Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Tips on renting automatic transmission cars in Sydney/Brisbane/Cairns airports?

I presume that we can use our Canadian license in driving a car in Australia.

We are too used to driving an automatic transmission car, to be able to rent a manual transmission car (esp with a left-hand drive).

How does one get the best rates in finding such cars at the Sydney, Brisbane, and Cairns airports?

I can only really speak to the first two points.

Never had any trouble renting cars with my Ontario driver's license in Australia (or New Zealand). I relied (foolishly or not) on the insurance provided by my CC, and didn't have any hassle with that.

No problem finding an automatic either, at least not from Hertz or Avis. If I recall correctly, most of the cars came up as automatic when I searched using their sites.

Depending on what you want to do in Cairns, you might not need a car. I went with the Mrs. about 18 months ago. The taxi was reasonably priced, and everything (including Great Barrier Reef tours, tons of restaurants, etc.) are all within walking distance.

One suggestion - don't drive in Sydney :) (Suburbs, etc. are no problem) I'm used to driving in Ottawa (as it appears you probably are) as well as London, Toronto, New York, and LA, and I've never seen a more agitated/angry/aggressive set of drivers...

One suggestion - don't drive in Sydney :) (Suburbs, etc. are no problem) ... I've never seen a more agitated/angry/aggressive set of drivers...

Sorry you had a bad experience but I really don't see much difference between the inner city and the suburbs.

However, I do agree that it's wise to stay clear of the city since it's quite crowded and there's very little affordable parking during the week. Much better to park a few km outside of the city and take the bus or train.

I presume that we can use our Canadian license in driving a car in Australia.

We are too used to driving an automatic transmission car, to be able to rent a manual transmission car (esp with a left-hand drive).

How does one get the best rates in finding such cars at the Sydney, Brisbane, and Cairns airports?

I'm sure there will be a thread shortly;), but whereabouts are you staying in Sydney? If you are staying centrally then there is really no need for a car. If you want to hire one to tour the Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains then it would be better to hire one for those days rather than the entire time. Parking in Sydney is expensive, and most places you will want to visit are metered anyway.

FlyergoldII, try your preferred rental company, then qantas.com then vroomvroomvroom and rent a Corolla-class car, which will be auto unless you ask otherwise.

Re. you license, as long as it's in English you will be fine with using it here.

We really enjoyed using rental cars from CNS.
A few options for rentals are in older threads in this forum, so I won't repeat that info.

CNS rental tips from this past weekend:
Qantas.com can often have better prices than the direct agent websites, if certain cheaper cars are still able to be hired from the former. I rented a 6 speed manual (by choice) from Hertz and then an auto from Avis. Both through qantas.com -> booking -> cars.

The Avis person was able to swap me into an Astra so I had a change from the Corolla. When I asked about any cars with a gearstick, he told me that the manuals sell out first. Anything bigger than a Corolla (1.8L) will be auto-only. It may only be $2 more for a Corolla than an econobox size car, so if you order that class, you'll get an auto anyway.

www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au is a good alternative booking site for the big rental agencies and I've found cars there which didn't show up on the agent sites. These were all last minute bookings.

I've received even better rates with Hertz direct on slow days. Tell them you are wiith AAA to get the AAA / NRMA auto club rate.

Finally, Cairns has several 'old car rental' companies. Probably not terribly interesting, but they advertise they rent 'from $25/day' and I saw a lot of their cars (with telltale yellow advertising on the windshield) over the weekend.

FlyergoldII, try your preferred rental company, then qantas.com then vroomvroomvroom and rent a Corolla-class car, which will be auto unless you ask otherwise.

Re. you license, as long as it's in English you will be fine with using it here.

We really enjoyed using rental cars from CNS.
A few options for rentals are in older threads in this forum, so I won't repeat that info.

CNS rental tips from this past weekend:
Qantas.com can often have better prices than the direct agent websites, if certain cheaper cars are still able to be hired from the former. I rented a 6 speed manual (by choice) from Hertz and then an auto from Avis. Both through qantas.com -> booking -> cars.

The Avis person was able to swap me into an Astra so I had a change from the Corolla. When I asked about any cars with a gearstick, he told me that the manuals sell out first. Anything bigger than a Corolla (1.8L) will be auto-only. It may only be $2 more for a Corolla than an econobox size car, so if you order that class, you'll get an auto anyway.

www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au is a good alternative booking site for the big rental agencies and I've found cars there which didn't show up on the agent sites. These were all last minute bookings.

I've received even better rates with Hertz direct on slow days. Tell them you are wiith AAA to get the AAA / NRMA auto club rate.

Finally, Cairns has several 'old car rental' companies. Probably not terribly interesting, but they advertise they rent 'from $25/day' and I saw a lot of their cars (with telltale yellow advertising on the windshield) over the weekend.

Baywater Car Rentals (http://www.bayswatercarrental.com.au) usually do really good deals in Sydney for cars. They are a all Toyota Corollas. You can them for about $245 for the week with insurance.

