Aimee Liza Soriano Ravelo

The Complete How-To Travel Guide To Epic Breathtaking Australia Welcome to the land down under – Australia! Home to the most incredible landscapes, inspiring experiences, colorful wildlife, and beautiful peoples, Australia will lack nothing of the best travel experiences. So take up your trusty Australia travel guide and plan for an epic Australia travel revenge. Australia Travel Guide: Demographics, Geography, & Fast Facts Australia is the Southern Hemisphere’s continent and one of the world’s largest countries. With its vast land area, Australia is home to a diverse multitude of people, culture, natural wonders, and plant and animal life. It is all of these brought together that make Australia famous. Majority of the beautiful locals you’ll meet in Australia have European roots whose influence you’ll see in the cities’ architecture and culture. Aboriginal peoples together with the Torres Strait Islander peoples also call Australia home. From the middle of the 20th century, majority of Australia was home to these peoples. The beginning of the 21st century, on the other hand, welcomed new people groups into the country, majority of which were Asian. This blend with the Aboriginal peoples, Torres Strait Islanders, and European nationalities produced a culture of beautiful colors and dimensions. Population Diversity Language English Friendly Currency Internet reliability 25.5 million 67% Australian, 4% English, 2% Kiwi (New Zealand), 2% Chinese, 2% Indian English, Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese Yes Australian dollars (AUD) Great Geographically, Australia is organized into two territories and six states. Its national capital is the city of Canberra located at the Australian Capital Territory. Within these territories and states are a diverse species of animal life found at the deserts, rainforest, island, and oceans which are all protected by the country. Territory, State Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Northern Territory (NT) New South Wales (NSW) Queensland (QLD) South Australia (SA) Tasmania (TAS) Victoria (VIC) Western Australia (WA) Capital Canberra (national capital & territory’s capital) Darwin Sydney Brisbane Adelaide Hobart Melbourne Perth Keep all of these things in mind as you travel around the country. Because whether you’re Australia backpacking or on a luxury trip, knowing where you are and who you’re with will truly enrich your Australia travel experience. Australia Travel Guide On Mobile Services Just as a bridge connects one place to another, so does mobile data for the traveler and the world. So if you’ve ever heard the saying that not all who wander are lost, that’s because efficient mobile data bridges them to the right information and the world. Staying connected in Australia is easy and efficient with its host of mobile network providers. These companies offer services specially made for tourists at affordable rates. Choose from their local providers so you can save on international roaming charges. • Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Virtual Operators What are virtual operators, you ask? These are resellers of services from main carriers who sell them directly to customers. • • • • • ACN – Optus Aidi Mobile – Telstra GoTalk – Vodafone Macquarie Telecom – Optus/Vodafone Planet Mobile – Vodafone/Telstra Take note though that remote areas within Australia may not have mobile network or internet coverage. Inform your family and friends where you’re going so they’ll know where you are in case of emergency. While these services also provide mobile data, free WiFi is also available in Australia. These WiFi hotspots are available at libraries, cafes, hotels, and tourist information centres. Avail of Australia’s mobile services so you can post the incredible pictures of your Australia travel revenge for your viewing pleasure and for those who dream to visit Australia also. Australia Travel Tips On The Best Times To Visit Australia is beautiful and full of things to do in every season. The country has epic road trips for those on an Australia backpacking travel revenge, out of this world experiences for those curious of its terrain at The Outback, and laidback beach vibes for those seeking to relax. If you plan on visiting during summer, Australia travel tips include loading up on sunscreen and packing it into your suitcase as the sun at the land down under is strong. Skip the sunburn by layering on SPF 50+ and get as golden as the Golden Coast instead. Make sure it’s reef-safe too to protect the marine life’s habitat. Now that’s settled, let this table help you choose the season that’s best for you. Think about what part of Australia you’re including in your Australia travel revenge itinerary and the activities you’d love to experience as you make your decision. Lastly, take note of the time zones and daylight savings time (DST) observation as well so you won’t get disoriented. Region Northern Territory (Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu, Arnhem Land) Season Wet Season Month November - April Dry Season May - October Time Zone, DST Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) +9.5 UTC; no DST Australian Capital Territory (Canberra, Kambah, Wanniassa) New South Wales (Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong) Tropical North Queensland (Cairns, Whitsunday Islands, Daintree Rainforest) South Queensland (Brisbane, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast) South Australia (Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Flinders Ranges) Tasmania (Hobart, Launceston, Devonport) Summer Autumn Winter December – February March – May June – August Spring September – November Summer Autumn Winter December – February March – May June – August Spring September – November Wet Season November - April Dry Season May - October Summer Autumn Winter December - February March - May June - August September November Spring Summer Autumn Winter Australian East Standard Time (AEST) +10 UTC; DST +1 hour during summer • Australian East Standard Time (AEST) +10 UTC • Broken Hill NSW: Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) +9.5 UTC • DST +1 hour during summer Australian East Standard Time (AEST) +10 UTC; no DST December – February March – May June – August September – November Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) +9.5 UTC; DST +1 hour during summer Summer Autumn Winter December – February March – May June – August Spring September – November Australian East Standard Time (AEST) +10 UTC; DST +1 hour during summer Summer December – February Spring Victoria (Melbourne, Phillip Island, Gippsland) Western Australia (Perth, Rockingham, Mandurah) Autumn Winter March – May June – August Spring September – November Summer Autumn Winter Spring December – February March – May June – August September – November Australian East Standard Time (AEST) +10 UTC; DST +1 hour during summer Australian West Standard Time (AWST) +8 UTC; no DST Australia Top Destinations Travel Guide Get to know the country’s top destinations by territory and state. Experience the great outdoors by surfing or camping, shopping at Australia’s modern cosmopolitan cities, drinking in its vibrant arts & culture scene, and tasting the best gastronomic experiences during your Australia travel revenge. Australian Capital Territory (ACT) The ACT is where you’ll find Australia’s national capital, Canberra, and its government institutions. Visit the Questacon, the Parliament House, and the Aubergine or Rebel Rebel for a culture trip of science, government, and food delights. South Australia (SA) Known for its good wine and good times, South Australia is where you’ll experience classic wines and festivities during your visit. Taste quality Australian wine from the Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills. Enjoy festivals at the capital of Adelaide and the company of wildlife at Kangaroo Island. New South Wales (NSW) Home of the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, New South Wales is an exciting state to visit. Along with its famous landmarks, NSW is also the place to be when you just want to be at the beach. Swim at the Bronte Baths ocean pool, surf at Bondi and Manly beaches, or go for a daytrip outside Sydney into the Blue Mountains or the Hunter Valley Wine region. Northern Territory (NT) You know that magnificent looking monolith you see in pictures? The one with the mesmerizing blue night sky and twinkling stars above it, and an orange brown glow about it? Welcome to the Northern Territory’s Uluru. The NT is where you’ll experience out of this world landscapes and cultures you’ve never known. Come by Uluru and the NT’s national parks Kata Tjuta and Kakadu for an unforgettable trip to the great outdoors. Queensland (QLD) Everywhere you go in Australia seems to be famous. And it’s no wonder with the riches of its natural resources like the Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Island, and the Gold Coast. When you visit Queensland, nothing will truly come close. Explore QLD’s underwater treasures of coral reefs and marine life by going for a snorkel or dive at the Great Barrier Reef. Head up to the Gold Coast to conquer the waves at the surfer’s paradise, a must-visit especially for those on Australia backpacking trips. Or go on an island get-away to Fraser Island and see why it’s at the list of the World Heritage. Additionally, spend a day at Brisbane and enjoy the city’s food, arts, and great weather. Queensland is definitely worth calling the Sunshine State. Tasmania (TAS) Impossibly stunning natural wonders can be found at Tasmania. Cross the Bass Strait and visit Tasmania’s Bruny Island, Freycinet National Park, and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) for a world-class experience of seafood, nature, and the arts. Two Australia travel tips for Tasmania are packing comfortable and sturdy shoes if you plan on taking a hike at Tasmania’s amazing trails and wearing long sleeves and a hat to protect you from the sun. Victoria (VIC) Victoria is what epic road trip dreams are made of. Step on the gas and drive the Great Ocean Road for a spectacular coastal view. And while you’re at it, stop over at the 12 apostles for another breathtaking scene. Enjoy great wine with the company of great friends at Yarra Valley. Within the city, explore Victoria’s capital of Melbourne for a sports-filled trip along with the most exquisite dining experiences. Your Australia travel revenge can’t get any sweeter than this. Western Australia (WA) Landscapes, wine, and gentle giants characterize Western Australia. Australia travel experiences to WA include the beautiful beaches and parks of Perth, an upbeat food culture, and marine life you can swim with. Visit the Ningaloo Reef to swim with the giant but gentle whale sharks, breathe and relax at Margaret River with a glass of fine wine, soak up the sunshine at Perth as you explore local culture. Budgeting Tips For Your Trip To Australia Two things come to mind