Driving in Australia

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 7 min read

Australia's scale changes the mathematics of driving. A journey that looks reasonable on a map can be eight hours on a single straight road, through country where the next fuel stop is 200 km away and a road train the length of an aircraft carrier is bearing down in your mirrors. Done well, Australian road travel is extraordinary — the Nullarbor Plain, the Great Ocean Road, the red centre, Cape York. But it requires more planning than driving in Europe, and the distances demand respect.

Understanding Australian distances

Australia is roughly the size of the contiguous United States or the entire continent of Europe, but with a population of around 27 million mostly concentrated in a handful of coastal cities. The road distances between major cities are genuinely vast:

• Sydney to Melbourne: about 900 km, roughly 9–10 hours without long stops.
• Sydney to Brisbane: about 920 km, around 9–10 hours.
• Melbourne to Adelaide: about 720 km, around 7–8 hours.
• Adelaide to Perth: about 2,700 km, typically requiring three to four days of serious driving.
• Darwin to Alice Springs: about 1,500 km, with limited services en route.

These are not detours or scenic alternatives — they are the direct routes. Planning a road trip across multiple Australian states means thinking in terms of days per leg, not hours. Attempting to drive from the east coast to Perth in a week, while also "seeing things", will exhaust most visitors.

Road trains: what they are and how to pass them

Australia's outback highways carry road trains — articulated trucks pulling two, three or even four trailers, typically reaching overall lengths of 50–55 metres (a double road train) or up to 53 metres for a triple. They are legal, common and a feature of life on outback highways. Encountering one changes the feel of passing significantly.

Key rules when sharing a road with road trains:

• Never try to overtake unless you have an absolutely clear stretch. Passing a 50-metre vehicle doing 100 km/h requires several hundred metres of clear road ahead — more than it seems while moving.
• When a road train overtakes you, slow down slightly and move left as far as safely possible — the slipstream is significant.
• Do not pull over on to a gravel shoulder for a road train unless you are confident of the surface — soft shoulders can trap a vehicle quickly.
• Road trains create dust and debris on unsealed roads — hang well back and wait for the dust to clear before moving.

Road trains are most common on the major outback highways: the Stuart Highway (Adelaide–Darwin), the Eyre Highway (the Nullarbor), the Great Northern Highway (WA) and similar routes. On major sealed roads between coastal cities, they are less dominant.

Licence requirements for foreign visitors

Foreign visitors to Australia may drive using their home country licence, provided it is in English. If your licence is not in English, you need a certified translation or an International Driving Permit carried alongside it. The rules are consistent across all Australian states and territories.

Australia drives on the left — the same as the UK, Japan, South Africa and many others. Visitors from countries that drive on the right (US, Canada, continental Europe) will need the same adjustment period as when driving in any left-hand traffic country.

Licences from most countries are valid for driving in Australia as long as you are not a permanent resident. If you plan to stay long-term, you will eventually need to convert to an Australian state licence.

Speed limits and key rules

• Open highway (outside built-up areas): generally 100 km/h on most roads; 110 km/h on some Northern Territory highways and a handful of Western Australian routes.
• Built-up areas: 50 km/h unless signed otherwise; 40 km/h in school zones during school hours; 10 km/h (walking pace) in shared zones.
• Unsealed roads: no fixed national limit, but 60–80 km/h is standard for safe travel on gravel depending on conditions.

The drink-drive limit is 0.05% BAC across all states and territories for regular licence holders; zero for provisional, probationary or learner drivers. Random breath testing is a normal part of driving in Australia — you will likely encounter a testing station at some point if you drive regularly. Penalties are severe.

Speed cameras and red light cameras are widespread. Mobile phone use while driving is strictly prohibited, including when stationary in traffic.

Outback driving: planning for remoteness

If you leave the coastal strip and main highway network, the rules change fundamentally. The outback is not merely remote — it is hostile to an unprepared vehicle or driver.

• Fuel: plan for every fuel stop. In outback Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory, gaps of 200–400 km between roadhouses are common. Carry a jerry can on any unsealed road trip.
• Water: at least several litres per person beyond what you might think reasonable. Breakdown in summer heat can become dangerous quickly.
• Vehicle: a high-clearance 4WD is required on unsealed tracks (and many named "roads" on maps are unsealed tracks). Check the rental company's policy — standard hire cars are not insured for unsealed surfaces.
• Communication: mobile phone coverage disappears rapidly outside towns. A personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite communicator is strongly recommended for remote trips. Telling someone your itinerary and expected return time is not overdramatic — it is how rescues happen faster when things go wrong.
• Heat and timing: driving in the Australian summer (December–February) in the inland is extreme. Northern Australia (Darwin, the Kimberley) is best visited in the dry season (May–September). The south is more forgiving but still hot in summer.

Great Australian road trips

Despite — or because of — the distances, Australia offers some of the world's most iconic drives:

• The Great Ocean Road (Victoria): about 250 km from Torquay to Allansford, with coastal cliffs, the Twelve Apostles rock stacks and surf towns. A standalone three-to-four day loop from Melbourne.
• The Nullarbor Plain (SA/WA): the 1,200 km crossing from Ceduna to Norseman is one of the world's great straight-road drives — relentless, hypnotic and surprisingly beautiful. Not for those who need variety.
• The Red Centre (NT): Alice Springs to Uluru (460 km) and on through Kings Canyon (the Red Centre Way) is a multi-day loop of extraordinary desert landscape.
• The Savannah Way (QLD/NT/WA): a 3,700 km route from Cairns to Broome through the tropical north, requiring a capable 4WD and serious planning.

For more inspiration, the best road trips guide includes long-distance driving itineraries beyond Europe too.

Toll roads in Australian cities

Major city toll roads operate electronically, similar to Japan's ETC system. In Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, many inner-city motorways and tunnels require a tag (an electronic transponder) or online pre-registration. Most rental companies provide a tag as an add-on; alternatively, you can usually arrange a visitor pass via the toll company's website using your number plate. Driving through a cashless toll without registration will result in a fine plus the original toll charge. Ask your rental company how they handle tolls before you pick up the car.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive in Australia on my foreign licence?

Yes, for temporary visitors. If your licence is not in English, carry an International Driving Permit or a certified translation alongside it. This applies in all states and territories.

What is a road train and is it safe to pass one?

A road train is a truck with two, three or sometimes four trailers — up to 53 metres long. They are completely legal and very common on outback highways. Passing is safe only with a very long, clear straight ahead of you. When in doubt, stay behind until the road opens up completely.

Do I need a 4WD to drive in Australia?

Not for sealed roads and main highways — a standard car is fine. But if you plan any unsealed outback roads or tracks, a high-clearance 4WD is necessary and is required by most rental policies for off-road driving.

How do I handle tolls in Sydney or Melbourne?

Ask your rental company before departure. Most offer a toll pass or linked account as an optional extra. Without one, you must register your number plate with the relevant toll operator within a day or two of driving on a toll road, or a fine follows.