Travelogue of Self-driving Tour in Australia: Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns and More (Part 1)
Sydney - Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Port Campbell National Park - London Bridge
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Port Campbell National Park - Loch Ard Gorge
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Port Campbell National Park - Twelve Apostles
Melbourne - Cityscape
Melbourne - Yarra Valley - Vineyard
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Memorial Arch
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Apollo Bay - Eagle Rock
Canberra - Parliament House
Sydney - Sydney Opera House
Sydney - Sydney Opera House
Gold Coast - Scenery along the way
Gold Coast - Coolangatta Beach
Gold Coast - Suburban scenery
Brisbane - Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - Koala
The self-driving trip to Australia was already a few years ago. Due to various reasons, it was only recently that I had the opportunity to compile the sights and experiences from the road trip. First, I want to share the beautiful scenery and culture there with everyone; second, I want to tell you that self-driving in Australia is very convenient. After the pandemic is effectively under control, friends who enjoy self-driving tours should consider visiting there; third, the specific itinerary can serve as a reference for those who want to go on a self-driving trip, hoping it will be helpful for your travel plans.
This self-driving tour of Australia lasted a total of 16 days, from May 1 to May 16. Along the east coast of Australia, we visited many cities and attractions, including Melbourne, Apollo Bay (Great Ocean Road), Canberra (capital), Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Cairns (Great Barrier Reef), covering over 2,400 kilometers. Although the time was not long, thanks to the advantages and convenience of self-driving, we were able to explore the typical tourist destinations and major attractions along Australia's east coast in one go.
Melbourne - Fitzroy Garden
Melbourne - Victorian Arts Centre
Melbourne - Yarra Valley - Vineyard
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Apollo Bay - Cape Otway Lighthouse
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Port Campbell National Park - Twelve Apostles
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Port Campbell National Park - Loch Ard Gorge
Sydney - Sydney Opera House
Sydney - Cityscape
Canberra - Parliament House
Gold Coast - Surfers Paradise Beach
Brisbane - Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - Kangaroo
Cairns - Kuranda
We arrived in Melbourne, Australia, on the evening of May 1, flying from Christchurch, New Zealand. On May 2 and 3, we spent two full days exploring Melbourne using public transport and taxis. After staying in Melbourne for two nights and three days, we left Melbourne for Apollo Bay (Great Ocean Road) on the morning of the 4th, officially starting our self-driving journey.
During this trip, we rented cars twice. The first time was in Melbourne, and we drove through the Great Ocean Road, Canberra, Sydney, Gold Coast, and other places, stopping and sightseeing along the way, covering over 2,200 kilometers before arriving in Brisbane. After finishing our tour in Brisbane, we returned the car and flew to the last stop of our Australian self-driving tour—Cairns (Great Barrier Reef). The second time was in Cairns, where we rented another car and kept it until we left.
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Port Campbell National Park - London Bridge
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Port Campbell National Park - Loch Ard Gorge
Sydney - Sydney Opera House
Sydney - Queen Victoria Building
Melbourne - Cityscape
Gold Coast - Coolangatta Beach
Gold Coast - Surfers Paradise Beach
Cairns - Great Barrier Reef
Cairns - Great Barrier Reef - Moore Reef - Seawalker training
Cairns - Great Barrier Reef - Moore Reef - Seawalker
Cairns - Great Barrier Reef - Moore Reef
Cairns - Great Barrier Reef - Moore Reef - Snorkeling
Australia is vast and sparsely populated, with cities far apart. The typical tourist route along the east coast covers over 4,000 kilometers. If traveling in a group tour, apart from the often-criticized rush and superficial sightseeing, tours that go to the Great Ocean Road, Sydney, and Melbourne usually do not go to Cairns (Great Barrier Reef); conversely, tours that go to Cairns (Great Barrier Reef) do not go to the Great Ocean Road, Sydney, or Melbourne, because the distance between them is too great—several thousand kilometers. Moreover, places like Gold Coast and Brisbane are generally not included in group tours. Therefore, from this perspective, self-driving is the best choice for touring Australia.
