Australia Transport

Your travel options in Australia

The public transport in Australia

There are plenty of exciting things to do and see in Australia. However, Australia is a very large country, so you will need to be acquainted with the different types of transports available. Rest assured that Australia has one of the most advanced public transport systems in the world. In fact, its public transport system is comparably safe, fast and affordable. Depending where you live, you have a variety of public transport options including trains, trams, ferries and buses.

To use the public transport system, you’ll need to purchase tickets at a newsagency, train station, ferry wharves, or as you board a buses or trams. There are even some instances where you can travel for free!  Also, as an international student you might be eligible for travel concessions in some states. Just ask your institution if you qualify.


Melbourne

Melbourne is one of Australia’s largest cities. It considered Australia’s Arts capital. It’s a wonderful place to study, as it features great amenities, large city libraries, beautiful spacious public gardens, a lively night-life and grand examples of Victorian architecture. With regards to public transport, it offers a great mix. By purchasing a Metcard, you may travel on all of Melbourne’s public transport links including bus, train and tram services.

Bus: For suburbs near Melbourne city, buses are the popular way to travel. You’ll find they are handy when traveling to places such as universities, hospitals, suburban shopping centres and suburbs not serviced by other transport options.

Train: Trains a standard way to travel in Melbourne; it’s also a fast transport option. Indeed, Melbourne’s suburban trains travel to the outer suburbs of Melbourne and Victoria, as trams and buses don’t venture into Melbourne’s outer skirt suburbs. Also, the main city station in Melbourne is Flinders Street Station. During the week, you can catch a train from this central city station from 5am to midnight.

Tram: Looking for a scenic way to travel through Melbourne? Then take Melbourne’s tram service. This unique travel method covers most parts of the city and inner suburbs. It is simply a delightful and fun way to see the city sights. There’s also a ‘light rail’ service to some suburbs. A helpful hint when using the tram line is to look out for cars when getting off the tram (as the tram rail and car lanes overlap at certain sections).

Sydney
Sydney is a cosmopolitan city. It hosted the world Olympic Games in 2000. Famous for its Opera House, Harbour, beautiful white sandy beaches and temperate climate, Sydney is favourite destination for many international students. You can go sight-seeing around town and the coastal shores on one the city’s state-run tourist buses which weave along some of the best parts of this international city. For more information on Sydney’s buses, ferries and trains, just call 131500.


Bus: If you plan to study in Sydney as an international student, you’ll more than likely be using Sydney’s bus network to travel. This public service extends to most suburbs and is highly reliable. If you board the bus within the city, you will need to buy a prepaid bus ticket before you board the bus. The fare cost will depend on the number of ‘sections’ you travel through. However, by purchasing a weekly pass, you can save money!

Train: If you need to travel outside the city centre of Sydney, you’ll most probably travel by train. The city has a vast suburban rail network that offers reliable and frequent services. For long distance journeys, trains are a much faster travel option than buses. Sydney trains operate from about 5am to midnight.

Ferry: Sailing on Sydney’s world famous Harbour is a must. However, if you’re not into yachting, why not take a Sydney ferry to look at its beautiful foreshores? Indeed, one of the more pleasurable modes of transport in Sydney is via Sydney’s ferries. You can cruise the harbour and enjoy the sights as you travel to your education facility. Typically, there are three kinds of ferries: the regular STA ferries, the fast and fun JetCats (from Manly) and the leisurely RiverCats that cruise from the city centre’s Circular Quay wharves (pronounced “Circular Key”) up the Parramatta River to Parramatta.

Metro Light Rail & Monorail: Sydney’s Starcity Casino, Darling Harbour, Imax Theatre. Entertainment Centre, Paddy’s Market, Central Station and city centre can all be accessed by the Metro Light Rail and Monorail. (i.e. The Monorail circles Darling Harbour and connects it to the city centre. The MLR operates a 24-hour service between Central Station and Pyrmont via Darling Harbour and Chinatown).

Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital city of the state of Queensland (which is Australia’s world renowned holiday state). It enjoys warm weather (nearly) all year round. For sun lovers, this city’s an ideal place to study for students arriving from a colder climate and seeking tropical weather conditions. It also places you on the doorstep of some of Australia’s most pristine and world heritage listed sites (like the Daintree Rainforest and The Great Barrier Reef). However, despite its proximity to Australia’s natural treasures, Brisbane city is large and modern. You’ll find a good public network of bus, train and ferry routes to most suburbs.

