Australia Self-Drive Travel: 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 - Entrance 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
It has been a few years since our self-drive trip to Australia. Due to various reasons, I only recently had the chance to organize the sights and experiences from the trip. First, I want to share the beautiful scenery and charm of the place with everyone. Second, I want to tell you that self-driving in Australia is very convenient. Once the pandemic is effectively under control, friends who enjoy self-driving tours should consider visiting. Third, the detailed itinerary can serve as a reference for those planning a self-drive trip, hoping it will be helpful for your travels.
This self-drive trip to Australia lasted 16 days, from May 1 to May 16. We traveled along Australia's east coast, visiting many cities and attractions including Melbourne, Apollo Bay (Great Ocean Road), Canberra (capital), Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Cairns (Great Barrier Reef). The total self-driving distance was over 2,400 kilometers. Although the time was not long, thanks to the advantages of self-driving, we were able to cover the conventional tourist destinations and major attractions along the east coast in one go.
Melbourne - Fitzroy Gardens
Melbourne - Victorian Arts Centre
Melbourne - Yarra Valley - Vineyard
Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Apollo Bay - Split Point Lighthouse (Little Red Cap)
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 from Christchurch, New Zealand on the evening of May 1. On May 2 and 3, we explored Melbourne for two full days using public transport and taxis. After staying in Melbourne for two nights and three days, we left for Apollo Bay (Great Ocean Road) on the morning of the 4th, officially beginning our self-drive journey.
During this trip, we rented cars twice. The first time was in Melbourne. We drove along the Great Ocean Road, through 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 our last stop in Australia—Cairns (Great Barrier Reef). The second time, we rented another car in Cairns 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 conventional tourist route along the east coast covers over 4,000 kilometers. For group tours, aside from the often-criticized rushed and superficial visits, tours to the Great Ocean Road, Sydney, and Melbourne generally do not go to Cairns (Great Barrier Reef); conversely, tours to Cairns (Great Barrier Reef) do not go to the Great Ocean Road, Sydney, or Melbourne because the distance is too great—several thousand kilometers. Moreover, places like the Gold Coast and Brisbane are usually not included in group tours. Therefore, self-driving is the best choice for touring Australia.
Australia has a developed economy and well-equipped tourism services. Its extensive road network and simple, reliable car rental services provide a solid foundation for self-driving. The feeling and experience of self-driving here are convenient, efficient, and comfortable. Especially worth mentioning is that rental companies offer reasonably priced one-way drop-off services, eliminating the need to worry about backtracking, which is particularly important for self-drive travelers. This reduces many hassles and saves a lot of time, 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 Gardens - 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 budget to luxury, with options for all budgets. It is best to purchase full insurance. Although full insurance adds significant cost, it is worth spending. With full insurance, if an accident occurs, your risk is greatly reduced. With full insurance, the rental cost is slightly higher than in China; without it, the rental is cheaper than in China.
2. Australia's public transport is quite developed. The 2,400-kilometer route we traveled was mostly flat roads and highways with good conditions. Renting a sedan or SUV is fine.
3. With a notarized driver's license and an English translation, you can drive there. However, cars in Australia have right-hand drive and drive on the left, the opposite of China. You may feel a bit unaccustomed when you first pick up the car, but experienced drivers usually adapt quickly. Before going abroad, it is advisable to learn local traffic rules online. When abroad, always follow the rules to ensure safety.
4. Parking in cities generally requires payment. Most roadside parking spaces accept payment via meter with card or coins. Some areas also have time limits, sometimes only 15 minutes. Do not park in disabled parking spaces; fines are heavy. Parking and payment methods vary, so check carefully to avoid unexpected tickets.
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. Apartment hotels or suburban motels are good choices for self-driving stays. Most offer free parking and small kitchens to cook 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. Most Chinese restaurants serve modified versions of Chinese food, tasting quite different from what you get in China, and they are not cheap. Buying ingredients from supermarkets or seafood markets and cooking yourself is not only tasty but also affordable. Lobster and oysters there are truly delicious; if you have the chance, be sure to enjoy them. While traveling, feast your eyes and your stomach.
7. Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere. Although the time difference with China is only 2-3 hours, the seasons are completely opposite. December to February is summer, March to May is autumn, June to August is winter, and September to November is spring.
8. The climate in May was generally good, but because we visited many places across a wide range, the temperature difference was large. From a few degrees above zero on the Great Ocean Road to nearly 30°C on the Great Barrier Reef, we needed clothes for almost all seasons.
Melbourne - Carlton Gardens - 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
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
