Kangaroos and didgeridoos, wombats and boomerangs, koalas and surfers, convicts and soap operas?Australia is a vast continent, rich in beautifully mysterious landscapes and a fascinating history. What better way to discover down under than with a rental car and map? In Australia car hire allows you to explore all of Oz's national treasures at your leisure. Stop off to listen to kookaburras in the wild, stroll through heritage towns or laze on sun-bleached sands- hiring a car in Australia makes anything possible. For further inspiration, check out these recommended Australia car hire itineraries:
1. Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive
This wonderfully scenic drive offers visitors the chance to explore rugged bush lands, craggy mountain ranges, vibrant rainforests, windswept bays and sleepy villages. Beginning at cosmopolitan Sydney, this journey takes visitors past the stunning New South Wales coastline, through the pretty Victoria countryside and on to friendly Melbourne.
Estimated Duration: 6 Days
Suggested Itinerary:
?Day 1:Sydney to Jervis Bay
?Day 2:Jervis Bay to Tilba Tilba
?Day 3:Tilba Tilba to Mallacoota
?Day 4:Mallacoota to Metung
?Day 5:Metung to Walhalla
2. Brisbane to Cairns:
Take a trip through tropical Queensland. Along the way you'll discover a superb range of attractions including the World Heritage listed Fraser Island and the pretty Whitsunday region. This route could easily be called ?the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef?, an in-road to the world's largest and most spectacular structure made by living creatures.
Estimated Duration: 9 Days
Suggested Itinerary:
?Day 1:Brisbane to the Fraser Island
?Day 2:Fraser Island
?Day 3:Fraser Island to Raglan Farm Stay
?Day 4:Raglan to Airlie Beach
?Day 5:The Whitsundays
?Day 6:Airlie Beach to Townsville
?Day 7:Townsville to Mission Beach
?Day 8:Mission Beach to Cairns
3. Hobart Circular Self Drive
Once you've arrived in Hobart and picked up your Hobart car hire vehicle, you'll be free to explore rugged, windswept landscapes, rich in history and contrasting scenery. Discover national parks, dramatic mountain ranges, stop over at sleepy villages and bustling towns. Tasmania truly is a joy to tour.
Estimated Duration: 10 Days
Suggested Itinerary:
?Day 1:Hobart
?Day 2:Hobart to Strahan
?Day 3:Strahan to Cradle Mountain
?Day 4:Cradle to Mountain
?Day 5:Cradle Mountin to Launceston
?Day 6:Launceston
?Day 7:Launceston to Freycinet National Park
?Day 8:Freycinet National Park.
?Day 9:Freycinet National Park to Hobart
?Day 10:Hobart
4. The Northern Territiory
Uluru/Ayer's Rock
Take your four-wheel drive on an unforgettable adventure through the Red Centre (Australia's heartland). Starting out at Alice Springs, travel through the vast red desert to explore the natural wonders of Palm Valley and Kings Canyon. Finally, drive to Ayers Rock to experience iconic must-sees such as Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Estimated Duration:4 Days
Suggested Itinerary:
?Alice Springs
?Alice Springs to Kings Canyon
?Kings Canyon to Uluru/Ayers Rock
?Uluru/Ayers Rock
5. Broome to Darwin
Having collected your hire car in Broome, you'll be on your way to discovering spectacular gorges, deserted waterholes and wild, windswept mountain ranges. Two of Western Australia's brightest gems, El Questro Wilderness and Kakadu National Park are to be found en-route.