Travel Tips @au | Transfercar Blog

Australian Road Trip Adventures: East or West?

Australia has vast empty spaces, beautiful landscapes and modern highways which represent a genuine treat to every road adventurer. There’s so much to discover, so where to start? In this article we tell you what you can expect if you make a trip along the West or East Coast.

The West Quest

Since most tourist itineraries dedicate more time and space to the East Coast, we are going to start on the other side of Australia. Although not as star-studded as the eastern part when it comes to famous sights, the West Coast is famous for its beautiful landscapes, vineyards with gentles slopes and incredible coral areas.

From Perth to Exmouth

The first of two trips along the West Coast we are going to present here starts in Perth. The final goal of this trip is Exmouth. The distance between these two towns is about 2,200 miles. It will take you about 10 days to get from Perth to Exmouth. Since you will be driving along the Indian Ocean, you can stop at many places to enjoy some breath-taking views of the ocean. The strip from Perth to Exmouth is also called the Australia’s Coral Coast and it is lined with wonderful beaches, rich with atolls and azure sea.

You should also visit Coral Bay, a village which is the best starting point to get to Ningaloo Reef. If you come to this attraction in the period between March and late June, you might get a chance to see whale sharks and even swim with those unique animals.

On the other hand, travellers who are not keen on sea adventures should pay a visit to the Kalbarri National Park. Here you can make a two-day stop and go trekking through this wild park. When you finally get to Exmouth, you can get back to Perth or maybe fly to the East Coast.

From Perth to the South

The other exciting road trip along the West Coast that we recommend is the route from Perth to Albany. This trip is perfect for wine lovers and surfers. As you leave Perth, the first attraction to visit is Bunbury. This vivid town with a large port offers a great number of beautiful restaurants with fresh seafood. Here you can see some wild dolphins, as well. Now that you have had some shrimps or calamari, you will be ready for some surfing when you get to Margaret River. This is probably the finest region in Australia for surfing enthusiasts. With about 90 miles of coastline, it gives enough options to every type of surfers.

After an exciting day on the waves, it is time for a wine night. The Margaret River Region is so famous for its wine that even the Guardian has made a special wine guide about this area. Of course, tasting wines demands a night stay in this region. Once you reach Albany, you can go back to Perth along the Albany Highway in less than four hours or choose to fly to another part of Australia.

Feast in the East

Although the Australian East Coast has more famous sights, it is less exciting in terms of road trips. Nevertheless, every road adventurer should try the route from Sydney to Brisbane.

From Sydney to Brisbane

The distance between Sydney and Brisbane is about 700 miles. The road that takes you there is the Pacific Highway, which should take about 10 hours’ drive. However, there will be some off-highway turns, so the whole trip could last longer. The first such turn should be made near Newcastle, where you should leave the highway and turn to the Hunter Valley. Since you will be leaving the main route for a couple of times, it would be wise to get a reliable GPS navigation. Since this is arguably the most attractive wine region in Australia, you should book a hotel room in advance and spend a couple of days tasting wines and enjoying the region.

Before you get back to the highway and continue your trip to Brisbane, make a stop in Newcastle. This is one of the most attractive artistic and cultural hubs of Australia. Brimming with modern boutiques, art galleries and artistic vibrations, Newcastle is a sort of Australian San Francisco and it is worth a visit.

As you keep heading northward, you could make a break in dreamy Port Stephens, where you can watch a dolphin and whale ocean show. As you keep getting closer to your goal, pay attention to Byron Bay, one of the most idyllic places in Australia, with its golden beaches and some great surf breaks. When you finally reach Brisbane, have a look around the town, visit these attractions and visit the divine Gold Coast on your way back to Sydney.

Australia is ready to offer you some great roads and places to visit for your road trip. Pack your things, buckle up and have a fantastic road trip Down Under.

AUTHOR: Lillian Connors is an avid traveler, often just letting her insatiable wanderlust take her to the places she never thought she visit. As a seasoned blogger within this niche, she regularly shares her insights with those infested with a travel bug. This aside, she enjoys losing herself in a good book and knocking back a couple of pints of quality pale ale.

How to Survive a Transfercar Road Trip as a Parent

For most people who have reached a certain age, the idea of a road trip is an image of a perfectly happy family having the time of their life traversing the country, discovering new places and experiences, learning about each other and forgetting about their worries.

