Traveling to Australia is a blast. Whether you’re on a business trip or vacation, visiting the land down under is intoxicating. It is full of wonderful people, and there’s plenty of fun stuff to do. But like any other trip, for you to fully enjoy and have peace of mind, you must plan meticulously.
From your finances to the itinerary, you should carefully plan every detail. There are certain things you must not forget in your plans. We are here to remind you of the 6 top things you shouldn’t forget when planning to travel to Australia.
1. Don’t Forget to Plan Your Finances
Unless you are on a fully paid-up trip, it is crucial to figure out the finances first. You should save up for the trip and plan to make the most out of your cash.
Plan for both the major and minor expenses. Early booking will help you find excellent deals on air tickets and accommodation. You will also come across many opportunities to save on travel insurance. Some options, like the American Airlines travel insurance plan, might seem like money savers.
Remember to check all your options and learn more about the policy before leaping.
Think about other strategies to save dollars. For example, you might want to pause your auto insurance plan. After all, you will not need it when you are away. But this is not possible. Most companies will not allow you to pause. You would have to cancel it, and that could mess you up.
Instead, consider ways to save on other expenses like car rental, entertainment, and souvenirs. Once the financial aspect is covered, you can comfortably think about packing and what to do in Australia. Here are more items you shouldn’t forget.
2. Don’t Forget Weather-Appropriate Clothing
Depending on the time of the year and region you plan to visit, your clothing and accessories options will vary. If you plan to travel in the summer, clothing items like a sun hat or baseball cap, loose-fitting shorts, and a pair of floppies (also known as thongs) are a must-have.
Don’t forget to carry extra sunscreen if you visit during the summer. Carry warm clothing if you travel during the spring, autumn, or winter, especially if you plan to visit southern cities like Melbourne.
3. Don’t Forget a Universal Charger or Adaptor
While on the trip, you could struggle to find a spare plug to charge your devices or an outlet that matches your device. This could be frustrating and take away some of the joy.
Remember to carry a universal portable charger or adaptor for your electronics. Of course, you can opt to purchase it while en route. But, it costs a lot more at airports.
4. Don’t Forget the Culture is Different; Respect is an Asset
Avid travelers know it’s crucial to be respectful of all people. But in Australia, you’ll take it a notch higher. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are special. They are the true natives of the land and are often formally acknowledged even in public settings. Remember to visit museums and cultural sites to learn more about these amazing people.
Other differences in social behavior and rules include not smoking. Smoking is not considered cool, and a pack of cigarettes could set you back by about $25. Most barbecues are BYOD, and cars drive on the right.
5. Don’t Forget to Swim Between the Flags
No trip to Australia would be complete without a visit to their famous beaches and sea attractions like the Great Barrier Reef. But while you enjoy the sun, sand, and sea, remember that Australian beaches are also home to some wildlife like sharks.
Statistics show that shark attacks in Australia are the second highest in the world. They are second only to the US. For this reason, authorities often mark the safe swimming areas with flags and instruct revelers not to go beyond them. In case of an emergency at the beach (or wherever) remember the emergency number is 000.
6. Finally, Don’t Forget That Australia is Huge
You might not cross out everything on your Australia bucket list because Australia is huge. Traveling from one part of the country to another is not a quick thing. For example, flying from Brisbane to Perth might take five hours. By road, it could take three days!
You might not get enough time to cover the whole place. So, plan another visit to Australia and keep this list nearby. It will come in handy.