One of the exotic destinations you must see in Oceania is Australia, a fantastic adventure. This country has beautiful places and unique animals that will impress you. Located between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, Australia is a country with a population of 24.55 million inhabitants.
It has incredible views of nature like the Great Barrier Reef or the large sandstone rock formation "Uluru" in the center of the country. Keep reading and learn more about the different ways you have to enjoy your trip to Australia!
How to get there
Traveling to Australia can be a wonderful experience, and here we will mention some of the best airports in the country that will let you enjoy the experience from the moment you arrive there. One of the most popular cities in Australia is Sidney, and if you want to go there, we recommend the Sydney International Airport.
This is considered the main airport in the country (and the busiest), with restaurants, shops and international first class lounges. It is also easily accessible, via the Airport Link underground rail line and it has road networks in all directions.
Melbourne is a city in Australia, considered one of the best cities to live in the world. To travel there you can choose the Melbourne International Airport. This airport, which is also known as Tullamarine Airport, has four terminals. Other major destination in Australia is Brisbane. It has the Brisbane Airport, where you can choose from different dining options and enjoy the modern architecture.
Visa Information
All travelers that want to make Australia their next destination will need a permission to enter the country. This permission can be a tourist visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa. To apply for the tourist visa you need to go to your nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate.
To get the ETA, which is a type of electronic visa, you need to apply through a travel agent or at the ETA website. That will let you stay in Australia for up to 90 days.
Best time to visit the country
Whenever we travel to a large country, with different time zones, the weather will vary depending on where we will stay in the country. The best time to visit Australia will depend not only on what city you are going to visit, but also on what activities you want to do there.
For example, from December to February the temperatures are around 25°C, just perfect to visit and enjoy the beautiful beaches in Sidney, and to do outdoor activities. During the months of March, April and May, the average temperature in the capital Canberra is 10°C.
Different events take place in fall, like wine festivals and fashion weeks, so you should remember to pack some warm clothes if you travel there during this season.
Safety
Australia is a very safe country to travel to, although as a tourist you could be a target of common pickpockets, as well as in almost any other country. The important thing is to take basic security precautions to enjoy the trip as much as possible.
For example, not leaving your belongings unattended while on the street. You must be cautious when traveling to some areas affected by bushfires and where this problem has affected the air quality.
Budget
Most of the times we plan a trip, we do it based on the budget that we have available. What type of hotel can I stay in? For how long? How many attractions can I afford? Those are some of the questions we ask ourselves before traveling.
That is why it is necessary to do a little research about the prices that are handled in this new destination. The average travelers spend around AU$192 ($132) per day, AU$1,344 for one week and AU$2,687 for two weeks. These expenses include accommodation (AU$86 – $59.88), meals for one day (AU$40 – $27.85), local transportation (AU$41 – $28.55) and entertainment (AU$42 – $29.24). The figures quoted are based on a no frills travel style, so we can say it is the minimum you will need to travel to Australia in a mid-range style.
Let’s see more details about the prices of specific items in Australia:
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: AU$3 ($2.09) – Tacos at The Norfolk
- Mid-range restaurant: AU$45 ($31.33) - Including the appetizer, main meal, and dessert
- Soft Drink: AU$3.35 ($2.33) – 0.33 liter bottle
- Beer: AU$8 ($5.57) – 0.5 liter draught
We hope that the information above helps you plan your budget for your trip to Australia!
Currency
The official currency in Australia is the Australian dollar (AUD), which is issued in banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 AUD. Only about 37 percent of all commercial transactions in Australia are made in Cash.
You can get some of Australian Dollars by the ATMs located all around the country with charges for the use of your card. The common payment method is with debit/credit cards and in most places, Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards are accepted.
There is a method called the EFTPOS system (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale). This is an electronic payment system that you can use to pay or to get cash, and typically, no fees will incur.
Interesting facts about the culture
One of the first things we should know about Australia is its vastness. It is the sixth largest country in the world, despite being in the smallest continent (Oceania). This makes the country very rich in cultural diversity.
The official language in Australia is English, and it is good to know that they tend to have their own slang words, which makes the Australian English slightly different from the American or British English. For example, the trash can is called garbage pin, the sidewalk is the footpath, the parking lot is the car park and a pot luck dinner is called bring a plate.
