Last updated: April 2026
Driving in Australia: What You Need to Know
Before you rent a car in Australia, here are the essential driving facts:
| Drive Side | Left |
|---|---|
| International Driving Permit | Required For Non-English Licenses |
| Speed Limit (Motorway) | 110–130 km/h varies by state |
| Average Fuel Price | AUD 1.90/L |
| Minimum Rental Age | 21+ |
Sources: Tourism Australia — Driving · AAA (Australian Automobile Association)
💡 Insider Tip
Distances are enormous — Melbourne to Sydney is 9 hours. Check for one-way drop-off fees if not returning to the same city.
Best Cities for Car Hire in Australia
Australia's vast distances mean each capital city serves a distinct region — pick your starting point based on which coastline or outback route you want to explore.
Sydney is surrounded by natural beauty best accessed by car. Drive over the Blue Mountains, north al...
Car hire in Sydney →Melbourne is the starting point for the legendary Great Ocean Road — one of Australia's most scenic ...
Car hire in Melbourne →Brisbane is your gateway to the Gold Coast's surf beaches, the Sunshine Coast's hinterland, and the ...
Car hire in Brisbane →Perth's remoteness is actually its greatest asset for road trippers. Drive north along the Coral Coa...
Car hire in Perth →Best Time to Rent a Car in Australia
Australian rental prices peak during the Australian summer school holidays from mid-December through late January, with the Christmas–New Year window being the most expensive. Easter holidays and the autumn school break in April also cause significant price spikes. Major events like the Australian Open tennis (mid-January in Melbourne), the Melbourne Grand Prix (March), the Australian Football League Grand Final (late September in Melbourne), and the Sydney New Year fireworks all push local rentals up dramatically. The cheapest months are May through August (Australian winter, except in tropical Queensland) and February. Daily rates for a compact car typically run AUD 50–80 in shoulder season and AUD 120+ in peak summer. Booking 4–6 weeks ahead is essential during the December–January window when fleets sell out at major airports.
Common Rental Mistakes to Avoid in Australia
Australian distances catch foreign drivers off guard — Brisbane to Cairns is a 22-hour drive, Perth to Adelaide takes three days non-stop. Always verify whether your itinerary is actually feasible before committing to a rental. Second, one-way drop-off fees can exceed AUD 500 between cities, and some routes (like Adelaide to Darwin) carry surcharges up to AUD 1,500. Plan loops rather than point-to-point trips when possible. Third, Australian rental insurance excesses are notoriously high — typically AUD 3,000–5,000 — and the daily 'excess reduction' upsell is one of the most expensive in the world. Verify whether your home credit card or travel insurance covers Australian rentals before paying for the upgrade. Finally, kangaroo strikes are a real hazard at dawn and dusk on rural roads — many rental contracts exclude wildlife damage entirely, leaving you liable for thousands in repairs.