7-Day France Tour & 10-Day Australian Outback Tour
With New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, and weekends adding up to a total of 14 days off, January 2012 has been dubbed “the happiest month of the year.” It’s the perfect time to embark on an overseas self-drive adventure. We recommend four amazing road trip routes along with detailed driving tips to keep you on the go and having an amazing time this January.
Classic European Route – 7-Day Self-Drive Tour in France
Keywords: Relaxed – Experience the Leisurely Pace of European Life
Recommended Route: Paris – Grenoble – Avignon – Nice – Cannes
Road Conditions Along the Way
Red Centre Uluru
The road conditions for this self-drive route are quite varied. The early part features good highways, but the middle section from Uluru to Alice Springs to Cairns involves traversing deserts or bumpy dirt roads, resulting in rather harsh conditions—only high-performance 4WD vehicles can handle it. Therefore, if you want to experience Australia’s untouched natural scenery, you’ll need to take on some risk.
Car Rental Market
The top five car rental companies in the area are Hertz, Avis, Eurocar, Budget, and Thrifty. These companies have widespread outlets, making it convenient to return your car in a different city. It’s recommended to book online as early as possible after finalizing your itinerary, as online reservations are significantly cheaper and often come with special discounts. As for rental costs, depending on the vehicle type, some options can be as low as AUD 60–70 per day. Additionally, given the inherent risks of the trip, even if you're a confident driver, it's wise to consider purchasing insurance.
TIPS
Always remember to drive on the left
Chinese drivers can rent cars across Australia with a second-generation driver’s license (Chinese-English version). Those with a first-generation license must obtain a Chinese-English notarized certificate from their local notary office.
When driving in Australia, always remember to keep left; especially since the country is rich in wildlife and animals often cross the roads—drive with extra caution.
Accommodations in rural Australian towns are mostly hotels and inns, but many do not provide disposable toiletries, so travelers should prepare their own before departure.
Some stretches may involve camping, so essentials like tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, cooking gear, and lighting are a must. For long road trips, it’s best to bring a portable fridge to store meat. Also, due to Australia’s strong sunlight, sunscreen is essential.