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There are lots of ways to save money when budget traveling around East Coast Australia. I will show you the main ways you can save your Aussie dollars on accommodation, shopping, transport and much more so you can come home with more souvenirs and more happy memories without an empty pocket. I have lived in Sydney and Brisbane as well many other towns and cites on the east coast, hopefully my experience will save you lots of money!
Australian money
Money in Australia is called the Australian dollar. We have $100, $50, $ 20, $ 10 and $ 5 notes, and $2, $1,.50 cent,.20 cent,.10 cent and 5 cent coins. Many shops will charge for items something like AU$ 10.99 for a product, just for marketing effect, but in the end you will pay AU$ 11.00. Capital cities expenses are usually more than country areas but sometimes it is the reverse. For example fuel can be more expensive in the country areas but not by too much. The list below is an estimate average of the prices charged in Australia, to be referred to as a guide only. It is all based on 33 years experience…
Accommodation
Budget tip: Use the Internet to get bargains and save loads of money. Some of my favourite sites are on the links page. If you’re travelling on a shoestring budget then I would suggest staying in hostels or caravan parks. They vary in price based on quality and location. A word of warning caravan parks especially along the coast are not what they used to be. These days they have almost resort style facilities so they can be just as expensive as staying in a motel.
Getting around
By air: Australia has 4 main airlines to choose from: Qantas: Usually the most expensive VirginBlue: Basic service at cheaper rates JetStar: Similar to VirginBlue TigerAirways: No frills basic budget service. Some of these don’t fly to certain parts of the country so you need to do your homework.
Public transport
A great way to save money on a tight budget. Queensland Rail or QR mainly covers south east Queensland (Brisbane, Ipswich, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast) now offers a goCard which is valid for train, bus and ferry services mainly in Brisbane. It is cheaper than paying by cash. I am a big fan of getting the train around Brisbane. It is convenient, safe and cheap. You can also purchase daily, weekly or monthly QR passes. The longer the pass the more money you save. QR also offers concessions for pensioners and students. City Rail (New South Wales): covers Sydney, Wollongong, Central Coast and Newcastle): Has loads of different tickets to save you money.
I used CityRail all the time when I was living in Sydney. Sometimes the trains run late but for the most part it is a good safe service. For families consider the Funday Sunday pass where currently (2009) you will pay just $2.50 per person you just need a minimum of one adult and one child. City Rail also offers other discounted tickets Cityhopper (for Syndey only), day tripper and the Sydneypass (Sydney only for 3, 5 or 7 days for travel within a 8 day period) which gets you unlimited train, bus and ferry around Sydney. Concessions are available for students and pensioners.
Getting to or from the international airports
Avoid taxis. These will cost you a small fortune mainly because of traffic congestion. The price of a ticket from the Domestic Airport to the City is $14.60 and from the International Airport to the City is $15.20. And sometimes the cabbies get lost.
SUPER BUDGET HINT:
Instead consider airport shuttle services. Do a Google search for Airport transfers in the city you are landing in. For example ‘Airport transfers Sydney airport’. Sydney New South Wales: Usually price range for shuttle services will be $20 return to major CBD locations but may be cheaper if you book online. Brisbane Queensland: Airport transfers by Rail. These are privately owned companies that don’t usually offer concessions. They are an excellent way to save money though. Brisbane Airtrain: This is a rail service that will get you from Brisbane International or Domestic terminals to Brisbane CBD, Brisbane suburban areas or Gold Coast. The price shouldn’t be more than $30 one way to most destinations. Check out the Airtrain interactive map on their website to give you an idea Airport Link Sydney: Similar to Brisbane. As of 2009 a one way ticket to the CBD from the Domestic or International airport terminals will be a little under $20. Check out the FAQ section on their webpage for details.
Hiring a car
East Coast Australia has all the major hire companies Hertz, Budget, Avis and independents which may be better for budget travelling. There are all types of cars and vans to choose from, the bigger the car the more you will pay. They’re a few websites out there that allow you to compare hire car prices. Use them, they will save you lots of money! If you will be here for a bit longer then consider hiring a van. There are lots of options for you. In Queensland a popular choice is Wicked. In NSW they have depots in Sydney and Byron bay. In Queensland their depots are in Brisbane, Hervey Bay and Cairns.
