Last week my daughter and her cousin returned from their activity-filled trip to Australia. Just before they left, I proofed an article for Global Traveler‘s April issue written by Debra Bokur which warned about the importance of being aware of driving laws and conditions in foreign countries. Since these young ladies would be renting a car (and being a concerned mama), I made sure to share the excellent information it contained with them. While they both found driving on the “wrong” side of the road a bit of a challenge (and perhaps a little nerve-wracking — at least at first — as well), they succeeded in safely getting to all the sites they wished. In Facebook postings, pictures and conversations they shared their impressions and experiences with friends and family, and I’d like to share some with you.

Jenny and Alison made their driving experience in Australia extra challenging by renting a car with a manual transmission. What they struggled with most often, though, was switching on the windshield wipers every time they went to use the turn signal (on opposite sides of the steering column from what they’re used to) — apparently a cause for much mirth between them. Alison also reported that having her view obstructed by the windshield frame to her right as she sat in the driver’s seat frustrated her; she’s accustomed to that “blind spot” being to her left when she drives at home. Back in the States, they both found they had to re-train themselves, not before turning on the wipers instead of the turn signal a few times.

They rented a car in Melbourne so that they could squeeze in several outings in a short period of time and create their own schedule. The first evening there they drove to Phillip Island to see the “Penguin Parade,” a nightly coming ashore of tiny wild fairy penguins. The next day they drove to Torquay to take a surfing lesson, and the following day they enjoyed a long drive along the scenic Great Ocean Road,   

where the Twelve Apostles sea stacks rise from the sea. Jenny noted that along these tourist routes were signs (along with arrows painted on the pavement to indicate the direction of traffic) after every roundabout, turnout and attraction reminding drivers to stay to the left, helpful reminders to all the foreign visitors in those parts. She also made note of roadside signs one certainly doesn’t see anywhere else!  

This trip Down Under provided many unique and interesting experiences to these intrepid travelers, and they certainly count driving the Australian roads among them.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor