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Electric Dreams: Take a ride in the car of the future

The Long And Winding Road: Road trip your way to a better state of mind

5 ways to entertain your back-seat travellers

So, you’re about to jump in the car and take the family on a road trippin’ adventure of a lifetime. You’ve got car hire sorted from Orana and you’ve plotted a course from Sydney or Brisbane that’ll leave the bustle of the...

Which Car for Which Holiday

School Holiday Car HireBeating the school holidays? Smart choice. An even smarter choice is picking the right car for your trip. Unsure? Fear not. Here is your pack-and-go guide....

Vehicle Safety

It was just over fifty years ago now that the world’s first three-point safety belt was invented by Volvo, replacing the basic lap belt. The seat-belt was at the time of invention a revolutionary leap...

Vehicle Hire Artarmon - Long time no post!

Some of you may have noticed that our blog posts have been in Absentia for a little while, but rest assured our blog posts are back and better than ever (in our ever so humble opinion) As you may be aware, Our Tempe branch is up and running. We are fully functional with...

Truck vs. Car

SIZE Obviously, a car is smaller than a truck. Which means your spatial awareness is challenged, plus your vantage point is much higher. It’s always a good idea to take a few practice turns (and parking) in an empty carpark to get a feel for your dimensions. POWER While it may not be as fast...

Truck Rental Tips

Truck rental is more involved than we may realise, coupled with the stresses and strains of moving and it can make for a very big day indeed! Our simple, yet effective tips will ensure you cover most...

Truck Rental Tips: Making Selecting the Right Truck Easy

Travel Australia

For the intrepid traveller or those simply looking for a relaxing getaway, touring Australia by car offers many unique opportunities to appreciate the incredible scenery and explore an amazingly diver...

Travel Australia: Great Australian Drives – The Safe Driving Edition

As we continue with our exploration of Great Australian Drives, we take a “pit stop” in this article to address the all important issue of safe motoring. This may especially be the case where you are...

Travel Australia: Great Australian Drives – The Northern NSW Outback Loop

This week our focus continues on revealing the best drive this country has to offer in the hope of encouraging our readers to seek out a true Australian adventure. As we delve deeper into this topic,...

Travel Australia: Great Australian Drives – The Birdsville Track

The focus of discussion shifted over the last few weeks from the future of automobile safety and vehicle technologies and what this change would herald for the private consumer and large commercial fl...

Travel Australia: Great Australian Drives – Sydney to Melbourne Drive

Whilst the drive is an attraction in itself with some of the most remarkable scenery you will ever see, we have below itemised major attractions along the way that certainly make a worthwhile stop:...

Travel Australia: Great Australian Drives – Rainforest Way

Travel Australia: Great Australian Drives – Nullarbor Plains

Travel Australia: Great Australian Drives – Great Alpine Road

The focus of discussion shifted last week from the future of automobile safety and vehicle technologies and what this change would herald for the private consumer and large commercial fleets, such as...

Travel Australia: Great Australian Drives – Fraser Island

Fraser Island lies along the Southern Coast of Queensland, just over 200 kilometers north of Brisbane. Being a World Heritage Site (as designated in 1992), it is an attraction of significant importanc...

Travel Australia: Great Australian Drives – Barossa Valley and Surrounds

We have below summarised some of the best stops as you meander through this beautiful region:Barossa scenic drive: This 57 Km long drive is suitable for all vehicle types and does n...

Travel Australia: Coastal Drives - Great Ocean Road

Trailer Parking, Trailer Towing Guide

Reversing a trailer is up there with one of the world’s most difficult road manoeuvres. Empower your tow bar with these top tips:...

Toyota Prius

Toyota first introduced its Hybrid concept car back in 1997. Since then there have been a few updated models. Now Toyota are on their third generation model. They have refined their Hybrid Synergy Dri...

Toyota Camry

Hybrid vehicles are fairly cheap to run and have good fuel consumption. The Toyota Camry has two versions of the Hybrid. Camry H and Camry HL. Both of these have a 2.5L petrol engine as well as an ele...

