When you think of travelling around Australia, the first thing we tend to think of is road trips and van rentals (#vanlife). But not having a car in Australia shouldn’t stop you from having an amazing trip. Thanks to the country’s network of planes, trains, and buses, as well as easily walkable cities, there are tons of things to see and do that won’t ever need you to get in a car.
But where to start? Australia is far too big to see everything, car or no car, so we’ve put together this ultimate guide for exploring without a car to show you the highlights of what Aus has to offer.
Exploring Australia without a car
In Australia without any wheels? Not a problem! We’re going to show you the best places to explore without a car in Australia.
Your best bet is to head to cities, which are easily accessible by train and plane. Once you’re there, you can get around on foot or public transport to see all the sights. But even if you’re outdoorsy and looking for an adventurous holiday, there are still plenty of options for exploring without a car.
Pro tip: No one wants to carry their bags around all day when they’re visiting a new place. Make the most of exploring the city you’re in and leave your bags with our friends at Stasher. Stasher is an international luggage storage service where you can leave your luggage in secure locations such as shops and hotels. Storage costs $10 per day and each bag is insured up to $1000. With locations in Brisbane, Melbourne, all the cities mentioned in this article and more, travelling with Stasher has never been easier.
Exploring Sydney
With Sydney’s international airport and train stations, you don’t need a car to get to Sydney from basically anywhere in the world. Sydney is one of Australia’s cultural capital cities, and with tons to see and do here, it’s worth booking at least a few days to explore.
A great way to see the city and one of the best things to do in Sydney is to take a ferry ride across the harbour. There are 9 different main routes, all of which will give you different views of the city, including the iconic Sydney Opera House building.
The rides set off from different points around the harbour meaning you can pick the one most convenient for you.
For some green space in the city, head to Sydney’s Botanical Gardens where you can relax with locals and tourists alike. If you want a change from city scenery, you can get a train from Sydney to the Blue Mountains and hike the National Pass Track. Or for some sea and sand, there’s a train that will take you right to Bondi Beach so you can go for a swim in the Pacific Ocean. The Bondi to Bronte coastal walk will give you spectacular views of the sea, and at 4km in length, is very manageable to fit in a day trip from Sydney.
The best time to visit Sydney is in Spring (September to December) or Autumn (March to May) when the temperatures are a little more manageable than peak summer.
Pro tip: It’s worth planning ahead a bit for your travels if you don’t have the option of simply jumping in the car. For example, flying on weekdays rather than weekends can save you money on the tickets.
Melbourne without a car
Like Sydney, Melbourne is an international city, easily reachable by plane, train or bus. Once you’re here, you’ll be glad not to have a car, as not only is Melbourne best explored by foot, but they also have an excellent tram system to whizz around the city.
Some of Melbourne’s highlights include the Free Walking tour and the St Kilda’s Sunday Markets. St Kilda is a chilled seaside suburb of Melbourne where you’ll see a mix of locals and tourists, all enjoying the laid back pace of life here. For a bit of culture, we recommend checking out Melbourne’s art galleries, especially the NGV.
Of course, no trip to Melbourne would be complete without trying some of their world-famous coffee. As any Australian will tell you, brunch is the best meal of the day and one that can be eaten, alongside a nice steamy Flat White, at any time. The best spots for coffee are Industry Beans and Market Lane Coffee, and you can get a delicious brunch too at Proud Mary on Oxford Street.
An unmissable part of any road trip along the Victoria coastline is the Great Ocean Road, which people often do either side of a trip to Melbourne. But don’t let anyone tell you that you can only do this if you have a car! There are buses which run regular tours and trips from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road, which is even better than driving because you don’t have to concentrate on the road, leaving you free to enjoy the spectacular views.
The best time to explore Melbourne is from November to March to catch the warm weather.
Brisbane by foot
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and the third largest city in Australia by population. So it’s hardly surprising that there are tons of great things to see and do here that you can do without a car.
For a quintessential Australian experience, your first stop should be the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Situated just outside Brisbane, the sanctuary is easily reached both by bus and by boat along the river. Here you can meet kangaroos and over 130 cuddly koalas. Don’t forget your camera to get that classic Instagram shot of your koala hug! Back in Brisbane, we recommend the Brisbane Gallery of Modern Art for some cool contemporary exhibitions. The building itself is even a work of art, with James Turrell’s light installation illuminating the building every night.
Other top things to do in Brisbane include catching a film at one of the city’s many open-air cinemas, kayaking on the river at sunset, and climbing up the iconic Story Bridge for unbeatable views of the city skyline.
Adventures in Cairns
Found in the tropical climes of far North Queensland is Cairns, known internationally for being the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Although you may struggle to get to some of the beaches here without a car, there are still plenty of things to do in Cairns if you don’t have one.
Cairns is often considered the adventure capital of Australia, and your trip will be no exception. From skydiving and bungee jumping to white water rafting, there are plenty of activities here for adrenaline seekers.
If you prefer a more tranquil pastime, why not take a hot air balloon ride to see Cairns from the air? There’s also the Kuranda scenic railway, a charming old fashioned train that will take you from Cairns centre to the village of Kuranda.
In Cairns itself, a wander along the Cairns Esplanade is well worth it to soak up the chilled atmosphere for the city. Here you’ll find free exercise classes in the morning, street food and souvenirs at the Night Markets as well as locals hanging out enjoying the sunshine.
As with most of Australia’s cities, Cairns can be reached by bus and train, or you can fly in, so make sure to add Cairns to your itinerary.
Perth Culture Trip
Unlike the cities we’ve mentioned so far, Perth is located in Western Australia and is known for its sandy beaches, riverside parks and Botanic Gardens. Some of the best things to do in Perth are on foot, including enjoying the city’s world-famous street art scene. Set off on your own for a self-guided tour, or join one of the many guided tours around Perth that will introduce you to the art on display. If you are inspired to get creative yourself, you might like to take a pottery class at Not Yet Perfect or PerthStudioPotters.
Perth is also home to some of the coolest drinking spots around, from Lucky Chans, a bar disguised inside a laundrette to Sneaky Tony’s, a traditional speakeasy-style bar, you’re spoilt for choice with the Perth nightlife scene.
For another classic Aussie experience, we recommend visiting Perth’s own Kangaroo Island. Heirisson Island is home to hundreds of kangaroos, and easily accessible from the city centre. Head over to get up close with one of Australia’s most well-recognised animals.
Pro Tip:
Do you have an unused driveway, car spot or garage that maybe came with your house or apartment that you rarely use? You can actually make up to $450 a month by renting out your unused space to locals in your area who need parking! Parkhound connects you with people in your neighbourhood in need of somewhere to park their car long term. It’s a great way to fund your next holiday and make money in your sleep!
What are you waiting for?
So that rounds up the 5 best places to explore without a car in Australia. The only hard part is deciding where to start. We’ll leave that one up to you!