Things to know

Driving in OZ is not like North America...  Major highways go through every small town.  Plan on average speeds in the 70 to 80kph range except in the outback where the speed limit is 130 kph and there are no towns.  You also see the oddest vehicles on the road...









They use traffic cameras to track you when driving for speeding and fatigue...  they will fine you even though you go past a camera doing the speed limit if your average speed between cameras is above the speed limit.

We have met a lot of nice people from Oz and all over the world ...  got help from a few when we needed it.  Got some very useful tips on where to go and what to see.

All tourist attractions are expensive..  However we did get a good deal on the reef tour.  Because of the floods and cyclones, tourism is down so they are trying to promote it more.

Diesel fuel ranged from 1.30/l to 1.90/l.  Groceries can be found at Woolies (Woolworths), Coles or IGA.  Groceries and alcohol are more expensive and restaurants are ridiculous.  For example... breakfast costs you $13 to $20 range (hotel $25) for bacon (not real North American style bacon)  eggs and potato with toast - coffee extra!!

Aussie wine prices are not too bad and we had a few really good ones.  Best deal was to buy a 4 litre box $20.  The only Canadian whisky here is Canadian Club at $40 for 700ml...ouch!!

Will we come back to Australia????  You bet!  However, we will do it in their winter and do the north and west.  It's a big, beautiful country!  The flora and fauna here are amazing and very unique.

We have traveled about 10,600km and burned almost $2,000 worth of fuel.


You don't say "no problem"... you say "no worries"

Everyone is your "mate" as in g'day mate.

"What's doin?" means "How are you?"

It's not gas, it's petrol however diesel is diesel

It's not "dinner", it's "tea"

Take out is called "take away"

You can BYO at some restaurants which can include wine, beer and spirits.

People walk around the streets and stores in bare feet...YUCK!  And it is accepted at most stores including grocery stores.

Walking across a road always look Right first...  or you may become road kill!!

You don't pass a slower vehicle or wait for a passing lane...  you wait for an "overtaking lane" and pass on the right since you are driving on the left.

Not many stop signs....  instead they have signs stating "give way" (shape of our yield sign).

Very few traffic lights...  lots of round abouts.. that can be very busy!!!  After we got used to them we found they work much better than lights to keep the traffic moving.

Bring half the clothing and other stuff you think you will need...

Internet speed and reliability here sucks...  also expensive..  anywhere from $5 a day to $10 an hour on the road..  Hotels in Sydney could be even more..  so choose your hotel wisely grasshopper!!  If you find free internet at places such as Macca's (McDonald's) it's very slow with restrictions so the best you can do is check email..  Forget about uploading images..