Grocery Shopping
Australian grocery shopping is dominated by 2 big ‘players’ in the market namely Woolworths and Coles. If you spend over a certain amount your sales docket will get you cheaper fuel (see below) You will find Woolworths and Coles in most bigger towns and they are of course in every capital city. They now use ‘price per weight’ tickets so you can compare and save whilst browsing the shelves. Australia also has Aldi stores in most regional towns and all capital cities down the Australian East Coast. These are my favourite for budget shopping especially if you are travelling and you only need basic items along the way.
SUPER BUDGET TIP:
Cheaper items are usually below eye level. That’s right the more expensive items will be on the middle shelves so look down and grab a bargain. Australia’s generic brands such as Home Brand, Black and Gold and Woolworths and Coles own varieties are just as good in value as the bigger name brands. Aldi are cheaper than Woolworths and Coles and the quality is just as good. You will though have to take your own bags to pack your items or buy bags at Aldi. There are other supermarkets in Australia such as Foodowrks and IGA and they are great if you just need a few items in your travels.
Fuel (Gas)
We call a gas station a service station. Australia has all the major fuel companies available (BP, Caltex, Ampol, Shell etc). Some offer 4c off your fuel if you present a supermarket docket. Caltex accepts Woolworths dockets and Shell accepts Coles dockets. I highly recommend using these especially if you are doing most of your traveling by car. Fuel prices go up and down through the week. Anecdotal research indicates the cheapest day to buy fuel is now either on a Tuesday or Wednesday. To save on fuel drive smoothly, limit using the air conditioner and don’t speed, this chews the fuel (and it is dangerous too!) A special word on Service station stops: All service stations want you to buy something else while you’re in the store such as drinks, chocolates, lollies, CDs etc. Avoid the temptation, as you will be paying extremely high prices for doing so. Instead plan your trip by buying drinks and food at a supermarket for your travels. Some service stations even offer 4c off your fuel if you buy $2 worth of food. This means you are worse off then if you didn’t buy the food or drinks. Don’t be fooled!
Phone calls
Cell phones are called ‘mobile’ phones in Australia. AVOID USING YOUR MOBILE (CELL) PHONE. INTERNATIONAL ROAMING RATES WILL STING YOU.Of course mobile phones are useful for emergency situations. Cheapest option when on a budget to save money when travelling is using international telephone cards. With one AUD 10 card, you can talk to the USA for longer than 2 hours. Keep in mind that making a lot of shorter calls will costs you more than a 1 longer call. For instance 6 calls of 10 minutes will cost you more than 1 call of an hour. There are lots of telephone cards available. Including: Ozcall, Daybreak and Gotalk. There are also lots of online sites to compare prices; just do a Google search such as ‘International telephone cards Australia.’ You can buy the cards from Newsagents or online and for a range of prices. To make it easy though buy them in even amounts of AUD 10, AUD 20 or AUD50 and use them from your home phone and also public phones.
Food and drink.
Eating out and drinking lots of alcohol can be very expensive. Depending on the bar or restaurant beer can cost from AUD 2.50 up to AUD 7.00.
SUPER BUDGET HINT:
Size of glass will determine the price. The Beer names given to different beer glass sizes varies from city to city in Australia and generally from state to state. For example asking for a Schooner in most Victorian or Western Australian Pubs will earn you a confused or annoyed look, as the don’t serve that size. Ordering a ‘Beer’ in Victoria will get you a 285ml (10 oz) ‘Pot’ however if you said the same thing in a Queensland Pub you might find yourself with a smaller 200ml (7 oz) glass. In other words a Pot (in Qld) is the same thing as a Middie (in NSW) and usually is a comfortable size to enjoy a beer. A schooner is larger and a pint is larger again. A jug of beer is (literally a jug of beer) is 1140ml or 40oz is the largest of all. Careful though, you’re not meant to drink straight from the jug, pour it into a pot (middie) and enjoy! Ordering spirit drinks (rum, bourbon, vodka etc) at a bar will normally cost you from about AUD 7.
