Australia is enormous. The distances between cities can be humbling — it's roughly 4,000 km from Sydney to Perth, and driving between capitals is a serious undertaking. Most travellers mix flying for long hops with driving or bussing to explore regions.
Flying is the fastest way to move between states. Qantas, Virgin Australia, and budget carrier Jetstar connect all major cities. Book ahead for the best fares. Rex (Regional Express) handles many smaller regional routes.
Driving is essential if you want to see anything beyond the cities. Australians drive on the left. Outside urban areas, the distances are vast and roads can be empty for hours. Kangaroos, wombats and cattle are serious hazards at dawn, dusk and night — if you can avoid night driving in the Outback, do. Rental cars are available at all airports; campervans are popular for longer trips. Petrol prices rise considerably the further you get from the coast.
Long-distance buses (Greyhound Australia is the main operator) connect most cities and many regional towns. They're cheap but slow — Sydney to Melbourne is around 13 hours. Good for budget travellers who want to see what's between the cities.
Trains are comfortable and sometimes spectacular. The Ghan (Adelaide to Darwin via Alice Springs) and the Indian Pacific (Sydney to Perth) are among the world's great rail journeys — more expedition than commute. Ordinary interstate services are slower than flying but more scenic. Book sleeper berths well in advance.
Public transport within cities is solid in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Perth has a good suburban rail network. Elsewhere, a car is usually necessary. Taxis and ride-share apps (Uber is widely available) work well in cities.