Australia. Secrets of a Successful Trip
When going on a long trip, it is worth carefully thinking about every detail so that at the last moment, there are no unpleasant surprises. Any trip to a new country will be successful if you know the peculiarities that await the tourist in an uncharted territory.
Part 1. How to prepare for your trip?
Travelling starts with preparing your itinerary and obtaining a visa. Then it’s a good idea to take care of tickets and hotel reservations, as well as properly packing your luggage.
Visa
Australia has one of the most complicated procedures for obtaining an entry permit. The visa centre carefully checks each applicant for compliance with strict assessment criteria and requires documentary evidence of each item:
The purpose of the trip is tourism only. There must be a permanent job or legal business, real estate in the homeland.
Material solvency. It is necessary to provide a statement from the bank that there are enough funds in the account to make the trip. The amount is approximately calculated from 500 AUD for each day + 2000 AUD for round-trip tickets.
Credibility. There should be no problems with the law or violation of visa rules in other countries.
Basic documents must be accompanied by an English-language version by an accredited translator, and photocopies must be notarized. There are a lot of requirements, so to issue a visa promptly, it is better to consult specialists. King Island Accommodation & Tours will advise you on all the nuances to ensure that you are granted entry.
Air travel
Transfer to Australia from Europe is impossible without connections, and the total cost is around 1800 AUD. You can save money by buying tickets in advance – up to six months in advance. Flights in this direction are carried out by 7 airlines, and you can find detailed information about them on this page. Travelling within the continent is
Planning your itinerary
Australia is so amazing that you want to see everything at once, but a trip needs to be planned with the seasonality of each region in mind. Ready-made itineraries are just that, and the price of tours in 2024 allows you to maximise your free days with additional excursions. The continent’s mild climate allows year-round travelling, but there are still preferences:
- The east and southeast coasts are more pleasant in spring and autumn; the southern and south–
- A cool climate characterises Western regions, and tourists here will enjoy the Australian summer;
- The central part and northern territory are the hottest parts of the continent, so the winter period is favourable for a trip;
- Surfing and diving enthusiasts in any part of the coast will be better off in the summer months.
Luggage
In the suitcases of a tourist going to Australia, in addition to the usual things, there should definitely be:
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat. These items will protect tourists from active ultraviolet light and save their health.
- Shoes. Only comfortable and not quite new, so that they do not chafe, because you will have to walk a lot.
- Binoculars will help you see all the beauty of nature.
- Mosquito repellent. These insects are especially dangerous in Australia.
Important! Australian customs maintains strict control over imported goods, so all travellers must fill out a declaration. There should not be any food in the luggage of a tourist, so all yoghurts, buns, fruit and vegetables should either be eaten on the plane or thrown away. It is possible to bring in alcohol 2,25 litres and 50 cigarettes. No pets will be allowed into the country either. Entry may be refused for violation of customs regulations.
Part 2. Australia
The plane has landed at the airport, and the gentle climate is enveloping and beckons to go travelling at once. But, as in any country, there are subtleties that you should know about to avoid trouble.
Hotels
If travelling on a tourist voucher, then hotel accommodation is already included, but it is also quite easy to find a suitable option on the Internet. In Australia and all over the world, hotel chains are classified according to world standards: from 3* (tourist class) for 140 AUD to 5* (De Luxe) for 500 AUD. For holidaymakers with a family or a large company, renting a flat at a price from 170 AUD to 720 AUD for a furnished flat will be profitable. All rooms are equipped with air-conditioners, TVs and other appliances, and breakfast and morning newspapers are included in the price.
If you do not want to spend time organizing a tour in Australia, you can choose several tours designed from one for and up to 13 days. For example, we recommend you to join Alice Springs to Uluru Tour.
Budget travellers will also find plenty of options. About 50-100 AUD will cost a night in motels, Australian pubs and Bed & Breakfasts with rooms for two. Camping can be a particularly romantic experience. These can be caravan parks, tent sites in national parks or a few wooden cabins similar to our camping ground. The facilities are minimal, but the cost is around 30-40 AUD. Farm accommodation is a new hotel service that provides accommodation in the owners’ house. The cost varies greatly depending on the conditions offered.
It is worth bearing in mind that in Australia, the mains voltage is 220-240V, and the sockets are three-pin. This is not a problem in hotels, as there are adapters in every room, and you can buy such adapters in any shop.
Tips for car tour enthusiasts
When picking up your car at the airport and embarking on a coastal journey from Sydney to Brisbane, or from the green north and Kakadu to the red centre of the country, or other roads on the continent, for example, there are a few simple tips to heed:
Wear sunglasses everywhere, use sunscreen, wear lightweight cotton clothing, and carry an adequate supply of water (including for the car).
Stock up on food in supermarkets, as not all roads have shops and they close at half past six and on Saturday at noon.
Pay in shops with Visa or Mastercard, as there is a 15% bank fee for cashing out.
The driver must have an international driving permit and a licence issued in his/her own country but with translation into English.
It is best not to travel at night or drive at low speed. Kangaroos and other animals may jump out onto the road, and the risk of hitting them increases dramatically.
Do not park on the side of the road. There is a fine for this.
The dangers of fauna
The beauty of Australia’s flora and fauna is amazing, but we should not forget that the most poisonous and dangerous animals live here, and close contact with them can cost lives. It is strictly forbidden:
- Walking barefoot on the grass. Spiders, scorpions, and centipedes are dangerous.
Turning over stones and branches with your hands. It would be best if you also closed sleeping bags and bags. Snakes can lurk in dark and warm places. - Sleep without protective nets on the windows. In addition to poisonous mosquitoes, bats can get into the house.
- Swim in small, muddy rivers and lakes. Crocodiles, poisonous frogs and other unfriendly inhabitants may attack.
- Ignore warning signs on beaches. There are poisonous snakes, jellyfish, octopuses and sharks in the seawater. Lifeguards are always on duty, but swimming only in specially designated areas is better.
- Deviate from tourist routes. Wild animals don’t like to have their territory invaded. Dingo dogs, jaguars, and snakes do not forgive carelessness.
- Australia isn’t as scary as it may seem, but it’s still worth being careful to keep yourself alive and healthy.
Rules of behaviour
The state’s protection of the mainland’s pristine nature makes tourists reckon with and respect this distinctive land. Civilian control is common here, so locals are sure to report any observed offence to the police. There are areas where it is forbidden to drink alcohol, even in cafes, and a policeman will immediately impose a fine for smoking in public places or leaving rubbish behind.
And lastly, the main advice: you should not hesitate, but go. Australia is a country of contrasts, where civilisation harmoniously coexists with wild nature. You will have enough impressions for a whole year: until a new holiday and a new trip.
