Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In Australia, auto clubs (see below),
bigger newsdealers, and bookstores are
your best source of maps. Gas stations
stock a limited range relating to their
location, and visitor information cen-
ters sometimes stock a range of maps
to the area and the whole state.
ROAD SIGNS
Australians navigate
by road name, not road number. The
easiest way to get where you're going is
to familiarize yourself with the major
towns along your route and follow the
signs toward them.
AUTO CLUBS
Every state and ter-
ritory in Australia has its own auto
club. Your auto association back home
probably has a reciprocal agreement
with Australian clubs, which may enti-
tle you to free maps, accommodations
guides, and emergency roadside assis-
tance. Don't forget to bring your
membership card.
Even if you're not a member, the
clubs are a good source of advice on
local traffic regulations, touring
advice, road conditions, traveling in
remote areas, and any other motoring
questions you may have. They sell
maps, accommodations guides, and
camping guides to non-members at
reasonable prices. You can drop into
numerous regional offices as well as
the head office locations listed here.
•
New South Wales & ACT:
National Roads and Motorists'
Association (NRMA),
74-76
King St. (at George St.), Sydney,
NSW 2000 (
&
13 21 32
in New
South Wales, or 02/9848 5201).
•
Victoria: Royal Automobile
Club of Victoria (RACV),
550
Princes Hwy., Noble Park, VIC
3174 (
&
13 19 55
in Australia, or
03/9790 2211). A more conven-
ient city office is located at 422
Little Collins St., Melbourne.
•
Queensland: Royal Automobile
Club of Queensland (RACQ),
300 St. Pauls Terrace, Fortitude
Valley, QLD 4006 (
&
13 19 05
in Australia, or 07/3872 8456). A
more convenient city office is in
the General Post Office building
at 261 Queen St., Brisbane
(
&
07/3872 8465
).
•
Western Australia: Royal Auto-
mobile Club of WA (RAC),
228
Adelaide Terrace, Perth, WA 6000
(
&
13 17 03
).
•
South Australia: Royal Automo-
bile Association of South Aus-
tralia (RAA),
41 Hindmarsh Sq.,
Adelaide, SA 5000 (
&
08/8202
4600
).
•
Northern Territory: Automobile
Association of the Northern Ter-
ritory (AANT),
79-81 Smith St.,
Darwin, NT 0800 (
&
08/8981
3837
).
•
Tasmania: Royal Automobile
Club of Tasmania (RACT),
cor-
ner of Murray and Patrick streets,
Hobart, TAS 7000 (
&
13 27 22
in Tasmania, or 03/6232 6300).
All these clubs can be accessed on
www.aaa.asn.au.
ROAD CONDITIONS
& SAFETY
Here are some common motoring
dangers and ways to avoid them:
FATIGUE
Fatigue is a killer on Aus-
tralia's roads. The rule is to take a 20-
minute break every 2 hours, even if
you don't feel tired. In some states,
“driver reviver” stations on major
roads are set up during holiday peri-
ods. They serve free tea, coffee, and
cookies, and are often at roadside pic-
nic areas that have restrooms.
KANGAROOS & OTHER WILD-
LIFE
It's a sad fact, but kangaroos
are a road hazard. Avoid driving
between dusk and dawn in country
areas, because this is when 'roos are
most active. If you hit one, always stop
and check its pouch for live joeys
(baby kangaroos), because females
usually have one in the pouch. Wrap
the joey tightly in a towel or old
sweater, don't feed or overhandle it,
