Planes
Flying , at least between major destinations around the east coast between Melbourne and Cairns, is undergoing a revolution at the moment, with newcomer Virgin Blue seriously undercutting prices and grabbing a good part of the market away...
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Trains
Trains are not the most obvious way to get around Australia, which has a limited network, but there are a couple of wonderful, epic journeys to be made. The populous southeast, at least, does have a reasonably comprehensive service: interstate...
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Train and bus representatives abroad
RAIL AUSTRALIA UK and Ireland Leisurail, PO Box 113, Peterborough PE1 1LE (tel 0870/750 0222). US ATS Tours, Suite 325, 2381 Rosecrans Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245 (tel 1-800/423-2880, www.atstours.com ). ...
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Buses
Travelling by bus is almost certainly the cheapest way to get around, although it's rarely a very satisfactory one - there's a lot to be said against spending much of your trip staring at the passing landscape from a cramped seat. And even...
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Driving
Having your own vehicle really allows you to explore Australia, filling the public transport void away from the cities and allowing you to get to the national parks, the isolated beaches and the ghost towns that make the country such a special...
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Motorbiking
Motorbikes , especially large-capacity trail bikes, are perfect for the Australian climate and an inexpensive compromise between conventional vehicles and 4WDs, although long distances place a premium on their comfort and fuel range. Mid-1980s 600cc...
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Cycling
Cycling is popular in Australia, and even if you're not a triathlete bent on pedalling between Sydney and Perth, bicycles are easily ferried between the places where you'd want to use them. Mountain bikes are ideal for rougher country, but lighter and more efficient tourers are better if you're attempting any long-distance travel on main roads. Most cities have well-defined cycle routes and bike lanes; helmets are compulsory, though the law is not always enforced in rural areas. Renting and finding spares is no trouble in capital cities and larger country towns.

If you're bringing your own bike, international airlines usually overlook the odd extra kilo if the bike is properly packaged; ask first - though it's often the airport check-in counter which has the last word. On internal flights you'll need to have the handlebars and pedals turned in, the front wheel removed and strapped to the back, and the tyres deflated; some airlines consider bikes as two pieces of excess baggage and charge accordingly (excess baggage is usually insured against damage up to a maximum of $1600 damages, so you might want to extend this). Trains have fixed rates for carrying bikes (depending on the route) and you'll save on bus charges by disassembling and packing your bike flat.

Hitching
The gruesome 1992 "backpacker murders" drastically changed Australian attitudes to hitching. What proved most shocking was the seemingly indiscriminate choice of victims: men and couples seemed as likely a target as lone women, allaying several hitchhiking myths. The official advice is don't : with so many affordable forms of transport available, there's no real need to take the risk.

If you must do it, never hitch alone , and always avoid being dropped in the middle of nowhere between settlements. In rural areas people seem more willing to stop, but long, isolated stretches of road don't make this the safest country to hitch in; as usual, women are at greatest risk. Remember that you don't have to get into a vehicle just because it stops: choose who to get in with and don't be afraid to ask questions before you do get in, making the arrangement clear from the start. Ask the driver where he or she is going rather than saying where you want to go. Try to keep your pack with you; having it locked in the boot makes a quick escape more difficult.

A much better method is lining up lifts through hostel notice boards (though this means sharing fuel costs). This option gives you the chance to meet the driver in advance, and - as a fellow traveller - they will most likely be stopping to see many of the same sights along the way. In out-of-the-way locations, roadhouses are a good place to head, as the owners often know of people who'll be heading your way.

The best way to ensure your safety , apart from exercising your judgement and common sense, is to make concrete arrangements before your departure and stick to them. Hostel managers are well aware of the possible danger to young women departing across the Outback with new acquaintances or undertaking work on remote stations, and will gladly receive - or better still - make calls to ensure your safe arrival.