whenever we budget for a get-away or most especially, when we plan for an Australia travel revenge: cost per day and accommodations. Knowing the average cost of the country you’re traveling to will help you determine what can go into your itinerary. You’ll be able to determine what places to visit, what activities to take, and how long you can stay. Worry no more because we took it upon ourselves to gather the data and help fellow travelers budget for their trip. Check it out below. Average cost per day, per person. All-in. • • • Backpacker - $52/person/day Mid-range - $140/person/day Luxury - $395/person/day Average cost of accommodation for budget hotels • • • • • Park Avenue Holiday Units $241 for 2 nights, 1 apartment Base Backpackers – St. Kilda - $163 for 2 nights, 1 double bed Gilligan's Backpacker Hotel & Resort Cairns - $141 for 2 nights, 2 single beds Mandurah Motel and Apartments $93, 1 room Bunk Brisbane - $61, 1 night, 1 double bed Average cost of accommodation for luxury hotels and lodges • • • Pretty Beach House $2,855 for 2 nights per villa Orpheus Island Lodge $2,292 for 2 nights Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley $2,141 for 1 night, per villa • • The Frames $1,499 for 2 nights Lake House $467 for 1 night Australia Travel Experiences: Local Favorites & World-Famous Food Australia has a lot of food to discover thanks to the diverse cultures living in its suburbs, states, and territories. Enjoy exploring local favorites and world-famous Australian cuisine as you tour the country. • • • Chicken parmigiana Burger with beetroot Barbecued snags – prawns, steaks, sausages, snags • • • Lamington Meat pies Pavlova • • Fish n chips Barramundi • Witchetty grubs • • • Vegemite Avocado toast Coffee in Melbourne Australia Travel Guide On Transportation & Travel Apps Getting around Australia is easy because of its efficient transportation system and all the available means. Go on cross-country road trips, smooth sailing ferries, or fly the skies with Australia’s transportation by air, by land, or by sea. By Air If you want faster travel times from region to region, flying by Australia’s domestic airlines is the way to go. Choose from local carriers such as the following: • Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Tiger Airways and Rex By Land This is where all the variety is. Travel scenic coastal roads, inner desert roads, or the concrete jungles of the city with Australia’s public transportation system or vehicles for rent. Conveniently, tourist information centres are also present at each city. They’ll serve as your Australia travel guide when you’re uncertain. • • Coach and bus travel – long distance and popular routes are available through Greyhound, national coach operator. City buses are also ready to serve you at any of the country’s cities. Vehicles For Rent – These can be cars, 4WD, motorbikes, caravans, or camper vans. Popular providers are Apollo, Spaceship Rentals, Travellers Autobarn. Read Australia’s official tourism website’s guidelines for driving before you go as safety should always be your utmost priority in driving. o • • • Tourism Australia, ROAD SAFETY AND REGULATIONS: https://www.australia.com/en/facts-and-planning/useful-tips/road-safety.html Trains – traveling Australia by train offers affordable tickets, convenience, and unforgettable scenery as you travel the country. Ride trains that can take you from region to region, coast to coast, and city to city. o TrainLink (regional travel, Sydney & New South Wales) o V-Line (Melbourne & Victoria) o Queensland Rail (Queensland) o TransWA (Western Australia) o The Ghan (Adelaide & Darwin) o Indian Pacific (Sydney & Perth) By foot – if you want to take in all the scenery or focus on a particular place, you can explore Australia by foot. Top destinations inside Australia’s cities area accessible by walking. Additionally, Australia also has great hiking trails you can blaze such as the Tasmania’s Overland Track and the Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory. Taxis – taxis are also available in Australia. Alternatively, ride-hailing apps such as Uber, 13Cabs, Premiercabs, and Rydo can take you back to your accommodation. Download the Sydney public transpo app to get an estimate of the fares. By Sea Travel the coasts of Australia through ferries. o o o Spirit of Tasmania (Melbourne, Victoria & Devonport, Tasmania) SeaLink (Cape Jervis, South Australia & Kangaroo Island) Intercity ferries: Sydney Harbour, Swan River in Perth, Brisbane River Travelling with Disability Australia is mindful of those living with a disability. And as such, has made accessibility of public transportation possible for those on wheelchairs or a mobility device. Upon arrival, airports provide assistance for their baggage, walking from place to place within the airport, and even getting off the carrier. More information is available through the following websites: • • • Australia For All People With Disability Australia Can Go Everywhere Apps Lastly, we all know that apps are now a travel essential as these can provide real time information and travel routes and departures. Sometimes, these apps even provide Australia travel tips which can give you insight about Australia. Download these apps before you visit. • Public Transportation Apps • • • • • • o Darwin: NT Bus Tracker o Sydney: Opal Travel o Hobart: Metro Tas o Brisbane: MyTransLink o Melbourne: Public Transport Victoria o Adelaide: MetroMATE o Perth: Transperth Google Maps Anytrip Citymapper Strava