The hustle and bustle of the city can be left behind as you visit one of the many national parks located in and around Sydney. They are a great place to unwind from the hectic city pace and a visit to any one of the famous national parks will bring you back to earth and remind you of the natural environment that surrounds the fast paced City of Sydney.

So, once you have acquired your appropriate roadmaps, jump behind the wheel and get out to these national parks for a day to remember of famous Australian bushland.

• Sydney Harbour National Park comprises a huge tract of bushland and several islands in Sydney Harbour. You’ll be able to enjoy long walks and see some fabulous aboriginal carvings and rock paintings as you visit places like Ashton Park and Dobroyd Head. Fort Denison is also one of the more obvious inclusions in this National Park as it is easily visible from circular quay, not far from the Sydney Opera House. You can take a specially guided tour to any of these places or you can simply drive through the inner suburban streets and find yourself in the middle of some typical Australian bush.
• Botany Bay National Park is located just south of the Sydney CBD in Botany Bay, the location of the first European landing in Australia when Captain Cook arrived in 1770. The purpose-built Discovery Centre paints a vivid picture of Australia’s early days and is a great starting point for numerous walks around the area, including beaches and natural bushland.
• The Heathcote National Park is located a little further south of Botany Bay, just near Port Hacking. There are several swimming pools to enjoy here as well as some fantastic walking trails through some rugged Australian bushland.
• The Royal National Park is adjacent to Heathcote National Park where tourists can enjoy some wonderful hilltop scenery as well as some of the more secluded and beautiful beaches in the area. The longest trek is just over 26 km long so it is not for the fainthearted, but is certainly worth the effort (especially as you will be travelling through some of the best surfing spots on the New South Wales coast). You can also take one of the shorter walks if you don’t have the time or energy for such a long trek.

You will probably want to rent a car in order to easily visit these national parks to give yourself the flexibility of being able to spend as much time there as you wish, without the restraints of a bus timetable. Of course, when looking for car hire, Sydney offers you an excellent range of options and you are certain to get a good deal.

1car1 offer affordable and convenient worldwide car hire, servicing Sydney, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. Our range of vehicles includes Economy, Prestige, 4WD, People Carriers, 8 Seaters and Commercial vehicles such as vans. To make a booking or view our range, visit Car Hire.

• The Local Taphouse. Visitors say that the food here is awesome and the beer is fabulous. It may be a little noisy but the atmosphere created in this Darlinghurst pub is second to none. Be prepared for large crowds whenever you visit, but if you can find a table tucked away upstairs you are guaranteed a memorable visit.
• Botany View Hotel. This fantastic little pub and bistro is located in the inner-city suburb of Newtown and has been rated highly with visitors consistently over the past 10 years. It oozes a relaxed atmosphere and is ideal for meeting friends and having a chat over a beer or two. The regulars usually hang out at the rear of the hotel where you will be welcomed to hang out too. The food is fresh and delicious and has a typical Australian theme, including fish and chips.
• Gilroy’s Hotel in St Leonards is becoming well known for its quick and tasty lunches and quiet environment. It’s a great place to relax away from the hustle of the city and the prices are very reasonable making it attractive to a lot of tourists. It’s a great place to visit in summer, and if you get there early you can be sure of a cosy table and a fun night out.
• The Riverview Hotel in Balmain was built in 1880 and is reminiscent of old Sydney town. Its heritage listing makes it a popular venue, coupled with its tucked away location in a small Sydney sidestreet; making it even more attractive to tourists and locals. Added to this, this pub has a different type of Australian history with it’s past owner being Australian swimming Olympic star, Dawn Fraser. Which ofcourse, makes it easy to understand how its popularity spread so quickly. Old world charm and modern cuisine are the hallmarks of this famous pub.
• The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel in the Sydney CBD is popular due to the variety of beers it serves. Adopting an English style as a reminder of Sydney’s origins, it has a reputation as being one of the better pubs in the inner-city area. A great spot to spend a lazy afternoon, the food also offers a great selection for the fussiest of palates.

