Driving doesn’t get much worse

The major metropolis known as Sydney is a multicultural, vibrant city. It boasts the world famous opera house, beautiful botanical gardens, lovely beaches and a concrete jungle any city explorer would love. While the city is a must-see for anyone visiting Australia, for those wanting to head from the north to south or vice-versa, it is a traffic nightmare. Sydney during all hours of the day, and especially during rush hour or on weekends, is not a destination for the faint of heart.

What makes driving in Sydney so hectic is that the M1 freeway, which turns into the Princes Highway, slows down to a stop-and-go mess. The actual freeway portion of the M1 subsides about 20 km from the city and for that stretch, you hit traffic lights and suburban driving. The freeway begins again at the Harbour Bridge or Sydney Airport depending on the direction that you are coming in, but then hits traffic hell.

The roads are jam packed and the drivers, being from the city, drive like city drivers. This isn't the best-case scenario for chilled out backpackers who probably are just learning to drive in the left lane. Along with the traffic, street signs are hard to see and the time-tested tradition of U-turning is actually outlawed. Out-of-towners stick out like a sore thumb when trying to navigate the crowded streets.

For those coming north, one saving grace is the M7 bypass. The highway heads out west from the city and continues down toward the capital city of Canberra. Those heading down the coast can either bypass the city all the way to the capital, or head back onto the coastal highway after the major township of Sydney. The M3 and M5 both head from the M7 back onto the M1 (Princes Highway) after skipping over the city.

Enjoy road tripping through Australia! Don’t forget, when you pull out, look right to see if you are clear, and head directly into the left lane. This simple rule will keep you out of trouble and accidents. 

Photo courtesy of Bio City Studio