Living in AustraliaTransportation in Australia: How to Get Around

Transportation in Australia: How to Get Around

As with any other place that one travels to, one of the main concerns you might have when getting to Australia is how to get around. However, you will find that the Australian transportation system is easily accessible and includes plenty of options, such as cars, buses, trains, trams, and ferries. 

Whether you’re coming to Australia to study, as a tourist, or for work, you’ll want to know how to make the most out of the options available for public transportation in Australia. Here is everything you need to know about transportation in Australia, categorised by state and territory.

Australian Capital Territory 

Travel by Bus/Rail

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) uses a smart ticketing system called MyWay. You can use MyWay or a pre-paid ticket from a vending machine to access Transport Canberra buses and light rail services. Cash is not accepted for these transportation services.

You can purchase a MyWay card through the online standard (adult) MyWay application or student MyWay application, you can buy it in person from a MyWay agent or phone 13 17 10. To plan your journey in ACT, use the Journey Planner to view timetabled services based on your destination.

Travel by Bike

Canberra is also a very walkable and cycling-friendly city. You can use shared bikes and e-scooters for the ultimate flexibility. Use the Airbike app for shared bicycles or Beam and Neuron Mobility for e-scooters.

Travel by Car

If you want to travel by car, you can call a taxi (ACT Cabs, Canberra Elite, Silver Service), share a ride (Uber Canberra, GoCatch, Shebah), or share a car (GoGet, PopCar). You can also charter a coach bus through one of the following: Murrays, Deane Transport Services, Greyhound, and Capital Coaches.

Travel Outside of ACT

To travel outside of ACT, you can travel by train through the NSW TrainLink or catch one of the flights at Canberra Airport, located 8 kilometres from downtown Canberra.

Cruise Ships

Last but not least, if you have some time on your hands and want to see Canberra’s sights from the water, you can cruise Lake Burley Griffin through MV Southern Cross and Lake Burley Griffin Cruises.

New South Wales

There are various transport options to get around in New South Wales (NSW), including the metro, trains, buses, ferries, light rail, regional trains and coaches, taxis and vehicle hires, cycling, and walking. 

Travel by Bus/Rail/Ferry

NSW uses the Opal smartcard ticketing system for metro/train, bus, ferry, or light rail services in Sydney and surrounding areas. You can get an Adult or Child/Youth Opal card from over-the-counter retailers or you can apply for a card online (concession cards can only be bought online). 

Use the Trip Planner to view and plan a trip through public transportation options. NSW also provides an On Demand public transport service that can pick you up from home or an easy-to-access location.

Travel by Bike

Sydney and the surrounding areas have a great infrastructure for walking and biking as well.  You can use one of the following companies for e-scooter and bike sharing: Lime Micromobility, Beam, Neuron Mobility, AirBike, Hello Bike, and Bird.

Travel by Car

Travelling by car is also quite common in NSW. You can travel by taxi (Silver Service Taxi, TipTop Maxi Sydney, Bubs Taxi Australia), share a ride (Uber, Ola, DiDi, Shebah), or share a car (Car Next Door, Flexicar, GoGet, Popcar). If you need more space, you can book State Transit’s bus charter service.

Travel Outside of the NSW

To get to a place outside of the NSW, you can ride on the NSW TrainLink or book a flight from one of the more popular NSW airports: Sydney Airport and Newcastle Airport.

Northern Territory

Transportation options in the Northern Territory (NT) include mainly private vehicles on the road network, taxis, airport shuttles, bicycle hires, and buses. 

Travel by Bus

CDC Northern Territory (former Buslink) is the main bus operator with services in Darwin, Alice Springs, Berrimah, Humpty Doo, and Jabiru. To use the bus network in Darwin and Alice Springs, you can use a Tap and Ride card or buy single tickets on board. The weekly and multiple-trip Tap and Ride cards are available to buy with cash on the bus or at Casuarina, Darwin, and Palmerston bus interchanges with cash, credit card, or EFTPOS.

Travel by Car

You can travel by taxi in NT’s major cities as there is a number of reliable companies such as Darwin Radio Taxis and Blue Taxi Company (Darwin), Alice Springs Taxis (Alice Springs), Katherine Cabs (Katherine), Nhulunbuy Radio Taxis (Nhulunbuy), and Tennant Creek Taxi Service (Tennant Creek).

Travel by Bike

If you want to rent a bicycle, you can do so through MyRide, Outback Cycling, Red Centre Adventures in Alice Springs, Spinway and Neuron e-scooters and e-bikes in Darwin.

Travel by Train

The only rail passenger service in the NT area is The Ghan, an all-inclusive train journey between Adelaide and Darwin that is a great tourist attraction. The route of this train passes through numerous towns before reaching Darwin, including Katherine, Alice Springs, and Tennant Creek. 

Travel by Air

If you want to travel by air, the major airports in the area are Darwin Airport, Alice Springs Airport, and Katherine Airport. 

Queensland

Rich in coastal towns and attractions, Queensland has an extensive network of public trains, buses, and ferry lines that make getting around the place so much easier. 

Travel by Bus/Train/Ferry/Tram

The public transit agency in this Australian state is called Translink. You can use this agency’s electronic ticketing system called the go card in buses, trains, ferries, and tram services in Brisbane, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, and Gold Coast regions. You can buy the go card online, at local retailers, or by calling 13 12 30. The card is available for adults, children, concessions, and seniors. To plan your journey with Translink, use this journey planner.

