Australian MotoGP
28/10/2012 | Phillip Island - Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
Getting Around
Getting Around By Air: Australians rely on aviation to get from place to place as inhabitants of smaller countries rely on trains and buses. The network of scheduled services extends to more than 150,000km (95,000 miles) and covers the whole continent. Aircraft can be chartered by pilots who pass a written examination on Australian air regulations and have their licences validated for private operations within Australia.
The major domestic airlines are Jetstar Airways (website: www.jetstar.com.au), Qantas (website: www.qantas.com.au) and Virgin Blue (website: www.virginblue.com.au), which serve the major resorts and cities throughout Australia. In addition, Rex Regional Express (website: www.rex.com.au) operates throughout New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria; Air North (website: www.airnorth.com.au) operates throughout the Northern Territory; Macair Airlines (website: www.macair.com.au) operates throughout Queensland; Skywest (website: www.skywest.com.au) operates throughout Western Australia and several small airlines operate to the islands off Tasmania (see Tasmania section).
Nearly all the domestic airlines operate special deals or air passes at greatly reduced prices.
Getting Around by Water: There are 36,738km (22,600 miles) of coastline and many lakes, inland waterways and inlets, all of which can be used for touring by boat. From paddle steamers along the Murray River to deep-sea fishing cruisers along the vast Barrier Reef, all are available for charter or passenger booking. Most tour operators also handle shipping cruises. The Spirit of Tasmania is an overnight car-ferry service linking Melbourne with Tasmania daily (website: www.spiritoftasmania.com.au).
Rail Passes: Austrailpass: valid for 14, 21 and 30 days, with seven-day extensions available. Must be purchased outside Australia, and can only be used by non-Australian passport holders. Only economy-class passes are available. Does not include meal or sleeping berth charges. Each state operator offers its own Austrailpass scheme.
Austrail Flexi-Pass: valid for eight, 15, 22 and 29 days within a six-month period, although it cannot be used on the Ghan or the Indian Pacific. The pass only offers economy-class accommodation. Must be purchased outside of Australia.
East Coast Discovery Pass: offers six months’ travel on the eastern coast.
There is also a Backpacker Rail Pass and a Great Southern Railway Pass available.
Getting Around by Road: Traffic drives on the left. Road signs are international. Driving off major highways in the outback becomes more difficult between November and February because of summer rain, as many roads are little more than dirt tracks. Road travel is best between April and October. Distances between towns can be considerable, and apart from ensuring that all vehicles are in peak condition, it is advisable to carry spare water, petrol and equipment. Travellers are advised to check with local automobile associations before departure in order to obtain up-to-date information on road and weather conditions.
Coach: Major cities are linked by an excellent national coach system, run by Greyhound Pioneer (website: www.greyhound.com.au). Tasmania also has its own coach service, Tasmanian Redline Coaches (website: www.redlinecoaches.com.au). There are numerous other companies operating state and interstate services.
Coach passes are available for travel on a variety of routes for between seven days and one year, such as the All Australian, the Sunseeker, the Aussie Reef & Rock, the Coast to Coast etc. The Aussie Kilometre Pass allows you to purchase your travel in kilometres and then travel in any direction on the national network to the distance purchased. It is advisable to purchase these passes before departure from country of origin.
Car hire: Available at all major airports and major hotels to those over 21 years old.
Regulations: The speed limit is 60kph (35mph) in cities and towns in most states but 50kph (31mph) in Victoria and Western Australia, 50kph/31mph in all suburban areas and 80-110kph (50-68mph) on country roads and highways unless signs indicate otherwise. Seat belts must be worn at all times and driving licences must be in the driver’s possession when driving. Bicycle helmets must be worn by all cyclists.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required by nationals of countries whose official language is not English. International, foreign or national driving permits are generally valid for three months. An International Driving Permit is only valid in conjunction with a valid national licence. Permits must be carried at all times while driving.
Getting Around Towns and Cities: Comprehensive public transport systems are provided in all the main towns. The state capitals have suburban rail networks, those in Sydney and Melbourne being particularly extensive, and trams run in Melbourne and Adelaide. Meter-operated taxis can be found in all major cities and towns. There is a minimum ’flagfall charge’ and then a charge for the distance travelled. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped. A small additional payment may be required for luggage and telephone bookings. Some taxis accept payment by credit card. For further details, see individual state entries.
Journey Times: The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Sydney to other major cities in Australia.
Getting Around By Air: Australians rely on aviation to get from place to place as inhabitants of smaller countries rely on trains and buses. The network of scheduled services extends to more than 150,000km (95,000 miles) and covers the whole continent. Aircraft can be chartered by pilots who pass a written examination on Australian air regulations and have their licences validated for private operations within Australia.
