We are considering a trip to Australia and plan to rent a car. After 30 years of driving I have never drove a stick shift car (only automatics). This has limited us in some European Countries where only stick shift rental cars are avilable.

What is the situation for rental cars in Australia?

Hi, Bunchargum!
Most rental cars in Australia are automatics, so don't worry. You will have a great time with your rental car in the outback areas, but if you're planning to spend a lot of time in the major cities, you would probably find a car a handicap... my advice is to get out of the city first -- even if it's only to a very outer-suburb -- and THEN hire the car, so you're not wasting precious time fighting nightmare traffic jams and worrying about which way you are supposed to go. This will save you money, too, as the trains are fairly cheap (well, compared to Europe, anyway).
Have a great time!

G'day Bunchargum,
Alan is right, most hire cars are automatics.
However, should you plan on hiring a 4WD then better check with the rental compamy first to ensure yours is an automatic as there are also some manual ones about.

safe travels,
Mike

Most rentals are automatic - but do check before you confirm your rental as there are manuals around (they're usually the cheaper ones).

Hi, Bunch, Stick shift out of the question. It's tricky enough negotiation the 'round a bouts' anyway, not to have to think about shifting and where you signals and wipers are helps. We were given a stick, even though we requested an automatice. Luckily, they had one left on the lot for us in Cairnes. What a scary mess it would have been, let me tell you. I, fortunately, was familiar with the round a bouts since I had been there before, but my husband, who was driving, had never been to Australia, so I "save the day" for him, that's for sure. Demand an automatic. And have fun. It's was quite easy for him to get used to it. He just drove around the airport parking lot where we picked up the car, for a few minutes, till he got the hang of it.

We used a stick shift in both Autralia and New Zealand. However, my wife and I both drive "stick" cars.

I would NOT reccomened stick UNLESS your personal (day in and out) car is a stick.