Travel Tips : Make your dream trip in australia

Australia Island

Australia’s stable political system, well-maintained roads, low crime rate and high standard of health care make it a safe and relatively easy country to explore

However, it's important to be aware of potential environmental hazards, such as bushfires, rough surf and extreme desert heat.  You'll need to be thoroughly prepared for outback journeys and long bushwalks or hikes, and take sensible precautions in regards to sharks, crocodiles and poisonous animals. With the following common-sense tips, you can safely enjoy Australia's unique landscapes - from the vast outback to wild ocean beaches and pristine wilderness tracts.

Personal Security

Australia has a stable political system and low crime rate on a world scale and so Australians experience a safe lifestyle. It is generally a safe destination with tourists enjoying unhindered travel experiences in terms of their personal safety and security.  However, as with all travel at home or away, you should observe the same precautions with your personal safety and possessions.

Sun protection

The Australian sun is very strong. Always wear a shirt, hat, sunglasses and SPF 30+ sunscreen lotion, even on cloudy days. If spending the whole day outdoors, reapply sunscreen regularly.  Stay out of the sun during the middle of the day when the sun is strongest. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Bushfires – fires in general

Australians live with the risk of bushfires. The danger period is from late spring to summer and during this time observe some simple safety precautions. Before setting out on a journey, inform yourself of bushfire risks through TV, radio and newspapers reports. When camping, use designated fireplaces and comply with road warning signs and total fire bans. If you must light a fire, always extinguish it completely with water.

Australia BushFire Fron Wiki : Wikipedia

Swimming between the flags

Australia’s beautiful beaches can hold hidden dangers in the form of strong currents called rips. Avoid them by always swimming between the red and yellow flags - they mark the safest place to swim on the beach.  Lifesavers wearing red and yellow uniforms generally patrol beaches during the warmer months of October to April, but some of the most popular beaches are patrolled all-year round. Never swim alone, at night, under the influence of alcohol or directly after a meal. Always check water depth before diving in and never run and dive into the water from the beach.

Sharks and crocodiles

Shark attacks in Australia are very rare, however may be fatal. Shark netting on Australian beaches deter sharks, but you can further reduce your risk by always swimming between the flags on patrolled beaches and not swimming at dusk or evening. Avoid swimming alone, a long way offshore, at river mouths or along drop-offs to deeper water. 

Crocodiles live in rivers and coastal estuaries across northern Australia, often changing habitat via sea. When travelling near crocodile habitats, observe safety signs and don’t swim in rivers, estuaries, tidal rivers, deep pools or mangrove shores. Also seek expert advice about crocodiles before camping, fishing or boating.

The poisonous animals – snakes, spiders, marine stingers

Marine stingers are present in tropical waters from November to April.  During this time you can only swim within stinger-resistant enclosures, which are set up on the most popular beaches. You will also need to wear protective clothing when swimming,snorkeling or diving on the outer Great Barrier Reef. Always observe warning signs.

When bushwalking or hiking, you can avoid snake and spider bites by wearing protective footwear and using your common sense. If bitten, seek immediate medical attention. Deaths from snake bites are extremely rare and there have been few deaths from spider bites since anti venoms were made available in 1981.

Travelling in remote Australia

Driving through Australia’s remote and rugged areas requires thorough preparation. Before embarking on a 4WD or outback journey, ensure you have a roadworthy vehicle fitted with GPS and two spare tyres. You’ll also need good maps, extra food, water and fuel and an emergency plan. Plan your route carefully and notify a third party of your expected arrival. Check road conditions before beginning your journey, stay with your vehicle if it breaks down and avoid travelling in extreme heat conditions. If driving a conventional vehicle through remote areas, drive slowly on unsealed, dusty or narrow roads and always check road conditions before turning off major roads.  Mobile phones have limited coverage in remote areas, so check your phone provider for coverage.

