The ultimate guide to getting around Australia

24.10.2023 - 19:59 / lonelyplanet.com / Alice Springs

Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with very different regions and climates. Deciding where to go – and how to get there – requires some major planning.

At first glance, flying and train fares in Australia look expensive (and a lack of competition does mean there are few bargains), but when you compare car rental, insurance, fuel and accommodation costs, a flight from Sydney to Perth suddenly looks a little more appealing.

If you don't have time to spare, you're likely to rely on internal flights to cover large distances – an alternative is to focus your trip on one region.

When deciding on the best way to get around Australia, weigh up how much time you have, what level of luxury you require and the carbon footprint you want to leave behind.

Flying is the only way to do more than one state on a shorter stay. Australia's main domestic airlines service major cities and key tourist sites – like Yulara for Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park – with regular flights. Major players are Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia.

Australia's extensive bus network is a reliable way to get between towns and cities, but distances are often vast, so be prepared for long days or nights. Most Australian buses are equipped with air-conditioning (essential in summer), comfortable seats and toilets; all are smoke-free, and some have wi-fi and USB chargers. Ask about hop-on hop-off fares, which give you more flexibility. Some operators also offer discounted fares for seniors, students and children.

The main bus companies in Australia are Greyhound Australia, Firefly Express, Integrity Coach Lines (in Western Australia), Premier Motor Service (NSW) and V/Line in Victoria, which runs a mix of buses and trains.

Another way to get around by bus is on a tour. Some offer the whole package, including accommodation and meals; others are less formal options to get from A to B and see the sights on the way. Popular outfits running coach tours include AAT Kings, Adventure Tours Australia, Autopia Tours and Untamed Escapes.

Long-distance rail travel in Australia is something you do because you really want to − not because it's cheap, convenient or fast. That said, trains are more comfortable than buses, and there's a certain "romance of the rails" that's alive and well in Australia. The most notable long-distance rail journeys in Australia are the Indian Pacific between Sydney and Perth, the Overland between Melbourne and Adelaide, Great Southern between Brisbane and Adelaide, and The Ghan between Adelaide and Darwin via Alice Springs.

Intra- and inter-state trains operators include Queensland Rail, which runs the high-speed Spirit of Queensland service between Brisbane and Cairns; NSW TrainLink from Sydney to Brisbane, Melbourne