Highway Motoring

Motoring on Australia's highways is much like travelling on the main road systems in other parts of the world. However, expect the level of quality to change from time to time, and note that in some parts of the country there are very long stretches between service centres or service/petrol stations, so it's necessary to plan ahead if you're travelling in country areas and definitely when travelling in the outback regions. (Refer to Outback Motoring for more information about safety, etc.)

Some highways are dual carriageway for long distances, others are sometimes one lane in each direction for awhile, changing to two lanes here and there to allow safe overtaking, particularly on hills. There are very definite speed restrictions and it's wise to abide by them. These vary between States and also in town and country areas. Generally, highways used to pass through the towns along the route, but nowadays many towns are bypassed and it is possible to travel long distances without leaving the highway or slowing down.

Service centres are as yet quite rare, with the largest number being between Melbourne and Sydney. The food in the service centres is pretty ordinary fast food, and the main benefit in patronising them is if you're in a tearing hurry to get to somewhere else. Much more palatable offerings are available a few kilometres off the main road in the country towns, from cafés, milk bars, delicatessens, pubs - and you have the added bonus of seeing and being where the real Australians live and work, love and play.

The more usual expectation is for a service station, usually on the edge of a town but sometimes along the highway. Some of them are associated with a Roadhouse, where meals are provided, and the meals in the roadhouses are usually much more appealing than the fast food alternatives (even where they have a "fast" component). Keep a look out for the places the truckies eat, since they know these roads so well.