SUPER BUDGET TIP:
One way to save is buying alcohol at a bottle shop. There are big ’superstores’ such as LiquorChoice and Dan Murphys in all capital and some regional cities. A six pack of local beer (xxxx, Tooheys, Cascade etc) will be anywhere from $12 to over $20. A carton of beer consists of 24 cans or stubbies (small bottles). Local beer will set you back anywhere between AUD 35 to AUD 65.
Wine
Australia boasts some of the finest wines in the world and I highly recommend you try some while you’re here. The prices range but you can usually get a ‘good drop’ for about AUD 15.
SUPER BUDGET TIP:
Look for the ‘clean skins’, which are bottles with no brand. Some have labels some don’t but they are often in the bargain bin but can be tasty surprises. A ‘clean skin’ will cost you about AUD 7.
Eating out
Australia has all the main food chains McDonalds, KFC, Hungry Jacks Wine Australia boasts some of the finest wines in the world and I highly recommend you try some while you’re here. The prices range but you can usually get a ‘good drop’ for about AUD 15. I especially like the light variety of Moscato. It won’t give you a hangover and it won’t dent the budget. Subway and numerous pizza franchises: If you want to stay healthy on a budget Subway is a good option. They offer special prices for certain subs on each day of the week. Some pizza outlets such as Dominoes offer discounts on a Tuesday.
SUPER BUDGET TIP:
For budget travellers (backpackers and families) the best option is to: Buy food at the supermarket such as cheese, ham, and chicken and make sandwiches to pack for traveling. Also consider buying ‘popper’ packs, which are little square packs of juices that usually come in packs of 6. Australians love their pub meals and I highly recommend them. They can be costly though, expect to pay from AUD 15 upwards.Smokers Better stop smoking, as a packet will cost you about AUD 15 for a packet of 20 cigarettes. Some states in Australia also have strict laws about where smoking is allowed. Queensland probably has the toughest laws of all with smoking banned in indoor and outdoor public places. Also Queensland has just brought in a new law banning people smoking in cars if children under 16 are in the car too. Fine is $200 on the spot!
Entertainment
Movies (Cinemas): Go on a Tuesday, tickets are cheaper. DVDs: Again, buy on a Tuesday. Many outlets offer reduced prices on this day for whatever reason. Free entertainment for kids: Kids love beaches and there are loads along Eastern Australia. Keep the kids entertained for free by stopping off at some. Kids also love parks, and parents love them because they are free. Why not stop off at our great parks, which are often near beaches. The playground equipment is tested to the highest safety standards so you can rest assured the kids can play hard and then rest hard!
Summary
There are lots of ways of ways to save loads of money when travelling in Australia on a budget. My best advice is to plan ahead. That doesn’t mean a regimented itinerary but just some forethought such as picking up some groceries at the supermarket the morning you plan on setting off. My other super tip is to budget and add at least 20% on that. If there’s one thing I have learned in my travels is that despite all my good intentions and strategies I have always gone over budget. Hopefully though I have given you some tools and tips that will mean you keep more of your hard earned money in your pocket and leave the Australian East Coast with loads of happy memories!
Do you know all the oceans and continents in the world? I bet you would quickly remember them if you saw a map of seven continents and oceans, but if you are like most people there is a good chance you can name the continents but will likely get stuck on the names of some oceans. Let’s check what the continents and oceans are.
There are generally considered to be 7 continents. But these continents are not defined by exact science, but rather by convenient labels that have been adopted over time. For example, Europe and Asia are physically one geographic unit (called Eurasia). But they are generally considered separate continents because of cultural and historical reasons. There are 7 continents: Australia, Europe, Antarctica, South America, North America, Europe, and Australia.
Some of the continents have very vague boundaries between them, so we apply aribtrary boundaries to them.South America is divided from North America by the Panama Canal, despite it being an artificial canal. Similarly, the Suez Canal separates Asia and Africa,with the canal being man-made again. These arbitrary boundaries indicate that the continents are not always easy to define with perfection.
Let’s look at the oceans of the world. There are 5 oceans, though many people forget one of them. They are the Southern, Arctic, Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans. The Arctic and Southern Oceans are often merged in with the first three oceans, and that is why a lot of people don’t remember them, especially the Southern Ocean.