Baywater Car Rentals (http://www.bayswatercarrental.com.au) usually do really good deals in Sydney for cars. They are a all Toyota Corollas. You can them for about $245 for the week with insurance.

but...

no birds!

:p

(if you forget the rental company's name, if you say 'no birds, Kings Cross' you'll be directed here...unless they direct you to some boys who like boys!)

but...

no birds!

:p



Exactly;)

One suggestion - don't drive in Sydney :) (Suburbs, etc. are no problem) I'm used to driving in Ottawa (as it appears you probably are) as well as London, Toronto, New York, and LA, and I've never seen a more agitated/angry/aggressive set of drivers...

Wait till you try Brisbane and Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. Far worse drivers (skills-wise) with far worse temper.

Yes I believe many Australian drivers are very aggressive (they appear to want to take their frustration out on other drivers).



Back to topic, I have not had any issue with renting an automatic car at any of the locations mentioned. It just sometimes costs a bit more.

Do rental companies even stock manuals anymore? The last few times I've rented a manual, they proudly announce that they've "upgraded" me for free to an auto upon pickup. A couple times now I've cheekily asked if they can downgrade me again, and have always said no, no manuals available.

I hate driving autos! :mad:

Do rental companies even stock manuals anymore? The last few times I've rented a manual, they proudly announce that they've "upgraded" me for free to an auto upon pickup. A couple times now I've cheekily asked if they can downgrade me again, and have always said no, no manuals available.

I hate driving autos! :mad: ^ I thought I was the only one who objected to being "upgraded" in this case, I detest automatics with a passion!

Dave

I get an FCAR on a corporate for ~$50; (Falcon type) - these days most have selectable semi auto where you can shift up/down. No clutch and shifts will happen anyway if the compute thinks you are stressing the car too much.

Yes I believe many Australian drivers are very aggressive (they appear to want to take their frustration out on other drivers).
And cyclists :confused: Its not a pleasant place on a bike in Sydney - and the further west you go, the worse the drivers are. Worst time is after 3pm when the tradies are on their way home in their utes and have had a beer or two - so they are absolutely effing heroes on the road....:rolleyes:

Do rental companies even stock manuals anymore? The last few times I've rented a manual, they proudly announce that they've "upgraded" me for free to an auto upon pickup. A couple times now I've cheekily asked if they can downgrade me again, and have always said no, no manuals available.

I hate driving autos! :mad:

Totally agree re hating autos. Had a funny situation in Perth recently, rocked up with my Hertz 5* card for a pre-booked car and the counter agent was looking sad, she asked me if I could drive a manual.Could I? Heck yes I prefer them. Big smiles on both our faces and seconds later I was happily driving away in a manual car.

Chalk me up as another whp prefers a manual, I was quite pissed off on my last trip to Mt Cook/Queenstown when I was upgraded from a manual focus to an auto.

OT but a tip none the less: If you see a van parked between the two sides of the Captain Cook Highway, North of the Cairns airport, watch your speed. It's likely to be the speed camera van which always seems to be around there :(

Me too. Bunch of countries, Australia and Israel come to mind immediately, where a) you will all too often get such an "upgrade" and b) the only MTs they stock are pieces of crap.

Sometimes Europe rocks.

The funniest thing I've heard from a rental car salesperson was in Hawai'i - "are you sure you want that car? You don't want something a bit bigger?"
like it was a good thing!! Good lord, americans and their monster truck obsession.

And the most insulting thing, in NZ of all places - mr k_sheep booked the car, and wanted put me on as an additional driver. Guy said "oh sorry, we didn't realise you were bringing your wife, unfortunately we've given you a manual car". ...? For one, we have different last names and no wedding rings, why the hell does he assume we're married? And since when can't a girl drive a manual?? I felt like decking the guy and challenging him to a reverse parking and clutch starting competition. But this may have been because we'd been waiting 4 HOURS to pick up the car at this point with no food or water and I was slightly tetchy.

/end rant

So anyway, back on topic ...

LoL k_sheep, nice rant.

That was such an entertaining read and as much as it was off topic, I encourage you to begin a new rant thread.

/me is a fan :D

I please to aim, or something.

You should've heard the one about the incompetent travel agent .... hooo boy.

The funniest thing I've heard from a rental car salesperson was in Hawai'i - "are you sure you want that car? You don't want something a bit bigger?"
like it was a good thing!! Good lord, americans and their monster truck obsession.

Last summer (2008) gas prices spiked. Big cars and SUVs suddenly became unpopular; nobody wanted $125 fill-ups and renters were going for the smaller vehicles. They were trying to sell you on an vehicle that had fallen out of favor.

A recent article in the travel section of our paper found the reporter being offered a Hummer as an "upgrade". He thought it might be fun. He found himself getting disapproving glances whenever he parked and actually got a few snide comments at gas stations. (Hummer sales have dropped about 70%...fine by me!)

The "monster truck obsession" seems to have died out.