Can You Drive a Rental Car Between Australian States?

1Return Trips Across the Border

If you pick up and return in the same place, you can usually drive into another state and back with no extra fee. A Gold Coast rental that crosses into northern NSW, or a Canberra rental that drives to the NSW South Coast, is routine.

2One-Way Interstate Rentals

Returning the car in another state is a one-way rental. The fee depends on the route, direction and supplier, from small on busy routes like Sydney to Melbourne to several hundred dollars to remote towns. Some suppliers do not offer certain routes at all.

Also read: One-way car rental in Australia: routes, fees and tips

3Where Restrictions Apply

• Tasmania: taking a mainland rental on the Spirit of Tasmania needs the supplier’s permission, and the car is usually not insured during the crossing.
• Island ferries: Kangaroo Island, Bruny Island and Magnetic Island have their own rules; Moreton Island and K’gari sand tracks are off limits for standard rentals.
• Western Australia and the Northern Territory: some suppliers restrict cars rented elsewhere from entering, or limit remote areas in the north.
• Unsealed roads: excluded by most agreements in every state.

4Road Rules That Change at the Border

• Speed limits on rural roads range from 100 to 130 km/h depending on the state and road; the NT has some 130 km/h sections.
• Melbourne’s CBD has hook turns.
• Mobile phone, P-plate and towing rules differ between states.
• Daylight saving applies in NSW, Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania and South Australia, but not Queensland, WA or the NT.

5Popular Interstate Road Trips

• Sydney to Melbourne (NSW to Victoria): about 880 km inland or 1,040 km on the coast.
• Sydney to Brisbane (NSW to Queensland): about 920 km on the Pacific Motorway.
• Melbourne to Adelaide (Victoria to South Australia): about 730 km inland.
• Adelaide to Darwin (SA to the NT): about 3,000 km on the Stuart Highway; check remote-area rules.
• Gold Coast to Byron Bay (Queensland to NSW): a short and popular cross-border day trip.

Also read: Sydney to Brisbane road trip

6Fruit Fly and Quarantine Rules

Several states restrict carrying fresh fruit and vegetables across borders to protect against fruit fly and other pests. South Australia and Western Australia have quarantine checkpoints, and Tasmania checks arrivals at the ferry port and airports. Eat or discard restricted produce before you reach the border, and check the current rules before an interstate drive.

7Before an Interstate Trip

• Tell the supplier your route when you book, and check the conditions for interstate and remote travel.
• Confirm opening hours at the drop-off depot.
• Check how tolls are billed in each state.
• Allow for state road rule differences, such as Melbourne’s hook turns.

Frequently Asked Questions