Hello from the US!

[11fbwd]

Will be traveling down to Australia next week for my honeymoon, very excited for the journey and to escape the snow! Just wanted to say thanks for all of the insights I've found on this forum for planning my trip (been lurking for a while), and to say hello!

Also wanted to ask everyone's opinion about the rental car fleets (posted same question in the car rental area, hope that's alright). I'm a huge gearhead (petrolhead?) and am very excited to sample some of forbidden fruit while I'm down there. We will be driving from Sydney to Melbourne via the Princes Highway for part of the journey. Have President's Circle with Hertz and have reserved a premium (Holden SV6 or similar) as well as the Audi Q7 on non-prepaid reservations. The Audi is not that exotic (we have them here), though I wanted to make sure I had a comfortable cruiser for the journey. The Holden is half the price as the Audi. The Caprice V8 from Avis (no status) splits the difference between the SV6 and the Q7 in terms of price.

Of course, other than the Q7, none of the models are guaranteed. Can anyone comment on what other cars I might expect as comparable to the Caprice V8 and/or Holden SV6? Are the fleets generally newer, low-km, high-spec models, or bargain basement specials? I'm spoiled by National over here in the US which often provides top trim levels (i.e., Ford Titanium, Chevrolet LTZ, etc.)

If you ever find yourself on Flyertalk, I'm also the moderator of the National Car Rental forum, so say hi if you ever find yourself over there.

Cheers,
Dan

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF 11fbwd . Yes, petrol head would be right, but not being one myself, I can't help with specific queries.

Watch out for police radars. Can be concealed, un-announced and frequent!

 

[Dr Ralph]

Welcome Dan.

Take care on your journey on the Princess Highway, it's a notoriously dangerous road with many accidents and fatalities in its history. It has been desperately in need of upgrading for decades but no money is ever allocated to the road as it's not the main (shortest) route between Sydney and Melbourne.

 

[cjd600]

Welcome 11fbwd!

Have appreciated (lurkingly) your knowledge on the FT National forum over the years, for when renting in the USA on our holidays out of LAX and DFW. Made the switch from National to Hertz on our last trip in December due to crazy cheap Escalade pricing for a period there.

The SV6 would probably be pretty basic trim.
The Audi will be an Audi...nice.
The Caprice pretty much only comes in high-level trim I think....this would be my choice, a thumping V8, and a luxury ride for the distance you'll be travelling. Quite a large car (compared to say Charger/Impala).
Can't comment specifically on the rental fleet as I don't rent over here, re mileage,age etc.

Princes Highway is the quickest way to Melbourne, b ut if you enjoy driving, and have a little time.... Routes | Sydney Melbourne Coastal Drive | Sydney Melbourne Touring | Self Drive Sydney to Melbourne | Self Drive Melbourne to Sydney

Congrats on your honeymoon - I spent mine in the USA, had a great roadtrip over there back in '08 when Hertz was renting Shelby GT-H convertibles.
Will be over to LAX in a couple of weeks on a QF 'deep discount' fare, leaving the kids at home and jumping in a Camaro SS conv with the wife for a week No Escalade needed this time!

Have a great trip.

Cheers!

 

[Steady]

Welcome aboard 11fbwd - I'm also not a petrol head so cannot help with the rental car query - Uppy is the first AFFer that comes to mind when I think V8

 

[Dr Ralph]

Princes Highway is the quickest way to Melbourne, b ut if you enjoy driving, and have a little time.... Routes | Sydney Melbourne Coastal Drive | Sydney Melbourne Touring | Self Drive Sydney to Melbourne | Self Drive Melbourne to Sydney

This is not correct at all.

The shortest and quickest route from Sydney to Melbourne is via the inland Hume Highway (around 850 kms). The Princess Highway route is MUCH longer and is around 1100 kms.

I'd suggest you check your information before posting as it's very misleading to people who aren't from Australia.

In the last 12 months I've traveled both routes (for different reasons). Unless there are very specific reasons for it, I would not recommend the Princess Highway.

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome Dan.

Take care on your journey on the Princess Highway, it's a notoriously dangerous road with many accidents and fatalities in its history. It has been desperately in need of upgrading for decades <snip>.