The Van Can – a history of the minivan

1935 – William Stout invents “the Scarab”, a mobile office where one could be driven and work at the same time, however only nine examples were ever produced: it was considered too radical for its time. 1947 – It’s a long 12 years before Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon doodles the first ever sketch of the...

The Safe Driving Edition

The future of cars

The fine print

Find us someone who likes reading contracts, and we'll show you someone who could do with a weekend away. That said, the fine print on any agreement is important, so here we've compiled a cheat sheet...

The Birdsville Track

Tesla Model S

With the basic Model S car you get three different options for the battery. Each battery option are enclosed the same way and are integrated into the vehicle the same way. The batteries use automotive...

Sydney to Melbourne Drive

Sydney September 9 – 15

What’s On In Sydney September 9 - September 15Scots On The Rocks - Monday 9Are you a fan of scottish dancing? Why not enrol in an eight week course s...

Sydney July 22 - 28

Feeling Stressed?Are you getting stressed out at work? Or maybe the drive home is taking its toll? Well then every Tuesday at the E...

Sydney August 12 - August 18

An Evening with Brian Cox - Thursday 15Are you a fan of the ABC series titled ‘Wonders Of The Universe’ or ‘Wonders Of The Solar Sy...

Surviving the annual family road trip

1. Double your travel time However long you think you can do the trip in, count twice as long. Pushing on with tired, grumpy children (or grown-ups, for that matter) doesn’t make for a relaxing trip. Factor in multiple rest times, pit stops and any spontaneous detours. 2. Pack snacks Cheaper than service-station treats, and instantly deployable. Dry ones...

Study Finds Fuel Conscious Driving Increases Road Safety

The results of 3 recent studies have been published in a Green Fleet news letter (December 2011 edition) as follows:(a) Camera and copier company Canon performed a study of 350 of...

Smart Fortwo

2013 is going to see a brand new version of the Smart Fortwo. This one will be a pure electric version plus there is going to be a Cabriolet version made as well. When it goes on sale in America, it w...

Secret Sydney Airport

You only need to mention “M5 tunnel” t0 anyone familiar with Sydney’s south-east to elicit a groan of frustration. Frequently gridlocked, the arterial road to and from Kingsford Smith airport is a quagmire of commuters, trucks and pretty much anyone flying anywhere. Way to start a holiday. The government and Sydney Airport are about two ...

Safety Technologies

As Sydney and other major urban centres experience deterioration in traffic conditions, not to mention an increase in inner-city car volume, undoubtedly with a corresponding increase in vehicle relate...

Road Trips Revisited - Robertson NSW

Welcome to the first in a series of blog posts detailing short road trip destinations, tips and tricks...

Road Trips Revisited – Blue Mountains NSW

Welcome to the second of our blog post series dedicated to short road trips from Sydney. In this article we will be exploring the gorgeous and memorable Blue Mountains NSW...

Road trip: WA

City break: While Perth is still in possession of some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches, there’s more to this capital city than surf breaks and sundowners. Summer is an especially great time to visit: check out the quirky Fringe World in January, while the Perth International Arts Festival keeps the party going in February and March. A distinctly urban vibe is...

Road trip: Victoria

City break: When you hear the call of the urban jungle, it’s best to answer. Where else in Australia can you immerse yourself in amazing street art, fantastic cafés and some of the best shopping in the world? Thankfully, Melbourne also has the last word on cosy winter bars – unsurprising given it’s inclement weather...

Road trip: TAS

City break The “island at the edge of the world” has an art scene that certainly maintains major capital city status. Mona, a half hour fast ferry up the Derwent River, is a Disneyland (albeit the adult version) of weird and wonderful works. Currently on show is their ongoing exhibit Monanism, and Hound in the Hunt, a live...

Road trip: SA

City break: Discover Adelaide’s artisanal wonders with a tour of the South Australian capital city’s market scene. Adelaide Central Market is one of Australia’s largest fresh produce market, and deserving of its tourist-landmark status. Adelaide Farmers’ Market, Showground in Wayville is also worth a visit if “fresh is best” is your personal motto – the...

