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Hertz OverseasDriving GuideAustraliaAustralia is THE place to Drive.There really is only one way to see the best of Australia –SELF-DRIVE. A self-drive holiday is about freedomon wheels to go where you want and do what youlike, at your own pace and with peace of mind.All in the privacy of your choice of vehicle – in the companyof your loved ones.To prepare for your very first (or next) self-driveholiday in Australia, check out this fun guide forpractical tips, from pre-trip planning to making car rentalreservations to things you should look out for before andwhile on the road. You will find useful and interesting stuffyou never knew and did not think you should!It is not about speeding to cover as much distance aspossible or rushing to see as many places as you possiblycould. It is about how much you enjoy. Forget aboutscheduled departures and early wake-up calls. When youare in the driver's seat, you take control of your adventure.Have a wheel of a time!
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”Book Early!Secure Your Car & RateBefore Departure.”Ensure car isavailable atLOCATION,DATE & TIMEKnow theINCLUSIONS &EXCLUSIONSSecurethe RATENOCancellationFeeNOUpfront Payment/DepositSecure the CARyou needRequest forSPECIALEQUIPMENTBENEFITS OFP RE-BOOKINGAFFORDABLE RATESFREE One Car Class UpgradeTerms & ConditionsValid on Hertz Affordable Rates at participating locations in Australia forvehicle pickup till 30 June 2008. 24 hours advance reservation prior todeparture required. Quote PC# 107973 during reservation to enjoy the FREEUpgrade. Subject to a minimum 5 days rental. Applicable on car groupEconomy to Standard with maximum upgrade to Fullsize 4-door. Upgradeis subject to availability at rental counter. Offer cannot be used in conjunctionwith any other discounts or promotions. Blackout dates and standard Hertzterms & conditions apply. Offer available to customers residing in Asia.4 EASY WAYS TO BOOK HERTZ1HertzReservation Centre2 CallLog ontowww.hertz.com1800 839 3388Emailreserve@hertz.com3Contactpreferred4 yourTravel Agent
1. Pre-Trip PlanningAssess Your Needs.Local Traffic Conditions.Where in Australia would you like to go for your upcoming selfdrive holiday? Who are you travelling with? When are you going?Would you prefer to go D-I-Y? Or purchase a great value selfdrive holiday package from your travel agent?Make sure you are familiar with the local traffic laws and commonroad signs.Travel Fairs.E.g. There are roads throughout Melbourne that are known as“fairways”. Yellow lines and tram signs along these roads givetrams priority at certain times.Look out for travel fairs organized by airlines, tourism organisationsand travel agencies. They are great platforms to check out what’snew in the marketplace, grab special offers and pick up yourtravel brochures, guides and maps! Check out the mega NATAS(National Association of Travel Agents) Travel Fair which takesplace in March and September each year.E.g. Pull over and stop when you see a police car flashinglights behind you. Stay IN the car and wait for the policeofficer to approach you. Getting OUT of the car is seenas a form of retaliation and the police will react accordingly.International Driving Permit (IDP) Your Pass to Overseas DrivingChildren soon get over the novelty of travel. To prevent backseatfights and tears, they will need to be entertained. Some suggestionson how to achieve this:The IDP is recognized worldwide as a valuable document,identifying motorists as legally-licensed drivers and may preventany inconvenience when renting a car or when driving in a foreigncountry where the language of your local driving license is notcommonly used in the country of your self-drive destination.The IDP must always be presented with your local driving license.Singapore driving license is in English and is recognized for drivingin Australia (IDP is not required). For foreigners who possess nonEnglish local driving license, please check with your local embassyon a document translating your local driving license to English.Maps & Driving Directions.Arm yourself with good, current maps and driving directions,especially if you plan to go off the main roads. Check outyour point-to-point route options online at websites likewww.mapquest.com and www.travelmate.com.auRain or Shine?Check out the latest local weather at http://weather.yahoo.com/Pack your clothes accordingly.Speedier Service & Greater Savings.Spend more time on your vacation. Less time renting a car. Signup as Hertz #1 Club Member. You will get to enjoy year-rounddiscounts at participating locations worldwide and receive emailupdates on the latest seasonal promotions. Reservation is hasslelessand speedy – we have your driving license number, credit cardinformation and your preferred choice of vehicle stored in ourcentralised database. When you make future reservations withus, you will be off the phone and website faster. Your rentalagreement will be pre-filled. Membership is FREE! Apply onlineat www.hertz.com or contact your local Hertz office for anapplication form.Travelling with Children.Bring some of their favourite toys, music CDs and snacks.Play some road games such as looking out for certainlicence plates or buildings.Create a travel diary or journal – a wonderful activitythat will not only keep your children busy on a long trip,but it will preserve their memories for a lifetime.Stop for frequent breaks, preferably where there isa playground.Carsickness is common in children. To keep this to a minimumyou should drive as smoothly as possible and avoid overfeedingyour child.
