Transport
Australia has one large airline company called Qantas who fly all over the world. They are one of the best airlines in the world with excellent aeroplanes and service. All large international airlines fly to Australia through difference alliances such as Star Alliance and One World depending on the airline. If flying from the UK you will have have a stop-off in Asia and depending on where in Australia you are flying to, you may have to change flights. Flight times are approx 22 hours and with the time difference it makes it feel much longer.
www.qantas.com
www.britishairways.com
www.staralliance.com
Qantas is of course number 1 for domestic flights and sub continental flights to New Zealand and Fiji etc.
Australia have their own low cost airline with Virgin Blue (www.virginblue.com.au) who offer very competitive rates and fly to most large towns and cities within Australia and New Zealand. I can personnally recommend Virgin Blue who I flew from Melbourne to Sydney for $99 (�40) which took 55 minutes. Keep an eye out for the Virgin Blue lounges at selected airports for $5 you get entry in to their private lounge with cinemas, PS2, Pool tables, Putting green, cafe and health spa.
This is the the most popular mode of transport for backpackers to see Australia. There is a large network of coach companies so you should be able to see most places in Australia on a coach. Many of the coach companies offer hop-on hop-off tickets that allow you to jump off where you like and jump back on at anytime.
Mccafferty's and Greyhound Coaches
Scheduled coaches are the most cost effective and quickest way of travelling by coach. Australia's 2 largest scheduled coach companies are Mccafferty's and Greyhound who cover the largest network in Australia. These coach companies are cheaper than the Backpacker coaches and they get to places quicker but if you are looking for fellow backpackers than maybe you would be better on the Backpacker coaches.
www.mccaffertys.com.au
(Backpacker coaches)
Are you looking for some partying and a good time while travelling? Then Oz Experience is you best bet. They cover the East Coast of Australia and is the most popular backpacker coach company. Oz Experience allow you to hop-on hop-off where ever you like. The average bus is full of backpackers aged 18-35 who wish to see Australia but also have a fun time at the same time. The Oz Experience vist all the large and popular towns and cities up and down the East Coast. The drivers are not just drivers they are your guide and party leader and will become another friend you meet travelling. Some of the drivers are better than others and it also depends on the length between destinations. Oz Experience have a good contact list so if you show your Oz Experience bus pass you may get you discount. Also VIP or YHA card get you a discount when booking you Oz Experience so I recommend you get one before you book. The network can become very busy during the months of December, January and February so it is recommend that when you buy your bus pass you organise your time up the East Coast so that you are sat in the same town/city for weeks waiting for a spare seat on the coaches. Oz Experience have a large fleet of coaches that travel up and down the East Coast every day so you should have to stay in a town/city for longer than 2 days max. The Oz Experience passes are valid for 12 months depending on the ticket bought. The most popular route is Sydney - Cairns which takes on average 6 weeks minimum. Oz Experience stop off at some of the major tourist attractions up/down the coast so gives you more time in the towns/cities. Oz Experience only drive during the day so you will more than likely arrive in your destination by nightfall. Also the drivers can pre-book your accommodation in advance for you and it also allows you to stay with your travelling chums.
Oz Experience Website
Prices
Sydney - Cairns $500 approx (�200) Bruce Pass
Melbourne - Cairns $595 approx (�240) Bruce Pass
Cairns - Sydney $420 (�170) Clobber Pass
Cairns - Melbourne $565 (�230) Clobber Pass
