A thick network of buses/coaches covers Australia. Not only are they cheap, but they offer a good way to get off the beaten track as well as to popular areas like the beach that you can’t usually get to via planes or trains.
Major cities and the states and territories all have publicly-run bus services that link small towns and cities. Private carriers cover popular routes along the east coast, and Greyhound offers cross-country, long-distance coach services with plenty of stops between major cities. There are gaps in coverage, though, most notably across the forbidding Nullarbor Plain in southern Australia.
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There are also plenty of coach tours aimed at backpackers and other tourists, that offer multi-day escorted tours to give travellers the true ‘Oz experience’. There are dozens of operators, including Nullabor Traveller, which spans the namesake stretch of southern Australia.
Things to consider:
- Over long distances, buses on routes with no competition may be more expensive than flying and take considerably longer
- Passes, such as those offered by Greyhound, can allow you to explore in depth for a reasonable cost
- Long-distance buses typically are large with 2 + 2 seating, air-con and a toilet. Some show films and have power points or USB plugs.
Major operators:
| Greyhound |
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| Firefly |
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| Integrity |
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| Premier Motor Service |
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Popular bus routes between Australian cities:
Adelaide to Alice Springs (20½ hours)
Brisbane to Cairns (29 hours)
Cairns to Alice Springs (35 hours)
Brisbane to Sydney (19 hours)
Sydney to Melbourne (12 hours)
Melbourne to Adelaide (12 hours)
