Govt mulls Mandarin road signs

Australian road signs could soon be translated into Mandarin in a move to attract more Chinese tourists, and make it easier for the growing number of "self-drive" Chinese tourists to find their way around.

The radical proposal is being pushed by Federal Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck who wants to follow the lead of Melbourne's Chinatown - where Mandarin translations are already seen on restaurant boards - and see road signs feature the language as well.

Colbeck said on Thursday that the initiative was important because Australia needed to make the most of the tourist boom.