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Published: February 15th 2018
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The land down under is home to kangaroos, the Outback, and the Great Barrier Reef. It’s always been on my bucket list as one of the places in the world I’m dying to go. Maybe it’s the mesmerizing accents of its inhabitants or the distance from home, but Australia just seems like a distant and exotic land that I earn to discover and explore.
I’ve done some research about traveling to Australia and wanted to share some of the information I’ve found with all of you. Check it out!
1. Documentation Before traveling to this continent, be sure to have the proper documentation and paperwork in hand. This might mean obtaining a visa and passport or
renewing your passport if it's expired. You might be thinking, but I don’t plan to live or work in Australia, why do I need a visa?
Holiday or travel visas are one requirement that this continent has of all visitors. This means you’ll need a valid passport and a visa, which is usually good for business or tourism travel lasting less than 90 days. This type of visa is known as an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) and can be found on the nation’s embassy website.
2. Learn the Language Seems silly, right? They speak English in Australia just with a fun accent attached to it. Wrong! The Australian population uses countless slang words that make their version of English nearly unrecognizable at times. Here are just a few translations to keep in mind, but you might want to research others on your own.
Thongs = flip-flops (not underwear)
Tomato sauce = ketchup
Arvo = afternoon
Blowing the froth off a few = drinking alcohol
Cut = angry or upset
Flat chat = very busy
Knackered = tired
3. It’s HUGE Australia is just as large as the United States, in fact, a little bigger. That means it would take you nearly three days to drive across the continent and over five hours to fly coast to coast. So, if you’re thinking of just taking a quick hop to the Australian outback, think again. But the beauty of Australia’s size is that there are a wide variety of environments to explore.
If you’re looking to experience Australia’s city life, check out Darwin, home to Bicentennial Park and various museums. Canberra offers wineries, gardens, war memorials and art museums. And no visit to Australia would be complete without visiting Sydney’s Opera House.
Are you looking to experience nature? Check out the Blue Mountains region, Noosa National Park, and the caves at Margaret River. And of course, the beaches of Australia and the Great Barrier Reef are every surfer's dream. Some of the continent’s most famous beaches are found on the Gold Coast, Cairns, Fraser Island, and Port Douglas.
4. Wear Sunscreen The Australian sun is hot, and I mean HOT! Not only is the sun hot but it can also burn you without proper protection. Why? Because Australia doesn’t have an ozone layer. That means that the rays will both heat you up quickly, but can damage your skin without much warning. The sun is so hot that your skin will sizzle and blister in just a few hours.
Not only should you protect your skin with sunscreen, but it wouldn’t hurt to wear a hat, sunglasses, and long sleeves for added protection. But heat isn’t the only thing you need to prepare for. The weather in Australia can be unpredictable and vary from one region to the next. Summer means different things in different parts of the country, so bring plenty of clothing options.
5. Be Careful Swimming You know one thing Australia is well-known for? Shark attacks! That’s right, Australia has had
877 fatal shark attacks since documentation began in 1791, with 216 of those attacks being fatal. The most common shark species found in Australian waters include the great white and tiger shark.
Read all warning and safety signs before entering the beach or water. This will keep you up to date on any recent hazards or advisories that the local area has issued. Swimming between posted flags is another great tip for swimming safely on Australia’s beaches. When there are red and yellow flags posted it means that lifeguards and safety personnel have deemed that area of the beach safe for swimming.
Visit the Land Down Under With a little research and preparation, your overseas vacation will be a complete dream! I’m already feeling more prepared and excited for my Australian adventure.
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