Australia is an exotic country full of surprises located in Oceania. In fact, Australia is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It has something for everyone – backpackers, couples, solo travelers, luxury travelers, etc. Many young adults decide to move to Australia for a year or two since it’s easy to get the working holiday visa and the Australian wage is great.
Australia offers several experiences – from island life to skiing, from mountain tops to scuba diving, from epic parties to relaxing road trips, from exotic wildlife to beautiful beaches – you should find something that suits your needs and interests.
If you’re planning your first trip to Australia, this guide should answer any questions you may have. We’ll talk about travel facts, the best time to visit Australia, the best destinations, travel costs, travel essentials and how to prepare for your trip.
| Information | Australia |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| English-friendly | Yes |
| Currency | AUD (Australian dollar) |
| Internet reliability | Good (Can be hard to get wifi if you’re inthe Outback) |
Australia is a huge country and depending on your destination, you may be facing different types of seasons. Generally, Australia has 4 seasons. The weather in these seasons can, however, vary a lot depending on where you are. We decided to split this section into six sections to help you understand the seasons regarding your destinations:
| Areas | Seasons | Months |
|---|---|---|
|
Western Austalia |
South
North
|
|
|
Northern Territory |
Wet season Dry season |
November to April May to October |
| Queensland |
North
South
|
|
| South Australia |
Spring Summer Autumn Winter |
September to November December to February March to May June to August |
| New South Wales & Australia Capital Territory |
Spring Summer Autumn Winter
|
September to November December to February March to May June to August
|
| Victoria & Tasmania |
Spring Summer Autumn Winter
|
September to November December to February March to May June to August
|
In this section, you’ll find general information on costs and how to prepare for your trip. Finally, you will find a table that will provide an overview of cost and options depending on your travel budget.
In Australia, you’ll find several options when it comes to accommodation. Whether you’re a budget traveler or not, you will be able to find options. Although, note that Australia is quite expensive. You can find dorms starting at $7 per night.
When it comes to food, you can find different types of restaurants. An average meal in a restaurant would be around AUD 15. Obviously, you may find elegant restaurants around the country and you can pay more if you wish to. If you’re traveling on a budget, you should cook your own food to save money.
Some activities such as hiking or beach bumming are free. Although, if you’re planning on cruising around the Sydney harbor, snowboarding down the slopes, explore the Whitsunday Islands, or going on a food tour you will have to pay for it. You can browse activities in Australia here to have an idea of the costs.
In general, it’s really easy to get around Australia. Remember, it’s a big country, so traveling from one coast to the other will take some time (a few days). You can either fly, take a bus or rent a car or a van to reach your destinations.
To book your transport between destinations, you can book via 12GO.
| Travel Cost | Budget travel | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $7-30 per night | $30-70 per night | $70+ |
| Meal | $10-15 per meal | $15-25 per meal | $25+ |
| Activities | Focus on free activities | Mixing free activities & mid-range | $50+ per day |
| Transport | By bus, by car/van | By bus, by car/van | By car/van, by flight |
Overall, traveling around Australia is safe. Of course, you should always lock your valuables especially if you’re staying in a hostel.
Over the years, some working holiday makers have been victims of farm work scams. It’s a good idea to be aware of those to avoid getting broke in Australia (especially since it’s an expensive country). There were also a few horror stories that happened over the years with backpackers. Although, these are pretty rare.
One thing you should be aware of while in Australia is its wildlife and nature. Australia is home to many venomous wildlife and plant species – poisonous snakes, jellyfishes, spiders, and flowers. If you’re planning on going in the Outback or on camping, you may be facing these dangers. Although, in general, everything is fine. In two years in Australia, I’ve been a few poisonous spiders and snakes, but I was cautious about it and nothing happened.
Apart from the travel essentials, here are the things you should absolutely bring along with you in Australia. Click on the images to shop on Amazon.
Usually, you can apply for your visa online. The process is quite quick. Note that you will also need to apply for your working holiday visa online.
You can verify your visa requirements here.
Browse flights on Skyscanner to find deals.
Book your travel insurance for as little as $42/month.
Find accommodation anywhere in the world.
Check the visa requirements and apply for a visa if needed.
Volunteer abroad in exchange for free accommodation.
Book transfers, tours, and activities in advance.
It’s hard to find a good data plan when you’re traveling. You have to research the best deals, go to a store, and hope they have a prepaid SIM card for travelers and tourists.
And if they don’t? You could be without service for the rest of your trip. Not only is that frustrating, but it can also be time-consuming.
eSIMs are the solution to your travel woes. With an eSIM plan, you can stay connected no matter where you go. Plus, there are no contracts or cancellation fees, so you can change your plan whenever you want.
If you’re looking for an eSIM plan while in Australia, then be sure to check out the providers below. They all offer great plans that will keep you connected while you’re there.
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