Most foreigners visiting Australia inevitably make their way to Sydney, as it’s one of the most famous and most popular destinations in the whole country. From the iconic Sydney Opera House to the Harbour Bridge to the Royal Botanical Gardens, there are so many things to see and do in Sydney that it’s hard to fit them all into one vacation. However, if you really want to make the most out of your time in one of Australia’s most amazing cities, rent a motorcycle and drive around the city at your leisure.
The overall feeling of Sydney is both exciting and laid-back. You can experience world-class nightlife at the waterside bars and restaurants, then drive a few miles and wind up at Bondi Beach, one of the most famous amongst Australia’s many incredible beaches. Many people start their Australian vacations in Sydney, and with good reason. It’s the perfect place to get acquainted with the lifestyle and culture of the country.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a motorcycle in Sydney. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a scooter. This guide includes:
- Whether you need an international driving permit for motorbike hire in Australia
- The price of motorbike rental in Sydney
- Where to hire a motorbike in Sydney
- Whether it’s safe to drive a motorcycle in Sydney
- Some of the best routes from Sydney to drive by motorcycle
Do You Need an International Driving Permit To Hire a Motorbike in Australia?
If you have a valid driver’s license from your home country that’s written in English, you are not required to get an international driving permit for up to three months. If you want to drive any longer than three months, you’ll have to get a license from an Australian state. If your driver’s license is not in English, you are required to get an international driving permit to rent or operate a motor vehicle in the country.
You can apply for an international driving permit here. There is a $20 application fee, and the permit typically takes about two weeks to come in the mail. Once you have your permit, it is valid for one full year.
What Does It Cost To Hire a Motorcycle in Sydney?
Motorcycle hire in Sydney is fairly expensive compared to most other cities in the world. However, it’s hard to put a price on the unforgettable experience of driving a motorcycle around the city. If you want to hire a motorcycle, you’ll probably have to pay around $180 per day on the low end. There are also higher-priced options that offer more power.
When renting a motorcycle, check to see if the price of helmet rental and insurance are included in the stated price, or if they’ll be an additional charge. Driving without insurance could put you at risk of having to pay a very large fine if anything should happen to your rental motorbike.
Where Can You Rent a Motorbike in Sydney?
There are ample places around Sydney to find your perfect rental bike. If you plan on flying into Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport, you should have no trouble whatsoever finding a motorcycle rental service just outside the terminals.
If you’d rather wait until you get into the metropolitan center of Sydney to rent your motorcycle, there are plenty of rental shops in the Stanmore area as well as the area around Bondi Beach. You’ll also pass by many different rental shops if you take a taxi down Parramatta Road.
Are There Any Safety Issues With Driving a Motorcycle in Sydney?
They drive on the left side of the road in Australia, so if you’re coming from a country where you drive on the right side of the road, this could be difficult to adjust to at first. Remember that when you’re making a right turn in Australia, you will be crossing a lane of traffic going the opposite direction most of the time. When you first start driving in Australia, and particularly in the congested areas of Sydney, take it slow and drive cautiously at all times.
Speed limits are strictly enforced in Australia and speeding fines can be quite pricey. You should always wear a seatbelt and never use your cellphone while driving. Road conditions in Sydney are typically very good; however, if you venture out into the surrounding rural areas, look out for potholes and animals that might wander into the street. Kangaroos can be a particular hazard at night in the countryside.
What Are the Best Motorcycle Routes From Sydney?
Traveling across Australia by motorcycle is a very popular activity for tourists. The Australian countryside is diverse and captivating, and there are plenty of destinations that you can travel to from Sydney by motorcycle. Here are some the best motorcycle routes from Sydney:
Sydney to Melbourne
Melbourne is another one of the most popular cities for tourists in Australia, and the drive from Sydney to Melbourne is absolutely magnificent. You can take highway A1 along the coast and enjoy beautiful views of the rocky coast, and even stop off to take a swim at some of the beaches along the way.
There are tons of national parks along the route from Sydney to Melbourne, including Wadbilliga National Park, Snowy River National Park, Namadgi National Park, and Yarra Ranges National Park. You can also visit the city of Canberra along the way. The route from Sydney to Melbourne can be done in about 10 hours, but it’s best to stop a few times and see some of the amazing sights along the way.
Sydney to Brisbane
While driving south along the coast from Sydney will bring you to Melbourne, driving north along the coast will bring you to Brisbane, another one of Australia’s more popular cities. This drive can be done in about 11 hours, but you could easily spend two weeks along this route detouring to all of the incredible locations along the way.
This route will take you right through Newcastle if you choose to drive along the coast, which you absolutely should. You should also spend a night or two in Newcastle if you can, as it’s a bustling city with a wealth of interesting attractions. This route also has some amazing national parks along the way, including Bongil Bongil National Park and Broadwater National Park. As you near Brisbane, you’ll pass right through Gold Coast, one of the most famous beach towns in the world and a spot definitely worth spending some time at.
Sydney to Adelaide
Adelaide is not really among the more common tourist destinations in Australia, but it has a unique culture all its own and a lot to offer in terms of an authentic Australian experience. Also, not far from Adelaide is Kangaroo Island, one of the more remarkable natural areas of Australia. The route from Sydney to Adelaide is pretty much entirely inland and takes about 15 hours total. If you want to get a better sense of what people mean when they talk about the Australian outback, this is the route to take.
Along this route, you should check out the city of Wagga Wagga and see its incredible sporting history and wealth of native plants. You can also take a stop at Big Desert Wilderness Area and see the local desert biome.
Explore Australia by Motorcycle
There’s no journey more epic than traversing the countryside or the coast of Australia on the seat of a motorcycle. Spend as much time in each of the country’s great cities as you can, but make sure to devote some time to the open road.
Do you still have questions about motorcycle rentals in Sydney? No worries, you can always contact us by phone, email, or our website's live chat.
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