That could describe virtually any road in Australia, wouldn't it? For a honeymoon drive (ie no time pressure, see the sights) the Princess highway would be my pick over the faster but dry and dreary Hume highway/freeway. But I expect Dan has done his homework anyway.

 

[Conrad_S]

If the trip from Sydney to Melbourne is over a couple of days then the Princes Highway (or part of it) is a great drive with some really beautiful towns to overnight in along the way. The weather is still good for swimming if you go down the coast. Otherwise the Hume highway is the safe and direct option.

I'd go for the Caprice V8 if you like cars, they are very nice vehicles and compare well with the European touring cars. While it is a good car the sv6 is the standard mum and dad model of the commodore.

Have a great trip

 

[cjd600]

This is not correct.

The shortest and quickest route from Sydney to Melbourne is via the inland Hume Highway (around 850 kms). The Princess Highway route is MUCH longer and is around 1100 kms.

In the last 12 months I've traveled both routes (for different reasons). Unless there are very specific reasons for it, I would not recommend the Princess Highway.

Right you are, I shouldn't post this early on a Friday .
Princes Highway a better scenic route than the Hume though...think you are being a little dramatic re the 'safety' factor...

*Princes Highway, not Princess

 

[Dr Ralph]

.think you are being a little dramatic re the 'safety' factor...

That's not correct. You may want to do some research and look at the figures.

It regularly features on the NRMA's list of worst roads in the state.

With figures like this, I hardly think it's appropriate to claim that I am being dramatic:

"Tragically, 45 people died and a further 1401 were injured on the Princes Highway over the five year period 2008-2012. Already this year, eight people have lost their lives."

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/princes-h...e-in-a-tale-of-two-roads-20141115-11nlg3.html

I've stated very clear facts, without any drama either stated or implied. You have misread what I have written if you are of the view that any drama was present.

 

[Dr Ralph]

That could describe virtually any road in Australia, wouldn't it?

Except this road features regularly on the NRMA's top 10 list of worst roads in the state.

Many other roads don't make the list.

There aren't also extensive reports on the problems of all road, unlike this one.

Read the report here:

https://www.mynrma.com.au/media/The_Princes_Highway_Audit.pdf

 

[cjd600]

That's not correct. You may want to do some research and look at the figures.

It regularly features on the NRMA's list of worst roads in the state.

I've driven on it......Pacific Highway north has much worse patches....

 

[Dr Ralph]

I've driven on it......Pacific Highway north has much worse patches....

And that's why that road is also on the NRMA list.


I say again "Take care on your journey on the Princess Highway, it's a notoriously dangerous road with many accidents and fatalities in its history."

 

[cjd600]

Except this road features regularly on the NRMA's top 10 list of worst roads in the state.

Many other roads don't make the list.

Seems to be 'Most Loathed' road list due to punter 'clicks' on the website.
Doesn't necessarily correlate to safety at all.....more traffic density (e.g Pennant Hills Rd on the list).

 

[11fbwd]

Thanks for all the feedback!

Yes, I know it's not the most direct route between the two cities. I've read the landscape is quite nice and we are doing the drive over two days (staying overnight in Eden, about halfway) so I figured it'd be nice to see some of the wildlife and scenery and maybe take a few impromptu beach detours (I know, watch out for the jellies, right?). Both of us enjoy straying off the beaten path a bit and I figure there's plenty of interstate driving we can do at home - driving alongside a beautiful ocean with pristine beaches is not something we get to do very often. We'll be taking the Hume Highway back to Sydney before flying out at the end of the trip.

We'll also be spending some time up near Cairns, though not going to drive there from Sydney. Toyed with the idea of trekking up the Bloomfield trail, but I think I'll save my off-roading for home.

 

[blu]

The biggest risk at our beaches is getting caught in a rip or sweep, particularly if swimming in an unpatrolled area. It's best to stay in the flagged area when one is available. Box jellyfish are in the tropics.
Roos and wombats can be road hazards when driving at night in more remote locations.

 

[TomVexille]

Welcome aboard!

Always good to have more yanks on the forum

 

[RooFlyer]

Except this road features regularly on the NRMA's top 10 list of worst roads in the state.

Many other roads don't make the list.

If it's a 'top 10' list then perhaps that isn't surprising

 

[clazman]

SV6 is the base model with a added "sports pack", with fuel being AU99c (72c US) a litre I would go the V8 Caprice

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF 11fbwd!