Australia might surprise you with how enormous it is. There’s so much to see! But what’s the best way to explore it?
- Australia might surprise you with how enormous it is. There’s so much to see! But what’s the best way to explore it?
- 5 Reasons Why Doing A Tour is Better Than Driving Yourself Around Australia
- 2. Doing a tour is safer
- 3. Local knowledge
- 4. Less stress!
- 5. Better value for money
- The benefits of driving yourself around Australia
But what’s the best way to explore this huge country? Should you buy/hire your own car and hit the road, or should you join a group tour and see the outback that way? Here are a few travel tips to consider before you uncover Down Under.
Australia is 95% empty
When we say ’empty’, we mean uninhabited and sparsely populated. There are vast expanses of just…nothing. For miles and miles.
Proportionally, that still means there’s loads to see in the places that have civilisation. But if you’re driving, it means you’d be driving your own vehicle for hours and hours, sometimes not seeing someone for hours and hours!
5 Reasons Why Doing A Tour is Better Than Driving Yourself Around Australia
Visiting Australia for the first time? Not sure if you should take a tour or drive? Here are a few reasons why you might want to do a tour Down Under.
- Less driving, more enjoyment: Australia is a very big country. Driving yourself could be boring, tedious and long. Doing a tour saves you time.
- Safety: Australia is well known for its dangerous animals and extreme climates! No trip is worth risking your safety! Joining a tour group is safer (particularly in the outback).
- Local knowledge: Going with a local tour guide means local knowledge!
- Less stress! The less you have to organise, the better! You can sit back and enjoy the tour.
- Better value for money: Normally, doing a tour will cover all those unexpected costs of being on the road. No car rego needed!
1. Less driving, more enjoyment!
Australia is really, really big.
Most people don’t realise just how enormous Australia is. What we’d consider the outback (barren land) takes up 70% of the whole land mass. 95% of the land is considered to be ’empty.’ So most of the country is essentially uninhabited and it’s barren land. Of course, this is truly beautiful! But it’s very empty, so this could be boring, tedious and even unsafe.
2. Doing a tour is safer
Don’t worry, not everything in Australia is ‘trying to kill you!’ But doing a tour could well be safer.
Despite what most people think about Australia, not everything is trying to kill you! It does have some dangerous animals and wildlife, but you’d be very unlucky to encounter the super venomous wildlife!
That being said, doing a tour (especially a multi-day tour through barren landscapes like the Northern Territory), could be a much safer option. You’ll be with knowledgeable guides who know what to avoid, and how to travel safely.
3. Local knowledge
With local guides comes local knowledge!
Enhance your tour with the added bonus of a local tour guide. Local tour guides will answer any questions you have about the area you’re in. Imagine you’re going through the middle of the Blue Mountains and you see the Three Sisters.
Sure, there are heaps of knowledge online that you could consult! But there’s nothing quite like absorbing local knowledge from a local guide who can tell you all about the fascinating local stories connected to the rock formation.
4. Less stress!
Less hassle means less stress!
Doing a tour means less stress and hassle!
Driving yourself on your own? Driving yourself around Australia means you need to consider…
- Registration (paying the REGO on a car can be costly)
- Buying the vehicle itself
- Hiring a car? You’ll need an International Driving Permit if you don’t have a license in English.
5. Better value for money
Save time, and save your dollars!
Put off by the price tag attached to some tours?
It might surprise you – but doing a tour can actually work out far, far cheaper than short-term, self-guided travel.
On multi-day tours, you’ll have your food included, accommodation,
The benefits of driving yourself around Australia
Driving yourself is a wonderful way to see this magnificent country. We’re lucky enough to experience some of the most beautiful, breathtaking sunsets in the world, and driving through Australia is one of the most memorable drives ever!
Self-driving around Australia is better suited to:
- Backpackers and travellers on a Working Holiday Visa who are funding a long-term trip around the country with part-time work in each state.
- Travellers who have lots of experience driving in rural conditions
- Outdoor lovers, and those who are very hands-on – who love camping, and the outdoor lifestyle of living on the road – those who are happy to ‘rough it’
Explore the Popular Australian Tours
