Travel alerts & warnings
Australia driving guide.
Australia offers well-maintained highways, scenic coastal routes and vast outback drives where towns and services can be hundreds of kilometres apart. Allow generous travel time, avoid rural driving around dawn and dusk because of wildlife, and check weather and road closures before remote trips.
- Advisory
- Normal precautions
- Drives on
- Left
- Best season
- September to…
- Permit honored
- Yes
USIDA member value-add
Build a driving trip in Australia
Tell us how long you have and what you like. We'll lay out a realistic day-by-day drive with stops, drive times and local road notes.
Takes a few seconds — free for members.
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Australia is generally a safe destination for travelers.
- Exercise normal precautionin Australia.
- Review our Travel Guidance for Australia to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
Driving there
Your permit in Australia
- Australia honors the International Driving Permit. The permit is a translation of your license into ten languages — it is not a license on its own.
- Carry your valid U.S. driver's license with the permit at all times. The permit is valid for one year and only while your U.S. license is valid.
- Rental companies and local police can be stricter than national law. Confirm the requirement with your rental company before you travel.
Advisory information is published by the U.S. Department of State and reproduced here for convenience. It can change at any time — always check the official advisory before you travel. USIDA does not issue travel advisories.
Before you drive
Top travel tips for Australia
Road rules and alcohol
Everyone must wear a seat belt, and children need an approved restraint appropriate to their age and size. Give way to traffic already in roundabouts. The blood-alcohol limit is below 0.05 for most fully licensed car drivers; zero limits apply to some driver categories. Never hold or use a handheld phone while driving.
Speed limits
Signs show kilometres per hour. Urban streets commonly have 50 km/h limits, while major highways are often 100–110 km/h; some Northern Territory highways permit 130 km/h. Follow posted limits, especially timed school zones and roadworks. Fixed, mobile and average-speed cameras operate.
Electronic tolls
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have cashless toll roads. Ask your rental company how tolls are charged and whether administration charges apply. If arranging your own toll pass, confirm that it covers your route and rental dates, and avoid duplicating the rental company's toll arrangement.
Fuel and remote travel
Fuel is sold by the litre; petrol is usually labelled unleaded, with 91, 95 and 98 octane grades. Use only the fuel specified by your rental company, including its guidance on E10. Before outback legs, confirm roadhouse opening hours, fill up early and carry drinking water; mobile coverage can disappear.
Rental documents and police checks
Carry your valid original US driver's license, AAA-issued International Driving Permit and rental agreement; the permit does not replace your license. Check state or territory visitor-license rules and rental restrictions on unsealed roads, remote routes and one-way travel. Police conduct random breath and roadside drug tests, so stop when directed.
Worth the drive
Places to see in Australia
Blue Mountains and Echo Point
New South Wales · About 1.5–2 hours from central Sydney to Katoomba, one way.
Sandstone cliffs, eucalyptus valleys and the Three Sisters lookout, with accessible walks around Katoomba.
Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles
Victoria · About 4.5–5 hours from Melbourne to the Twelve Apostles via the Great Ocean Road, one way without sightseeing stops.
A spectacular coastal drive linking surf beaches, rainforest and limestone sea stacks.
Barossa Valley
South Australia · About 1 hour from Adelaide to Tanunda, one way.
Vineyard scenery, historic towns and regional food; use a designated driver if visiting cellar doors.
The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park
Western Australia · About 2–2.5 hours from Perth, one way.
Unusual limestone pillars rising from golden sand, explored using designated park roads and walking trails.
Freycinet National Park
Tasmania · About 2.5–3 hours from Hobart to the park near Coles Bay, one way.
Granite peaks, coastal walks and the famous Wineglass Bay lookout; allow additional time for hiking.
Daintree Village
Queensland · About 1.5–2 hours from Cairns, one way.
Rainforest scenery and river wildlife tours, reached along a scenic coastal route via Port Douglas; no ferry is needed to reach the village.
Heading to Australia?
Apply online in about ten minutes. We print and mail your permit, and you can track it the whole way.