The Southern Ocean is situated in the southern portion of the globe, in the region of Antarctica. It moves around the Antarctic continent and blends into the Indian, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans in its northern extremities.
I hope that was informative for you. Click here to see a great map of seven continents and oceans.
Digital Maps in the Internet age come in different types. Many maps are static, 2D, geometrically showing lines defining countries, states or territories visually. While others are dynamic or interactive, even three-dimensional (3d maps).
A popular way of using maps online is to use them as interactive site plan maps, which maps out the different parts of a site or building, and helps people find their way about.
Site plan are used most often in exhibition, trade shows, convention centers, resort, or as floor plan for shopping mall and offices.
Many real estate, hotel and property finder websites are also seen adapting to the latest online technology, and are using interactive site maps as a part of their online presence.
For example, by embedding a clickable interactive map on your exhibition or trade show website, visitors can quickly click an area on the map to find out where the booths and stands are located.
You can also use mouseover image or tooltips to display additional information about each both as necessary. The phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” holds even more true in the Internet age. Your potential visitors can better relate to your information and stay on your website when they’re able to view an illustrative map.
The interactive site map can offer trade show participants a truly insightful experience that help them to decide where (be it a stand or booth) to visit, or which booth to reserve, clarifies about the entry and exit points, and gives a real view of the building prior to their arrival.
Not only interactive floor plan or site maps can help visitors to navigate, you can also show additional information to indicate where the restaurants, hotel, washrooms, meeting rooms, business center are.
Google Map is very well known for creating interactive world maps. Google Map is a very powerful mapping tool, and it is free for embed to your HTML web page. You can use Google Map to generate web maps with street level details, zoom in and out easily. You can also add ‘bubbles’ anywhere on the Google earth map to pinpoint a location, and search locations by simply type in a postal address.
However, while you can use Google map to easily locate geographical locations, Google Map might be too detail or overshot for using on your company website as a navigation tool for sales offices, exhibitions or trade shows.
For instance, you might need
- a simple United State Map, generalize all states or regions for users to use as a state selector
- a single state map (e.g. California) within the USA, showing counties border lines.
- a world map, set colors of each continent or country, use as a country selector
- import your own map (e.g. an exhibition floor plan), adding points and interactive functions
These tasks cannot be done easily in Google map — because Google Map needs to load the entire globe map every time and is co-ordinate based using longitude and latitudes. You can not set a mouse over function for a region (continent, country, state or county) without dig deep into the Google Map APIs.
For these type of usage, you can use an interactive map software, which is usually a Windows based map making program which you can install on your desktop. Most map making software come with a set of ready-to-use map templates, including World, Europe, USA, China, Asia, Africa, North and South America, Australia and other maps.
Most importantly, you can import your own graphic or illustrations instead of country map templates, so to convert any ordinary floor plan or exhibition ground image into a interactive, clickable map.
You can then also export the created interactive map to JPG image format for using in other applications, such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, freehand, PowerPoint, etc. The map can then be displayed in your exhibition or trade show promotional brochures, newsletters, magazines, bulletins, prospectuses, etc
SEA CHANGE Australia’s love of coastal living is leading to some
serious environmental problems, as more and more Australians are
choosing to build along coastal areas. This is leading to the
leaching of acid soils, which is degrading our coastline, marine
life and infra-structure. Australian coastal soils have a high
Pyrite content and when disturbed through excavation and
construction is leading to the natural production of sulphuric
acid, which is then washed down to the rivers and sea causing
heavy environmental damage. What is Pyrite? Pyrite (FeS2) is a
common mineral found in soils around the coast of Australia. It
is brass yellow in colour and has a metallic lustre. In
industry, Pyrite is used to manufacture sulphuric acid (H2S04),
which is widely used in the production of fertilisers, steel,
explosives and petrochemicals. In soil Pyrite is relatively
benign, but when disturbed and exposed, it reacts with oxygen
and water in the environment to produce sulphuric acid. •One
tonne of pyrite gives 1.6 tonnes of sulphuric acid. How much
Pyrite do we have? Australia has some 40,000 sq km of coastline
and CSIRO research has estimated there is one billion tonnes of
pyrite in Australia’s coastal soils, potentially leading to
serious environmental degradation in the near future as our
coasts are opened up to more and more development What are the
effects of sulphuric acid on the environment? Sulphuric acid is
toxic to aquatic life and organisms and can destroy
infrastructure leading to costly repairs. It is known to: •Kill
fish; •Release potentially dangerous arsenic and aluminium in
shellfish such as oysters, which are later consumed; •Eat away
at concrete bridges, structures and footings; •Eat away at road
structures and steel structures such as bridge pylons. What are
we doing to fix the problem? •The CSIRO are undertaking studies
to map where the reactive soils occur. They are determining what
are the properties of the soil, then mapping key “hotspots”.
