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Driving Tips for a Brit Visiting Melbourne
By Alan Rivers of Rivers Travel
British drivers will be pleased to know that driving is on the left hand side of the road in Australia and you can use your full UK drivers licence. But that is where the similarity ends. In Melbourne the driving will initially seem more aggressive than you might be accustomed to in the UK. This is due mainly to a different lane discipline when driving in the metropolitan area of Melbourne. Many of the main trunk roads have two lanes in each direction but they do not operate like the dual carriageways in Britain. You need to get in the lane that’s most appropriate for your journey and don’t get fazed by a car overtaking on the inside lane – they are just going about their business. The U-turn is also a deft skill that most Melbournian drivers have learned through experience, they are matched only by London taxi drivers. So be aware when you are pulling out on to a busy road that you consider that someone may decide on doing a U-ie when you least expect it. The other driving experience in Melbourne, that to the un-initiated has the same buzz as a fairground ride, is the famous Hook Right Turn. This seems to be a unique feature to driving in the Central Business District of Melbourne. This is a special manoeuvre when negotiating a right hand turn at an intersection from a road that has trams running. To avoid blocking the tramlines when pulling over to turn right, the driver must pull over to the left (when wanting to turn right). This means that they will be at right angles to the traffic going across the intersection and generally parked in front of two lanes of traffic – waiting for their light to turn green. Do not stall your car when in this position! When the light changes to green, go for it! It is possible for a British driver to survive this experience. Look out for the sign “Right Turn from Left Ahead”. Don’t let these tips put you off. Take a deep breath and get into the flow. Melbourne is a wonderful city and Victoria is a beautiful state. Enjoy your stay!
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Approaching the Famous 'Hook Right Turn'
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If it's hard for Britons it must be hell for Americans! And I thought Paris was bad - but at least they drive on the right side of the road. The sign in the pic is just scary!
Melbourne was interesting to visit, although I didn't get to drive in Australia, but had just spent 9 months in Auckland where I found New Zealand to be equally challenging as far as driving goes. If in Melbourne, be sure to visit Phillip Island, the home of the Fairy Penguin Parade. Not heard of this? Google of Wiki for it - don't miss this if you are in the area - and it happens 365 days a year. Also if you have time head up to Ballarat and Sovereign Hill, where there is a reconstructed museum for the mining town from the gold rush era of the 1800's. A mini-series was created about this in the 1980's, and it's a great day out for the whole family.
I think I will walk in Australia.... unless they do that differently too.
I recommend the movie Walkabout, starring Jenny Agutter. That might change your mind...
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This intel was contributed by rivers
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May, 2012
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