It’s time to get a little technical as we want to make sure you’ve got the right information when setting off on your next journey with SIXT. So today, we’re talking sealed vs. unsealed roads and how to get around Australia safely.
In short, sealed roads prioritise comfort, longevity, and reliability in populated zones, while unsealed roads provide essential access to remote locations but come with greater challenges and often restrictions.
What is a sealed road?
A sealed road is one which has been formed using surface treatments such as tar, bitumen, concrete or asphalt. Therefore, it has been permanently “sealed” using these materials.
Commonly, most Australian roads in major cities and surrounding suburbs are sealed.
What is an unsealed road?
An unsealed road is a road that has been formed and constructed but is not sealed with a hard material such as those mentioned above.
Outside of the major cities and in rural regions, you’ll mainly come across two-lane, undivided sealed asphalt roads.
The difference between sealed & unsealed roads at a glance
| Aspect | Sealed Road | Unsealed Road |
| Surface | Asphalt/bitumen/concrete | Gravel/dirt/sand |
| Durability | High (long-lasting) | Lower (needs regular grading) |
| Driving feel | Smooth, fast | Bumpy, slower, dusty/muddy |
| Vehicle impact | Minimal wear | Higher (stones, dust, suspension) |
| Common location | Urban/highways | Rural/remote/outback |
| Rental car rules | Usually allowed | Often prohibited (check policy) |
Driving with SIXT
When it comes to your car hire, we want to make sure you’re fully equipped with the right information to prevent any injury to you or damage to the vehicle.
Certain parts of Australia are not suitable for access by rental vehicles. This includes any independent low and hi-range gearing capability.
Unless we have given our prior written consent, SIXT strictly enforces conditions that restrict your use of the vehicle in these areas. As such, off-road driving routes such as beaches, sand tracks, fields and paddocks are not to be accessed in your car rental.
Unless you have purchased a snow pass, driving your rental vehicle in any area above the snow line or where snow chains are required is also prohibited.
For the full list of prohibited areas and routes, please visit our terms page.
Be prepared with SIXT
Now that we’ve covered the legalities, let’s talk about your next adventure.
If you are planning on seeing Australia one road trip at a time (and let’s face it, this is the best way to do it), take some time when planning your trip. Research the locations, routes, roads, and conditions. Familiarise yourself with the regulations, which may vary from state to state.
If you’re unsure about what type of vehicle will suit you best, you can browse our wide range of compact and medium-sized vehicles, SUVs, luxury and electric cars. If you need any extra assistance, simply give SIXT a call on 13 SIXT (137498) or pop into one of our nationwide locations.
You can view further information regarding the terms of your SIXT car lease in the terms section of our website, or don’t hesitate to contact your SIXT rental location should you wish to discuss these in more detail.