2. Making Your Car Rental ReservationBook Before Departure or Take a Chance UponArrival in Australia?Why worry about the possibility of not getting a vehicle or thetype of vehicle you need when you arrive in Australia? It is stronglyrecommended that you pre-book your car before you depart.Ensure that the vehicle reserved best suits your needs and itinerary.Upon arrival, pick up your car and you’re off to start your funfilled holiday.You can findsuperb offers in“Special Offers”section onHertz.comOr help make the world a little greener. Rent the petrol/ electricHybrid Toyota Prius sedan from the Hertz Green Collection. It isenvironmentally-friendly and fuel efficient. Easy on the wallet andsuitable for families and small groups travelling together!GPS In-car Satellite Navigation.Read the fine print. Know what is included and what is not inthe car rental rates. E.g. Limited Mileage or Unlimited Mileage,Taxes, Collision Damage Waiver, Vehicle Excess Amount. Makesure you are comparing apple-to-apple. At Hertz, we offerAffordable Rates which includes Unlimited Mileage and CollisionDamage Waiver (subject to excess).With the Hertz Satellite Navigation system as your guide, you willnever be lost. Using the Global Positioning Satellite, Hertz’s stateof-the-art in-car navigation system has smart visual AND voiceprompts to tell you exactly where you are at any time and givesyou turn-by-turn guidance on how to get to your destination.Drive with confidence, no matter where you are. No morefumbling with maps, hunting for street signs or having to askfor directions. There is less wasted travel time for businessexecutives and more peace of mind for holiday makers. Checkout Hertz Satellite Navigation for a stress-free self-drive holiday.Insurance Coverage.Child & Booster Seats.Know what your basic insurance policy covers. Hertz AffordableRates include Collision Damage Waiver, which provides coveragefor accident damage to the Hertz Vehicle and/ or Third PartyProperty, such that in the event of an accident, your liability islimited to a reduced amount of loss or damage. To enjoy greaterpeace of mind, ask for Accident Excess Reduction Option tofurther reduce your liability for accidental damage or loss tothe minimum.Hertz offers only Government approved child restraints.Child and booster seats are available on request (subjectto availability) at a nominal charge payable by customer.Remember to indicate the age of child during reservation.Car Rental Rates.Sedans, SUVs or MPVs?Check out the range of vehicles available from car rental companies.In Australia, Hertz has a large fleet of young and latest modelvehicles ranging from Economy through Fullsize, Wagons, Minivansto Luxury cars to suit any need. Go to Hertz Vehicle Guide atwww.hertz.com – see how many adults/ children and luggageyou can fit into your choice of vehicle.priateAppro ts ares easafety ory fortmanda childrents/infan h of themcand ea idered asis cons pant.uan occOne-Way/ Inter-City Rentals.Driving from Sydney to Brisbane? Adelaide to Melbourne?No problem! Hertz has more than 220 locations availablethroughout Australia. You can rent a vehicle from one locationand drop it off at another. Inter-city fee may apply. Pleasecheck at time of reservation.
