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Service and community facilities signs

When travelling on expressways and highways you will see service signs and symbols directing you to services and community facilities.

Most service signs have a blue background with a white design. They might notify you of nearby:

Some signs are white with black text and have more detailed information.

Service centre, petrol, food and drink signs

Sign Meaning
blue sign with white text, service centre next exit. Next service 45km

Motorway service centre next exit / service signs

These signs tell you that you can access the service centre by taking the next exit. They also show the distance to the next service, which can include access to:

  • petrol
  • water
  • repairs
  • food
  • rest areas
  • camping or caravan sites.
blue sign with white text, next service 25km

Next service distance signs

These signs show the distance to the next service.

blue sign with white petrol pump icon

Petrol sign

These signs let you know that a petrol station is ahead that is open between 6am and 8pm every day at a minimum.
blue sign with white cup and saucer icon

Refreshments or cafeteria signs

These signs let you know that you can stop for refreshments ahead.

blue sign with white fork and spoon icon

Restaurant and licensed restaurant signs

These signs let you know that a place serving sit-down meals is ahead.

Rest areas and parking signs

Sign Meaning
blue sign with white icon of a picnic table under a tree

Rest area signs

These signs show where there are rest areas.

A rest area is a place away from the road where you can park your vehicle safely to take a break and stretch your legs. Rest areas may provide:

  • picnic tables
  • BBQs
  • playgrounds
  • toilets.
blue sign with white icon of a picnic table under a tree and the text 2kmblue sign with white icon of a picnic table under a tree with text 1km left laneblue sign with white icon of a picnic table under a tree and an arrow

Rest area ahead signs

These signs let you know a rest area is ahead and how far away it is.

The sign may also show which lane to be in to enter the rest area.
white sign with black text, Notice, this area is provided for the convenience of the travelling public. Max stay 20 hours. Penalties applywhite sign with black text, Notice, this area is provided for the convenience of the travelling public. No overnight camping. Penalties apply

Rest area notice signs

These signs remind you that the rest area is not a camping area.

You may stay for a short break to manage your fatigue—up to 20 hours in any 4 week period.

Camping is not permitted.
blue sign with a large white capital letter P

Parking area sign

These signs tell you where parking is available.
blue sign with white icon of a truck and a large capital P

Truck parking area signs

These signs let truck drivers know that the area is large enough for trucks and they can park their vehicle safely on the roadside in the signed area.
blue sign with white icon of a truck with a line diagonally crossing it out

Unsuitable for trucks signs

These signs let truck drivers know that the rest area is not suitable for trucks.
blue sign with a large white capital letter P and a smaller train iconblue sign with a large white capital letter P and a smaller bus iconblue sign with a large white capital letter P and a smaller ferry icon

Park and ride—train, bus and ferry signs

These parking signs let you know where to park and then catch the:

  • train
  • bus
  • ferry.
white sign with a black icon of person sitting with red seatbelt across their front and the words fasten seat belts

Fasten seat belts sign

These signs remind you to put on your seat belt when leaving a rest area, parking area or tourist shopping area.

Accommodation signs

Sign Meaning
blue sign with white icon of a bed

Accommodation, hotel, motel, or guest house signs

These signs let you know that accommodation is ahead. The type of accommodation will be described and can include:

  • hotels
  • motels
  • hostels
  • guesthouses
  • cabins
  • bed and breakfasts.
blue sign with a white icon of a tent

Camping area signs

These signs let you know that there are camping facilities available.
blue sign with a white icon of a caravan

Caravan park or site signs

These signs let you know that there is a caravan park or site available.
blue sign with white icons of a tent and caravan

Camping and caravan site signs

These signs let you know that there are caravan and camping facilities available.
blue sign with a white icon of a caravan linked to a tank with an arrow pointing to the waterline

Dump point signs

These signs let you know that there is a dump point site available.

A dump point site is a place for caravans or RVs to dispose of their holding tank contents.

Visitor information centre and bay signs

Sign Meaning
blue sign with a yellow cursive letter i

Visitor information centre signs

These signs direct you toward visitor information centres.

Visitor information centres have information about the local area and staff that you can speak to. These centres have achieved tourism industry standards.

A distance sign will show how far away the visitor information centre is.

blue sign with a white letter i and the text bay 2kmblue sign with a white letter i, the word bay and an arrow

Tourist information bay signs

These signs tell you that there is tourist information on the roadside.

These tourist information bays are unattended displays that have:

  • information boards within rest areas
  • maps of the town or district
  • tourist information features.

Airports and public transport signs

Sign Meaning
blue sign with an icon of a plane

Airport signs

These signs show the way to the airport.
blue sign with an icon of a trainblue sign with an icon of a busblue sign with an icon of a ferry

Train, bus and ferry signs

These signs let you know that the public transport service shown is nearby. For example:

  • train
  • bus
  • ferry.

Emergency services signs

Sign Meaning
blue sign with a large white plus sumbol

Emergency medical services signs

These signs let you know that 24-hour emergency medical services are in the area, including:

  • first aid
  • hospital
  • ambulance.
blue sign with white chequered pattern above the word police

Police station signs

These signs tell you there is a police station ahead.

Community facility signs

Sign Meaning
blue sign with white icon of a person in a wheelchair

Symbol of access

These signs let you know that the facility is wheelchair accessible.
blue sign with male and female icons inside white sheltersblue sign with an icon of a person in a wheelchair between male and female icons inside a white shelter

Public toilets and accessible toilets signs

These signs let you know toilets are available.

When the sign includes a wheelchair symbol, this tells you that the toilets are wheelchair accessible.
blue sign with a white phone icon and the words help phone

Help phone signs

These signs show there is a help phone.

Help phones are available on the roadside for use in emergencies.

blue sign with a white phone icon and an arrow

Help phone—pedestrian indicator sign

These signs show the direction to go to use a help phone.
blue sign with a white phone icon

Public phone signs

These signs let you know there is a public phone available 24 hours in the area.
blue sign with a white icon of a person dropping something into a bin

Litter bin signs

These signs tell you where you can find a bin for your rubbish.
blue sign with a white icon of a water glass under a tap

Drinking water signs

These signs let you know that the water from the tap is safe to drink.
blue sign with white icon of a boat and trailer on a ramp

Boat ramp signs

These signs tell you that a boat ramp is available on the side road ahead.

A boat ramp is a designated place where you can move your boat in and out of the water.
blue sign with white icon of a wood fire

Fireplace signs

These signs tell you that a fireplace is available.

If the fireplace is not fuelled by wood, the words gas or electric will be on the sign.

Last updated:
10 September 2015
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