As we stated at the beginning before we began our Sydney pub journey, if you have a car rental, Sydney pubs have a lot to offer you as you travel around the different areas on offer. But, be careful not to drink and drive. Better to play it safe and take public transport.

1car1 offer affordable and convenient worldwide car hire, servicing Sydney, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. Our range of vehicles includes Economy, Prestige, 4WD, People Carriers, 8 Seaters and Commercial vehicles such as vans. To make a booking or view our range, visit Car Hire.

Of course everyone has heard of the famous Bondi Beach. This beach has become synonymous with Sydney and Australia in general as an icon of the surfing nation that Australia prides itself as being. There is no doubt that Australians love to surf and most Australian adults have fond memories of childhood holidays to the beach with their families and friends.

So if you want to explore the best beaches that Sydney has to offer, let’s take a look at five best on offer. In fact, let’s count down from number five through to number one.

• Coming in at number five is Coogee Beach. With an abundance of cafes and bars surrounding the beach area, Coogee is a favourite destination with university students and backpackers. After a day’s surfing you can have a quick shower and hang around for the booming nightlife which, although a little more low-key than some of Sydney’s larger areas, still provides plenty of cheap entertainment.
• At number four is Manly Beach. If you have a hire car you can take a drive across the Harbour Bridge into the northern suburbs of Sydney down through Mossman to the ocean side beach at Manly. Manly Beach is also an easy ferry ride from Circular Quay and is popular with tourists and locals alike; who pack their towels and sunscreen and head across the harbour to this beautiful beach. The surf is always fantastic here and there are plenty of shops along the promenade, adjacent to the beach itself.
• Taking number three spot is Bronte Beach. Not too far from Bondi Beach, Bronte is a favourite destination for swimmers looking for a safer and more protected swim. This is because at the northern end of the beach there are safe swimming pools constructed to make a day out at the beach, a safe family choice. This beach is quite popular and a busy destination on weekends. Although not as trendy as nearby Bondi, the barbecues always attract plenty of visitors.
• Number two belongs to Bondi Beach. Sydney’s best-known beach has become a must-see destination for almost every tourist who visits Sydney. The bars, clubs and nightlife also make Bondi a popular night-time destination; but it is the beach which gives this area its famous aspect. Whilst now a trendy area, Bondi has always maintained a down-to-earth feel that is typically associated with the friendly Australian attitude.
• Tamarama Beach comes in at number one and is a fantastic alternative to Bondi. The facilities are quite simple but the sand and surf are second to none, with plenty of room for everyone swimming the surf, or relaxing on the sand. That’s what makes it an enjoyable destination for any tourist or visitor.

You can see now why Sydney has so much to offer when it comes to surfing and beach sight-seeing. All beaches are easily accessible with public transport, but when you have your own car rental, Sydney becomes a surfer’s playground!

1car1 offer affordable and convenient worldwide car hire, servicing Sydney, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. Our range of vehicles includes Economy, Prestige, 4WD, People Carriers, 8 Seaters and Commercial vehicles such as vans. To make a booking or view our range, visit Car Hire.

Whilst King’s Cross has always been a nightlife hub and has been made famous through many films and television programs, it is not the only place you can go to enjoy a night out. Oxford Street in Paddington is also a well-established destination with clubbers who flock to the street in their thousands almost every night of the week.

So, if you want to get a better idea of the places to visit it’s a good idea to drive around town a day or two beforehand to scope the places you might want to go. Let’s take a look at the top five Sydney nightclubs.