Road Trip: Queensland

City break: Only 30 minutes’ north of Brisbane you can escape to the Moreton Bay region. Where the countryside meets the bayside, the area offers outstanding views of the bay, beautiful mountain scenery and lush farmland. Beginning at the Redcliffe Aerodrome, this relaxing drive takes you to the Redcliffe Botanic Gardens, City Art Gallery and...

Road trip: NSW

NSW Road tripCity Break: There’s nothing like getting into the heart of Sydney city, and if you do it on a weekend, you’re almost guaranteed to have it all to yourself – Sy...

Road Trip: Northern Territory

City Break: Now’s a great time to start planning your Northern Territory getaway as dry season is April to October. First stop should be Darwin, one of Australia’s great unsung capital cities, closer to Asia than it is to Sydney and a foodie mecca. Check out its fantastic local produce at any one of the markets run throughout ‘The Dry’, as...

Road Trip: ACT

City Break Canberra has thrown off its boring-city shackles well and truly. The nation’s capital is the new shopping mecca, home to lots of unique boutiques and bustling markets. Nestled between Kingston and Manuka in the stylish East Hotel, Muse is where books and great food and wine collide; a meeting place for those who enjoy a grenache with their Grenville...

Rental vs Share

1. Cost structureRental Cost: Car share schemes primarily charge by the hour. Whilst there are car renta...

Renault Fluence Z.E

A new electric car that will hit Australia in the second quarter of 2013 being the Renault Fluence Z.E. It is an electric version of the compact sedan car. This vehicle was first shown in 2009 at the...

Reduce Environmental Impact

1. Minimise vehicle use where possibleThe most effective way is to reduce your reliance on your vehicle. Plan your trip to ensure there are no wasteful trips i.e. 5 short e...

Rainforest Way

Planning a Getaway this Holiday Season? Handy Tips to Arrive Safely and on Time

1. Drive fresh and well rested to avoid an accident: Fatigue related road accidents remain high on the statistics list during holiday periods. Some simple do’s and don’ts tha...

Pew Environment Group

Pew Charitable Trusts is the conservation arm of The Pew Environment Group which is based in the USA. Their aim is to help meet challenges of our time to save the natural environment and protect the r...

Out in Sydney

Comedy For BeginnersDo you make people laugh? Are you good at writing or telling jokes? Do you think you have a comic personality?...

Out and about in Sydney

July 15 - 21Here is a little high light of What's in store for Sydney over the next few days. Cold as it may be, there are no excuses to get out and ab...

Out and about in Sydney September 9 – September 15

What’s On In Sydney September 9 - September 15Scots On The Rocks - Monday 9Are you a fan of scottish dancing? Why not enrol in an eight week course s...

Out and about in Sydney July 22 - 28

Feeling Stressed?Are you getting stressed out at work? Or maybe the drive home is taking its toll? Well then every Tuesday at the E...

Out and about in Sydney August 5 - August 11

Comedy For BeginnersDo you make people laugh? Are you good at writing or telling jokes? Do you think you have a comic personality?...

Out and about in Sydney August 12 - August 18

An Evening with Brian Cox - Thursday 15Are you a fan of the ABC series titled ‘Wonders Of The Universe’ or ‘Wonders Of The Solar Sy...

Out and about in Sydney; A focus on Darling Harbour

A Day Out At Darling Harbour Do you plan to visit Sydney? Are coming to the city for just the weekend or are you taking your holiday here. You simply should not...

Orana Tempe Branch now open!

Car Hire Sydney Airport (Tempe) Orana Car and Truck Rentals Tempe Branch Now Open In 2013 we mentioned on our website that a New branch at Tempe would soon open. We are now pleased to confirm we have kicked open the doors at Tempe Orana Car and Truck Rentals! With the opening just over a...

Orana Rentals – now open in Brisbane!

Now, our friends in Brisbane can access what Sydney businesses and householders have enjoyed for four-plus decades.

Nullarbor Plains

NSW Outback Loop

New Western Sydney location!

For some time, we’ve wanted to serve our fast-growing Western Sydney customer base in a depot closer to their heartland. Now we can.

