How big is Australia really, and what do tourists often misunderstand about traveling between cities like Sydney and Perth?

Australia isn’t really that big. Its only about the same size as Europe, or continental USA.

But it seems way bigger when you are driving around.

You know how when you looked for your last home, it seemed much larger before you moved all your furniture in? That’s the problem with Australia. No furniture. Drive across the US or Europe on most routes and you will pass through lots of small towns, lots of signs of civilisation.

But drive 250 km across the Eyre Hwy, Sturt Hwy, or any road in WA without seeing a goddamn thing of interest, and the size of Australia is rubbed in your face. Australia may be no bigger than the continental USA, but its a damn sight longer drive to the next town. And that is one of the ways humans measure distances.