The major domestic airlines are Jetstar Airways (website: www.jetstar.com.au), Qantas (website: www.qantas.com.au) and Virgin Blue (website: www.virginblue.com.au), which serve the major resorts and cities throughout Australia. In addition, Rex Regional Express (website: www.rex.com.au) operates throughout New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria; Air North (website: www.airnorth.com.au) operates throughout the Northern Territory; Macair Airlines (website: www.macair.com.au) operates throughout Queensland; Skywest (website: www.skywest.com.au) operates throughout Western Australia and several small airlines operate to the islands off Tasmania (see Tasmania section).
Nearly all the domestic airlines operate special deals or air passes at greatly reduced prices.
Getting Around by Water: There are 36,738km (22,600 miles) of coastline and many lakes, inland waterways and inlets, all of which can be used for touring by boat. From paddle steamers along the Murray River to deep-sea fishing cruisers along the vast Barrier Reef, all are available for charter or passenger booking. Most tour operators also handle shipping cruises. The Spirit of Tasmania is an overnight car-ferry service linking Melbourne with Tasmania daily (website: www.spiritoftasmania.com.au).
Rail Passes: Austrailpass: valid for 14, 21 and 30 days, with seven-day extensions available. Must be purchased outside Australia, and can only be used by non-Australian passport holders. Only economy-class passes are available. Does not include meal or sleeping berth charges. Each state operator offers its own Austrailpass scheme.
Austrail Flexi-Pass: valid for eight, 15, 22 and 29 days within a six-month period, although it cannot be used on the Ghan or the Indian Pacific. The pass only offers economy-class accommodation. Must be purchased outside of Australia.
East Coast Discovery Pass: offers six months’ travel on the eastern coast.
There is also a Backpacker Rail Pass and a Great Southern Railway Pass available.
Getting Around by Road: Traffic drives on the left. Road signs are international. Driving off major highways in the outback becomes more difficult between November and February because of summer rain, as many roads are little more than dirt tracks. Road travel is best between April and October. Distances between towns can be considerable, and apart from ensuring that all vehicles are in peak condition, it is advisable to carry spare water, petrol and equipment. Travellers are advised to check with local automobile associations before departure in order to obtain up-to-date information on road and weather conditions.
Coach: Major cities are linked by an excellent national coach system, run by Greyhound Pioneer (website: www.greyhound.com.au). Tasmania also has its own coach service, Tasmanian Redline Coaches (website: www.redlinecoaches.com.au). There are numerous other companies operating state and interstate services.
Coach passes are available for travel on a variety of routes for between seven days and one year, such as the All Australian, the Sunseeker, the Aussie Reef & Rock, the Coast to Coast etc. The Aussie Kilometre Pass allows you to purchase your travel in kilometres and then travel in any direction on the national network to the distance purchased. It is advisable to purchase these passes before departure from country of origin.
Car hire: Available at all major airports and major hotels to those over 21 years old.
Regulations: The speed limit is 60kph (35mph) in cities and towns in most states but 50kph (31mph) in Victoria and Western Australia, 50kph/31mph in all suburban areas and 80-110kph (50-68mph) on country roads and highways unless signs indicate otherwise. Seat belts must be worn at all times and driving licences must be in the driver’s possession when driving. Bicycle helmets must be worn by all cyclists.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required by nationals of countries whose official language is not English. International, foreign or national driving permits are generally valid for three months. An International Driving Permit is only valid in conjunction with a valid national licence. Permits must be carried at all times while driving.
Getting Around Towns and Cities: Comprehensive public transport systems are provided in all the main towns. The state capitals have suburban rail networks, those in Sydney and Melbourne being particularly extensive, and trams run in Melbourne and Adelaide. Meter-operated taxis can be found in all major cities and towns. There is a minimum ’flagfall charge’ and then a charge for the distance travelled. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped. A small additional payment may be required for luggage and telephone bookings. Some taxis accept payment by credit card. For further details, see individual state entries.
Journey Times: The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Sydney to other major cities in Australia.
| Air | Rail | Coach | |
| Adelaide | 1.40 | 25.00 | 22.00 |
| Brisbane | 1.20 | 15.00 | 15.00 |
| Darwin | 5.00 | - | 92.50 |
| Melbourne | 1.10 | 10.00 | 14.00 |
| Perth | 4.00 | 65.00 | 56.00 |
Shipping Fees
Tickets are sent insured by UPS Express| within EU | € 15,00 |
| Europe not EU | € 21,00 |
| USA and Canada | € 21,00 |
| all other countries | € 31,00 |
