Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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 breath-
testing units (RBTs) in cunningly dis-
guised and unlikely places all the time,
so getting caught is easy. 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 seat belt
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 few), while
Universal produces a complete range
of street directories by city, region, or
state under the “UBD” and “Gre-
gory's” labels. HEMA produces four-
wheel-drive and motorbike road
atlases and many regional four-wheel-
drive 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 Aus-
tralia is such as big country, a national
atlas is good for overall trip planning
and long-distance or interstate jour-
neys, but sometimes of limited use on
day trips or short journeys because it is
not detailed enough. Then, you may
find it worthwhile to purchase a map
to the local area—say, a “Cairns to
Cooktown” map if you wanted to
explore Cairns, Kuranda, Port Dou-
glas, and other towns within an hour
or two's drive of Cairns.
HEMA and Universal Press maps
are distributed in the United States by
Map Link
(
&
800/962-1394;
www.
maplink.com). HEMA Maps are also
distributed in Canada, by
ITMB
(International Travel Maps and Books:
(
&
604/879-3621;
www.itmb.com)
and in the U.K. by Estate Publications
(
&
01580/76 4225;
www.estate-
publications.co.uk).