New look. Same unbeatable prices and service.

We're still your favorite rental firm. Now we look the part, too.No one wants to pay more...

Moving House

You’ve found a new house, signed your life away and packed all your belongings into boxes. Every. Single. One. Hard part’s done, right? Well, kind of. Getting your furniture and boxes to the new address, unscathed, is the next hurdle. Here’s how to do it safely, quickly and with the least amount of headache possible...

Mitsubishi I

One of the smallest electric cars to hit the market is the Mitsubishi I-MiEV. This is a five-door hatchback and it is the electric version of the Mitsubishi i. This car has zero drive time emissions p...

Mercedes-Benz E400

The Mercedes-Benz E400 is the hybrid version of the fuel driven E-class midsize sedan. It is basically the same but uses both a fuel engine and an electric motor. The engine inside is a E350 3.5 liter...

Lexus RX 450h

The Lexus RX 450h is the same version as the RX 350 but instead of simply a fuel powered engine it is a hybrid. The engine inside is a 3.5 litre V6 which has 183kW of power at 6000rpm and puts out 245...

Lease, Rent or Buy

Buying the right car is a crucial decision to make. After your home, it is often the second most expensive asset one will buy. There are many variables involved including price, performance, safety, f...

Lease, Rent or Buy: The Simple Guide to Motoring Economics

Hydrogen fuel-cells

Like batteries, hydrogen fuel-cells generate electricity by mixing two chemicals that react to produce an electric current. So, whilst they both technically fall under the term ‘electric car’, the tec...

How to... stay alert on a long drive

The long, dark highway stretching in front of us, the kilometres to get under our belt, the window down and music up to try and stay alert… it’s not just the province of long-haul truck drivers. That said, much can be learnt from those whose lives, and livelihood, are spent on the road. Here are some to...

How to... drive on sand

DO YOUR HOMEWORK As with any off-roading, research where you’re going. Local council websites can be helpful as to which beaches permit the use of vehicles. If in doubt, contact the local tourist information centre. Check out tide times to make sure you’re not caught off guard. Aim to start your journey on an...

Honda Fit EV

A new electric car from Honda is the Honda Fit EV. It provides a pure electric solution for motorists.The battery inside is a 20kWH Lithium-ion configuration but unlike other Li-ion batteries whic...

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic Hybrid has an IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system. This pairs a 1.5l engine with an electric motor. The electric motor can provide additional power when required. The electric motor i...

Holiday Season

1. Drive fresh and well rested to avoid an accident: Fatigue related road accidents remain high on the statistics list during holiday periods. Some simple do’s and don’ts tha...

Holden Volt

A new car to hit the streets late 2012 is the Holden Volt; it has been classed as a long range electric car. The Volt has a petrol engine as well as an electric motor however is not used in the conven...

History of the Ute

1925 The first series production ute was the 1925 Ford Model T. This vehicle had a two-seat body, with canvas hood and a wooden, stake-side body, on top of heavier-rated rear springs. 1933 A Gippsland farmer’s wife writes a letter to Ford Australia, asking: “Can you build me a vehicle that we can use to...

Green Focus: Small Electric Car - Mitsubishi I

Green Focus: Premium Electric Car - Tesla Model S

Green Focus: Pew Environment Group

Green Focus: LPG

LPG stands for Liquid Petroleum Gas and is a convenient energy source for a lot of different purposes which include cooking and heating as well as being a fuel for vehicles. LPG is also referred to as...

Green Focus: Long Range Electric Car - Holden Volt

Green Focus: Hybrid - Chevy Volt

The Chevrolet Volt is a hybrid built by General Motors. In the United States, the Volt has been rated as the most fuel efficient compact car with a fuel engine. This vehicle has won awards from previo...

Green Focus: Hybrid Car - Toyota Prius

Green Focus: Hybrid Car - Toyota Camry

Green Focus: Hybrid Car - Mercedes-Benz E400

Green Focus: Hybrid Car - Lexus RX 450h

Green Focus: Hybrid Car - Honda Civic

Green Focus: Hybrid Car - Ford Fusion

The Ford Fusion has been designed to be environmentally conscious. Internally the vehicle is powered by a high voltage electric motor as well as a 2.0l Atkinson cycle i-4 fuel engine.Available for...

