Australia Car Rentals

Australia is a car lover's dream vacation. Miles and miles of open road, the air sweetly laced with the scent of the bush and scenic vistas sprinkled with captivating animals every where you look. How could you not want to just get in a car and drive around this country?

A vacation to Australia holds many visual treats for the visitor willing to go the extra mile, literally. If you're planning a trip Down Under, you can get a better sense of the lifestyle of this gorgeous continent through using Australian car rentals. You'll also be able to take advantage of the expansive highways which will take you to out of the way treasures and highlights. But using an Australian car rental isn't cut and dry. There are rules for the road and there are certain things that you should watch out for. But first, let’s find out how to go about getting an Australia car rental.

Car Rentals in Australia

The easiest way for a visitor to get their Australia car rentals is either at the airport or through their hotel. If you have a valid U.S. driver's license then you should have no problem renting a car in Australia. All of the major car rental companies operate Down Under such as Hertz, Budget, Avis and Thrifty, as well as local independent rental agencies like Red Spot, Apollo and Europcar. If you've ever rented a car in the United States, then you know what to expect. After your cheap flight to Australia lands at the airport, you can pick up the rental car. Just read over the contract very carefully and have a solid understanding of your daily mile, or kilometer in Australia, allotment.

How to Drive Your Car Rental Around Australia

If you are making Australia travel plans, be advised that they drive on the left side of the road. This can be tricky to get a handle on, but with practice, you'll get used to it. Just be extra careful until you do. It's also important to realize that Australia is a drastically open land. It can sometimes take hours of driving to get to the next town. It pays to always have extra fuel, a spare tire, a first aid kit and plenty of drinking water on hand whenever you go for a drive. Some rarely used roads don't see a vehicle for weeks, so you definitely want to stick to well-traveled roads and keep a map and a compass in the Australia rental car at all times.

Staying alert while driving Australia's highways is also a priority. Many animals roam the countryside and animals like the kangaroo have tunnel vision, so they won't even know when you're coming. Staying alert will help you avoid an unfortunate accident with a passing animal or with a road train (a semi-truck hauling 3 large trailers).

The speed limit is strictly enforced in Australia with cameras used in most metropolitan areas so remember that the speed is measured in kilometers rather than miles. In addition, if you're heading into a rural area, (1) phone the police to let them know where you are at and where you are heading and (2) always check the weather forecast before you go. Many dirt roads can be overcome with rain water and actually turn into mini rivers, effectively cutting off entry or exit.

A Final Word on Driving Car Rentals in Australia

Whenever you rent a car, but especially in Australia, it pays to err on the side of caution. If treated with the respect it deserves, driving in the Outback can be a great and rewarding experience, but it is a rugged and dangerous place. Before driving off to visit one of the many Australia beaches in your car rental, understand the rules of the road, make sure you have extra supplies and always phone the police to let them know where you are going. Follow those simple rules and you'll have the vacation of a lifetime, seeing sights you never should have dreamed possible, in your Australia car rental.

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Don t set out on your next vacation without doing your destination homework. We have compiled a huge database of destination guides and traveling advice to make your next trip smooth sailing. And when you can t get out and see the sights for yourself, watch AOL Travel correspondent Peter Greenberg s video articles on fabulous places all over the world. You just might be inspired to book airline tickets to the featured destination. Regardless if you need flights for exotic international locales, or are cruising just around the corner, AOL Travel has the discount airline tickets, great hotel deals, unforgettable cruises and car rentals to get you there for less.

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