Australia what a country we live in, the people are friendly, the scenery is beautiful and everything wants to try and kill you. Only kidding…..or am I? the trick is to remember they are more afraid of you than you are of them! The land down under, the land of freedom and opportunity. The diversity of both the people and the land are what makes this country so special. At one end of the country, you will find dessert, coral reefs, beaches, and at the other end, you will find white glistening snowy mountains, rainforests, and metropolitan cities.
Australia
Australia is a huge country so allow plenty of travel time, you can drive for 12 hours and still be in the same state! However, every state, town, and city has something incredible to offer, break it up into sections and be sure to stop in the smaller towns to experience the laid-back attitude of true blue Australians.
Things to See and Do in Australia
The Great Barrier Reef
The Blue Mountains
Uluru
Sydney Opera House & Harbour Bridge
Hold a Koala (At the Zoo)
Kakadu National Park
See the Quokkas in Perth
See the Southern Lights Tasmania
The Great Barrier Reef
Off the coast of Queensland, Australia lies one of the largest coral reefs in the world, it stretches over an area of about 344,400 square kilometres. Swim, snorkel or enjoy the vast marine underwater world via a glass-bottom boat. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the World, it is the biggest living thing on earth and is visible from space.
Thongs
I bet that got your attention! Thongs in Australia are things that you wear on your feet, otherwise known as flip flops, jandals or an Aussie might call them safety boots. Australians are extremely laid back people, and 80% of us live near the coastline hence the need for the appropriate footwear. Thongs are widely accepted however just be mindful some places eg restaurants frown upon them as a dress code.
80% of the Wildlife is Unique to Australia
The weird, the wonderful and the downright adorable. Australia is home to some of the most fascinating and scary animals in the world. You will have plenty of opportunities to catch a glimpse of the national icons, Cuddle a Koala, feed a kangaroo and stare down an emu at the zoo but do not approach them in real life. Perth, WA is home to one of the happiest animals on the planet the quokka, they will pause to take a smiling selfie with the tourists. Hear the sweet sound of 100’s bird species the kookaburra sound like it is laughing at something really funny, the emu, cockatoo and brightly coloured rainbow lorikeet are all native birds to Australia. We are lucky to have cute, cuddly, bright and friendly animals however there are some you might want to avoid, Australia is home to some of the most deadly animals in the world, the redback spider, funnel-web spider, red belly black snake and the list goes one. As a child you grow up with these things, you learn to check your shoes if they have been left outside and watch for snakes when bushwalking. It’s easy just be on the lookout and you will be fine.
Helpful Hints when Travelling Australia
Accommodation
Motels and Hotels are quite affordable in Australia, you can find something decent anywhere between $100-$150 a night depending on the location of course.
Airbnb has a large network of properties throughout Australia, they offer some amazing rates on entire houses in pretty much every town. Airbnb has the feature to book a room in a house which also cuts down costs.
You could choose to hire a camper and utilize the free camping that is offered in many locations around the country, visit www.freecampingaustralia.com.au for more information.
Food
Eating out can get expensive an average meal at a pub will cost you around $25-$50 AUD. If you can visit the supermarket get yourself the essentials for breakfast and picnic lunches. It is a healthier alternative and saves you a lot of money. Australia is a multi-cultural country and you will find a range of different cuisine throughout the country.
Transport
Australia is HUGE! You can drive 12 hours and still be in the same state, do not let the maps fool you, give yourself enough travel time in between each destination. Driving is the best way to experience the smaller towns and unique countryside but be prepared for long days. If you are on a time limit the best way to get long distances is to fly with low-cost carriers eg Jetstar or Virgin, unless you get good specials this can get quite expensive.
Plan your trip to Australia, Pick the main destinations you want to visit and map out the most logical direction to do it. It is a huge country, do not underestimate it. Do your research beforehand, book and pay for as much as you can before you go so that you are not forking out left-right, and centre throughout the whole trip. See our resource page for some helpful links and websites to assist you with the planning process.
Suggested daily budget – $50-$100 AUD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming have been and paid for your accommodation prior to travelling, eating out a little, making most of your meals, and using the local transportation. Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher!)
What can I expect from Australia?
Currency:
AUD Australian Dollar is the Currency, all credit cards and debit cards are widely used throughout the country. No need to carry large clumps of cash with you there are plenty of ATM’s available or you can simply use your card. Be sure to check the international transaction fee though, Travelex offers a Cash Passport which is basically a pre-paid money card, for more information check out our post Travelling With your Money
Electricity:
For Australia, the associated plug type is I, which is the plug that has three flat pins in a triangular pattern. Australia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Best time of year to go:
Every season has something to offer. Summer can get extremely hot, in some places 40 degrees plus ensure you are prepared and stay hydrated. Spring and Autumn are sensational, not too hot, not too cold just perfect blue sky sunny days and cooler at night. Winter doesn’t really occur in the northern states like QLD, if you’re looking for a cold winter vacation head to Victoria where you will find world-class ski slopes.
Language
You will find that Australian’s do speak English however it is a unique version of English. Australians have the tendency to shorten everything, give you a nickname and most things will end in “O”. For example “Arvo” = Afternoon, “Servo”= Service Station, “Johnno”= John. You see the pattern here, if your planning a visit here are some key phrases that might help you communicate better with the local slang
G’day – Hello
Brekky – Breakfast
Devo – Devastated
Dunny – Toilet
Esky – An insulated container that keeps things cold
Frothy – Beer
Good On Ya – Good work
Maccas – McDonald’s
Reckon – for sure. ‘You Reckon?’… ‘I reckon!’
Ripper – ‘You little ripper’ = That’s fantastic mate!
Visa
Unless you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, you will need a valid Australian visa to enter the country. There are many options when it comes to the tourist visa head to the Australian Immigration website for more information on the visa you need.
Safety
You have to be careful where ever you are in the world, especially in big cities. Australia is safe as long as your street smart; don’t go down dark allies by yourself, have someone who knows where you are, all of the usual stuff.
Public Toilets
Australia is very well set up with roadside facilities, large petrol stations offer clean facilities or we have driver reviver stops, some of those can be a bit questionable in cleanliness o my advise take your own toilet paper and stash it in your car for those emergency situations.
Money Saving Tips
1
Hit up the Supermarket
Hit up the local Woolworths or Coles, get yourself the essential items to be able to make yourself breakfast and lunch each day, This will save you a lot of money and is a healthier alternative.
2
Utilize Free Camping Spots
Free Camping In Australia is huge, if you are driving around this massive country try stopping in at the Free Camping spots saving yourself money in accommodaiton.
3
Enjoy the Natural Beauty
Australia is a diverse and stunning country with so many elements from beaches, to mountains, to national parks to deserts. All of which are free to visit, good for the soul and the bank balance.
4
Buy your alcohol at a Bottolo
A Bottolo in English is a bottle shop, alcohol is very expensive at a pub or restaurant it starts at $8-$25 a glass. At a bottleshop is definitely the cheapest way to enjoy a drink, Dan Murphys are often the best in price and the largest selection.
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