Australia is one of those countries, like the US, that was designed to be explored by road. While there are some great train journeys for overseas travelers to experience, most notably the Ghan, which travels from Darwin in the north to Adelaide in the south, due to the distances involved and the sights along the way, hiring a car or mini bus is hands down the best way to explore the Great Southern Land. If you’re planning to travel around Australia soon, the following five things you need to know before arranging car hire will get you off to a great start on your journey.

1. Arrange an International Driving Licence

It doesn’t take long to apply for and receive an international driving licence, but you need to make sure this is sorted out before you start to arrange car hire. Some nationalities may be able to drive in Australia (this is often subject to change, so don’t take any chances) but having an international driving licence ensures you won’t have any hassles where licencing is concerned. Plus, you’ll also have another form of valid ID to use while you’re there.

2. Look for Ways to Save

In addition to hiring a car through a leading car hire agency that offers excellent rental rates, there are other ways to save money on car hire, like arranging car hire insurance on your travel insurance policy rather than through the agency. This is something to research, as you could save a lot of money.

3. Book a Hire Car Well in Advance

While leading car rental agencies like Ace Rent a Car offer excellent rates throughout the year, you may find that you’re able to secure a better rental rate by booking well in advance. Moreover, don’t leave things until the last minute as you can expect to pay a higher rate if you do.

4. Minimize Risks

Australia, due to its great distances between cities and the wide open spaces that make it such a treat to explore, is very different from driving in Europe or other densely populated regions, so you need to be prepared in order to minimize the risks involved. Plan your route and research things like distances and how much water you’ll need, mobile phone coverage and roadside assistance options.

5. Know the Rules

And lastly, it’s essential that you know the road rules in Australia and follow these rules always. While most road rules are likely to be similar to those in your country of origin, there’s a good chance that they’re not all the same.

Renting a car is easily the best way to experience the wonders of Australia. However, if you’re going to have a great time while traversing this land of wide open spaces in the rental car you hire, you need to book well in advance, look for ways to save and minimize the risks, make sure you have a valid international driving licence and get a good understanding of the road rules in Australia. Enjoy!