Australia

Travel to a country where the weather is always nice, where people are friendly and ready to party, where beaches are amazing, where there is a plethora of activities both indoors and outdoors and where English is the main language!
If you think such a country doesn’t exist, think twice. Australia is about to prove you wrong! From rain forests to deserts, a journey in Australia will enable you to explore all sorts of landscapes. If the land is not enough for you, don’t worry, there’s plenty to explore underwater as well. A jump in the sea, mask in hand, and you will see the largest coral reef in the world! Still not enough? No problem, more than 8000 islands surround the country, you just need to choose one! And if you’re still bored, just take a trip to Lake Hillier, the only lake with natural pink water in the whole world! If the idea of a holiday in Australia doesn't impress you, we don’t know what will!

A misconception about Australia is that it is expensive to visit and this is a myth that we must dispel from the outset. Australia is far away and therefore many people will spend longer in Australia than they might do in the United States or Canada. Whilst this may result in an increase to the average cost of an Australia holiday compared to other destinations, it is not more expensive when compared like for like. During sale periods airlines offer cheap flights to Australia which can be as low as £450. Hotels in Australia are priced comparatively to equivalent standard hotels in the US and Canada. The same applies to escorted tours in Australia.

Using the right travel agent to build your Australia itinerary will positively impact on the quality of your experience whilst also ensuring your get more value for your money. A specialist Australia travel agent will also be able to secure better deals and added value benefits which will give your more within your budget. Most importantly of all, the experience you will have during a well planned holiday in Australia will be a life changing experience and one that will leave you yearning to go back again and again!

Natural wonders are not the only attraction of this amazing land; though there are many! Completely detached from the rest of the world, Australia has developed its own types of flora and fauna that cannot be found anywhere else. Are you ready to meet friendly and open-minded people? Are you interested in learning about the Aborigines’ culture? Do you want to taste many new exotic flavours? Do you want to explore the natural world in a way that you have never done before? Do you want all the mod-cons expected in a western country? Form open road fly drives to detachment from reality in the open air pool of a remote private lodge, Australia is waiting to welcome you!

Uluru at Sunset

Australia is the sixth-largest country by land area. Australia is bordered to the west by the Indian Ocean, and to the east by the South Pacific Ocean. The Tasman Sea lies to the southeast, separating it from New Zealand, while the Coral Sea lies to the northeast. Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Indonesia are Australia’s northern neighbours, separated from Australia by the Arafura Sea and the Timor Sea.

Australia is extremely vast and because of this, it’s home to all sorts of landscapes, from rain forests to deserts, beaches and more! But let’s start from the beginning. The central part of Australia, also called the ‘outback’, is mainly desertic. This area extends till the west coast and here you will be able to visit the most famous deserts of the country, such as the Great Victoria Desert. If you’re looking for the typical orange-reddish sand and all the weirdly shaped rock formations, such as the famous Uluru, this is the place for you! However, if you want to experience the Australian way of life you should go to the coast, where 85% of the population lives. In the north, you will find rainforests and wetlands, while in the east and west coast you can explore subtropical zones with forests and plains. Don’t forget to also check out marine life and the Great Barrier Reef!

South Port Beach boardwalk at sunset, Port Noarlunga, South Australia

The climate in Australia varies a lot depending on the area you’re visiting. In general, we can confidently say that the weather is mostly pleasant all year round. The North of the country is characterised by tropical weather with a dry season, from May to October, and a wet season, from November to April. In the east part of the country, summers tend to be sunny and warm while winters can be cool and rainy, although they still offer many sunny days. The west part of Australia is characterised by warm summers and mild winters while the centre has desertic weather with hot and humid summers. However, during the winter months, it can get incredibly cold! Lastly, don’t forget that Australia is situated in the southern hemisphere and therefore seasons are opposites to ours!

Hardware Lane in Melbourne, Australia – a popular tourist area filled with cafes and restaurants featuring al fresco dining.

If you are eager to try new tastes, Australia is the perfect place for you! Here you will be able to try all sorts of tastes impossible to find anywhere else in the world, such as grilled kangaroo! Kangaroo meat has a low percentage of fat and can be cooked rare to medium. If that’s not enough, you can even try witchetty grub, a large white larva that aborigines traditionally eat for its many nutritional benefits. It contains a huge percentage of proteins and tastes a bit like chicken.

If you’re not looking for exotic tastes, you can try the local chicken parmigiana, a chicken schnitzel served with tomato, melted cheese and ham on top. On the side, you will normally get a salad and crunchy hot chips. For dessert, you cannot miss Pavlova, a delicious cake made with a meringue crust and served with local fruit and whipped cream on top (even though New Zealanders claim it as their own).

Remember that Melbourne is the capital of Australia’s culinary scene, so if you are a foodie, make sure that you include Melbourne in the itinerary when booking your Australia journey.

