What is the difference between a scheduled service and hop-on/hop-off bus?

Bus and coach standards are high in Australia and companies offer regular rest breaks and plenty of opportunity to stretch your legs. Some companies are scheduled services (running point to point to a defined timetable), while others offer extensive hop on/ hop off bus packages. They take you to all the popular backpacker haunts and some off-the-beaten-track places along the way. Hop on/hop off buses usually stop more frequently than coaches and are a great way to meet other travellers.

Oz Experience offer some great package options and they have retail stores in most major cities. 

Greyhound does cover the entire country with its Kilometre Pass. Passes for a minimum of 2000 kilometres are valid for 12 months and allow unlimited stops.

Premier. Firefly and Murray's Coaches are others who are providing interstate services.

TIP: It's important to book tickets early, especially during holidays when seats are in high demand. Aussies use buses too you know.

Sydney Coach Terminal is the easist place to talk to someone about which service suits you and buy tockets.  Its is conveniently located on Eddy Avenue at Central Train Station.

What is a packaged tour?

Organised tours are a great way to get to places not on the coach route. Tours are designed specifically for travellers and include everything from city-based day trips, for example from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, or from Melbourne to Philip Island, or two-day Sydney to Melbourne excursions through the Snowy Mountains.  Or look out for an “Ultimate Australia” experience. 

Here are a few ideas: 

• Spend a week in Kakadu National Park

• Do a 15-day tour from Perth to the Kimberley's 

• Trek from Adelaide to Alice Springs and the Red Centre (Ayers Rock)

• Go from Melbourne to Adelaide, driving along the world famous Great Ocean Road

• Do a whole island loop around Tasmania

THE WORD Australia brochure boards in most backpacker hostels in Sydney or at Sydney Coach Terminal are great places to pick up more information about bus/coach transport and tours.