Boat: Brisbane’s CityCat catamarans are a great way to travel. They are fast, reliable and run every 20 to 30 minutes (between 5.00am and 10:30pm) from the University of Queensland in the southwest to Bretts Wharf in the northeast. Another useful option is the Inner City Ferries. They operate a service between North Quay near Victoria Bridge (pronounced “North Key”) and Mowbray Park.

Bus: One of the benefits of living in Brisbane is “The Loop”. It’s a free bus service that circles the entire city area. It runs every 10 minutes during the week between 7am and 6pm. Other bus services run every 10 to 20 minutes during business days from 5am till about 6pm.  Most services operate until midnight.

Train: If you intend travelling beyond the city of Brisbane, you should take the train. The Citytrain is a fast way to travel to the outer suburbs of Brisbane. It connects suburbs as far as Gympie North (in the Sunshine Coast) to Nerang and Robina in the south (located in the world famous holiday coastal region called the Gold Coast). All trains operate from the Roma Street, Central and Brunswick Street stations.

Perth
To travel around Perth, Transperth operates the city’s public buses, trains and ferries network. A single ticket allows travel on all forms of transport. If you intend to study in Perth, you’ll be located in Australia’s booming development region. In recent years, it has become one of Australia’s premier destinations for international students. Located in Western Australia, this city is surrounded by popular wine regions and wild dolphin tourist attractions.

Train: Perth’s train system is called Fastrak. Its suburban train lines link the suburbs of Fremantle, Armadale, Midland and Joondalup. An added benefit of living in Perth is its free train service that operates between Claisebrook and City West train stations. You can catch all these trains from Perth’s train station which is located on Wellington Street.

Bus: Another free public transport service offered in Perth is The CAT. It allows you to travel throughout the city centre of Perth. It’s operational between 6:50am to 6:20pm on weekdays; it’s a great way to see the delightful sights of Perth.

Boat: Perth ferries operate every half-hour from 7am to 7pm daily from the Barrack Street Jetty to the Zoo. (If you have time, be sure to check out Perth’s Zoo as it houses many of Australia’s unique wildlife).

Adelaide
South Australia’s capital city is Adelaide. It is famous for its many beautiful churches. This city also features many pretty public parks. If you have the pleasure of studying in Adelaide, there are a number of ways to travel, including: buses, trains and the Glenelg tram. Just contact the Adelaide Metro Information Centre for timetables. It also sells tickets for the integrated metropolitan.

Bus: The bus service in Adelaide is called “The Bee Line”. It travels in a loop from the Glenelg tram terminus at Victoria Square to the University of South Australia’s city west campus. There is also “The City Loop” service. This service is a great way to see the city. Both the Bee Line and City Loop buses are free!

Train: If you need to travel beyond Adelaide city, the suburban train network connects most outlaying suburbs from Adelaide’s Railway Terminal (located near Adelaide casino).

Darwin
Darwin is an inspiring city. It is the capital of the Northern Territory; the doorway to Australia’s monsoon region, spectacular rock formations and ranges. If you want to immerse yourself in the 40,000 year old “Dreamtime” culture of Australia’s traditional owners, then this your ideal place to study!

Bus: The main mode of transport in Darwin is the Darwinbus service. The City Bus Interchange is located on Harry Chan Avenue. It offers a comprehensive service from the small depot. There is also the Tour Tub minibus tours which allows visitors to see Darwin’s unique and beautiful natural sights throughout the day. You can jump on and off the bus along the way.

Taxi: Taxis are another method of transport in Darwin. You can catch a standard taxi sedan or there are two taxi bus services: the Arafura Shuttle and Unique Minibus.

Hobart
Hobart is the city capital of Tasmania. This island state is located in the Southern most tip of Australia. This region has a diverse and rich social and architectural history. It also is home to stunning mountain ranges (including some world famous trekking routes).
 
Bus: The Metro operates a good local bus network. For more transport information, visit the information desk inside the main post office (located on the corner of Elizabeth and Macquarie Street). Fare prices for The Metro will depend on the distance you travel.

Canberra: Canberra is the capital of Australia. It is where the political hub of Australia converges. It’s located half-way between Melbourne and Sydney. It also features a plethora of Museums and Art galleries which showcase Australian arts and international exhibitions.

Bus: The public transport provider in Canberra is called ACT Internal Omnibus Network (ACTION). You can find its Civic Bus Interchanges along the following streets: Alinga Street, East Row and Mort Street in the city centre. Just visit their information kiosk (East Row) for free route maps and timetables.