Aborigine perform music with traditional instruments in the Tjapukai Culture Park in Kuranda, Queensland, Australia.

If you don’t know what clothes to wear for your Australia trip, don’t stress too much! Australians tend to wear casual clothes. With a simple shirt, a pair of shorts and flip flops you will perfectly camouflage with the locals! Try to choose colourful clothes and light natural materials to protect yourself from the heat. Just don’t forget to pack your swimming suit and some trekking shoes for the many outdoors activities that this country has to offer! It’s also quite common to see people shopping without their shirts and shoes on so don’t worry about being too revealing.

Australian notes and coins

Australians use the Australian dollar as their currency. One Australian dollar is about 0.54 pounds. But how much does life cost in this country? Australia is not cheap, however, there are plenty of options for those who want to travel on a budget. Hostels can be found everywhere and the average price for one night ranges from 14.00 to 27.00 pounds. For an even cheaper option, you can camp in one of the many designated areas. The largest expenses you will have to consider in your budget when planning your Australia itinerary are transportation costs. Australia is a big country and it’s very spread out. If you want to travel from the west to the east coast you may even have to catch a plane spending up to a few hundred of pounds.

Obviously English is the main language spoken in Australia, however, there are many indigenous languages still spoken by the aborigines. Unfortunately, many of these are slowly getting lost and only 13 indigenous languages are still spoken among children. The one with the most speakers is Djambarrpuyngu with about 4200 people still using it on a daily basis.

Aboriginal sand drawing in central Australia

Australians are friendly and easy-going people who love to have fun and make jokes. They are always available to help tourists out so don’t be shy and ask for help when needed! All Australians love sports and get quite competitive when playing. Most of them don’t follow any specific religion but are respectful of people who do. A few tips to make your travel experience in Australia as smooth as possible: when taking public transport make sure not to speak loudly, especially when on the phone, and avoid eating snacks as you may get a big fine for doing so. You are not required to tip waiters and waitresses at the restaurant and if you’re out on a date expect to share the bill. Lastly, if you have an appointment with someone make sure to show up on time, Australians can’t stand latecomers!

In order to enter Australia, you will have to apply for a free eVisitor Visa. This type of Visa lasts for 12 months and allows you to travel to Australia and stay for up to three months as many times as you like within a year. Unlike many other countries, you don’t need a six months validity on your passport to enjoy a holiday in Australia but, obviously, your passport needs to be valid for the whole period of your stay. Make sure to also check the different requirements of all the countries in which you will transition on your way to Australia and back to the UK!

3 Pin Plug

 

Remember that Australians use the type I electrical plug, so make sure to buy an adapter! Type I is the plug that has three flat pins in a triangular pattern. Australia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Why travel to Australia?

A misconception about Australia is that it is expensive to visit and this is a myth that we must dispel from the outset. Australia is far away and therefore many people will spend longer in Australia than they might do in the United States or Canada. Whilst this may result in an increase to the average cost of an Australia holiday compared to other destinations, it is not more expensive when compared like for like. During sale periods airlines offer cheap flights to Australia which can be as low as £450. Hotels in Australia are priced comparatively to equivalent standard hotels in the US and Canada. The same applies to escorted tours in Australia.

Using the right travel agent to build your Australia itinerary will positively impact on the quality of your experience whilst also ensuring your get more value for your money. A specialist Australia travel agent will also be able to secure better deals and added value benefits which will give your more within your budget. Most importantly of all, the experience you will have during a well planned holiday in Australia will be a life changing experience and one that will leave you yearning to go back again and again!

Natural wonders are not the only attraction of this amazing land; though there are many! Completely detached from the rest of the world, Australia has developed its own types of flora and fauna that cannot be found anywhere else. Are you ready to meet friendly and open-minded people? Are you interested in learning about the Aborigines’ culture? Do you want to taste many new exotic flavours? Do you want to explore the natural world in a way that you have never done before? Do you want all the mod-cons expected in a western country? Form open road fly drives to detachment from reality in the open air pool of a remote private lodge, Australia is waiting to welcome you!

Location and Geography
Uluru at Sunset

Australia is the sixth-largest country by land area. Australia is bordered to the west by the Indian Ocean, and to the east by the South Pacific Ocean. The Tasman Sea lies to the southeast, separating it from New Zealand, while the Coral Sea lies to the northeast. Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Indonesia are Australia’s northern neighbours, separated from Australia by the Arafura Sea and the Timor Sea.

Australia is extremely vast and because of this, it’s home to all sorts of landscapes, from rain forests to deserts, beaches and more! But let’s start from the beginning. The central part of Australia, also called the ‘outback’, is mainly desertic. This area extends till the west coast and here you will be able to visit the most famous deserts of the country, such as the Great Victoria Desert. If you’re looking for the typical orange-reddish sand and all the weirdly shaped rock formations, such as the famous Uluru, this is the place for you! However, if you want to experience the Australian way of life you should go to the coast, where 85% of the population lives. In the north, you will find rainforests and wetlands, while in the east and west coast you can explore subtropical zones with forests and plains. Don’t forget to also check out marine life and the Great Barrier Reef!

