Car hire Australia from $10: Find a cheap car rental on liligo.com

Famous for its stunning coastlines, wild outback, and friendly people, Australia is a great destination in which to rent a car – and offers numerous opportunities for memorable road trips. The capital city of Australia is Canberra, however arguably its most famous (and most visited) city is Sydney. It is here that many visitors will begin their trip around Australia, arriving at Sydney Airport. Other major cities across Australia include Melbourne (home to Melbourne Airport) and Cairns (home to Cairns Airport). Cars can be rented from a number of destinations, include the aforementioned cities and airports; travelers can choose from car rental companies such as First Car Rental, Ace Rental Cars, East Coast Car Rentals, Sixt and Avis. Rail Australia operates trains around Australia, while long distance coaches are also available for longer city-to-city journeys. However, to enjoy all Australia has to offer and travel at your own pace, there's nothing better than traveling by rental car.

What are the driving rules in Australia?

Australia boasts a well-connected network of well-maintained roads. Driving in Australia is easy, however there are a few road rules to be aware of. Australians drive on the left side of the road, and to drive in Australia you will need both an international driver's license and a valid license from your country of residence. Seat belts are compulsory for all passengers as well as the driver, while the blood alcohol limit is 50mg/100ml - which means it's safest not to drink at all before driving. One thing to watch out for when driving in Australia is wildlife: from kangaroos to koalas, pay attention to the road while driving!

When it comes to parking in Australia, there are plenty of secure parking lots, as well as on-street parking. Check traffic signs before parking your car; it's common to see signs stating "1/2P', '1P', '3P'". These indicate how long you may park for, with 1/2P equating to half an hour, 1P meaning one hour, and 3P meaning 3 hours.

Road trips in Australia

Australia is famous for its road trips. Exploring by car is not only a beautiful way to see the country, it can also be cost-efficient and allow for a more flexible itinerary. From the Great Ocean Road to the Great Barrier Reef, these are our three top picks for an Australian road trip.

A road trip from Sydney: the legendary Pacific coast

Sydney is one of Australia's top tourist destinations, and for good reason. The Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach and the Royal Botanic Garden are just a few of the must-see sights in the city. From Sydney, travelers can embark on one of Australia's most popular road trips along the Legendary Pacific Coast. Along the 560 mile long route to Brisbane, travelers can enjoy stops in the Hunter Valley, Byron Bay, and along the Gold Coast.

A road trip from Melbourne: the Great Ocean Road

This epic road trip begins in Melbourne, a city known for its culture and coffee. Be sure to visit Queen Victoria Market, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Flinders Street Railway Station, and the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria while in the city. Once you've enjoyed all that Melbourne has to offer, our road trip takes us out of the city and onto the Great Ocean Road. Plan at least a few days for this road trip, which takes you past iconic attractions such as the 12 Apostles, Port Campbell National Park, and Bells Beach, before arriving in Warrnambool.

A road trip From Cairns: The Great Barrier Reef

One of Australia's – if not the world's – most iconic landmarks is the Great Barrier Reef, and this road trip offers the opportunity to stop off and discover more about this fascinating coral reef system. Beginning in the city of Cairns, this is a coastal route through North Queensland. As well as the Great Barrier Reef, the road trip offers the chance to discover the beautiful Cape Tribulation, with beaches and national parks to explore (the Daintree Rainforest is well worth a trip).