Travel by Car

There are plenty of taxi and ride-sharing companies to choose from if you want to travel by car in Queensland. In Brisbane, you can use Uber for rideshare or 13cabs, Black & White Cabs, and Yellow Cabs for taxi rides. Uber and 13cabs are also available on the Gold Coast. You can call Suncoast Cabs and Uber on Sunshine Coast, 13cabs and Uber in Townsville, Cairns Taxis and Uber in Cairns, and Ipswich Yellow Cabs in Ipswich.

Travel by Bike

Queensland has made great improvements in bike infrastructure and cycling promotion, so you can also get around by biking. You’ll find Lime Micromobility shared e-bikes and e-scooters in many cities and towns in Queensland. The major cities in this state are also easily accessible by walking.

Travel by Air

Brisbane Airport, Cairns Airport, and Gold Coast Airport are the major airports in Queensland if you need to travel outside of the country. However, they also have many domestic flights.

South Australia

South Australia also has various transport options, including road, rail, sea, and air transport. Adelaide is the capital city and major transport centre of this state. 

Travel by Bus/Tram/Train

Adelaide Metro runs the city’s public transport system and provides an integrated network of buses, trams, and trains in the metropolitan area. The Adelaide Metro journey planner is a useful resource for planning your route.

You can use a rechargeable metroCARD to pay or buy a paper MetroTicket, or if you’re only using trams, you can use the Adelaide Metro tap and pay ticket with a credit card or smart device. 

To buy and recharge the metroCARD, you can do so online or through authorised agents in many physical locations. The card comes with affordable fees for seniors, children, students, and more.

Travel by Car

If a car is more suitable for you, you can choose from Independent taxis, Suburban taxis, and Yellow cabs in Adelaide and surrounding areas, as well as the multiple rideshare services such as Uber, Go Catch, Ola, Shebah, and MyCar. 

Travel by Bike

To appreciate the beautiful views of the place through eco-friendly transportation, you can use a shared bike through the Airbike or Neuron app on your smartphone.

Travel by Air

The biggest and busiest airport in the state offering international flights is Adelaide Airport. However, you can find some domestic flights at other airports, such as Mount Gambier Airport and Port Lincoln Airport.

Tasmania

Both locals and tourists mainly get around Tasmania by bus, coach, and other forms of road transportation. 

Travel by Bus

The main bus travel services in Hobart, Launceston, and Burnie are provided by Metro and Tassielink. To plan your trip with Metro buses, use the Metro trip planner. Keep in mind that schedules are prone to change with the seasons.

You can pay the bus fare by using a smart card or cash. There are two main smart cards for buses in Tasmania: the Greencard and Transportme card. The companies that use the Greencard system are Metro and Tassielink, whereas you can use the Transportme card on MerseyLink, Derwent Valley Link, East Tamar Bus Lines, Manions Coaches, and Redline buses.

Check this list of available discounts and concessions for various transportation services in Tasmania. 

Travel by Car

If you want to travel by car, you can use Uber in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, and Burnie. Ola is also available in Hobart and Launceston. You can also call Hobart Taxi Cabs, 13cabs, or Hobart taxi service in Hobart. If you want to bike around Tasmania, you can do so through Hobart Bike Hire’s electric bikes and e-scooters.

Travel by Air

To travel outside of Australia, you can book a flight from Hobart Airport. For flights to other Australian states and territories, check Launceston Airport, Burnie Airport, and Devonport Airport.

Victoria

The state of Victoria has a wide range of transport options, including trains, trams, buses, and more. 

Travel by Train/Bus

Regional train rides in Victoria are provided by V/Line, whereas Metro operates the metropolitan train network in Melbourne. Other transport is provided by various contracted companies.

You will either need a myki ticket, V/Line paper ticket, or bus paper ticket for your journey. The myki card is a smart card that you can use in any mode of public transport in Melbourne and some regional trains and buses. You can buy this card online or through an authorised seller.  

Travel by Car

To travel by taxi, you can call one of the major companies in Melbourne: 13cabs, Silver Top Taxis, Crown Cabs, and Silver Service Taxis. Ride-sharing is also available through companies such as Uber, Ola, Diddi, and Shebah. 

Travel by Bike

Victoria is continuously improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure; therefore, you’ll find many walking paths and bike lanes, especially in Melbourne. You’ll find Lime and Neuron shared e-bikes and e-scooters for rent across various locations.

Travel by Air

As the primary airport in Victoria and the second busiest in Australia, Melbourne Airport offers numerous domestic and international flights. Avalon Airport and Essendon Airport also offer mainly domestic flights.

Western Australia

The main regional transportation options in Western Australia are provided through Transwa, which links 240 destinations across Western Australia through rail and coach services. You can book Transwa tickets online or in person through accredited agents and booking centres.

Travel by Bus/Train/Ferry

Public transportation options in Perth and its surroundings include buses, trains, and ferries managed by Transperth. You can use its journey planner to organise your trips with its network of transportation services.

Transperth offers two types of tickets: SmartRider cards and cash tickets. There are various SmartRider card discounts, such as for seniors, students, concessions, veterans, and more. You can buy the card at Transperth InfoCentres or other authorised retailers. Whereas for the Transperth cash tickets, you can buy them with cash from ticket machines or from bus drivers.

Travel by Car

Travelling by car in Perth and surrounding areas is made easy through taxis such as Swan Taxis, Black & White Taxis, Yellow Cabs and car sharing through Uber. And if you want to bike around town, About Bike Hire in Perth offers plenty of bike hire options.

Travel by Air

Perth Airport is the main airport in Western Australia that offers domestic and international flights. You can also find some domestic flights at other smaller airports, such as the Albany Airport and Broome Airport.

Conclusion

These were some of the ways you can get by and explore the many beautiful places Australia has to offer. Considering the variety of transportation options, combined with the friendliness of Australian people, making your way from one place to another should be easy.

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