Personal safety on public transport

Traveling in Australia is a relatively easy and stress-free affair in Australia for the international student. Indeed, Australia’s public transport is comparatively safe and low-cost. However, you should still exercise vigilance, care and caution as you would at home when using public transport. For example, remember to do things like keep your bag close to you to prevent theft. Be aware where your valuables, such as your wallet, mobile phone or iPod are at all times and keep them out of sight from thieves. Also, if you’re traveling at night, try to sit as close as possible to the driver. Be alert to your surroundings and aware of your fellow passengers. If you find yourself uncomfortable or threatened in any way, tell the driver. Another good travel tip is to avoid staying around train stations or bus stations at night. If you must use public transport at night, exercise commonsense. Try to arrive right before the train or bus to minimise your waiting time and avoid potential trouble. When it comes to using taxis, this is usually a very safe way of getting home late at night. However, you still need to exercise caution with your safety and keep alert.


Traveling interstate

If you intend to travel across Australia, there are a number of ways. Be mindful that Australia is a very large country. It takes over 13 hours to travel from Sydney to Melbourne by Bus. So, it might be a good idea to think about flying to your destination for interstate travel. In fact, there are a few low-cost airlines that regularly offer airfares that are cheaper than bus travel. Moreover, it might be wise to examine their websites first before purchasing a bus ticket.

Airlines

If you want travel very large distances in Australia, flying is the best option. Australia has two major airlines: Qantas and Virgin Blue. You can fly with them between all capital cities and selected regional centres. Also, you can book tickets through a travel agent, via the airline’s website or over the phone. If you can, it’s best to consider as many airlines and travel dates as possible so you get a cheaper flight. If you do your research before you book, you might find a great deal. For example, Australia has several regional airline carriers that offer frequent travel deals, including: Jetstar (a low-cost airline affiliated with Qantas); Tiger Airways (which fly to most Australian capitals and some regional cities); and REX airline (which carries passengers to mostly regional areas in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia).
 

Trains and buses

A good option if you choose to travel outside the city you live in is getting a train. You can find a comprehensive list of train services, fares and timetables at www.railaustralia.com.au.  Also, for a list of bus operators (and their destinations) operating within Australia visit to www.buslines.com.au.


Your own transport

If you’re an international student that likes their independence and enjoys traveling or sightseeing, then purchasing your own private vehicle might be a reasonable option for you. For example, you can purchase good second-hand bicycles for about AU$150 and roadworthy secondhand cars for less than $9,000. (However, before you buy a used car, have it inspected by a reputable mechanic to ensure it’s roadworthy. Also, be mindful that if you buy a car, you will be responsible for a number of things including):

• Compulsory third party insurance (this covers damage to other person’s property if you have an accident).
• Registration
• Repairs
• Fuel
• Service costs
• Other insurance

It is also wise to take out a comprehensive insurance policy which will cover the cost of damage to your own vehicle. The cost of a comprehensive insurance policy will depend on your driving record, age as well as the type of car you own.

Note that if you’re in Australia for a period of no more than three months, you can drive with your international driver’s licence (or a valid overseas driver’s licence). If you decide to use your own driver’s licence, you’ll be legally obligated to carry a translation of your document if it’s not in English. Otherwise, if you’re planning to stay longer than three months, you’ll need an Australian driver’s licence. To obtain this document, you’ll be required to take a test on highway codes, rules and regulations. You’ll need to speak to the RTA in Australia (Road and Traffic Authority) for this licence. They have offices throughout Australia.


When driving in Australia, please be aware of the following road rules and regulations:

• The driver and passenger must wear their seat belts. It is compulsory. Failure to do so will result in a fine if either you or your passengers are caught not wearing one.
• Australians drive on the left side of the road.
• The maximum speed limit for residential areas is 50km an hour and 100km an hour on highways (unless signs indicate a specific speed limit change).
• Using your mobile while driving in your car is illegal. You will be fined if you are caught. Also, if you must make or receive a call, buy a hands-free kit or just pull over to the side of the road.
• Traffic cameras are in use at many intersections. They monitor speeding cars or cars that do not obey traffic lights. If you are caught breaking the law a fine will be mailed to you. Furthermore, you may lose points from your licence (and this may lead to losing your licence if you keep disobeying road laws and regulations).
• Australia has very strict rules to prevent drink driving offences. In fact, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offence. It can be punishable by either loss of your licence, a hefty fine or sometimes jail time.
• Random Breath Testing Units are police operations that require you to stop at if signaled by the police. They are located randomly on the side of the road at any time of the day to stop drivers for alcohol consumption testing. It is practiced in most Australian states and territories. For information on alcohol limits (visit www.alcoholguidelines.gov.au for more information).

Please contact the Road Authority in your state or territory for more information.