•Some State Governments are putting planning policies in place
to limit the development of these key sensitive areas. •Where
the damage has already occurred, state governments are
rehabilitating the soils and the environment, which is extremely
costly. Government Policies Victoria, Queensland, NSW and South
Australia have government planning policies in place. •The South
Australian Government has only put in place limited “fringe”
policy and needs to address the issue on a broader scale. •In
West Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania no such policies
exist. As an island country, it is imperative that these
planning policies are introduced in key sensitive areas.
Rehabilitation Rehabilitation is a large task and already in
parts of Cairns and South Australia, small areas are costing
millions of dollars to repair.
Tobi Nagy is a small business develoment consultant and a
specialist on developing sustainable systems. His website can be
found at http://www.sustainable-development.net
Antique Print Club is owned and operated by Glenebon Pty Ltd. Derek and Kathryn Nicholls have been dealing in antique maps and prints for nearly thirty years. The Antique Print and Map Company is a member of the International Map Dealers’ Association, the International Map Collectors’ Society, and an associate member of the Confederation Internationale des Negociants en Ouevres d’Arts. We have had a number of galleries, in the United States and Australia. Our current showrooms are at Antique Print Club in Brisbane, Australia.
Because antique maps and old maps prints on paper are vulnerable to deterioration with the passage of time, they are individually relatively rare; so we usually have only one of each image. Unfortunately time precludes our listing everything on the site; however, with a little notice we can provide a list of images on any subject of interest to you. Decorator Art includes a selection of antiquarian-style images for those who are not interested in antiquity. To increase your appreciation of the item that interests you, we have compiled a Reference Library.
If you’re in Queensland, the Antique Print & Map Company and Decorator Art showrooms have thousands more antique maps and prints at Antique Print Club in Brisbane, five minutes from the central business district. Find the time. Come and visit!
Antique Print Club is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information. Your “personal information” means information which identifies you as an individual or from which your identity can be reasonably ascertained, for example your name and email address. Antique Print Club by its professionalism and commitment to its customers operate within the boundaries of the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 in dealing with its customers.
This Privacy Policy explains our policy for dealing with the personal information we collect through our website www.antiqueprintclub.com. By accessing or using this website, you are accepting the practices described in this Privacy Policy. Antique Print Club may, at any time, amend its Privacy Policy by posting the amended Privacy Policy on this website.
Although the basic purpose of maps is to distinguish and provide divisions between two different countries, the use of world maps and atlas has spread through various walks of life.
Maps can be used to depict the wide variety of various parts of the world. One can represent the diverse cultural, geographical, traditional, industrial and many other variations of different places. Interactive world maps are used in various websites of political organizations, tourist and travel, educational institutes and various corporate bodies.
The education industry has now become global. Most of the universities across the world take up various initiatives to attract foreign students. Foreign students are of huge diplomatic interest to various governments across the world. The most popular destinations are Australia, United Kingdom and United States of America.
Universities across the world have come up with the concept of using interactive maps in their official websites to depict the surrounding regions for the benefit of traveling students. Say for example, a student is traveling to Australia from India. Now we can definitely presume that the interested student would not have enough information about the place if he is traveling for the first time, which normally is the case.
Using interactive maps in the official website of the desired university would help the student to collect all information that he requires. Ranging from accommodation facility available around the university, to food outlets or emergency services like nearest hospital, police station or even the nearest embassy of his nation; all information would be easily available to the student without any difficulty.
Thus nowadays a lot of universities have started depicting such information through the use of interactive world maps. Many even present their map in the format of a flash mapping game. This has inevitably increased the traffic and students can now feel confident and safe that they have almost all the information about the place they are relocating for few years leaving behind their family.
