The Amazing Australia Travel Guide - A Couple Days Travel

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The Amazing Australia Travel Guide

Australia is the most mazing place in the world. We love it and we cannot speak highly enough of the island country. We would move there if we could. However, if you, like us, cannot pack up your world and move to Australia tomorrow, a good option may be to plan some Australia travel instead. From amazing beaches, to lazy rainforests, to windswept mountains, to clean cities, to the friendliest people, Australia has it all! The country both feels like home and is an adventure waiting to happen. Keep reading for all of our Australia travel advice, including city guides, itineraries, road trips and more!

Why Visit Australia?

Because it is the best place in the world! End of statement.

Okay, in all seriousness, Australia is an amazing country with plenty of low-cost travel activities, like hiking, swimming and beach going. So while you may break the bank on your plane ticket if you’re coming from the U.S., traveling in Australia can actually be super budget friendly while still being an amazingly adventurous experience.

Additionally, there are so many fun critters to spot in Australia. Australia’s unique isolated land mass has led to some really interesting animals to spot. And with TONS of Australia covered in wilderness, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for spotting kangaroos, koalas, cockatoos, jellyfish and more! So, in summation, go to Australia because it is the best place in the world.

Our Top 5 Things to do in Australia

Take A Coastal Road Trip: Enjoy the island country with a drive along the shoreline, like the Great Ocean Road or the Sunshine Coast.

Scuba Dive The Great Barrier Reef: The largest reef in the world is worth a visit weather you snorkel of scuba dive.

Eat Amazing Seafood: With all the coastline, you can be you’ll find amazing seafood. Our favorite spots were in Cairns and Brisbane.

Try A New Sport: Enjoy a new sport, like cricket, rugby or soccer, with a visit to the Melbourne Cricket Grounds.

Head Into The Mountains: Whether you visit Uluru or take a quick trip to the Blue Mountains, make sure to enjoy the wonders of inland Australia.

There is no “best time” to go to all of Australia. It is a huge island (the size of the continental U.S.) and the climate varies depending on region.

However, there are some times you shouldn’t go and those are around school holidays. Australians also love to take vacation around school holidays resulting in bigger crowds in tourist areas. School holidays in Australia are spread throughout the year. Typically, they get a month off after Christmas, and then 2-3 weeks off in April, July and September.

February is a great time to visit southern Australia, the temperatures are warm and the kids are back in school. However, this is the rainy season in the north. The best time to visit northern Australia is October. These are very general “best time to visit Australia” statements. If you’re interested in visiting a specific place, check out our posts below and we’ll give you advice on when the best time to visit that place is.

Getting Around:

Australia is big – and don’t you forget it. Getting from the Great Barrier Reef to Sydney to Tasmania can be an adventure, and a costly one.

Public transportation in Sydney and Melbourne is great. Elsewhere, you’ll likely want a car.

Australians drive on the wrong side of the road – the left (see it’s not right, pun intended). Roads are well kept, well marked and well patrolled for speed.

However, don’t assume you can drive everywhere as drive times can be excessive. Consider taking flights between different regions of the country. Domestic flights can often be purchased for under $150 USD.

Language:

English is the official language of Australia.

Know Before You Go

Currency and Budget:

The Australian dollar (AUD) is the currency of Australia. Conversion rates vary, but a good rule of thumb is 1 USD is equal to about 1.5 AUD. Cash and credit cards are widely accepted. Visa and Mastercards are the most widely accepted credit cards. American Express and Discover acceptance is rare.

For a U.S. traveler, traveling IN Australia can be cheap. The favorable conversion rate really helps. Plan on spending around $150 USD/person/day for food, lodging and activities. However, for the U.S. traveler, the flight can really break the bank. Flights from the United States generally cost upwards of $1000/person.

Safety:

Australia is one of the safest travel destinations out there. Crime rates in Australia are low. However, still follow safe travel practices like locking up valuable, being aware of surroundings and reducing the valuables you travel with.

However, don’t forget all the natural things in Australia that can kill you. Australia is home to an unusually high concentration of poisonous animals like snakes, spiders and jellyfish. Be extra aware of your surroundings and give wide berth to all animals – even the ones who aren’t poisonous.

Additionally, Australia has some dangerous natural elements that can be deadly, such as extreme heat and killer currents. In you are hiking, make sure you always carry enough water with you for the day, carry a map, and tell someone your hiking plans. When swimming, make sure you are only swimming where locals swim. Rip currents and jellyfish season can be deadly. A good rule is to never be the only one in the water.

Visa Requirements:

Unless you have a New Zealand passport, you need to have a tourist visa prior to arriving in Australia.

You can see which visa option is right for you and apply for your visa online on the Home Affairs website here. If you have a US passport (like us), the cost for the visa is $20 AUD and is good for travel to Australia for a 12 month period.