5 things you need to know about travelling to Australia
One of the places that I’m determined to visit at some point in my life is Australia. Not only is it a beautiful country with a reputation for a laidback lifestyle and glorious weather, but I have family over there and would love to go and visit them. But actually going to Australia comes with a whole heap of things to sort out that you might not realise. There are the long flights with the possibility of stopovers, the visa to sort, and the huge expense involved too. Nevertheless, it’s somewhere I’m determined to get to.
With this dream in mind, I started to look into what would actually be involved in travelling to Australia. Plenty of people get themselves out there without too much trouble, but there are a few things you really do need to know if you’re planning on making the trip.
1. You need a visa
I was actually really surprised to read that British citizens need a visa for Australia.
Without an Australia visa, you will not be allowed to travel, so it’s vital that you put this right at the top of your “to-do” list once you’ve booked your trip. Getting hold of a visa doesn’t need to be a long and complicated process, in fact it can sometimes all be done online these days.
2. Make sure your passport is valid
As well as your visa, you may also need to make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months after the date of your return to the UK. If it expires before that date, then you may need to apply for a new one before you’ll be allowed to travel.
Whilst this isn’t a requirement from the Australian authorities, each airline has its own individual set of rules about how long you need to have left on your passport, so make sure you read the small print carefully before you book your trip.
3. Know your budget
I often talk about the importance of knowing your budget, but it’s even more important when you’re travelling.
You need to spend some time researching the general costs of things in Australia so that you know how much money you’re likely to need to save up for things like accommodation, food and transport once you get there.
Australia isn’t a cheap place to visit, and people are often taken by surprise by the cost of food in particular. An average meal in Australia will set you back around $15-$20 AUD, and despite being a nation of beer lovers, a pint can cost around $9 AUD too.
Prices vary quite dramatically from city to city in Australia, so make sure that you do your research specifically for the areas you plan to visit. Work out how much money you’re going to need just for the very basics, and then think about any added extras such as excursions and day trips too.
4. It’s not customary to tip
Often when you’re travelling, you might want to leave a tip for the waiters or concierge. But tipping isn’t customary in Australia, in fact it’s not really the done thing over there at all.
The wages for service providers in Australia are pretty decent, so they don’t rely on tips to make a living as much as those working in other countries.
So, when you’re paying for a meal in Australia, the price on the bill is the price you should pay, don’t be tempted to leave any extra.
5. The sun is stronger than you think
Australia is well known for its beautiful sunny days, so make sure you take high factor suncream and reapply it regularly. Remember to reapply if you’ve been swimming too, even if your suncream claims to be water-resistant.
As well as protecting your skin, you also need to keep yourself well hydrated. Australia is mostly a hot and dry country, so you’ll dehydrate really quickly. Drink plenty of water and avoid excessive amounts of alcohol, particularly during the afternoon when the heat is at it’s highest level.
If you’re planning a trip to Australia, then make sure you get your visa and passport sorted early on so that you’re not panicking at the last minute. A trip to Australia is the trip of a lifetime for many of us, and you don’t want it spoilt with a last-minute rush to get everything sorted out.
*This is a collaborative post.