Maps are also used in educational subjects like geography and history and even economics. Gone are the days when maps were only related to geography. Now even economics can be taught using interactive maps. Depicting diverse information about various places becomes a lot easier and user-friendly and learning becomes entertaining. Climatic difference, agricultural difference, industrial difference and many more important aspects can be easily made understandable through the use of maps.
Most importantly learning through the use of colorful interactive maps is much more interesting and every student can easily trace whatever information he wants by toggling around the map with the mouse. Thus, we must say the use of maps is slow and steadily crossing barriers.
Mankind has always been curious to learn and know about something that is unknown or is actually far off. But with the advent of modern technology, virtual maps have made the world a smaller and a much more connected place.
Australia’s ’Outback’ is beautiful, you will discover lonely stretches of road with different views around every bend for hundreds of kilometres and be amazed at the landscapes. With the proper equipment, common sense and a little knowledge you can visit the Outback and see it’s wonders.
Adequate preparation is essential before deciding to Travel Outback Australia. Prior to leaving, planning and preparation must be organised and do this well before packing your vehicle. Consider these travel safety tips for all persons travelling in your vehicle and other road users. The Outback can be very remote in some places between towns and extreme care must be taken. If possible travel with another vehicle.
Equipment Required The camping equipment and vehicle and accessories you are taking must be in good working condition and suitable for the trip. Your maps should cover the entire area of the planned destinations.
Communications For close range between vehicles a UHF ot VHF radio maybe used, carry an HF radio compatible with the RFDS. Mobile phones and CB radios will not usually work in remote areas. HF radios and accessories can be bought from communications shops.
Types of Terrain Study a map to ascertain what types of roads you will be travelling on, sealed, main gravel roads or 4WD roads or tracks.
Where can fuel and water be accessed?
What is the best way for you – main roads or gravel 4WD roads
What will you use for navigation eg,. maps, GPS navigator
Is there an alternate route if necessary
Using Maps Driving in the Outback can be monotonous with few landmarks & signposts. Have a very detailed up to date map, especially if you are going on remote roads. Take note of your position on the map in case you need to confirm your position if needed.
The Weather Be aware of the weather conditions for where you are going generally May to August are the best times to visit the Outback. If heavy rain occurs this may cause flash flooding and authorities may have to close roads.
How long do you have? Before leaving work out how much time you have to be away. Workout your itinerary – leaving and approximate day your returning, where you intend to stay and camp, be flexible in your plans and only book a few days ahead. Occasionally you may be held up waiting for a fuel delivery, a vehicle repair etc. or you have found somewhere you want to stay for a few extra days.
Before leaving home notify someone of where you are going and when you intend to return. Also arrange to keep in contact with them or someone else at least once a week.
I have travelled around Central Australia and Northern Australia and seen many spectacular sights and have taken many photos which quite often feature the red earth or rocks, the green foliage and a beautiful blue sky.
Are you traveling to Australia, New Zealand or South East Asia? Many travelers from Europe, North America and other parts of Asia now enjoy a few days’ stopover in Singapore. It’s exotic, unique and clean and you’ll love it! Here are some suggestions to help you with your exploration of The Lion City.
WALKING.
Singapore, situated near the Equator, is warm to hot year round, so being outside for long periods can be tiring. However if you really want to discover the city, walking is the best way. Chinatown is an example. To explore this area with its fascinating back streets and surprises, you need to walk. It is less easy to walk along Orchard Road, with its busy streets, overpasses and underpasses.
Fortunately, shopping and walking is made a little easier in the eastern part of town. Many of the major hotels are connected by shopping malls, some underground. So walking in air conditioned comfort along shopping arcades can be a pleasant experience. An example is Marina Square Mall connected by arcades to Raffles Square and City Hall MRT underground station.
TRAINS.
Singapore’s underground trains are fast, clean and efficient. They transport large masses of people in this city of over 4 million citizens and provide easy access to most parts of the city and outlying suburbs.
Using them is easy.
Most one way fares are less than $3 and you use a machine. Just press the standard fare sign on the touch screen followed by your destination name/number. Out comes your computer card (not a ticket) together with your change. Place it on the entrance gate and you’re in.
Remember that there are 2 main lines, north/south and east/west, so look for the train’s destination to work out which line to travel on. When you reach your destination, place your card back in the machine and you receive a dollar refund! How good is that? It saves litter and the card can be used again.
You will also notice that the trains and stations are clean and graffiti free. How refreshing. I wonder how they do it! I made this comment to a Singaporean train traveler and his reply was swift. “They wouldn’t dare!” he said.
BUSES.
Buses are used extensively by Singaporeans, but unless you know exactly where you want to go, they are best avoided. A good option, if you are a first time visitor, is to use tour buses, stopping at places spread around the city.
You also receive a running commentary and the cost is $12. For your day’s ticket, you can hop on and off as often as you choose.
If you have traveled on Singapore Airlines, keep your boarding pass, as this airline also runs a hop on, hop off service around the city (including the Botanical Gardens) and it will cost you just $3. Look for the SIA buses and ask for a route map. Your boarding pass also entitles you to many shopping discounts, so it’s worthwhile keeping!
TAXIS.
For convenience, comfort and low cost, taxis are hard to beat, particularly if you are with your partner or family. Most taxi fares within the city are less than $5 and even when we returned to the city from the zoo and night safari, the fare was only $15. Most taxi fares from the city to Changi Airport are around the same price, but check before you travel, as prices can vary.
After a busy day’s shopping and sightseeing, to be dropped off at the front entrance to your hotel is sheer bliss, particularly when you know that the pool and a cold drink are only 5 minutes away!
Why choose a motorhome?
Having your own vehicle on holiday gives you the freedom to do what you want, when you want to. Motorhomes offer great value for money with accommodation and transport in one. Whether you are travelling with a partner, friends or as a family, we have a range of vehicles of all sizes to suit your needs. If you are travelling for a long period of time, having a motorhome means you can have all the comforts of home whilst on the road. You have the option of dining in or out. Motorhomes also give road trips a fun and exciting twist, not to mention bragging rights.
Do I need a special licence to drive a motorhome?
No, a full valid Australian driver’s license is fine.
What is the minimum age to rent a motorhome in Australia?
21.
How are rental days calculated?
Rental days are charged per calendar day as opposed to 24 hour periods which is how car rental is charged. So, if you pick up a motorhome at 9am on 16 July and drop off at 9am on 30 July, this is considered to be 15 days. With a car rental, however, it would be 14 days.
Is there a minimum rental period?
Yes, generally between 5-10 days depending on the supplier. Sometimes the rental period will be longer during school holidays, special events etc.
What is included in the rental rate?
This varies depending on the supplier, but generally standard rates include vehicle insurance, GST, unlimited kilometres, 24 hour roadside assistance, some living/kitchen/sleeping equipment and travel packs with maps. Inclusive rates are also available.
What is not included in the rates?
Again this varies depending on the supplier but generally speaking one way fees and insurance excess are extra. Due to its remote location, there is often a fee for picking up or dropping off in Broome. There are also optional extras available like excess reduction, picnic tables and chairs, GPS units, satellite phones and first aid kits. Prices and options vary depending on the supplier.
What are Flex rates?
Flex rates are based on a simple system of supply and demand. If there are a lot of vehicles available to rent on a particular day, at a particular location, the rate is lower and vice versa. Booking early is recommended to get a good deal.
Will I need a credit card to collect my motorhome?
Credit cards are commonly used for the security deposit but some rental companies (like Kea and Auto Rent Hertz) do accept cash deposits. Check at the time of booking.
How much is the security deposit?
The amount depends on the Insurance Cover chosen but varies between AUD250-7500. Where a security deposit is required the full amount of the bond will be deducted from your credit card and credited back at the end of the rental period, subject to any deductions. To avoid disappointment ensure that your credit card has a limit sufficient to cover this amount.
Where can I pick up my motorhome?
DriveAway Holidays have motorhomes available to pick up from Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. (Please note not every supplier may be represented in these cities).
Where can I camp with my motorhome?