4. Before You Hit the RoadVehicle Features & Controls.Take your time. Familiarise yourself with the headlights, windshieldwipers, hazard warning lights, heater and other controls. Knowwhere they are and how they function before you hit the road– do not be afraid to ask for assistance if needed.Emergency Roadside Assistance.Ensure that your car rental company provides 24-hour emergencyroadside assistance and that your emergency phone numbersare within easy reach (not in the car boot). Arm yourself with acell phone (with extra batteries) on long-distance trips. WithHertz, call your nearest Hertz location or 13 30 39.Your Personal Belongings.Do not leave any personal belongings in your rental vehicle.Securing them in the trunk, under the seat etc., are not effectivemeasures to protect your property. The only effective way is totake your items with you.Driving whilst under the Influence of Drugsor Alcohol.It is a serious offence to drive under the influence of drugs oralcohol or both whilst operating a vehicle. Random breath testingcan be carried out at any time by Police. Do not drink alcoholor take drugs before or whilst driving a vehicle.toryadnamIt isandrevirdfor the gers tonall passe belts.atwear seFuel Economy.The condition of the vehicle, how it is driven and where it isdriven affect fuel consumption. The following points are worthconsidering if you wish to economise on fuel: Plan your trip to avoid delays such as peak hour trafficor scheduled bridge closures. Avoid overloading your vehicle; distribute the weightto be carried as evenly as possible. Avoid long periods of idling. When held up in traffic,switch the engine off if it is safe to do so. Avoid full throttle acceleration and severe braking.Drive as smoothly as possible. Ensure the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. Make sure that the handbrake is fully released whenthe car is mobile, and that the foot-operated brakesare not dragging.Estimation of fuel consumptionTotal litres total km X litres per 100km100Example60 litres 300 km 20 litres per 100km100
5. On the RoadWhat to Wear.Wear comfortable clothes and non-slip soled shoes and have apair of sunglasses to minimise sun glare.Speed.Drive within designated speed limits. Speeding is a serious offence.As the speed limits vary from State to State, it is best to adhereto the speed limit signs posted along all major roads. As a guideonly, the top speed limit in most states is 100km per hour and40 to 60km per hour in built-up areas.In moAustralia stn Sthidden sp ates,eedcamerasmobile ra anddarare utiliz unitsed toenforcespeelimit law ds.Driver Fatigue.Regulatory SignsFatigue can be as dangerous as drink driving or speeding, andcontributes to many fatal accidents on long stretch of highways.While driving, exercise your eyes by reading road signs or shiftingthe focus of your eyes to different parts of the roadway. Leavea small gap in the window for circulation of fresh air. Try to ensurethat at least 1 other person you are travelling with can drive –alternate drivers to relieve boredom. Otherwise, STOP every 2hours to stretch your legs, get a caffeinated drink and some freshair. Try to time your day’s travel so that you arrive at your overnightdestination in time for an unwinding period, a shower and arelaxed evening meal.Fuel Stops.You should plan ahead for fuel stops. Some petrol stations donot operate around the clock and have limited credit card facilities.Have a chat with the locals and find out where best to top upyour fuel and replenish water/ snacks.Bush Fires or Floods.Try to check road and weather conditions on a daily basis. Therecould be unforeseen conditions (e.g. temporary closure of highwaydue to forest fire). Give yourself more time to plan for alternativedestinations or routes.Lost Out There. Or Vehicle Breakdown.Do not leave the vehicle under any circumstances – a missingvehicle is easier to locate than missing people. In case of a vehiclebreakdown, refer to the information on the 24-hour breakdownservice that is provided with your Hertz car. Depending on theseverity of the breakdown, a replacement vehicle may bemade available.
Sudden Equipment Failure.This rarely happens but it is always good to know the basichandling techniques so you are more equipped psychologicallyto react to such situations: Tyre Blowout – ease your foot off the accelerator, keep a firmgrasp on the steering wheel and pull off the roadway. Brake Failure – if your brake pedal suddenly sinks to the floor,pump it to build pressure. If that does not work, use youremergency brake. Shift your vehicle into a lower gear toslow down. Steering Failure – ease your foot off the accelerator, turn onthe emergency flashers and come to a slow stop. Brake gentlyto prevent vehicle from spinning. Stuck Accelerator – hook your toe under it to free it. If it doesnot become free, shift your vehicle into neutral and brakegently to slow down.Warning SignsTo Stop or Not?Do NOT pick up hitchhikers, under ANY circumstances.Bumped from Behind?Do NOT pull over and stop, especially in a secluded or dark area.Drive to the nearest public area and call for police assistance.Obstacles on the Road.Watch out for wandering animals (cattle, wallabies, wombatsetc.) especially at dawn and at dusk. Take note especially whendriving on country roads at night in cold weather – animals suchas kangaroos lie on the bitumen road surface, which holds thewarmth of the sun.‘Stop’ or ‘Give Way’ Sign.Guide SignsA driver facing a ‘Stop’ or ‘Give Way’ sign must give way to trafficon the left and right, and from the opposite direction. At a ‘Stop’sign, you must bring your vehicle to a complete stop. You mustalso give way to pedestrians who are crossing the street intowhich you are turning, whether turning left or right.‘Hook turn’ Signs.Railway Crossing Signs‘Hook turn’ signs are found at a number of intersectionsin Central Melbourne. The signs may be at the sideof the road or hung from tram wires, so be alert inchecking for these signs. If you want to turn right atone of these intersections, you must make a ‘hook turn’.To do so, begin your right turn from the left lane.Always Use Your Indicator.A ‘turn right’ indicator signal must be given before you pull outof the kerb. Indicators must also be used whenever turning orchanging traffic lanes.Headlights.Headlights must be utilized while driving between the hours ofsunset and sunrise. In built-up areas you must not use the highbeam. On the open road, dip your headlights within 200 metresof an approaching vehicle or when the on-coming vehicle’s lightsare dipped (whichever is the sooner).
