-you-go phone. If you have an unlocked phone you may be able to pick up a SIM card and use a local service.


Only about a quarter of Australia's land area has cell phone coverage, but this includes almost all of the country's populated areas. These connections are typically 3G networks.


4. Get a car for the trip.
Renting a car is straight forward. Each driver will need to present a valid credit card, a driver's license, and sometimes an international driver's permit.


Some travellers opt to buy a car in Australia, drive it around, and then sell it when they are finished. Some companies specialize in this, letting you pick up a car with almost no hassle. Always have the car inspected before driving: Even if you buy through a broker these transactions are still technically private and there will be no guarantee the car will be in good mechanical shape. If you break down in the outback you could be hundreds of kilometers away from the nearest mechanic. Selling the vehicle will be easier if it has a current registration.


All cars are required to have "green slip" insurance. This covers the people involved in an accident but not the vehicles.

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