Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

GETTING AROUND AUSTRALIA 71
Prices go up and down, but roughly,
you’re looking at around A90¢ a liter
(or US$2.20 per U.S. gal.) for
unleaded petrol in Sydney, and A$1.20
a liter (or US$2.45 per U.S. gal.), or
more, in the Outback. One U.S. gallon
equals 3.78 liters. Most rental cars take
unleaded gas, and campervans run on
diesel, which costs around A90¢ to
A$1.20 a liter (US$2.20–US$2.45 per
U.S. gal.), depending on your location.
DRIVING RULES Australians drive
on the left, which means you give way
to the right. Left turns on a red light are
not permitted unless a sign says so.
Roundabouts (traffic circles) are
common at intersections; approach
these slowly enough to stop if you have
to, and give way to all traffic on the
roundabout. Flash your indicator as
you leave the roundabout (even if
you’re going straight, as technically
that’s a left turn).
The only strange driving rule is
Melbourne’s requirement that drivers
turn right from the left lane at certain
intersections in the city center. This
allows the city’s trams to carry on
uninterrupted in the right lane. Pull
into the left lane opposite the street
you are turning into, and make the
turn when the traffic light in the
street you are turning into becomes
green. These intersections are signposted.
The maximum permitted blood
alcohol level when driving is 0.05,
which equals approximately two 200
milliliter (6.6 fl. oz.) drinks in the first
hour for men, one for women, and
one drink per hour for both sexes after
that. The police set up random breathtesting
units (RBTs) in cunningly disguised
and unlikely places all the time,
so it is easy to get caught. You will face
a court appearance if you do.
The speed limit is 50kmph (31
mph) or 60kmph (37 mph) in urban
areas and 100kmph (62 mph) or
110kmph (68 mph) in most country
areas. Speed-limit signs are black numbers
circled in red on a white background.
Drivers and passengers, including
taxi passengers, must wear a seatbelt at
all times when the vehicle is moving
forward, if a belt is fitted in the car.
Young children are required to sit in the
rear seat in a child-safety seat or harness;
car-rental companies will rent
these to you, but be sure to book them.
Tell the taxi company you have a child
when you book a cab so that they can
send a car with the right restraints.
MAPS The maps published by the
state automobile clubs listed below in
“Auto Clubs” will likely be free if you
are a member of an affiliated auto club
in your home country. None will mail
them to you overseas; pick them up on
your arrival. Remember to bring your
auto-club membership card to qualify
for discounts or free maps.
Two of the biggest map publishers in
Australia are HEMA Maps (& 07/
3340 0000; www.hemamaps.com.au)
and Universal Press (& 1800/021
987 in Australia, or 02/9857 3700;
www.universalpress-online.com). Both
publish an extensive range of national,
state, regional, and city maps. HEMA
has a strong list of regional maps
(“Gold Coast and Region” and “The
Red Centre” are just a couple), while
Universal produces a complete range of
street directories by city, region, or state
under the “UBD” and “Gregory’s”
labels. HEMA produces 4WD and
motorbike road atlases and many
regional 4WD maps—good if you plan
to go off the trails—an atlas of Australia’s
national parks, and maps to
Kakadu and Lamington national parks.
Both companies produce a range of
national road atlases. Universal’s UBD
Motoring Atlas of Australia helpfully
publishes street maps of small regional
towns in each state. HEMA publishes a
national road atlas on CD. As Australia
is such as big country, a national atlas is