When planning a holiday to Australia, be sure to keep these helpful travel tips in mind, including trip planning, transport, when to go, and more.
How to prepare for a trip to Australia
Australia is one of the top holidays destinations for UK citizens for many reasons, including visiting friends and family, enjoying the country’s nature and wildlife, or simply attending a cricket game.
Whether it’s your first (or dozenth) time in the Land Down Under, Australia is sure to dazzle you with its modern megacities, incredible beaches, deserts, and nature.
Before planning a trip to Australia, be sure to keep the following travel tips in mind to enjoy a fun and stress-free holiday.
Visa requirements to visit Australia
Perhaps the most important thing to have before travelling to Australia (or any other country) is the proper visa or travel authorisation.
Thankfully, there are many variants for an Australia visa for UK citizens depending on your travel purpose and trip duration.
The most common is the eVisitor visa (also known formally as the subclass 651 visa), which allows UK citizens to enter Australia for the purposes of tourism, business, visiting friends and family, and/or transit. Best of all the eVisitor visa is a multiple-entry travel document that is valid for stays of up to 90 days.
There’s more to Australia than meets the eye
Australia is a huge country — it’s the sixth largest in the world and covers slightly more than five per cent of the Earth. In fact, you could fit 32 United Kingdoms within the perimeters of Australia.
When dealing with a country that large, it’s important to carefully plan your transportation and method of getting around.
Many people underestimate how long it takes to get from Point A to Point B and spend more time on the road than they had originally intended to. To avoid this, be sure to study the distance between each city that you plan to visit and add in some buffer time in case there is traffic or delays.
This is especially important if you plan to travel from coast to coast because Australia is nearly 4,030 km (2,500 mi) wide from west to east.
The easiest way to travel between long distances is via aeroplane. Thankfully, Australia has four main domestic airlines, including Qantas Domestic, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Rex.
Another popular method is to rent a car. However, it’s important to note that foreigners must be over 21 years of age to rent a car and show their passport and international drivers license before they can enjoy an Australian road trip.
With these points in mind, it is recommended to spend more time in fewer places to truly enjoy the local culture and tourist attractions instead of jumping from place to place.
Know when to go to Australia
Australia enjoys all four seasons and a generally pleasant climate.
However, because Australia is located in the southern hemisphere, seasons are direct opposites to the ones that we have in the United Kingdom. For example, while Britons are enjoying hot cocoa by the fireplace during December, Aussies are working on their tan on the beach!
Winter in Australia runs from the beginning of June to the end of August and is considered to be the low tourist season. However, just because it’s labelled winter doesn’t mean that it’s freezing cold. In Sydney, the average temperature is a moderate 13 to 15 C and, if you’re accustomed to the cold, you can enjoy fantastic discounts. Due to the low season, prices for flights and hotels are at their lowest.
Winter is also an excellent time for snow sports – be sure to check out the ‘Australian Alps,’ go skiing or snowboarding on one of the many trails in New South Wales and Victoria, or hike in the snow-capped mountains.
The next season, spring, runs from September to November. This time is ideal for pleasant temperatures that reach around 20 C, as it is the perfect opportunity to visit national parks, stroll through the city, go hiking, and virtually everything else. Best of all, you can beat the crowds if you plan your trip closer to the beginning of spring.
Of course, Australia is famous for its summer, which is between December to February. Considered the warmest season of them all, this is the perfect time to visit Australia to enjoy some sand, surf, and sunshine. However, the only downside is the high temperatures and crowds, especially since a lot of visitors travel to Australia to escape the cold winters in their country!
Last but certainly not least, Australia’s autumn is from March to May. Many of the tourists who came for summer have already left, giving you the perfect opportunity to go hiking through orange-coloured forests, visit local wineries, try traditional Australian cuisine, and get up close and personal with tourist attractions.
Australia’s strict customs laws
Your tickets are printed, hotels are booked, and bags are packed… But wait! Let’s go through your luggage one more time to make sure it’s up to par.
Due to its remoteness and thousands of years of isolation, Australia has formed its own unique ecosystem that is free from pests and diseases that are typically found on other continents.
In order to keep the ecosystem healthy, the Australian government takes quarantine laws very seriously.
When arriving in the country, visitors will need to declare any and all plants, wood, and produce to make sure that nothing prohibited will slip through and damage the ecosystem.
Before starting to pack your suitcase, it is best to familiarize yourself with the customs laws of Australia so as to not have your belongings confiscated. Common prohibited goods include eggs, fruits, vegetables, meat, milk products, nuts, fish, soil, and plants, among others.
During the flight, you will be given a special passenger declaration card, which you will need to fill out. Otherwise, you could face a hefty fine.
