Driving in Australia

Forums › Travel (planes, train, cruise) › Driving in Australia

sonyxperiageek

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#195081 5-Apr-2016 20:45

So we'll be going to the Gold Coast at the end of this month for 5 days. How does one go about driving in the Queensland State in Australia? From what I've heard, holders of the NZ driver's license can drive in Queensland, and the conditions of that license apply when driving in Australia. Am I correct?

Also, any tricky rules I should know about in Australia that differ a bit from the NZ rules? Give way turning left as well, if two vehicles are entering the same street?

Thanks in advance!

Sony

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#1526523 5-Apr-2016 20:52

Driving is OZ is like driving in NZ not much to it, Done it a number of times just watch out for Kangaroos

blakamin

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#1526526 5-Apr-2016 20:59

And don't sit under or over the speed limit... under, you'll get tailgated, over & you'll get booked.. :D

Oh, we've had that give way rule for 20 years, so most people don't have issues...

sonyxperiageek

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#1526527 5-Apr-2016 20:59

Thanks @Johnr and @Blakamin

Sony

LennonNZ

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#1526528 5-Apr-2016 21:02

Driving in Aussie is basically the same as in NZ (now) No differences I found except
Some motorways have signs which say 110 other than 100.
Uturns on main highways are labeled if your allowed to or not

Apart from that no differences now a days after they fixed the give way rules a number of years ago in NZ.

sonyxperiageek

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#1526543 5-Apr-2016 21:11

You can have a NZ Driver's license and drive in Aussie right? Like does one need an IDP or something similar?

Sony

johnr

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#1526544 5-Apr-2016 21:12

Nope NZ licence is fine

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mdf

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#1526556 5-Apr-2016 21:17

If you're just on holiday, a NZ drivers' licence is fine. The Australian rules vary from state to state, but in Queensland you only need to trade in your NZ licence if you're resident there for longer than three months.

An IDP is basically just a translation of you're NZ licence. I think the Aussie's will figure out what your NZ one means.

Oblivian

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#1526557 5-Apr-2016 21:20

Especially the goldy, ONLY u-turn on intersections were 'u-turn permitted' signs present.

When on the motorway don't use the right lane. Just don't. Easier not to. As said you'll get either gated, or pinged. Most the time there is 4 or 5 lanes anyways. (And watch for exit warnings - a borrowed garmin can be handy for that)

Use the middle lane. And more so if someone is approaching the motorway from an onramp on your left, they have right of way. IE move yo butt out the way or give space :)

And really watch speed past schools around their start/end. Roads are a biarch from 4-7 if in built up areas. So get use to crawling

sonyxperiageek

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#1526559 5-Apr-2016 21:23

Cool thanks. :-)

Speaking of maps, I'm planning to just use my phone. Instead of starting up a new topic, is there like a 2degreesmobile in Australia? Something cheap, and with decent data.

Sony

Stu

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#1526564 5-Apr-2016 21:39

Optus $2 a day (if they still have it) has 500MB a day?

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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Oblivian

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#1526565 5-Apr-2016 21:41

Optus, VF, Telstra, Virgin

And other smaller resellers co-sharing

Their pricing is a bit better on data than here. ~~Kmart~~, target, woolies and the likes sell OTC, But theyll want a aus address to sign you up. May work with c/- hotels, some are picky
http://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones