Australia is an exciting and fun travel destination that should be on everyone’s bucket list. However, there are several mistakes first-time visitors make that have left a sour taste in their mouths, or worse, completely ruined their holiday. Here are a few of the most common mistakes to avoid.
Overpacking
First off, there is no need to overpack when visiting Australia. The weather is fairly consistent throughout the year, with it only getting a bit cooler in the wintertime. Additionally, it is a very Western and first-world country, meaning they almost always have everything you may need if you forget to pack something.
Instead, pack what you will actually use and need and leave it there. There is no need to pack for every weather type and outcome, and if push comes to shove, you can buy a pair of sandals or a swimming costume at a store.
Luggage Restrictions
Australia is famed for having very strict luggage restrictions when entering and leaving the country. Foreign foods, seeds, and even untreated leather can all be confiscated when entering the country.
Therefore, before leaving, research questions like “can you bring vapes into Australia” or “is this fruit allowed in Australia.” There are plenty of online resources that will give you a straightforward answer.
Skipping Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is crucial when traveling anywhere, but it is particularly important when going to Australia. This is mainly because of the activities you will most likely engage in and the dangers you may encounter.
You may want to surf or explore the outback, and the last thing you want is to fight with a hospital over a bill when you possibly break your arm or worse, get bitten by a venomous snake or spider.
Local Etiquette
Australia is a multicultural country, with communities from all over the world. While they now view themselves as Australian, many still practice their native traditions and customs. Therefore, it is important to remain respectful.
While this will fully depend on the culture, where you are, and what you are doing, if you are unsure of which customs to follow, a quick internet search will tell you everything you need to know.
Travel Times
Many people underestimate just how large Australia is, and even though cities or towns appear close on a map, the drives between them could easily be 12 or more hours. Sydney and Brisbane are two incredibly popular tourist destinations, but they are over 9 hours apart.
Before you arrive, be sure you know how far apart everything is so you can estimate how much travel time you’ll need. You don’t want to waste day after day traveling seemingly by accident.
Jet Lag
Another small thing to consider is jet lag. Unless you are traveling from East Asia, Australia is incredibly far to travel for most people, and therefore, jet lag will most likely hit you hard. Be sure to have a way to deal with it so you don’t have to spend extra days sleeping or trying to catch up on the time.
Not Planning in Advance
Australia has several exceptionally popular tourist destinations and activities. Because of this, it is crucial that you book as much as you can in advance to avoid any disappointment or having to completely change your itinerary to fit something in.
While this won’t always be possible, the second-best thing you can do is plan to arrive at an attraction as early as possible and simply stand in line. This may feel like a waste of time, but it is better than not doing the activity at all, whether it is visiting the Sydney Zoo or the Great Barrier Reef.
Don’t Leave Big Outings to the End
Building on the last point, you want to avoid leaving your big outings to the end of your trip. Whether you are in the country for a week or a month, do big, popular, all-day outings at the start of your trip.
Not only will this ensure you are definitely able to enjoy the activity, but if you can’t book a ticket or something similar, there is more than enough time to do the activity later in your holiday.
Underestimating Prices
While this shouldn’t be a reason not to visit Australia, it is important to know that Australia is an expensive country to visit, especially if you are coming from a country with a much weaker currency.
While you can certainly find great prices in smaller towns around the country, the main cities, especially Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, can be very expensive. Therefore, be sure to budget appropriately, and do research into the cost of the bigger activities you may want to do.
Sun Protection
While this may seem obvious, visitors still underestimate just how powerful and dangerous the sun in Australia can be. Many visitors leave with serious sunburn and sun damage, which can be completely avoided.
Use a high-strength sunscreen, especially in the Summer, and apply it every time you go outside. While it is a small step, you will be grateful you’ve done it when you are walking on Bondi Beach and see other tourists with sunburns that resemble a cooked lobster.
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