8 Things To Know Before Travelling to Australia

Australia is one of the countries that has recently announced good news regarding the COVID 19 situation. It seems that the situation with the virus is under control and governments are slowly lifting the restrictive measure, reopening restaurants, cafes, museums and allowing hotels to host visitors.

If you are planning to travel to Australia the best choice would be to head to one of the major cities where you can find safe accommodation with exceptional service that aligns with the safety protocols. You can book an excellent 5-star hotel in Melbourne or Sydney to make your trip enjoyable even in today’s circumstances.

Apart from that, you may still need to do a bit of research before leaving for Australia. In fact, checking the travel status, finding convenient accommodation and booking your flight may not be enough to get you prepared for the trip. Here you can find the 8 most important things to consider before heading off to Australia!

1.    Check Your Documents

Depending on your nationality, you may need a valid visa to enter Australia, even for a short stepover. If you are travelling as a tourist, you can apply online for an Electronic Travel Authority Visa. However, depending on your personal circumstances, you may need to seek a different immigration status. To find out which visa is the right one for you, we recommend checking out the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website.

Depending on the country you are arriving from, you may need to have a document proving you are negative to COVID 19. You can contact the Australian embassy in your country to get more info on the procedures.

With the restrictions the pandemic imposed, many people were forced to cancel their wedding celebration planned for this year. For some of them, this is a chance to travel and get married in Sydney, in a small wedding venue that will host the most beautiful and intimate wedding. If you and your loved one wish for a memorable wedding, in the year no one will ever forget, you may need to take your birth certificates with you in order to get married under the law.

2.   Check The Weather

We all wish to spend our vacation sunbathing and enjoying the best weather. However, this may not be the case when visiting Australia. In certain parts of the country, such as Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria, it rains for most of the year. However, up in the north of Australia, it tends to be hot and humid. On the other hand, Australian summers are particularly hot, with temperatures rising above 40 degrees Celsius.

In other words, you should do a bit of research into the Australian weather forecasts for the region and period you are visiting. For example, Melbourne is known for four seasons in a day, meaning that you really should be prepared for every situation!

3.    Australia Is Huge

No matter how meticulously you are planning your trip: you will still need a few months to at least have a grasp of all the places in Australia. You can hop on a quick flight from one side of the country to the other, but this will still take a few hours. Each state in Australia is so vast and has plenty to do that you need to plan everything in advance to not waste your time getting lost.

4.    Say Goodbye To Your Pennies

Prices in Australia tend to be rounded to the nearest five cents, which is also the smallest change provided. You may want to take this into account when changing your currency before travelling, and when shopping for some cool souvenirs.

5.    Cars Drive On The Left

Renting a car is usually a convenient way to explore Australia, but you must remember to keep left. Even if you don’t drive, but you decide to rely on public transport and your legs, be sure to look right before crossing.

6.    Should I Tip?

Tipping in Australia is not mandatory, but it can be a way to show your gratitude for extra or exceptional services. Waiters, taxi drivers and bartenders will not be expecting any tip from you, but it is still nice to at least say thank you. Besides, cafes and restaurants usually have a tip jar. If you wish to tip, you can round up your bill by 10 or 15 percent.

7.    Swim Between The Flags

If you cannot wait to swim and surf in Australia’s ocean, you must first remember that these waters are host sharks. Although these animals will not necessarily have you as their dinner, you must follow the rules and be careful. This means you must always swim between the flags, which will guide you through the safe areas to swim in.

Beaches in Australia can also hide different dangers, such as rips caused by strong currents. For this reason, beaches are always patrolled by lifeguards, and the status of the water is signalled by red and yellow safety flags. Most importantly, if you choose to explore the underwater world, be sure to never swim alone and to let the lifeguards know your intention.

8.    Be Prepared for any Emergency

We wish you a pleasant journey to Australia, and we are sure you will enjoy your time there. However, an emergency can happen to anyone, at any moment. For this reason, it is crucial to not panic and to know what to do.

When in an emergency in Australia, you must call Triple Zero (000). You will be immediately directed to either the police, fire department or ambulance, depending on your emergency and the severity of the situation. An operator will guide you through the entire process and, if necessary, help you via phone while you wait for them to reach you.

It is of utmost importance, especially in today’s circumstances, to have good travel and health insurance while on the road. Travel safely!


Did you enjoy what you just read? Then you'll LOVE our book!
Going Gypsy: One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All Going Gypsy One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All 

- See how it all began!
ORDER NOW - Wherever Books Are Sold!
Amazon - Barnes & Noble - IndieBound - Books-a-Million
Also available as an audiobook from Audible.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.