If you’re planning on travelling to Australia this summer, and taking our free transfercars and campervans for a drive, one of the first things you need to sort out is your visa. There are so many different types, so it’s important you find the right one for you. The best, and safest way of gaining the correct information is visiting the Australian Department of Government and Immigration‘s website. It’s accurate and easy to use, so be smart and make use of it and have a great and hassle free trip in one of the most spectacular places in the world.
Category: Travel Tips
Driving in Australia
Thinking of driving one of our Transfercars in Australia? Well, fine.
If you’re a visitor and hold a valid driver’s licence (in English) from your own country, fine, you’re allowed to drive throughout all of Australia. (But an international driver’s licence, if you have one, does not by itself give you the right to drive in Australia.)
If your driver’s licence is not in English, a translation may be necessary and you may also need to have an international driver’s licence.
Read the full article here….
Driving in New Zealand
I’ve had many questions from our Transfercar drivers about what licence they need to drive our vehicles. Here is a
great article about New Zealand driving regulations that will answer many of your queries.
International Driving Licences and Permits
You can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current driver’s licence from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP). After 12 months you are required to convert to a New Zealand licence. This applies to each visit to New Zealand.
In New Zealand all drivers, including visitors from other countries, must carry their licence or permit at all times when driving. You will only be able to drive the same types of vehicles you are licensed to drive in your home country. The common legal age to rent a car in New Zealand is 21 years.
Read more at newzealand.com
Annoying animals across the globe
This is an interesting article from Stuff.co.nz and one I would love to hear more about from Transfercar’s readers and drivers. Post your comments here or on Facebook and tell us what your craziest/scariest or just weirdest animal experience was while travelling!
“Aw, isn’t it cute?”
That, right there, is the officially accepted response to any animal contact the world over. Animals are cute. They’re there to be photographed, adored, and occasionally fed.
But you know what? Not all animals are cute, or adorable, or even nice. Some of them are a rank pain in the butt.
When you travel, you come into contact with all sorts of animals you never even dreamed existed. Some of them are amazing creatures that you’ll be telling friends about for the rest of your life.
Some of them just annoy the hell out of you.
Read the full article here……..
Interesting facts about Australia: The Lucky Country
Just something of interest about one of the nations Transfercar operates out of…..
The Lucky Country
Australia has long been known as the lucky country. This is not surprising when you learn it is the world’s largest iron ore exporter and largest producer of bauxite and alumina. Australia also has the world’s largest deposits of silver, zinc, zircon and easily extracted uranium (over 40% of world resources). It also has about 10 percent of the world’s gold resources.
How Big is Australia?
Australia is the word’s smallest continent and the world’s sixth largest country. Australia covers an area of 7,686,900 square kilometres. That’s slightly smaller than the United States mainland which is 7,827,848 square kilometres (does not include Hawaii and Alaska).
Natural Hazards
Australia’s main natural hazards are cyclones (hurricanes), drought and forest fires. The biggest killer of all has been heatwaves.
World’s Biggest Crocodiles
The tropical north of Australia is home to the world’s largest species of crocodile, the salt water crocodile. These creatures are protected in Australia. Males can occasionally grow to lengths of over 6 metres (20 feet). Each year one or two people are eaten by crocodiles in Australia.
Temperatures
Australia’s highest temperature, 51 degrees C (123 degrees F), was recorded at Oodnadatta, South Australia in 1960. The lowest temperature was minus 23 degrees C (minus 9 degrees F) measured high in the mountains at Charlotte Pass, New South Wales.
Biggest State
Western Australia is the biggest Australian state and covers one third of the continent. Its total area is over 2.5 million square kilometers. That makes it 3.6 times bigger than Texas, 4.6 times bigger than France and 11 times bigger than the UK. It’s an interesting fact that, despite its large size, Western Australia is home to only around two million people.
Information retrieved from australiafacts.org
Tourism NZ tells Aussies “what’s ours is yours”
“What’s ours is yours” is the latest advertising campaign currently running across the ditch in a bid to entice Australian holiday makers.
It is a joint campaign between Tourism New Zealand and Pacific Blue will see Australians offered discounted airfares and travel packages through television and print advertising.
Read the full story: TV3 News