Australia as seen by car :: Wanna take a drive with us?

Joshua loves seeing the big trucks on the road. It’s not unusual to see huge trucks like this on highways and even normal, every day streets. It’s not my imagination that the lanes are narrower here. They are. Thankfully, truckers are good drivers here. Plus, I’m sure it helps me slip by when I hold my breath and hold my door handle tighter…

These random stops for breathalyzer test aren’t uncommon. It was 11am. It’s actually encouraging to see in light of this being a country with the greatest-per-person drinking ratio (I believe).

Genius Aussie Idea #1: “L” & “P” plates. They are signs that people, by law, have to hang in their car when the driver is a Learner (L) or Permit-holder (P). A great, subtle way of saying, “watch out/gimme space!”

Great Aussie Idea #2: Keep Left signs. Knowing how many international drivers they have here who grew up driving on the other side of the street, these constant reminders have saved me more than a few “ooops” swerves.

Great Aussie Idea #3: The bus-only lane and the light that turns green just for them, a few seconds before all other lanes of traffic. Genius way to help keep buses on schedule.

Great Aussie Idea #4: lights above parking spaces. Red=occupied, green=hurry up and snatch it. Why didn’t I think of this? Now that you’ve landed the parking spot (often hard to find) is the 12-point turn because the spaces are so small.

Speaking of buses, here’s what the school buses look like, Mom.

The 1,439th purple car we’ve seen here. I’m serious. Not sure what the draw is to this color but more than a few people love purple. We jokingly increase the count every time we see one.

Uniforms are the new black here (all schools use them–and identical sun hats during half the year) and these cute kids are coming home from school.

Roundabouts. 11 months into our time here and I still have to think–and sometimes say out loud–“look right!” Traffic from the right has the right-a-way. Let’s just say I’ve heard one or two honks that have helped me remember.

Land is crazy-expensive here so people tear down houses and maximize the space by building as many apartments or small houses as can fit on it. Thus, the addresses seem odd, in writing. Unit one is 1/19 and unit two is 2/19.

And since land is so valuable, often it’s sold to a business. Their zoning often makes me laugh as you’ll see a house next to a business (like our chiropractor’s office here) next to another house.

About every 10 minutes as you drive, you’ll see a strip of shoppes that look something like this. There will usually be a Post (post office), a Chook/Charcoal chicken place, a Milk Bar (little convenience store), another restaurant like a Chinese takeaway (takeout) and, maybe, an Op Shop (like a Goodwill)

Many houses have built-in shutters or block-out blinds. The sun does seem brighter Down Under, thus the mandatory sun hats for kids.

The kids’ toys in stores reflect the country’s love of caravans (RVs and pop-up campers). When people holiday (vacation) here, it’s often by camping and/or caravaning, for cost.

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