Green Focus: Hybrid Car - Buick Regal eAssist

The Regal nameplate was dusted off and added to Buick’s lineup in 2011 for the first time since the 2004 model.The hybrid system on the Buick is called “eAssist”. It is a system which enhances the...

Green Focus: Hybrid Car - BMW ActiveHybrid 3

A new car by the makers of BMW is set for 2013 is called the BMW ActiveHybrid 3. The battery inside is a lithium-ion high performance one. Under the hood is a twin turbo straight six cylinder petrol d...

Green Focus: Electric Car - Smart Fortwo

Green Focus: Electric Car - Renault Fluence Z.E

Green Focus: Electric Car - Honda Fit EV

A new electric car from Honda is the Honda Fit EV. It provides a pure electric solution for motorists.The battery inside is a 20kWH Lithium-ion configuration but unlike other Li-ion batteries whic...

Green Focus: Electric Car - Coda Sedan

A new car maker which is formally known as Coda made its debut at the L.A. Auto Show in November 2010. They are a privately held American company and their headquarters are based in Los Angeles, Calif...

Green Focus: Electric Car - 2013 Toyota Rav4 EV

A new Toyota Rav4 which is being built to be released in 2013 in the US is an all electric version which will have a Tesla sourced battery. The outside of the vehicle will look similar to its petrol p...

Green Focus: Electric Car - 2013 Focus Electric

A new car called the 2013 Ford Focus Electric is an electric car developed that aims to ensure you will never need to use a drop of fuel and will never need an oil change. This car will be powered by...

Green Focus: Carbon Reduction Organisations, locally and around the globe

Over the coming few weeks, our focus turns to organisations that enable us to reduce our carbon footprint including ways in which to reduce and offset our carbon impact.We start close to home by f...

Green Focus: Benefit of driving an Electric Car

Why should you drive an Electric vehicle instead of driving a normal petrol driven vehicle?Here are just some of the reasons why you should.Electric vehicles are very env...

Green Focus: Benefit of driving a Hybrid Car

Why should you drive a hybrid vehicle instead of driving a normal petrol driven vehicle?Here are just some of the reasons why you should.The engine has been built so it i...

Green Focus: Australia’s CO2 Standards

The European Commission have announced in the last week that by the year 2020, the average emissions from all new cars that are built in the European Union should have no more than 95 grams of carbon...

Great Alpine Road

Future of Automobiles: Vehicle Safety

Future of Automobiles: Safety Technologies

Future of Automobiles Part 1

There are an abundance of companies pushing the boundaries, driving research and development into autonomous automobiles, also known as robotic or driver-less vehicles. These well-known brands have ac...

Future of Automobiles: Autonomous Vehicular Technologies Part 1

Future of Automobiles 3

For the past several weeks the focus of discussion has essentially been on future vehicular technologies. Whether these are new methods of powering our vehicles; such as the inception of hydrogen fuel...

Future of Automobiles 2

Last week the discussion progressed from a discourse regarding modern vehicular safety and the plethora of new electronic systems dubbed, “crash avoidance technologies”, to discussing the acknowledged...

Fuels of the Future

1. Battery powered vehicles:Battery technology continues to improve by the day however the range that it is currently able to offer is its key downside. The greatest range you can achieve with car...

Fuels of the Future - Revolutionary Ways Your Vehicle Will be Powered

1. Battery powered vehicles:Battery technology continues to improve by the day however the range that it is currently able to offer is its key downside. The greatest range you can achieve with car...

Fuels of the future: Hydrogen fuel-cells

Fuels of the future: Bio-fuels

Essentially a bio-fuel is an energy source derived from organic/biological material. Bio-fuel is commonly sourced and produced from animal fats, vegetable oils and plants. Starch crops and sugar crops...

Fuel Conscious Road Safety

The results of 3 recent studies have been published in a Green Fleet news letter (December 2011 edition) as follows:(a) Camera and copier company Canon performed a study of 350 of...

