If you’re planning a road trip in New South Wales, you need a trustworthy car to ensure that your adventure goes off without a hitch.
NSW roads are calling, and you need wheels that won’t bail halfway to the Blue Mountains. The good news is that there are many hire car businesses in the region that can suit a wide range of travellers, whether you’re a solo driver looking to snag a budget-friendly runabout to get you places or you’re looking for an upgrade to something roomy enough for road tripping with the whole family as well as all the gear that accompanies them.
That said, finding the best road trip car in New South Wales can be a little confusing if you’re unsure where to look. You can’t always rely on car hire being available if you’re travelling from interstate or an affordable used car that might be knocked around a bit and end with you Googling roadside assistance at 2am.
If you want to ensure that your upcoming trip goes as smoothly as possible, then you’re in the right place. We’ll show you how to find a road trip car that actually works for your NSW adventure.
Whether you’re sticking to the greater Sydney area or heading out to the far corners of the state, this guide will give you a clear picture of the road trip car to get you where you need to be.
Car Rental Companies at the Airport
One of the most reliable ways to secure a four-wheel drive is to enquire at the airport when you land. More often than not, there’ll be a car readily available for you, with kiosks for major car companies located in the arrival halls of most airports across New South Wales.
These car companies are internationally recognised and well established, giving you peace of mind that you’re dealing with a legitimate provider. Brands like Hertz, Avis and Europcar are just a few of the brands you’ll spot upon landing in the main airport hubs in Sydney.
That said, it’s not always a guarantee for you to secure your number one (or even fifth) choice when you inquire about a car rental on the spot. Availability can be limited, especially during peak seasons, or if you’re planning to hire a car for a long time.
Same-day enquiries can also push the price up, which adds up quickly if you’re hiring for several days. It’s best to call or email the car company in advance to reserve the right vehicle. That way, you can land knowing a solid car is waiting for you and your road trip can start stress-free.
2. Car Dealerships
If you plan to buy a car to own outright for extended road trip adventures, then you can count on local car dealerships to provide you with an excellent selection of automobiles.
Sydney and the broader NSW region have no shortage of car dealerships where you can shop for a car of your choice. These places boast a wide catalogue of cars of various makes, models, and even brands, making it an easy and efficient way to narrow down your car selection and get you closer to your dream road trip car.
On top of that, these dealerships also have car sales representatives who can help fill in information gaps about specific car-related questions you may have, helping you clear up any questions you may have and ultimately helping you make an informed purchasing decision.
Car dealerships often allow car buyers to access a range of different financing options, like installment-based payments or loan-based payment schemes. If you have a poor credit score, some dealerships may find you too risky a client to give you access to favourable credit deals. In this case, consider accessing bad credit car loans with Azora to finance your purchase in the meantime so you can get your NSW road trip journey started sooner rather than later.
3, Online Car Marketplaces
Another reliable place to secure your next New South Wales road trip car is by scouring the internet, particularly car marketplaces. In Australia, there are many popular websites that facilitate the buying and selling of secondhand cars. Some popular ones include Carsales, Autotrader and Gumtree. A few users also use Facebook Marketplace to advertise their cars and connect with potential buyers.
In any case, these platforms are excellent for finding third-party buyers who may be selling their cars for a fraction of the price in dealerships. In some cases, these cars may be being phased out or not available for purchase in the general market, making one even more meaningful to take with you on your NSW road trip journey.
The great thing about car marketplaces is that the people you’re dealing with are fairly flexible in terms of how they price things. You are free and expected to negotiate payment terms however you want, and if you and the seller can’t agree on a rate, many other sellers out there may be willing to budge.
In any case, it’s still important to inspect the car that you buy from these platforms. While the deal may look good at a glance, the car may be suffering from hidden mechanical kinks that may not be seen in the pictures. As such, always request to give the car a test drive before formally initiating the car transfer.
4. Car Sharing Apps
Did you know that you can simply download an app, register in it, and have a wide range of cars available for hire on the same day? That’s possible in New South Wales, and it’s a popular and non-committal way of securing a road trip car before your grand adventure.
Car sharing apps are popular ways to rent cars during specific time periods, granting you flexibility for short trips and weekend getaways.
They work similarly to Uber and ride-sharing apps in that the app gives you relevant information about the vehicle and its price, but of course, the major difference is that you have to drive the car yourself. You’ll also have to return it to a designated drop-off point at the end of your trip.
That said, car-sharing apps are more prominent in cities like Sydney, where there’s a large range of vehicles readily available for pickup and spots for drop-off. But if you’re starting your journey from here and want to enjoy a seamless and contactless journey for your upcoming road trip, then this car-sharing method can be a great alternative to secure your ride.
We hope these tips will serve you well on your next road trip. Happy trails.
An award-winning travel writer and photographer, Aleney de Winter was fresh from school when she first set off to explore the far reaches of Australia with a two-man tent and a beaten-up Kingswood for company. Three decades, and two kids later, and she’s still on the go, with her itchy-footed offspring in tow.