In reference to the latter, if someone invites you to “bring a plate”, then you should ask if there is something in particular that you should take. Although in other places, it is not common to ask guests to bring something for a party or meeting, in Australia it is also usual.
Talking about food, if you go to a restaurant to take any of your meals, do not worry about leaving a tip. Menu prices (and employee wages) include service. If you do, it will be based on how you felt during the experience.
About the body language, do not make the “V” sign with your fingers or the “thumbs up” because Australians (also called “Aussies”) consider those gestures vulgar.
What to do in Australia
Australia is a great and peaceful country with fantastic and modern cities and charismatic people. One of the most popular cities is Melbourne, located in the Victoria State.
It is considered the best city to live since 2011, because its high levels of life quality and low levels of poverty. Melbourne is the center of sport and culture in Australia and host to several of the country's most significant events and sports institutions.
Places to visit in Melbourne
- The Yarra River, in Southern Victoria: A beautiful river in the state of Victoria that ends in the city of Melbourne.
- The Queen Victoria Market, in Melbourne Central business district: An iconic largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, in Birdwood Avenue: Beautiful and large Botanical Garden, founded in 1846, which has Australian plants and non-native gardens planted.
One of the biggest and popular cities in Australia is Sidney. It is known by its particular Opera House next to the harbor with distinctive candle-shaped design and the Harbor Bridge. In addition, you can enjoy the wonderful views of the sunset with the sea and some beautiful places that will make you want to stay in there.
Places to visit in Sydney
- Sydney Opera House: One of the 20th century's most famous and distinctive buildings. Arts center, which dominates the horizon and offers opera, theater, music, dance, and guided tours.
- Sydney Harbor Bridge: Iconic Bridge opened in 1932 accessible on foot, with viewpoint, and exhibits.
- Sydney Bay: You cannot leave the city without seeing the beautiful views in the Bay, perfect to do outdoor activities with your family and friends.
Is that all? Of course, it is not. You cannot go from Australia without going to Brisbane. A costal city with incredible parks to see animals and Green zones just to relax and enjoy the last days in the Australian country. Here you can see exotic animals and have a good fun with the little people in the family.
Places to visit in Brisbane
- Lone pine Koala Sanctuary, in 708 Jesmond Road: The world's largest koala sanctuary with a zoo housing native Australian species.
- South Bank, in Stanley St Plaza: Large public recreational park with lawns, gardens, a swimming river, and a Ferris wheel.
- Sea World, in Main Beach: Oceanography theme park with a wide range of animals, shows, attractions and interactive visits.
How to get around
Moving through Australia is not hard with the efficient of the transportation services in the country. The easiest way to move in Australia is by plain; fly is the earliest and comfortable transport but is the most expensive. You can get around by a bus service, which is comfortable, efficient and reasonably priced.
Long-distance coaches generally have air conditioning, reading lights, adjustable seats and free Wi-Fi. If you want more freedom, you can rent a car in the major airports or in the central city locations. In addition, you can choose to travel all around the Australian country by train, in a wonderful and comfortably travel.
How to stay connected in Australia
In Australia, three main operators will let you stay connected in the country. These operators are Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. Telstra offers plans from $55 to $115 a month, including lots of data to navigate and use social networks.
Optus is the largest telecommunication company in Australia and offers packages from $39 to $79, including all the services (data, minutes and texts). Vodafone is a multinational telecommunications company, which offers SIM-Only plans from $40 to $80 including unlimited data and more.
The options mentioned are very good if you are looking for a local operator, however, we also want to recommend you an international provider called SimOptions that has different offers for Australia that can interest you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I rent a car?
If you can afford renting a car, it is a comfortable way to get around cities, but the bus services are cheap and efficient.
Which airports can I fly to?
The best airports in the country are the Sydney International Airport, the Melbourne International Airport and the Brisbane Airport.
What are the most popular types of hotels?
In Australia there are hotels categorized into star categories, and hostels, ideals if you travel with a low budget.
How much does a holiday cost?
Per day, you can spend around AU$192 ($133.69) without luxury expenses.
What are the best things to do?
If you travel to Australia, you must not forget to visit the Sydney Harbor Bridge in Sydney and the Lone pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane.