Australia: Getting there & around

Getting There

• plane

  Virtually all visitors to Australia arrive by air. The main international airports are Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, followed by Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin and Cairns. There are plenty of connections to Asia, Europe and the USA, but Australia's remoteness makes flights relatively expensive and long. Many flights are heavily booked, so make plans well in advance. Departure tax on international flights is US$27.00 . This tax is usually included in the price of your airline ticket.

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Getting Around

• bus

  There are several long-distance bus companies but only one truly national service, Greyhound Australia. Buses are comfortable, but if you're travelling between major cities, be prepared for a long trip. Australia has a skeletal rail network linking all major cities.

• car

  Many visitors group together and hire or purchase a car. The latter can be an economical way of travelling around Australia, as long as you don't have too many mechanical failures. Highway 1 circumnavigates the continent, sticking close to the coast much of the way. Watch out for monstrous road trains (trucks with multiple trailers) on outback roads; naturally it's wise to give way to anything bigger than yourself.

• train

  Few people travel long distances by train because it's usually the slowest mode of overland transport and remains relatively expensive (though it is generally more comfortable for overnight trips).

• plane

  Australia is so vast (and so empty in places) that something like 80% of long-distance trips are made by air. Qantas is Australia's main domestic airline and has a budget subsidiary called Jetstar. A competing carrier that flies all over the country is Virgin Blue. Few people pay full fare for domestic air travel because the airlines offer a wide range of discounts, including random discounting and Internet fares.

• Disabled Travellers

  Disability awareness in Australia is high. Legislation requires that new accommodation meets accessibility standards, and discrimination by tourism operators is illegal. Many of Australia's key attractions provide access for those with limited mobility and a number of sites have also begun addressing the needs of visitors with visual or aural impairments; always contact attractions in advance to confirm the facilities. Tour operators with accessible vehicles operate from most capital cities.

  National Information Communication and Awareness Network (TTY 02-6285 3713, TTY 1800 806 769; www.nican.com.au)is an Australia-wide directory providing information on access issues, accessible accommodation, sporting and recreational activities, transport and specialist tour operators. The website of Tourism Australia (www.australia.com) also has useful information. Easy Access Australia (www.easyaccessaustralia.com.au), available from bookstores, provides details on easily accessible transport, accommodation and attraction options. Visit www.toiletmap.gov.au. for over 14,000 public toilets nationwide with disability access.

  Qantas accepts the Carers Concession Card, (13 13 13, TTY 1800 652 660; www.qantas.com.au), which entitles a disabled person and the carer travelling with them to a 50% discount on full economy fares; call Nican for details. All of Australia's major airports have dedicated parking spaces, wheelchair access to terminals, accessible toilets and skychairs to convey passengers onto planes via airbridges. Avis and Hertz offer hire cars with hand controls at no extra charge for pick-up at capital cities and major airports, but advance notice is required.

  Most trains are equipped to cater for travellers with disabilities. Some rural services employ hoist-equipped accessible coaches; twenty-four hours advance booking is required; V/Line Disability Services (03-9619 2300) is at Southern Cross station in Melbourne. The Travellers' Aid Society (03-9670 2873), also at Southern Cross train station, provides a meet-and-greet service (arrange this in advance).

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