Thanks to Transfercar, it is now possible for families who may not be “vehicularly well-equipped” to also enjoy road trips in cars and campervans that they would otherwise be unable to afford. This free rental car setup also enhances the road trip with an added layer of adventure, making it a truly unique family experience.

In reality, however, road trips are a much more erratic affair which can take its toll on everyone, parents in particular. I have had a ton of experience as a road trip participant, first as one of the children, but in the last few years also in the capacity of The Dad….Here are my tips:

Research Beforehand

The idea of a road trip that you undertake out of the blue may seem like an adventurous and exciting one, but in reality you are only inviting misery. If you just take off, it is far more likely than not that you are going to encounter nothing but boredom, sprinkled by occasional moments of panic.

You probably already have a route in mind and you should research it in depth before heading out. This will include finding the sights to see and experiences to be had. When doing this, you should keep in mind who you are traveling with. If your children are your average 10 or 15-year olds, a visit to a furniture manufacturer or a typewriter museum might not be the best idea. Stick with stuff that you know children love.

You might also want to make your road trip a teaching experience, both when it comes to the area you will be traveling through and when it comes to cars and driving. Children can learn plenty about cars and proper ways of taking long journeys on a road trip. Of course, if your own expertise is somewhat limited, there are always places where you can learn. This blog, for instance, is great for learning about repairs, this one is a fantastic one if you have daughters who might want to learn about cars from women’s perspective and this blog will teach you all there is about tyres. There is really no shortage of info out there.

Do not Overdo It

It is very easy to overdo it once you start planning your road trip. Many of us have those “tendencies”, so to say, to turn into scheduling monsters that cannot be contained and that are able to ruin even the most pleasurable of trips with their itineraries, their programme and immovability. It is absolutely essential that you do not turn into one of those monsters.

One of the best ways to avoid this is to be attentive of clues that will be all around you. If you keep hearing the sighs of your children in the back seat because the next bathroom break is not due for another 60 minutes, you are becoming the monster!

A road trip should be a pleasurable experience and you need to remember to be Zen from time to time. The planet will not fall off its axis if you miss a spot along your route or if the night catches you 13 kilometres sooner than you expected.

Relax. Enjoy time with your family.

Enjoying your Free Rental Car

If you decide to take advantage of Transfercar to find a vehicle for your family road trip, there are a few things that you will want to keep in mind. For example, it is going to be a one-way trip, so it might be a good idea to try and coordinate the free cars in a way that your family does not have to wait for days at your end destination before you can all drive back. The good news is that many people do these back-to-back bookings with Transfercar and it should not be a problem.

Another good idea would be to apply for a few vehicles in both your starting and your return destination so that you maximize the chances of landing the best possible vehicle at the best possible time. Also, depending on the size of your family, you will want to ensure that the car is going to be suitable for your road trip.

Finally, keep one thing in mind, road trips are fun adventures and with Transfercar they just might become even more fun.

AUTHOR: James D. Burbank is the editor-in-chief of a business-oriented blog BizzMarkBlog and a father of two. He has also been a huge road trip enthusiast his entire life. Oh yeah, he is also a huge Utah Jazz fan.

Eastland: An unforgettable coastal journey

We’ve recently introduced car relocations from Napier to Auckland, giving you 48 hours to explore the hauntingly beautiful East Coast of New Zealand. It is an area that is still very pristine and largely off-the-beaten track, and State Highway 35 is without a doubt one of the most beautiful roads in the country. The Eastland region is also the first region in the world to see the sunrise every day.

We highly recommend that you hop on a cheap bus ride or flight to Napier (Jetstar is offering flights at just $49 one-way from Auckland) and then drive a free rental car back to Auckland….

Day 1. Napier to Tolaga Bay (268 kms, 3h30)

Pick up your free rental car in the morning and start your drive going South! Yes, that’s the opposite of where you’re supposed to go, but Te Mata Peak is only a 25 minute drive South of Napier, and definitely not to be missed! The bare golden hills of the area are simply breathtaking.

Enjoy a tasty picnic or gourmet pizza in one of the beautiful vineyards nearby, before returning to Napier, and then start your drive towards Gisborne. The road is mostly inland to start with, passing beef and sheep stations, many maori settlements and peaceful villages, but it also passes through spectacular coastal scenery.