• The Dug Out in the Burdekin Hotel. Still regarded as one of Sydney’s best kept nightclubs secrets it is nevertheless extremely popular and has played host to many legendary events. Located in the basement of the hotel, it has a unique atmosphere that produces a cyclone of music that keeps patrons coming back again and again.
• The Gladstone Hotel located in Chippendale, not too far from the CBD, has taken over from the famous Abercrombie Hotel (which sadly is no more). Nevertheless the Gladstone now plays host to plenty of Brit Pop groups like Purple Sneakers and plenty more. Check out the upstairs bar while you’re there too.
• The World Bar. You will find this fabulous bar in the famous King’s Cross area close to Sydney’s CBD. It always has plenty of seating, the staff are great and they play host to a huge range of eclectic bands and DJs. The decor of this club has to be seen to be believed, even if you don’t enjoy the music you will love the artwork and decorative items you will find all over the bar.
• The Goodgod Small Club. This club used to be famous for its blue-and-white dress code. The DJs here are legendary including Jimmy Song and Spruce Lee and you can be certain they will encourage plenty of outlandish behaviour. House music early in the night followed by some vaguely familiar disco, is what you can look forward to at this amazing club.
• The Drum n Bass. Showcasing countless international stars and a regular showcase of local talent; this club could soon become a favourite haunt for you and your friends. Regulars claim the music is insanely brilliant most nights interspersed with a few low points. But it is the highs that make people come back for more, so why not join them?

So as we said at the start, if you have organised your car rental, Sydney nightlife has plenty to offer you as you drive around the city streets. The best part is, you won’t have to drive too far because all these clubs are located within a stone’s throw of the CBD.

1car1 offer affordable and convenient worldwide car hire, servicing Sydney, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. Our range of vehicles includes Economy, Prestige, 4WD, People Carriers, 8 Seaters and Commercial vehicles such as vans. To make a booking or view our range, visit Car Hire.

But there are still many ways in which you can reduce the price of your hire car so here are a few tips to follow to help you along the way.

• Check out package deals. When you’re making your accommodation or airline booking ask if there are any car rental deals of which you can take advantage. Hotels and airlines have partnered with major car rental companies around the world so it is more than likely that you will be able to package your car rental booking and save, sometimes up to 25%.
• Check and Recheck. If you cannot take advantage of any package deals, perhaps you are simply travelling between two towns and have no need of accommodation or air fares, it is a good idea to make your car booking as far in advance as possible. After you have made your booking it is a good idea to check on each week to see whether the rental price has changed. If the price has reduced, you can cancel your old booking and make a new one. You can keep this process up right up to the last day and may be surprised at how much you can save with this simple booking and rebooking tactic.
• Watch out for Prepaid Fuel. Some rental companies give you the option of prepaying for your fuel at discount rates. This can be a trap for some renters because if you do not use close to a full tank of fuel, anything left over is a bonus for the rental company, not you. You should also be wary of the prices charged for fuel, and it is worthwhile checking the retail price before accepting any prepaid deal.
• Over insurance. Before paying for any insurance on your rental car, check with your existing motor vehicle insurer to see if any of the liabilities will extend to rental cars. In the case of third-party liability insurance it is common practice for existing motor vehicle policies to cover you when you hire a car. You will be surprised how much you can save through not over insuring your rental vehicle. Another little-known tip is to check with your credit card provider to see what insurance cover is offered when you use your credit card to pay for your rental car.
• Avoid airport check-ins. It is common practice in many areas for airports to pass on state-based taxes on all rental agreements originated at airports. In some cases the impost can be as high as 20% of the rental amount, so if you can avoid paying at the airport you can save substantial sums of money.

By simply following these tips you can make substantial savings on your next car rental.

1car1 offer affordable and convenient worldwide car hire, servicing Sydney, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. Our range of vehicles includes Economy, Prestige, 4WD, People Carriers, 8 Seaters and Commercial vehicles such as vans. To make a booking or view our range, visit Car Hire.

