Driving in Australia and New Zealand as a visitor: a practical guide

A general familiarization guide · Last updated 19 July 2026

Few places reward a road trip like Australia and New Zealand - but they ask different things of a visiting driver. Both drive on the left, so if you're used to the right there's a switch to make first. Beyond that, Australia tests your stamina over enormous distances, while New Zealand tests your patience on narrow, winding roads. Rehearse the side change before you fly, and you can spend your attention on the scenery instead of the basics.

What do Australia and New Zealand have in common for drivers?

Both drive on the left, and both use roundabouts widely - Australia especially. If you're coming from a right-side country, that means sitting on the right of the car, looking the other way first, and taking roundabouts clockwise. Those core reflexes are the same wherever you're switching to the left, and we cover them in depth in our guide to driving on the left as an American (the habits apply to any visitor making that switch). What differs is the road environment on each side of the Tasman.

Will your rental be a manual or automatic?

Automatics are widely available in both countries - more so than across much of Europe - so most visitors can skip the stick-shift worry, though confirming at booking is still wise. For New Zealand in particular, campervans and motorhomes are a hugely popular way to travel; they drive differently from a small car (longer, taller, more wind-affected), so give yourself extra room and time if you choose one. Pickups cluster at Sydney (SYD) and Melbourne (MEL) in Australia, and Auckland (AKL) and Christchurch (CHC) in New Zealand.

What's driving in Australia like?

Australia is big in a way that's hard to picture until you're driving it. Highways run dead straight for hours, which makes fatigue the quiet danger - plan rest stops and don't push a day too far. Out on remote routes you'll share the road with road trains (very long multi-trailer trucks that take time and space to pass) and with wildlife such as kangaroos that are most active around dawn and dusk. Some remote roads are unsealed gravel. Cities are straightforward by comparison, though Melbourne has a couple of local quirks worth reading about on official guidance before you go. Fuel and services can be far apart, so top up when you can.

What's driving in New Zealand like?

New Zealand packs a lot of terrain into a small map. Roads are often narrow, winding, and steep, with frequent one-lane bridges where traffic takes turns - check official guidance on how those are signed and who proceeds. The upshot is that trips take much longer than the raw distance suggests, so don't schedule tightly. The other hazard is the view: the scenery is genuinely distracting, so plan pull-offs to look rather than gazing while you drive, and keep your speed sensible for the bends.

How should you prepare?

Separate the habit change from the trip craft. The mirrored reflexes - which side to be on, pulling out onto an empty road, looking the right way first, and taking a roundabout the other direction - are what you can rehearse in a few short sessions before you fly. The distance-driving discipline in Australia and the patience New Zealand's roads demand are things you manage on the day, with rest, room, and a relaxed schedule. Our guides to the first 30 minutes with a rental car and how long it takes to adjust cover what to expect once you land. Our full guide to how to practise before you travel covers every method.

Remember that this is general familiarization guidance, not driving instruction or a substitute for the official rules of your destination. Always check local guidance and drive within your ability.