Exploring Sydney by Hire Car
Sydney, Australia’s largest city, has endless things to offer the traveller.
Whether you want to learn about the roots of Australian culture in a museum, soak up the sun on one of the long beaches, or enjoy an indulgent evening at the famous Sydney Opera House, you’ll find it in Sydney.
And there is also plenty to discover in the surrounding countryside. The best way to do this is by hire car. For rental and travel we have compiled some tips.
Receiving the hire car
Many rental companies have their counters directly in the arrival terminal of both terminals of the international airport. However, there are also providers who have their station only near the airport.
If you have booked with such a company, it can sometimes take a long time for a shuttle to take you to your hire car. And that is very annoying after the long flight all the way to Sydney.
Taking the right hire car
The Sydney metropolitan area is home to over four million inhabitants. Accordingly, it is also turbulent in the traffic. With a small hire car you are well advised in the city and easily find a parking space.
If, however, you want to explore the vastness of the Australian continent and drive only briefly by car through Sydney, you should reach for a larger and more comfortable car. With this, you can cover the often very long distances in a relaxed way.
Insuring the car properly
Whether it’s wildlife damage or a rear-end collision in the city. Even in Australia, an accident can happen quickly. You are well insured if you have taken out comprehensive insurance without excess. And with liability insurance, you should always pay attention to the amount of coverage. It should be at least one million euros.
Because if people are injured in an accident, you will quickly incur high costs. If the amount of cover provided by your rental company does not appear to be sufficient, you have the option of taking out a so-called traveller policy to provide further protection. Your insurance company will be happy to advise you.
Hire car prices
The cost of a hire car in Sydney is in the medium price range. You can usually get the cheapest deal if you book some time before your planned trip and use our handy price comparison tool.
hire car price comparison
age limit
If you’re younger than 21, you’ll be hard pressed to find a rental company in Sydney that will rent you a car.
Some rental companies charge extra if the driver is under 25.
And others won’t hire car to drivers who are over 75 years old. Check out your rental company’s terms and conditions before renting the car.
Accessories
A good navigation device can serve you invaluably in the urban jungle of Sydney and the vastness of Australia. Reserve your desired accessories well in advance to ensure they are available on the day you pick up your vehicle.
Free kilometers
Even if you only want to see a fraction of Australia, you’ll have a lot of miles to cover. Make sure you book a car with all the kilometres free.
Bail
Be careful to book with a rental company that only blocks the deposit on your credit card. After all, if the amount is actually collected, it can take a long time to get the money back after you return the car.
Customer Review Hire Car
Most of the customers are extremely satisfied with the hire car in Sydney. Very occasionally there are complaints about attempts to sell additional insurance on the spot. If you have already adequately insured the car at the time of booking, you can decline such offers with a clear conscience.
Safety hire car
Although you can usually assume you will have a safe hire car in Sydney, you should still test your car’s lights. Also, do a quick brake test.
Sights in Sydney
Sydney Harbour Bridge: adventure at dizzy heights
At the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a first sightseeing tour could begin.
There, a special adventure awaits you, as the steel structure that spans the bridge can be climbed.
Experienced guides will take you to the top, from where you can enjoy fantastic views of the sea, city and harbour.
For more information, visit www.bridgeclimb.com.
Cadman's Cottage: One of the oldest houses in town
Next stop on the tour could be Cadman's Cottage. Built in 1816, this house is one of the oldest in the city. Inside, you will find the Sydney Harbour National Park Information Centre. There you can book various interesting boat trips around Sydney.
Museum of Contemporary Art: Discover modern art
The end of a first city tour could perhaps be a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art. There you will find an impressive collection of modern art, but also learn a lot about the art of Australia’s indigenous people, the Aborigines.
The museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. On Thursday, you can even visit it until 9pm. Admission to the museum is free.
After visiting the museum, you should just drift and enjoy the liveliness of the city. You might discover the state-of-the-art opera house in awe. Or strike up a conversation with locals in a café. Let chance decide. This way you can experience the authentic Sydney.
Discover a good hotel
The choice of hotels in Sydney is gigantic. From simple bed and breakfasts to luxury hotels, you can find everything there. You will stay especially comfortable if you book a room at the Sir Stamford At Circular Quay.
The rooms are luxurious and the perfectly trained service reads the guests’ wishes from their eyes.
Suggestion of a round trip
Newcastle: Dining with a View
A first trip by hire car could take you to Newcastle first.
You’ll be there in about two hours. In Newcastle you can expect a modern city around the historic Queens Wharf.
There you can taste specialties of Australian cuisine in numerous restaurants while enjoying the view of the harbor.
Nelson Bay: Meeting Flipper
Next stop on the trip could be Nelson Bay. In just under an hour, you will be there. From Nelson Bay, boat tours are offered, where you can watch dolphins and at some times of the year even humpback whales. Afterwards, you’ll have the opportunity to relax on one of the region’s beaches.
Port Macquarie: Koalas in the wild
As the last destination of the first trip, you could now head to Port Macquarie. For the journey you must calculate three hours. The ways in Australia are wide. In Port Macquarie, large eucalyptus forests await you, where you can observe koalas if you are lucky.
You’ll definitely see the cute animals if you visit the Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park. There you can also see crocodiles and kangaroos. The park is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00. The entrance fee is 24.50 Australian dollars.
Four and a half hours now separate you from Sydney, so consider staying overnight in Port Macquarie. The Rydges Port Macquarie offers comfortable rooms and courteous service.
Conclusion
No mode of transport is more suitable than hire car to explore the Sydney area. However, you should always consider the long distances between destinations when planning your trip.
With our cheap hire car price comparison, you will always find a hire car that suits you at a great price.