Fraser Island

Ford Fusion

The Ford Fusion has been designed to be environmentally conscious. Internally the vehicle is powered by a high voltage electric motor as well as a 2.0l Atkinson cycle i-4 fuel engine.Available for...

Focus: Formula One

Formula One is coming back to Australia in the month of March. It has been coming to Australia since it was first held at Phillip Island in 1928, however, at the time it was called the 100 Miles Road...

Famous vans and their stories

Ghostbusters Ecto-1 – Perhaps the most iconic van, this...

Essential Tips for Better Value Car Rental

Travelling can be a costly affair with car rental often being a big contributor. Following a few simple steps could turn you into a savvy rental customer and help you navigate through from booking to...

Driving an Electric Car

Why should you drive an Electric vehicle instead of driving a normal petrol driven vehicle?Here are just some of the reasons why you should.Electric vehicles are very env...

Driving a Hybrid Car

Why should you drive a hybrid vehicle instead of driving a normal petrol driven vehicle?Here are just some of the reasons why you should.The engine has been built so it i...

Driverless trucks - fact or fiction?

It’s the stuff of sci-fi movies starring Tom Cruise: convoys of trucks hauling cargo across continents… with no one at the wheel. In May 2015, the first self-driving truck drove the state of Nevada. Since then, driverless truck testing has occurred around the world, including a convoy that drove across Europe to the port of Rotterdam...

Darling Harbour

A Day Out At Darling Harbour Do you plan to visit Sydney? Are you coming to the city for just the weekend or are you taking your holiday here? You simply should...

Coda Sedan

Choosing the Right Van for Your Needs: 5 Tips to Avoid a Surprise

1. What size van do you need? The majority of vans come in 2 variants, 1 tonne and 1.5 tonne. Whilst this provides a measure of mass it does not assist in clarifying dimensions. Dimensions would be mo...

Choosing the right utility (ute) for your needs: 5 Tips to help you get it right

1. What size ute do you need? The majority of utes come in 1 tonne variants. Whilst this provides a measure of mass it does not assist in clarifying dimensions. Dimensions would be more relevant when...

Choosing the Right Car for Your Needs: 5 Tips to Make the Most Out of Your Car Hire

Renting the right car for your needs can be a simple process if you keep five easy-to-remember points in mind when planning to rent. These five factors can be the difference between a pleasant hire an...

Choose the right Ute

Choose the Right Car

Chevy Volt

Cars and Carbon: 5 Handy Tips to Reduce Your Car’s Environmental Impact

1. Minimise vehicle use where possibleThe most effective way is to reduce your reliance on your vehicle. Plan your trip to ensure there are no wasteful trips i.e. 5 short e...

Carbon Reduction

Over the coming few weeks, our focus turns to organisations that enable us to reduce our carbon footprint including ways in which to reduce and offset our carbon impact.We start close to home by f...

Car and truck rental versus Car share: A simple break down to cost the two options

1. Cost structureRental Cost: Car share schemes primarily charge by the hour. Whilst there are car renta...

Business moves in Artarmon

Ever since Orana Car and Truck Rentals moved to Artarmon in 1975, our Federation-era cottage depot at 7 Whiting Street has been quite the landmark.

Buick Regal eAssist

BMW ActiveHybrid 3

Bio-fuels

Better Value Car Rental

Barossa Valley

We have below summarised some of the best stops as you meander through this beautiful region:Barossa scenic drive: This 57 Km long drive is suitable for all vehicle types and does n...

Australia’s CO2 Standards

9 surprising road rules

that you've probably unknowingly broken. Here's a list of driving offences you could be pulled up for, according to Whichcar.com.au1. Beepi...

5 Tips to Avoid Surprise

2013 Toyota Rav4 EV

2013 Focus Electric

10 car hacks you need to know

TEST BLOG JUN

Tetris Master: How to pack up your van like a pro

It seems like a good idea – arranging van hire from Orana’s Sydney or Brisbane office. Some jobs just need the strength, interior space and load ability of a good ol’ van when a car just won’t cut it.