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You can have a world class surf at Wainui Beach to break up the journey before continuing on to Whangara, which is the location of a great Kiwi film, Whale Rider.

Another half and hour or so and you will reach Tolaga Bay and its famous historic wharf. The turquoise waters and huge landscape provide a spectacular backdrop for photos. This is also the start of the Cooks cove walkway (2.5 hours) which provides spectacular views of Cooks cove and the hole in the cliff wall, but you may not have time for this.

Day 2. Tolaga Bay to Whakatane via the East Cape (320kms, 4 hours)

On your way to the East Cape, you will first go through Tokomaru Bay which is a stunning white sandy beach with rocky headlands at each end. The area is rich in culture and history. Follow the coastal road to Waima at the eastern end of the bay and you will find the photogenic old wharf, relics of the era when transport on the coast was all by sea.

Te Araroa is another 1h30hrs away. With its long pebble beach and slightly desolated feel, you really feel like you’ve reached the end of the world. In a way, it is…

From here the road follows the ocean, winding past rocky foreshore, driftwood strewn beaches, sandy and rocky bays, and spectacular cliff top ocean views. Don’t forget to also stop at the Pacific Coast Macadamia Farm for good coffee and macadamia products!

Raukokore Church makes an incredibily scenic stop on the way. This Anglican church is a landmark of the East Cape region, which stands isolated close to the shore of Papatea Bay. The church was named as one of the East Cape/Gisborne region’s “101 must-do” sites by AA.

Continue the road to Te Kaha, 70km before reaching Opotiki, which is a popular holiday village made recently famous by Taika Waititi’s film Boy. Another 100 kms and you will reach Opotiki – this cruisy little town feels like it hasn’t changed for decades. It has a great long beach that you can have all to yourself.

Day 3. Whakatane to Auckland (300 kms, 3h30)

Unless you have purchased one additional day, you need to return your relocation car this morning, so you won’t have much time to stop on the way…. Just get up early and enjoy an easy drive all the way to Auckland, and savour the memories of your spectacular trip!

All photos: Copyright by Pascal Languillon

Airbnb in New Zealand: best places to stay under $100

Getting a free rental car is great, but what about accommodation, you wonder? We’ve got you sorted. We partnered with Airbnb in order to enable you to book comfortable but cheap accommodation across New Zealand – and you’ll even get a $25 discount on your first Airbnb booking (read the conditions here). With thousands of listings in New Zealand, Airbnb has become the preferred platform for peer-to-peer accommodation rental. Here’s our selection of some of the best places to stay under $100/night. Cheaper than a hotel, and in most cases, much better!

Auckland

A very comfortable studio in the jungle! Set in a superb native bush setting in a quiet neighborhood only 15 minutes drive to the city center. Bonus: you will be meeting Pascal, Transfercar’s very own marketing manager, and will get first-hand tips on how to make the most of our great service. From $89.

Cozy & Comfy in Kingsland

Stay in a tastefully renovated historic 1910 villa located in the buzzing suburb of Kingsland in Auckland , with a wonderful lounge , stunning bathroom and gracious hosts. From $95.

Wellington

Lovely, quiet double room in sunny character house. Very close to the bars and cafes in Newtown, the town belt, bus stop and supermarket. 20 minute walk to town (10 minutes by bus) & close to airport. Continental breakfast provided . From $97.

Sunny Bayside Escape in Wellington

This bright private bedroom is perfect if you’re looking for style and comfort with your own luxury bathroom and access to a modern equipped kitchen. Watch the sunrise or sunset from the360° view of Evans Bay. From just $65/night.

Christchurch

A clean modern room from $57/night which includes pop-corn. The hosts have a baby but provide earplugs, lol.

Queenstown

Check out this nice queen room in an apartment that has nice views, for $99/night. Not bad for Queenstown.

Dunedin

Royal/British themed double room in a modern and quirky house from only $45/night!

Nelson

This cute one bedroom flat in the centre of Nelson is a short walk from everything you need. It’s warm, sunny, funky and bright. Just $100/night.

The historic Gables is located within 5 minutes walk of Motueka’s High Street and beach front. Upstairs bedroom with king size bed, your own bathroom and mountain views awaits. Breakfast provided with use of fridge kettle and toaster. $100/night.

Now you know what you need to do: book a free rental car and get a $25 discount to stay at one of those fabulous rooms.