Uber, Taxify Moovit Too much information? Here’s a table summarizing all that we discussed above. Backpacking •All-In: $52/person/day •Accommodation : $23/person/day Budget In The Middle •All-In: $140/person/day •Accommodation : $63/person/day Luxury •All-In: $395/person/day •Accommodation : $180/person/day Food Transportat ion •Chicken parmigiana •Burger with beetroot •Barbecued snags – prawns, steaks, sausages, snags •Lamington •Meat pies • Domestic airlines • Coach & Bus • Train • Car rentals Public Transpo Apps •Darwin: NT Bus Tracker •Sydney: Opal Travel •Hobart: Metro Tas •Brisbane: MyTransLink Other Mobile Apps • Google Maps •Anytrip •Citymapper •Strava •Uber, Taxify •Pavlova •Fish n chips •Barramundi •Witchetty grubs •Vegemite, avocado toast • Foot • Taxis • Ferries •Melbourne: Public Transport Victoria •Adelaide: MetroMATE •Perth: Transperth Australia Travel Tips On COVID-19 Travel Advisories At this time, the great outdoors is unfortunately closed. Due to the pandemic of COVID-19, traveling to Australia is only possible for those who reside in the country, are citizens, and those who are immediately related to them. If you are any of those, take note of these precautions. •Moovit • • All arrivals are required to quarantine themselves for 14 days. If you show signs of an infectious disease during your flight, the following precautions will take place: o The airline will inform the biosecurity officers about your condition o You will be assessed by the biosecurity officers before stepping off the carrier o Upon arrival, you may be brought to the hospital or be advised to go on quarantine depending on your condition. Don’t worry, if you need to be quarantined, the Australian Government supports its territories and states who will oversee the arrangements needed for quarantine which are the following: o o Arrangements for quarantine at the designated facility Transportation to get you from the airport to the accommodation where you’ll be quarantined. Be aware that during quarantine, you might get tested for COVID-19. Refusing to do so may require you to extend your quarantine period. Cooperation is the key for a smooth transition out of quarantine. Stay updated and informed about Australia’s COVID-19 advisories through the Australian Government Department of Health’s official web pages: • https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-healthalert/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-internationaltravellers • • • https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/05/coronavirus-covid-19information-for-international-travellers.pdf https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-healthalert/what-you-need-to-know-about-coronavirus-covid-19 https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-healthalert/coronavirus-covid-19-news-and-media The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a webpage with useful information provided for those returning to Australia during the pandemic. • https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/while-youre-away/returning-australia Lastly, take note of Australia’s official government websites for its territories and states. These websites double up as your Australia travel guide because they provide useful information of where you’ll be visiting. • • • • • • • • Northern Territory - Northern Territory Department of Transport Australian Capital Territory - ACTION New South Wales - NSW Transport Info Queensland - TRANSLink Tasmania - Metro Tasmania South Australia - Adelaide Metro Victoria - Public Transport Victoria Western Australia - Transperth Australia Travel Essentials: What To Bring Most of the items that should be included in your checklist are sun-related as the sun is stronger in Australia due to its location in the Southern Hemisphere. Take your sun protection seriously while you’re in the country to avoid going home with sunburns and unhealthy skin due to overexposure. A pro travel tips is to look up the items you’d like to bring at the Australian Border Force’s (ABF) official website. The ABF is the agency who enforces the law in Australia. Their website provides a status for each item commonly brought to Australia and designates them as “bring it”, “declare it”, or “don’t bring it” to clear up what things you can bring. • https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in/list-of-items Here’s the list of your essential things to bring for your Australian backpacking or luxury trip: • • • • • • • • • • Reef-safe SPF 50+ sunscreen Universal adapter with surge protection – so you can charge your devices into Australia’s Type 1 plugs. Converter – for your electrical appliances such as hair dryers or shavers Rubber shoes good for long walks or hikes; watershoes Flip-flops, sandals Water bottle Functional, durable, light-weight backpack Mirrorless camera Travel insurance Passport and Australian visa • • • • • • Cap or wide-brimmed hat, sun hat Neck wallet Powerbank, portable charger Quick dry towel Sunglasses Dry-fit long sleeves Australia Travel Tips On Souvenirs To Bring Home Australia has a lot of souvenirs you can choose from. Whether it be food items, stuffed toys, clothes, handicrafts or artwork, these are all available for you to bring home. Choose the ones that represent your Australian trip best. • • • • • • • • • • Vegemite Kangaroo jerky Haigh’s chocolates Emu Oil Tea Tree Oil Australian scarves Macadamia nuts Kangaroo leather Akubra hat Coffee beans • • • Camphor Cutting Board Opals Ken Done artworks