Roundabouts.Unbroken Lines.Drivers entering a roundabout must give way to traffic alreadyon, entering or leaving the roundabout if there is any risk of acollision. Decide before you enter the roundabout if you aregoing to turn right, left or go straight ahead.Do not cross double unbroken lines or an unbroken line on yourside of a broken line. When driving on a road marked with lanes,you must keep your vehicle entirely within a lane. When changinglanes, only do so when it is safe, and signal your intention.T-junctions.Overtake.At T-junctions a driver approaching an intersection along theterminating road must give way to all traffic on the continuingroad at the top of the T piece unless the other traffic is facedwith a ‘Stop’ or ‘Give Way’ sign.Do not overtake when:(a) approaching the crest of a hill(b) approaching a pedestrian or school crossing, or intersection(c) at a blind bend(d) there are double unbroken lines or an unbroken line on yourside of the center lineDriving in theOutbackBitumen Roads.Fuel.Most major roads in the Northern Territory are now sealed withbitumen and provide excellent driving conditions.Always ensure fuel requirements are estimated conservatively.Petrol stations can be several hundred kilometers apart.Unsealed Roads.Road Conditions.Some attractions can only be reached by way of unsealed roadsrequiring 4WD vehicles.Occasionally in the Wet Season (October through March) roadsmay become impassable through flooding. It is not recommendedto attempt to travel through a submerged section of road unlessit is absolutely safe to do so. Some crossings are often deeperthan they appear. Travelling fast through water can be dangerousand cause vehicle damage for which the renter is responsible.Distances.Distances are vast in the Northern Territory and Western Australia,therefore do not underestimate traveling time required. Checkdistances carefully when planning your itinerary. Allow an averagespeed of 80 kilometres per hour in your calculations for travel onbitumen roads.Wandering Animals.Daylight Driving.It is strongly recommended to avoid travelling in the earlymorning, late afternoon or early evening. Apart from sun glare,wildlife is most active at these times, and will often cross a road
Nearly all of the Northern Territory and Western Australia is cattlestation country. Hence most roads are UNFENCED which meanscattle, buffalo, horses or kangaroos can wander across the roadat any time.without warning. Hitting livestock is the most common typeof accident in the outback and can cause serious damage toa vehicle.Night Driving.Water.There is little likelihood of becoming lost or stranded if visitingthe main attractions in the Northern Territory or the Kimberley,however we recommend customers always carry adequate suppliesof drinking water. As a general rule 20 litres per person isrecommended to allow for the possibility of a breakdown.Animals wandering on the roads make night driving dangerous.Therefore, never plan to drive at night.Road Trains.Road Trains can be up to 50 metres in length and weigh in excessof 50 tonnes. Caution should be shown when overtaking.Drive Safely.Explore Fully.ADVE NTUREDiscover the self-driveAdventure. Fill in the blankboxes to form 9 wordsVERTICALLY. The words canbe found in the cover pageof this guide.Have fun!By following these tips/ precautions and using a little common sense, travellingthrough Australia will reward you with an experience you’ll always remember.Use the “Freedom On Wheels Checklist” for your next self-drive holiday.HAPPY MOTORING!All care has been taken in producing this guide. Hertz is not responsible for any errors or omissions.Information provided is accurate at time of printing and may change at any time without notice.
Log onto these sites for information.From accommodation, attractions,shopping, wine and dine choices todetailed self-drive itineraries, mapsand nberra.com.auNORTHERNTERRITORYNew South Waleswww.seesydney.comNorthern NAUSTRALIAQueenslandwww.queensland.com.sgSouth smaniawww.discovertasmania.comVictoriaNEW SOUTH WALESvisitmelbourne.comWestern ANIAhas morethan 220 locationsavailable throughoutAustralia, includingall major airports.
Distances ChartThe distances shown here are based on the most direct route, not necessarily the most practical. 80km per 1 hour driving.
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is subject to availability at rental counter. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts or promotions. Blackout dates and standard Hertz terms & conditions apply. Offer available to customers residing in Asia. Log onto 1 www.hertz.com Call Hertz Reservation Centre 1800 839 3388 2 Contact your preferred Travel Agent 4 4 EASY .
