Upcoming Trip to Aus - tips on driving / sights

[si_xsi]

Hi All,

First Trip to Aus coming up in a month or so, im away for 2.5 weeks, looking at hiring a Holden SV6 which I think is just a Vauxhall Vectra but with a 3.6 V6, so hopefully comfy, well equipped and with a bit of poke.

The general plan is - Fly to Sydney, pick up car - drive up to Central Coast / Marks point for 5 days, then onto Hunter Valley for a night, back down to Sydney for 3 nights, onto Canberra for 2 nights and possibly finish with 2 nights in Blue Mountains before driving back to Sydney. Need to stick to this order due to visiting people.

Aside from the ridiculous speeding fines and need to stick to the speed limits, and the odd skippy, is there anything else driving wise I should be aware of!?

Any recommendations for things to see / stop at along the way / around these areas? Might try to get to Bathurst.

Cheers

Simon

[Coatesy351]

You must try and get to Bathurst and do some laps. The national motor racing museum is also there. If you like abandoned racetracks go to Katoomba in the blue mountains and find Catalina park.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalina_Park

A sv6 Is a Commodore which is not really like a vectra. Think of it more like a downspec V6 VXR8

[madazrx7]

Regarding driving tips, yes the focus here is entirely on speed. Our limits are often the same number in Km/h as you would expect in England in MPH.

When you find a road which is dual carriageway, safe and wide, with a limit obviously too low, expect to (not) see a well hidden revenue camera.

That is probably one of the reasons we have the worst drivers in the world.

Generalisation for sure but I see English drivers as confident, assertive and decisive but courteous.
Australian drivers substitute dithering and distracted but aggressive and will go out of their way to make sure you can't merge/change lanes/ make progress.

Indicators are virtually unknown, roundabouts are a mystery, the RH lane is for blocking, traffic lights are a national icon...

[TheValk]

Don't expect the courtesy practised by many UK drivers I found frequently (tourist)in UK. More Bangkok meets the Cannonball run, with lots of flashes (speed cameras).

[Bibbs]

madazrx7 said:

Generalisation for sure but I see English drivers as confident, assertive and decisive but courteous.
Australian drivers substitute dithering and distracted but aggressive and will go out of their way to make sure you can't merge/change lanes/ make progress.

I agree, but when thinking about it, it can't be right. Problem is, the further north up the Freeway you go, the worse the driving is.

And Joondalup is mostly British.

Weird huh?

[StefanVXR8]

Bibbs said:

madazrx7 said:

Generalisation for sure but I see English drivers as confident, assertive and decisive but courteous.
Australian drivers substitute dithering and distracted but aggressive and will go out of their way to make sure you can't merge/change lanes/ make progress.

I agree, but when thinking about it, it can't be right. Problem is, the further north up the Freeway you go, the worse the driving is.

And Joondalup is mostly British.

Weird huh?

Yup, I'm in Alkimos now and it's like Mad Max up here!



Stef

[madazrx7]

StefanVXR8 said:

Bibbs said:

madazrx7 said:

Generalisation for sure but I see English drivers as confident, assertive and decisive but courteous.
Australian drivers substitute dithering and distracted but aggressive and will go out of their way to make sure you can't merge/change lanes/ make progress.

I agree, but when thinking about it, it can't be right. Problem is, the further north up the Freeway you go, the worse the driving is.

And Joondalup is mostly British.

Weird huh?

Yup, I'm in Alkimos now and it's like Mad Max up here!



Stef

Heathridge here... we should have a northern suburbs meet to balance those City dwellers

[si_xsi]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Just got back, amazing trip, scenery around the Hunter breathtaking. Had fun getting the back out on a few of the dirt bush roads from Hunter to Wisemans ferry! Goodness the speed limits are frustrating though for the type of roads (wide arrow straights) and low volume of traffic.

Also, anyone who plans to hire a car, don't bother with Hertz out of Sydney Airport. 1st car they gave us had a chunk out of rear tyre and missing Arial (no radio), second one they tried had 2 bald (down to the thread) rear tyres. The Hertz staff asked: 'so you are not happy with the second car then'... err no, I love the car, its just not safe...

[StefanVXR8]

madazrx7 said:

StefanVXR8 said:

Bibbs said:

madazrx7 said:

Generalisation for sure but I see English drivers as confident, assertive and decisive but courteous.
Australian drivers substitute dithering and distracted but aggressive and will go out of their way to make sure you can't merge/change lanes/ make progress.

I agree, but when thinking about it, it can't be right. Problem is, the further north up the Freeway you go, the worse the driving is.

And Joondalup is mostly British.

Weird huh?

Yup, I'm in Alkimos now and it's like Mad Max up here!



Stef

Heathridge here... we should have a northern suburbs meet to balance those City dwellers

Sounds good to me, think there is a couple of us up this way, would be up for a beer somewhere, The Indi at Mindarie Marina would be handy but open to suggestions.

Stef