• Always Plan Ahead. It’s just common sense really when you think about it. As soon as you have finalised the dates of your trip, start looking for hire cars immediately. By going online, or even checking with your travel agent at an early stage, you’ll be able to take advantage of the many early bird price reductions and save yourself a lot of money. You can achieve discounts of up to 25% when you book far enough in advance.
• Shop around. Even when you begin your search early on, make sure you don’t limit yourself to one or two companies. As you begin to shop online you will be amazed to see the variety of deals available from the numerous car companies on the Internet. This will involve a little bit of effort and time but you will be well rewarded with the savings you can enjoy by checking out 5, 6, 7 or more car rental firms before you make your final decision. If you are planning to hire a car for more than seven days, you’ll also be able to take advantage of the long-term rates that many companies offer.
• Car Hire Brokers. Have you ever tried a car hire broker? If not, it may be well worth your while having a chat to one to see whether they can offer you any special deals. These brokers are in touch with every hire car company and are often privy to special deals not advertised on the Internet or with travel agencies. They are typically involved with longer term hire deals but they occasionally have special offers for even short-term rental periods that you can take advantage of.
• Package Deals. When planning your holiday, you are not only looking at hiring a car. You probably want to book your accommodation, and maybe even a few tickets to some shows or tourist attractions that you are interested in. Your travel agent can show you how to make the best of a package deal which will incorporate all of these features. You can make some great savings this way not only on your car rental, but on the accommodation and tourist attractions as well. Sometimes your airfares can also be packaged in this way so you can save a bundle on every element of your holiday booking.
• Credit Card Deals. When you pay for your accommodation or car hire with your credit card, it is worthwhile checking to see whether any discounts can be obtained. Many credit card providers have signed up to corporate deals with other companies and pass on these savings to you as a reward for choosing their particular card. Your travel agent will not generally know about these so you should contact your credit card provider to see what offers are available. If you are a member of an automobile club you can also take advantage of similar specials.

So, by following a few simple steps you can save a lot of money on your car hire and accommodation, all in one package.

1car1 offer affordable and convenient worldwide car hire, servicing Sydney, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. Our range of vehicles includes Economy, Prestige, 4WD, People Carriers, 8 Seaters and Commercial vehicles such as vans. To make a booking or view our range, visit Car Hire.

The idea of renting a car for your holiday trip is often ignored by many families because of the costs involved. Sure, you have to allocate a little more cash to hire a car for your holiday but it is worthwhile looking at the benefits you will enjoy so you can have a balanced view.

• Why fly? When you look at the cost of flying between capital cities for example it can be much cheaper to hire a vehicle and enjoy a family trip together. You can have a lot of fun planning a road trip with your family even if it lasts only a couple of days. You will also enjoy the countryside and some families really enjoyed playing those road trip games from her childhood.
• What about a one-way trip? Have you ever considered flying one leader of your journey and then driving the other? This is another great way of saving costs especially taking into account expensive airfares that families have to pay to travel together.
• It’s too expensive. This is a fallacy which can be put to bed very early on. Many car rental companies have special deals, especially for one-way journeys which more than compete with other forms of travel, particularly flying. You can often negotiate excellent deals by paying in advance and booking on the Internet.
• Family fun? There is no doubt that a road trip can be a challenging experience for some families. But if you break up your journey with regular stops to visit places of interest, and learn to take a relaxed attitude, you’ll be surprised how much a family road trip can be a bonding experience.
• New places to see. It’s amazing just how much you miss when you fly. Taking a journey through some beautiful countryside and stopping off at interesting places along the way can only be educational, it is also great fun. You can find interesting places to visit on your return journey, learn a little history, and entertain your friends with photographs of your journey.
• The luxury of it all. Imagine how much you will enjoy driving a near new vehicle and enjoying all the latest whiz-bang high-tech inclusions that you don’t have on your own vehicle. It’s a great way to travel in a little bit of luxury if you choose or debate transmission, leather seating and high-tech audio systems. A rental car gives you the opportunity to do this so you can really on your journey from beginning to end. For the kids, you can even opt for DVD screens in the rear seats so they can distract themselves a longer journey and leave you to enjoy yourself.
• Safety. A rental car offers a much safer option than taking your own vehicle. You will have the peace of mind knowing that the vehicle is mechanically perfect and in the event of any breakdowns you are guaranteed a free replacement vehicle.

