There are several long-distance bus companies but Greyhound Pioneer Australia provides the only truly national service. Buses are comfortable, but travel between major cities is long. Australia has a rail network linking all major cities except Darwin. Few people travel long-distances by train as it is the slowest mode of domestic transport and is relatively expensive. Car rental is a popular and economical way to travel in Australia.
Highway run along much of the coast.
Australia's arts festivals attract culture vultures from all over Australia to enjoy drama, dance and music. The huge Festival of Sydney, which takes up most of January, boasts open air concerts, street theatre and fireworks. The Adelaide Arts Festival takes place at the beginning of March in even-numbered years. In odd-numbered years, Womadelaide, Adelaide's outdoor festival of world music and dance, occurs in February. Melbourne has a Comedy Festival in February and the Melbourne International Festival in October.