When you pay your first visit to Australia alone, it is quite likely that you will know what to expect: the Opera house, the kangaroos, the beaches. However there is no travel guidebook that can equip you for the reality on the ground.
1. The Distances Will Shock You
The majority of the new people in Australia do not understand the extent of its size. The flight duration between Sydney and Perth is approximately five hours, as the cities are approximately 4,000 kilometers apart. It is a very big country, and you should certainly consider that in case you intend to see more of it.
2. Downtime Is More Common Than You Think
While traveling alone may seem like an endless adventure, there are actually lengthy wait times. The package includes rainy days spent inside hostels, overnight buses, and layovers in small rural towns. Many travelers spend those moments scrolling through their phones, and others even find light amusement they’ve never tried before, like a dice bb game online or simple puzzle apps that kill time surprisingly well.
3. Wildlife Encounters Are Real
All you have to do to see animals is go a short distance into the bush. Cockatoos could take food from your plate as you eat outside, and possums might come to your hostel balcony at night. Even in big cities like Sydney and Melbourne, there are many large spiders, snakes, and lizards.
Magpie Swooping Season
During the period between August and November, magpies are really very territorial, and they will literally plunge at your head when you are walking. Locals deterrently put cable ties on their bike helmets or carry sunglasses strapped to the backs of their heads.
4. The Sun Is No Joke
Australia’s sun strikes differently. UV radiation is more intense even on wet or cloudy days, as some regions of Australia are less densely covered by the ozone layer. It is important to use SPF 50 sunscreen, and if you are spending time outdoors, you must reapply it every two hours.
Sunburn Can Happen Fast
It doesn’t really matter if you have a fair or dark complexion. Tourists frequently believe that their skin provides adequate natural protection, but it’s an expensive mistake down there. To protect yourself from UV damage, always carry sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
5. Tipping Is Not Expected
Australia is pleasantly different when it comes to service fees and gratuities at restaurants. Tipping is not traditional here because employees are paid a livable wage. If the service was great, you can leave a tiny amount, but if you don’t, no one will judge you.
6. Public Transport Varies Wildly
Sydney has good buses and trains, however tourists might not be able to use the Opal card system. But outside of big cities, there are almost no ways to go about. The only good way to get around is to rent a car or go on scheduled tours.
7. Groceries Will Eat Your Budget
Even with buying basic foods every week, your expenses could easily reach 80 to 100 AUD. However, buying store-brand items instead of name-brand goods makes a huge difference, and Aldi is most often the cheapest chain.
On the same note, an average lunch in a restaurant may cost between 18 and 25 AUD for one. The best means of curbing the daily costs is cooking your food as much as possible.
8. Australians Are Genuinely Friendly
Australians are amiable, easygoing people that you would ever come across. It is not hard to strike up a conversation in bus stations, hostels, and cafes. People there are curious to know about your native city and are usually glad to recommend hidden establishments in their cities.
9. SIM Cards and Connectivity
It is not a difficult task to get a local SIM card. Plans offered by such companies as Optus, Telstra, and Vodafone, and their prepaid travel plans begin at approximately 30 AUD, with a decent amount of data usage. Buy one in any convenience store or get it immediately after you get to the airport. Using intermittent Wi-Fi at hostels would significantly complicate staying in touch with relatives back home, transportation planning, and traveling around new destinations.
10. The Seasons Are Flipped
This is generally the thing that tourists are not ready for. In Australia, summer is during the Western winter and vice versa. You will get there during the hottest months, in case you are flying in December, hoping that it will be cold. It is a good idea to research the season before you pack.
11. Water Safety Matters More Than You Think
Australian beaches are pretty, though they can turn out to be dangerous when not taken care of. Rip currents increase the number of rescues on the shore more than anything else.
You must never swim in the water, which is not supervised, and must always watch out for red and yellow flags on the patrolled beaches. In case you are not a confident swimmer, there are many beaches that offer free surf safety classes during the busiest season of the year.
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