So next time you’re planning a holiday why not consider car hire as an alternative way to really enjoy yourself.

1car1 offer affordable and convenient worldwide car hire, servicing Sydney, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. Our range of vehicles includes Economy, Prestige, 4WD, People Carriers, 8 Seaters and Commercial vehicles such as vans. To make a booking or view our range, visit Car Hire.

Here are some really easy ways to save money and time when negotiating your next car rental.

• Size Does Matter. Think carefully about what size vehicle you will need to enjoy your holiday. If you are not certain about this it’s a good idea to have a look at cars as you walk past them in the street. Take note of the interiors and try to gauge the size of the boot. Remember that car rental companies will use their own terms like ‘medium size’, ‘compact’ and ‘large’ that may not line up with your way of thinking. You need to make your decisions based upon manufacturer’s names and models that you are knowledgeable about.
• Look out for Specials. It is really important to call as many car rental companies as you can to get some comparisons. Travel agents can be a good source of information here as well and they can often give you package deals that you may have been unaware of.
• Watch Your Driving Record. You’ll be amazed at what you might save when you’re driving record is exemplary. It pays to check that your driving record is acceptable before you arrive at the check-in counter. If you have had problems in the past it is best to be upfront as early as possible so you can avoid the disappointment of being rejected at the start of your holiday.
• Beware of the Extras! When you’re making your booking make sure you ask about any extra costs that might be involved. You may find that you will have to pay extra for things like Collision Damage Waiver, fuel charges, airport surcharges, underage driver fees and drop off fees. Of these extras, Collision Damage Waiver is the most important. You have the option of declining to pay the Collision Damage Waiver in which case you will be responsible for any damages to personal property and bodily injury. In some cases you may only be responsible for the first $1000-$2000, so it is important to clarify this as early as possible so you can choose the correct cover.
• Join a Frequent Renter Program. Joining one of the frequent renter programs entitles you to price discounts and preferential treatment when you arrive at the check-in counter. So you not only save money, but you can get on with enjoying your holiday a lot sooner.

The secret to really enjoying your holiday is to plan well in advance. There is no point turning up at the airport check-in counter to hire a vehicle when you have not thought through the details of your trip.

Remember, that when you are checking out the best car rental deals you can do a lot of research on the Internet before you arrive at your destination.

1car1 offer affordable and convenient worldwide car hire, servicing Sydney, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. Our range of vehicles includes Economy, Prestige, 4WD, People Carriers, 8 Seaters and Commercial vehicles such as vans. To make a booking or view our range, visit Car Hire.

If the car needs to be returned with a full tank of petrol give yourself the time to get that done as refueling at the car hire company pumps will be more expensive.

Cleanliness

Exactly what constitutes a clean car? Get a good understanding and a list if possible. Also check out the car before you leave with a company employee to identify any problems with cleanliness so you don’t get slugged with cleaning fees upon return for someone else’s mess.

Smoking

Ask about smoking inside the car. Even if it is fitted with ashtrays you may not be permitted to have cigarettes in the vehicle. Smoking leaves behind a strong odour and apart from an extra charge for smoking you will probably also face a large cleaning bill.

Unsealed roads

Get clear directions on where you can drive the vehicles and where you are not permitted to take it. Many unsealed roads are not allowable. If you have a breakdown or accident on one of these types of roads you will be charged and possibly the insurance voided.

Driver age

Under 25 years old will likely attract an extra fee, and that may be even higher if under 21.

Sales tax

This will vary from place to place but will likely not be avoided as it is a government charge. Be sure to ask about the rate of sales tax to avoid it becoming a hidden cost because you weren’t aware of it.

Insurance

Insurance will always have several areas to consider. You will need to find out what extra insurance the company offers and see if your existing car insurance, any credit card provider coverage, or personal insurance policies may already cover you.