You can stay in Holiday Parks or Camping Grounds for a small cost. These often have kitchen and bathroom facilities and sometimes play areas, gaming areas and access to power. Check out the Australia Caravan and Camping Directory for further details. You could also stay at a National Park or Reserve . There is also the option of free camping. Each state has different rules about where this is permitted so check with the appropriate Tourist authority before you leave.
Are there restrictions on where I can drive the motorhome?
Yes, motorhomes must only be driven on sealed roads. Further travel restrictions may apply and vary depending on the motorhome company booked.
Can Booster and Baby Seats be fitted?
Booster and baby seats are available to hire for an extra fee. Some vehicles can fit a booster and baby seat, some of the smaller vehicles, however, cannot. If you request a quote with DriveAway, you can put your requirements in the comments box and our Motorhome Specialists will be able to advise.
What happens if I breakdown?
All companies offer a roadside assistance program. Details will be given at time of collection.
Are there cancellation fees if I cancel the motorhome?
Yes, all motorhome companies have a cancellation fee policy. Click here for details. DriveAway Holidays will request a deposit and/or full payment in order to request the booking with the motorhome company in those instances where the booking falls within the cancellation period.
Please note this information is to be used as a guide only. Details are correct at the time of print and subject to change without notice. Contact DriveAway Holidays for details or bookings.
Australia’s idyllic Port Douglas is justly renowned as one of the world’s most beautiful places to relax, unwind and cast your worries to the sea. This unique tourist destination sits adjacent to Tropical North Queensland’s two World Heritage Sites — the fabled Great Barrier Reef, and the majestic Daintree Rainforest. As home too to Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas boasts one of Australia’s most picturesque locations for sailing, wind surfing, kite-boarding, and surfing.
The pristine surroundings of Port Douglas were originally settled thousands of years ago by the Kuku Yulanji tribe. The English first encountered its astonishing beauty when Captain James Cook was mapping the eastern coastline of Australia in 1770, during his initial voyage to the continent. In fact, Port Douglas was an unexpected stop for Cook and his crew, for they ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef, and had to delay their voyage for more than seven weeks in order to repair their ship, the Endeavour. Cook thus named this bay Cape Tribulation, because, he noted in his journal, “here began all of our Troubles”.
These days, such troubles are no more than poignant history in Port Douglas, with the Reef now well-marked and carefully conserved. Its protection allows visitors a unique and breathtaking opportunity to experience an incredible underwater world. Discovering the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system — its 35 million hectares embracing 900 islands and 3000 individual reefs — is one of the hallmark travel opportunities of a lifetime. This is an organic structure so large that it can be seen from outer space – composed of billions of coral polyps, it is home to an extensive variety of underwater wildlife including whales, sea turtles, starfish, eels, and dolphins. It is, quite possibly, the best place to go diving or snorkeling in the world.
Back on shore, the Daintree Rainforest rivals its aquatic counterpart for beauty and mystery – a fascinating, immaculate ecosystem that is home to 430 bird species, giant tree frogs, sugar gliders, bandicoots, and estuarine crocodiles. Here you will find the largest range of plants and animals in the world, all within easy access of the Port Douglas beachfront. In the mood for a swim? The forest’s cool, green Mossman Gorge, a series of freshwater swimming holes in its midst, represents the perfect photo opportunity. Explore the history and depth of the Daintree by taking a jungle tour, riding horseback, or a river cruise.
The highlights of Port Douglas, however, go well beyond natural wonders, outstanding though they are. Macrossan Street, bisecting the heart of the city, boasts a range of great restaurants, cafes and shops, as well as a fun nightlife scene. Four Mile Beach, which is conveniently just a few meters southeast, is a stunning sandy coastline — ideal for indulging in a wide range of water sports, or simply a leisurely bike ride.
The adventures and sights of Port Douglas though will no doubt take their toll, and the Rydges Sabaya Resort provides you with a tranquil haven to unwind and rejuvenate. Newly redeveloped in 2007, the resort features fresh, well-appointed guest rooms and apartments, a lagoon-style pool, tasteful new restaurant, and large banquet facilities. Offering a warmth of service that reflects both the relaxed Port Douglas lifestyle and Rydges’ sense of fun and energy, the hotel is just a stone’s throw from the southern rim of Four Mile Beach – making it all the easier to start relaxing on your Port Douglas vacation.
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