Drive the Great Southern Touring Route

Grab a free rental car from Melbourne and drive the Great Southern Touring Route. Here’s what we reckon you should do:

Melbourne to Torquay
Drive past the distinctive humps of The You Yangs, a favourite with mountain bikers and rock climbers, and you’ll know your journey has begun. In the pretty port of Geelong, you can set the seaside mood by wandering along the 100-plus painted bollards on the city’s shorefront. Just beyond the city centre is the turnoff for the Great Ocean Road and Torquay – a famed surfing town with the world’s largest surfing museum. A short drive away you can look for point break at the iconic surf spot of Bells Beach.

Torquay to Lorne
As you steer along the dramatic south-west coastline, you’ll find it hard to believe that returned First World War soldiers carved the Great Ocean Road out of the cliff with picks, shovels and crowbars. There’s a monument to their efforts just outside Lorne Victoria’s most cherished seaside playground. Here you can hit the surf, go fishing, sunbake on the golden sand or drink coffee at one of Victoria’s first cafes.

Lorne to Port Fairy
On the drive to Apollo Bay, you’ll see rugged cliffs drop dramatically to the ocean on one side and national park on the other. Explore the ancient rainforests, heathlands, glow worm caves and spectacular waterfalls of Great Otway National Park on a bushwalk or bike ride. Visit the 150-year-old Cape Otway Lighthouse and stop for a picnic at Paradise and Shelly Beaches. As you continue round the coast, you’ll spot the craggy limestone towers of the Twelve Apostles. Soak up the stunning views and get snap happy from two easy walkways. Continue along the stretch known as Shipwreck Coast for the wild seas that sent at least 700 ships crashing on the rocks.

Port Fairy to Halls Gap

The coastal part of your affair may be over, but don’t think for a moment the romance is. Detour to see the lava tubes at Byaduk Caves in Mount Napier State Park. These sandstone ranges stay in your sights as you drive into the tourist hub of Halls Gap, surrounded by the Wonderland and Mount William ranges. Stay here in accommodation ranging from 5-star villas to basic camping grounds and explore many of the Grampians’ major attractions.

Halls Gap to Melbourne

Head north towards the goldfields and stop along the way at Stawell, where Australia’s most famous foot race is held each Easter. Learn about the history of the Chinese prospectors in the nearby gold rush town of Ararat. Then have your very own Eureka moment as you head into Ballarat, the heart of Victoria’s goldfields. Explore the elegant tree-lined streets and grand public buildings, the legacy of the 1850s goldmining boom. Relive it at Sovereign Hill, a living museum where you can pan for gold alongside volunteers in period costume. Then learn about the famous uprising of the Eureka stockade at the Mining Exchange. Say your goodbyes to the road trip of a lifetime as you head back to Melbournethrough the charming towns of Trentham and Blackwood. Apparently all good things have to come to an end.

Photos and Text from Tourism Australia.

The Grand Pacific Drive: Sydney to Wollongong and Beyond…

Drive your free rental car south out of Sydney and through the Royal National Park to begin the cliff-hugging Grand Pacific Drive. Stop to swim, surf or picnic at Stanwell Tops, where you can also take in stunning coastal views from the cliff-tops. Drive over the dramatic Sea Cliff Bridge, which spans 455 metres over the ocean, and into the scenic city of Wollongong.

The drive boasts many great eateries from a casual lunch of fish n’ chips on the harbour to fine dining or beer tasting overlooking the ocean. The NSW South Coast has a reputation for fresh seafood with many restaurants stocking the daily catch. The southern section of the drive features many great wineries and local produce.

Stop for a coffee in Shellharbour on Lake Illawarra or in Kiama where the famous Blowhole shoots water up to 60 metres. Continue through the lush rolling hills to Gerringong and Gerroa, which sits perched on cliffs overlooking Seven Mile Beach.

Drive alongside it to Shoalhaven Heads, a popular spot for swimming, surfing and beach fishing, or head inland for a pub lunch in the pretty historic town of Berry. Do a short, scenic drive to the antique shops, galleries and green pasturelands of Kangaroo Valley.

Or curve towards the coast and stop at Coolangatta Estate for award-winning wines. Finish your first day in Nowra, which offers pretty antique shops and cafes and find a rustic pub to sleep the night.

(Text Tourism Australia)