Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
may be just behind it. If you hit and kill an animal, pull it off the road, preventing the next car from having a potential
accident. If the animal is injured, wrap it in a towel or blanket and contact the
Department of Environment & Herit-
age Protection
( 1300 130 372;
www.ehp.qld.gov.au
)
.
»
With Queensland's heavy tropical rains, flooding can occur with little warning, especially in outback areas and the Far
North (and, more recently, in downtown Brisbane!). Roads can be cut off for days during floods, and floodwaters some-
times wash away whole sections of road.
Road Rules
»
Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road; all cars are right-hand drive.
»
At unmarked intersections (unusual) and at roundabouts, you must give way to vehicles entering the intersection from
your right.
»
The general speed limit in built-up and residential areas is 50km/h (sometimes 60km/h). Near schools, the limit is usu-
ally 25km/h in the morning and afternoon. On the highway it's 100km/h or 110km/h. Police have speed radar guns and
cameras, and are fond of using them in strategic locations.
»
Seatbelt usage is compulsory. Children up to the age of seven must be belted into an approved safety seat.
»
Random breath tests are common. If you're caught with a blood alcohol level of more than 0.05%, expect a court ap-
pearance, a fine and the loss of your licence. Police can randomly pull any driver over for a breathalyser or drug test.
»
Using a mobile phone while driving is illegal (excluding hands-free technology).
Fuel
Diesel and unleaded fuel are available from all service stations. LPG (gas) is also available in populated areas but not al-
ways at more remote service stations. On main Queensland highways there's usually a small town or petrol station every
50km or so.
Prices vary from place to place, but at the time of writing unleaded was hovering between $1.40 and $1.60 per litre in
the cities. Out in the country, prices soar − in outback Queensland you can pay as much as $2.20 per litre.
Parking
Brisbane, Cairns and parts of the Gold Coast present the usual hassles with parking - limited spaces, tight time restric-
tions and hefty fines - but elsewhere in Queensland, parking is rarely a problem.
TOLL ROADS
There are a handful of toll roads around Brisbane with electronic toll-pass detection. Regardless of whether
you're travelling in your own vehicle or in a rental, you'll be in for a hefty fine if you don't pay the tolls (all of
which are under $5). You can organise a toll pass ahead of time (most rental companies can supply you with one
for a daily charge), or you can pay tolls online within three days of driving on the toll roads: see
go via
(
www.govia.com.au
)
for payment and pass details.