Other areas to ask about for insurance are:

• Does insurance cover any damage occurring from striking the roof of car/van?
• Are the tyres and windscreen covered by insurance?
• What are the excess/deductable charges? The excess is the amount you agree to pay up to if damage occurs. There will likely be an optional charge per day to lower or remove the excess and this will vary widely.

Extra Kilometres

Some vehicles may have unlimited kilometers included in the overall costing. Be sure to find out before choosing your vehicle. If you exceed a daily kilometre limit the extra can add up as a hidden or uncalculated cost.

Airport Pick Up

Because airports charge the car hire company for the privilege of having the convenience of location, that charge will be passed on to you. The only way to avoid it is to look at the options for picking up your hire vehicle in a place other than the airport. If you can get around the inconvenience of travelling to pick up your car then you may be saving yourself a tidy sum of money.

Baby Car Seats

Baby car seats will probably attract an extra daily hire fee. This will apply to many things you might need so be sure to ask if you need extras like a baby car seat or roof racks.

Early/Late Return Penalties

You’ll probably be hit with late return fees in most cases so do try and give yourself extra time to get your fuel and get the car back. It may also seem strange but returning a car early is not always a good way to save money. If you have been given a special price for a certain amount of days hire and you return early, that arrangement will likely be voided and the cost may revert to the regular rates.

Additional Drivers

Never assume that once you hire the car anyone with a licence can drive it. It is usually only the person who signs the agreement that can drive the vehicle. Some may allow a spouse if prearranged and many will allow extra drivers for an extra cost.

Post Rental Charges: Parking Fine administration fee

Just when you thought you were safe and the car rental period is over and you’ve paid up what you owe, there may still be some extra costs afterwards. These can arise from things like parking fines so be sure to be clear on how much this is.

1car1 offer affordable and convenient worldwide car hire, servicing Sydney, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. Our range of vehicles includes Economy, Prestige, 4WD, People Carriers, 8 Seaters and Commercial vehicles such as vans. To make a booking or view our range, visit Car Hire.

Here are just a few of the fantastic places you can visit in and out of the city of Sydney:

City

• Taronga Zoo
• Opera House
• Sydney Aquarium
• Sydney Harbour
• Bondi Beach
• Manly and Northern Beaches
• The Rocks
• Sydney Markets
• Gardens, Museums and Galleries

This list is by no means exhaustive and with a car hire Sydney will probably go down as one of the most memorable places to visit.

Country

• Blue Mountains
• Hunter Valley Wine Country
• New South Wales Coast

These three areas alone will have you clocking up the kilometres as you strive to see as much spectacular scenery and taste world class wines and foods as you travel.

Holiday At Home

Hiring a car is a great way to see more of your local area. Often we overlook that which is closest to us and never take the opportunity for a day break or weekend stay closer to home. You not only keep your money in local communities but you help local family businesses survive and prosper.

When you have unlimited kilometre car hire you are free to go as far as you like on any day. Freedom like that enable you to do more on impulse and let the day take you where it will rather than following rigid scheduling which can dampen holiday spirits.

Vehicle Type

There will be some types of vehicles that may have a daily distance limit and so you may have to look at your needs. Generally speaking standard car types will be unlimited and there may also be restrictions to how far you can take the vehicle. For instance a Sydney car hire may be restricted to NSW under certain circumstances so always enquire first.

Luxury cars, utes, and vans usually have a daily limit but for short trips from a Sydney based stay should not require anything more than a comfortable standard vehicle.

Based In Sydney

There are so many places you can choose from and if you are in Sydney for any length of time you might consider travelling in a different direction each day and then back to home base. This way you won’t be paying any extra charges for dropping the vehicle off elsewhere as you travel.

Everything from dolphins to crocodiles, to caves, to mountains can be experienced in day and overnight trips from the city. This is why Sydney is one of the most favoured tourist destinations in the world.

1car1 offer affordable and convenient worldwide car hire, servicing Sydney, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. Our range of vehicles includes Economy, Prestige, 4WD, People Carriers, 8 Seaters and Commercial vehicles such as vans. To make a booking or view our range, visit Car Hire.