As we type this post, the overnight temperatures have hit -4 at Perisha Blue which means it’s nearly time for skiing!

If you are looking for a car to take you up the mountain then you can make your reservation here. You will have to pay extra for the snow pack and insurance which we will confirm shortly here. However we recommend booking your car early as you can always add these to your rental when you collect the car.

More to follow….

If you have rented a car before you will be  aware of the sinking feeling, at the rental desk, when you are
given the choice to reduce your car rental insurance excess, from $3300 down to $300 or $0.

The simplest option is to take the excess cover offered  by the car rental company but this can cost you between
$22-$27 per day. An alternative is to use Tripcover’s policy which is managed by Alliance Global Assistance.
Starting from just $9.30 per day, their cover is up to 60% cheaper and covers everything that the car rental
companies cover.

Now you can finally take the peace of mind option to reduce your car rental excess with Tripcover’s simple
3 step signup process.

Trip Cover Car Hire Excess Insurance For less

Winter is definitely the time to go as the summer is far too hot for most.

The Great Barrier Reef is in retreat and there appears very little that can be done. For that very reason it’s worth visiting now and not in 10 years time.

Cairns is merely a gateway to great magical places however it now has a great outdoor swimming pool and the state government has built a magnificent harbour for the reef traffic.

30 years ago a rather small fishing village was very cheap to buy property in and today it is so very different. Port Douglas lies 1 hour north of Cairns and is a beautiful village. Be careful of the beaches though as some of the locals are a bit snappy and rather protective of the sand.

Another hour north of Port Douglas is Daintree with its truly enthralling rain forest. Here the Great Barrier Reef gets its main source of nutrients and here in the estuaries are tiger prawns.

The drive north also holds some amazing sights. By the side of the road you will see spider’s nests that cover trees which is an amazing feat of silk engineering.

You also have the hinterland which is half an hour west. Here there are many tableland towns that offer a very warm welcome.

Cairns aren’t a place for beach holidays. In fact the beaches are quite dangerous especially for young children with Salties, but it is a magnificent location to relax and be enthralled. Cairns is Australia and all Australians should see Cairns for its rich reef and its lush rain forests.

You can easily reach Green Island where a wonderful resort awaits you. You can simply snorkel all day where you will see an amazing rich variety of fish. I myself came nose to nose with a reef shark which made me run on top of the water back to shore like Jesus running after his disciples.

Cairns can be as expensive or as cheap as you want to make it. There are many day trips as well as livabords but then the budget conscience traveller can experience the magic on Green Island.

To get around in Cairns it’s best to hire a car at the airport. The airport is 5 minutes from the city which means taxis are not expensive but if you want to see the hinterland and Port Douglas you will need a car.

We’ve experienced huge demand for cars in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and prices are rising.

Let’s face it we all know that the traffic is terrible at Easter as everybody heads north to catch the last of the summer heat whilst dropping into granny to say hi! Why not do it in a little style this year by upgrading your car to something a little luxurious? It doesn’t have to cost the earth through our network and can lessen the boredom of the big trip.

We have a massive amount of cars still available as we print this but they are going fast. Prices will go up quickly so grab a bargain before they go.

London is one of the most diverse, dynamic and exciting cities of the world. It also boasts some of the best restaurants, cinemas, old buildings and nightlife that you will find anywhere in the world.

London is however a city where you travel by train and tube (london underground). That said the English countryside is a mere 30 minutes away and is magnificent. A short drive from Heathrow is Windsor. A short drive from Gatwick is Brighton and Portsmouth (birthplace of modern Australia) is only 2 hours away with its proud naval heritage including Henry VIIIs Mary Rose.  The west country starts only an hour from Portsmouth with Stone Henge and lands end among the splendours that await you.

England is very accessible by road once you leave the major cities and driving in the countryside with the twisty lanes green meadows is breathtaking.

When you travel around the best way to eat is the local pub. The rule of thumb is look at the establishment before you order. Some pubs offer a massive range of food which is not a good sign. A great pub will offer a limited menu but do it well!

Fuel is expensive in England and so smaller cars are better. Diesel is more expensive than petrol so diesel vs petrol economy is probably equal.

If you are going to London for the 2012 Olympic Games, then stay a little longer and hire a cheap car with us and see the countryside. Its worth it!

This is an exciting but long trip and great care and planning is required to stay safe. Although you may be planning a trip in winter, this can still be treacherous with both heat and dry conditions. Be sure to take plenty of water. Also insist that the local agent shows you that the spare wheel is present, pumped up and in perfect condition. Also make sure that the jack is present and that the agent shows you where the jack point of the car is.

When driving in the Northern Territory you can drive for hours without seeing another car. Therefore it is essential you are fully prepared. It’s also an unwritten rule that motorists stop and help stranded motorists, especially where an accident has occurred. It is quite normal for your mobile phone to be out of range.

Ensure that you have enough fuel for your journey. It may sound like a stupid thing to say but the road houses are few and far between. It’s also a great idea to stop at the road houses for a cup of coffee.

On a Northern Territory highway you will experience a road train. They generally travel faster than you will drive and can be very intimidating. Just slow down when they pass and stay straight!

One of the most amazing things about the long drive are the constant mirage of water and the mirage of travelling up hill.

Remember to watch you’re speed. The police have very little to do and will book you if they catch you speeding.

When the road narrows keep in the middle of the road. When another car approaches slow down and move over. Whatever you do be careful of your speed and catching your tyres on the dirt by the side of the bitumen. Before you know it you can lose control.