Australia has a developed economy and well-established tourism service facilities. Its extensive road network and simple and reliable car rental services provide a solid foundation for self-driving tours. The experience of self-driving here is that the journey is convenient and efficient, and the trip is comfortable and enjoyable. Particularly noteworthy is that rental companies offer reasonably priced one-way rental services, eliminating the need to consider backtracking, which is especially important for self-drive travelers. This greatly reduces hassles and saves time—something truly commendable.
Melbourne - Federation Square
Melbourne - Yarra Valley - Vineyard
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Port Campbell National Park - Gibson Steps
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Port Campbell National Park - Twelve Apostles
Canberra - Suburban scenery
Sydney - Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney - Sydney Opera House
Melbourne - Fitzroy Garden - Conservatory
Gold Coast - Coolangatta Beach
Gold Coast - Surfers Paradise Beach
Brisbane - Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - Koala
Cairns - Kuranda
1. Car rental companies in Australia offer a range from high-end to budget, catering to different preferences and budgets. It is best to purchase full insurance when renting a car. Although full insurance adds significantly to the cost, it is money well spent. With full insurance, if an accident occurs, your risk is greatly reduced. The rental price with full insurance is slightly higher than domestic rentals in China, but without full insurance, it is cheaper.
2. Australia's public transport is quite developed. The over 2,400 kilometers we traveled were mostly on flat roads and highways, with good road conditions. Renting a sedan or SUV is fine.
3. A driver's license notarized in China with an English translation allows you to drive there. However, cars in Australia are right-hand drive and drive on the left, opposite to China. You may feel a bit unaccustomed when first picking up the car, so be aware of this. But those with some driving experience usually adapt quickly. Before going abroad for self-driving, it is advisable to check online to familiarize yourself with local traffic rules. When away from home, always follow the rules to ensure safety.
4. Parking in cities generally requires payment. Most roadside parking spaces accept payment via meter card or coins. Some areas not only charge fees but also impose time limits, sometimes as short as 15 minutes. Never park in disabled parking spaces, as fines can be heavy. Parking and payment methods vary, so be sure to understand them clearly to avoid unexpected fines.
Melbourne - Yarra River
Melbourne - St Paul's Cathedral
Melbourne - Yarra Valley - Vineyard
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Apollo Bay - Bells Beach
Sydney - Darling Harbour
Gold Coast - Coolangatta Beach
Cairns - Port Douglas
Gold Coast - Cityscape
Sydney - Sydney Opera House - Night view
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Great Otway National Park - Wild koala
5. Staying in apartment hotels or suburban motels is a good choice for self-driving tours, as most offer free and convenient parking. The small kitchens allow you to prepare simple meals to suit your taste.
6. Finding Chinese restaurants in big cities like Sydney and Melbourne is not difficult, but they are rare elsewhere. However, the food in these Chinese restaurants is often adapted, tasting quite different from in China, and prices are not cheap. Buying ingredients from supermarkets or seafood markets and cooking yourself is not only tasty but also economical. Lobster and oysters there are really delicious—be sure to enjoy them whenever you have the chance. Traveling is not just about feasting your eyes but also your palate.
7. Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere. Although the time difference with China is only 2–3 hours, the seasons are completely opposite. Summer is December–February, autumn is March–May, winter is June–August, and spring is September–November.
8. The climate in May was generally good, but because we visited many places over a large span with great distances, the temperature differences were significant. Along this route, temperatures ranged from a few degrees above zero on the Great Ocean Road to nearly 30°C on the Great Barrier Reef, so we needed clothes for almost all seasons.
Melbourne - Carlton Garden - Royal Exhibition Building
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Port Campbell National Park - Gibson Steps
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Port Campbell National Park - London Bridge
Grafton - Bed and Breakfast hotel
Canberra - Apartment hotel
Canberra - Apartment hotel
Grafton - Scenery along the way
Gold Coast - Suburban scenery
Gold Coast - Suburban scenery
Gold Coast - Coolangatta Beach
Brisbane - Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - Koala
Cairns - Great Barrier Reef