Climate and weather
South Port Beach boardwalk at sunset, Port Noarlunga, South Australia

The climate in Australia varies a lot depending on the area you’re visiting. In general, we can confidently say that the weather is mostly pleasant all year round. The North of the country is characterised by tropical weather with a dry season, from May to October, and a wet season, from November to April. In the east part of the country, summers tend to be sunny and warm while winters can be cool and rainy, although they still offer many sunny days. The west part of Australia is characterised by warm summers and mild winters while the centre has desertic weather with hot and humid summers. However, during the winter months, it can get incredibly cold! Lastly, don’t forget that Australia is situated in the southern hemisphere and therefore seasons are opposites to ours!

Cuisine
Hardware Lane in Melbourne, Australia – a popular tourist area filled with cafes and restaurants featuring al fresco dining.

If you are eager to try new tastes, Australia is the perfect place for you! Here you will be able to try all sorts of tastes impossible to find anywhere else in the world, such as grilled kangaroo! Kangaroo meat has a low percentage of fat and can be cooked rare to medium. If that’s not enough, you can even try witchetty grub, a large white larva that aborigines traditionally eat for its many nutritional benefits. It contains a huge percentage of proteins and tastes a bit like chicken.

If you’re not looking for exotic tastes, you can try the local chicken parmigiana, a chicken schnitzel served with tomato, melted cheese and ham on top. On the side, you will normally get a salad and crunchy hot chips. For dessert, you cannot miss Pavlova, a delicious cake made with a meringue crust and served with local fruit and whipped cream on top (even though New Zealanders claim it as their own).

Remember that Melbourne is the capital of Australia’s culinary scene, so if you are a foodie, make sure that you include Melbourne in the itinerary when booking your Australia journey.

Clothing and Dress
Aborigine perform music with traditional instruments in the Tjapukai Culture Park in Kuranda, Queensland, Australia.

If you don’t know what clothes to wear for your Australia trip, don’t stress too much! Australians tend to wear casual clothes. With a simple shirt, a pair of shorts and flip flops you will perfectly camouflage with the locals! Try to choose colourful clothes and light natural materials to protect yourself from the heat. Just don’t forget to pack your swimming suit and some trekking shoes for the many outdoors activities that this country has to offer! It’s also quite common to see people shopping without their shirts and shoes on so don’t worry about being too revealing.

Currency
Australian notes and coins

Australians use the Australian dollar as their currency. One Australian dollar is about 0.54 pounds. But how much does life cost in this country? Australia is not cheap, however, there are plenty of options for those who want to travel on a budget. Hostels can be found everywhere and the average price for one night ranges from 14.00 to 27.00 pounds. For an even cheaper option, you can camp in one of the many designated areas. The largest expenses you will have to consider in your budget when planning your Australia itinerary are transportation costs. Australia is a big country and it’s very spread out. If you want to travel from the west to the east coast you may even have to catch a plane spending up to a few hundred of pounds.

Language

Obviously English is the main language spoken in Australia, however, there are many indigenous languages still spoken by the aborigines. Unfortunately, many of these are slowly getting lost and only 13 indigenous languages are still spoken among children. The one with the most speakers is Djambarrpuyngu with about 4200 people still using it on a daily basis.

Culture
Aboriginal sand drawing in central Australia

Australians are friendly and easy-going people who love to have fun and make jokes. They are always available to help tourists out so don’t be shy and ask for help when needed! All Australians love sports and get quite competitive when playing. Most of them don’t follow any specific religion but are respectful of people who do. A few tips to make your travel experience in Australia as smooth as possible: when taking public transport make sure not to speak loudly, especially when on the phone, and avoid eating snacks as you may get a big fine for doing so. You are not required to tip waiters and waitresses at the restaurant and if you’re out on a date expect to share the bill. Lastly, if you have an appointment with someone make sure to show up on time, Australians can’t stand latecomers!

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Australia, you will have to apply for a free eVisitor Visa. This type of Visa lasts for 12 months and allows you to travel to Australia and stay for up to three months as many times as you like within a year. Unlike many other countries, you don’t need a six months validity on your passport to enjoy a holiday in Australia but, obviously, your passport needs to be valid for the whole period of your stay. Make sure to also check the different requirements of all the countries in which you will transition on your way to Australia and back to the UK!

Electricity & Plugs
3 Pin Plug

 

Remember that Australians use the type I electrical plug, so make sure to buy an adapter! Type I is the plug that has three flat pins in a triangular pattern. Australia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Destinations in Australia

New South Wales

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