Bushwalking or hiking in wilderness

When planning a bushwalk or hike, check the length and difficulty of the walk and consider using a local guide for long or challenging walks. If walking without a guide, tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. Wear protective footwear, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent and take wet weather gear, a topographic map and plenty of water. When walking, read maps and signs, stay on the track, behind safety barriers and away from cliff edges. Don’t feed or play with native animals, as you might get scratched or bitten.  Plan walking in summer months carefully and avoid challenging hikes when the sun is too intense.

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Travel Tips : Through Australia

Traveling Through Australia

Australia is a huge country, almost as large as the contiguous United States, and one of the most important tips for any traveler would be to give themselves enough time to really see the country. Most international visitors fly into Sydney, the country's largest city, but the rest of this vast country, which also happens to be a continent, is well worth visiting too.

One of the biggest challenges is negotiating the huge distances; the distance from Perth on the west coast to Brisbane on the east coast is almost 2500 miles. The easiest way to travel is to fly. QANTAS serves the major cities as well as smaller places with intriguing names, Wollongong, Lord Howe Island and Doomadgee.

If you plan to see as much of the country as possible, consider buying one of the many air passes available which allow you to save money by taking a certain number of flights within a specific time period. The cost depends on the itinerary. A ticket from Perth to Cairns to Alice Springs and Melbourne might cost around $1200. You generally need to purchase these tickets outside Australia, and often in conjunction with your plane ticket to and from Australia.

If you have the time, driving is an excellent way to see the country, and to appreciate the sheer size. Car rental is easy and convenient, you will need a valid driver's license to rent a car and you need to have it with you while driving. Many travelers even find it more economical to purchase a car and then sell it before returning home. Australian drivers are polite, and won't tolerate drunk-driving, driving without a seat belt or talking on a cell phone while driving.

Roads are generally good in Australia, although some roads in the Outback are unpaved (or unsealed, as they are known) and can only be driven safely in a four wheel drive vehicle. If you are driving in the more remote parts of Australia, be alert for animals and "road trains", huge tractor-trailers up to fifty yards long. Never venture into the Outback without extra water and fuel, spare tires, a rope and perhaps a satellite phone. And don't forget, they drive on the left.

There is also a surprisingly good rail and bus network in Australia, there are several long distance bus companies, although Greyhound Pioneer Australia covers the entire country. Also, if you have the time, the train journey from Perth to Sydney is considered one of the world's most spectacular; it also boasts one of the world's longest straight stretches of railroad track.

If you don't want to fly or drive, consider an escorted tour. These can vary greatly in the quality of accommodation, the length of the trip and exactly what you will see. Most tours take in the popular destinations, Sydney and the surrounding Blue Mountains, the Gold Coast, Uluru, (Ayers Rock) and the Great Barrier Reef. Darwin makes a good base for exploring the tropical north of the country and Alice Springs is convenient for exploring the Outback.

Many people visit Australia to experience native Aborigine culture. If you plan to travel on Aboriginal land, other than on a designated road, you will first need to obtain a permit from the Land Council in that state. There are plenty of places throughout the country to see Aborigines and purchase their art and crafts, but you are also expected to show respect for their sacred sights.

The unit of currency in Australia is the dollar; divided into 100 cents. At the time of this writing, Australia is affordable to American and European visitors, due to the rather favorable exchange rate. ATMs can be found in all the larger towns and the major tourist areas, although they are often hard to find in the Outback.

Credit cards, particularly Visa and MasterCard, are widely accepted. Tipping is not as common as in the US, although it's appreciated. An inexpensive hotel room might cost somewhere between $50 and $80; a more luxurious hotel room may cost in the range of $260 to $300. Hostels and campgrounds are also widely available, reasonably priced and popular with families and backpackers.

The internet has meant that trip planning and keeping in touch has become easier. Australia is no exception. Internet access is widely available, even in the remotest Outback settlements. Australians use 240 volts AC, so you will need to take an adaptor for electrical appliances.

One of the easiest aspects about traveling through Australia is that the language is familiar. Although, you may come across such strange things as thongies, billabongs, sheilas and, as Australians are well known for their hospitality, possibly an invitation to a shrimp on the barbie.

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