Planning a trip to Australia?

Worried about visas, customs, climate and such practical travel information?

Don’t worry, We’ve got you covered!

 

Visa

Everybody other than a citizen of Australia or New Zealand will need a valid Australian visa to enter the country. A range of visas, including tourist visas and working holiday visas, are available at your nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate. Certain types of visas can be applied for on the website as well.

Getting there

Many airlines regularly fly to Australia and prices can vary substantially, so it pays to shop around. Take into the length of the flight and any stopovers. Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Darwin, Cairns, Adelaide, and Brisbane are Australia’s international airports, and you can catch any of the plenty local flights at any of these. Flying is the quickest way to cover Australia’s vast distances.

Airport transfers

All of the international airports in Australia have transport options linking the airport with the city proper. These include public means of transport such as bus or train, as well as taxis and shuttle services that provide transfers up to your accommodation. Rental car providers like Avis, Hertz, and Europcar can be found at the airports.

Cruises

Cruises to Australia cover some of the most scenic parts even before you officially arrive in the country. Of note are Sydney, Cairns (Queensland), Broome (Western Australia) and of course the Great Barrier Reef. Many international cruise lines dock at Australia’s port cities. You can go for tours and rejoin the ship later on, or choose to fly back home. Between December and April is when most cruise ships visit Australian shores.

Customs and Quarantine

The customs laws prohibit drugs, steroids, weapons and protected wildlife from entering Australia. Several items including fresh or packaged food, eggs, meat, fruit, plants, seeds, skins, and feathers are also prohibited. Even though there is no limit on currency, you need to declare amounts over AUD$10,000.

Medication

Medicine can be brought into Australia for personal use, but must be declared on arrival and is subject to controls. It is recommended that you to carry a prescription or letter from your doctor outlining your medical condition and the medicine you are carrying.

Travel insurance

As with everywhere else, taking out a travel insurance policy to covers theft, loss, accidents and medical problems is highly recommended. And if you plan to undertake adventure sports such as scuba diving, bungee jumping, motorcycling, skiing or even bushwalking, check whether these activities are fully covered too.

Weather

The climatic conditions vary widely across the continent. Summer is Between December and February for most of the country, while it’s the wet season in the tropical north. The Australian winter (June to August) is generally mild but brings snow to the southern mountain regions. It’s recommended that you protect yourself from the hot Australian sun with a hat and sunscreen.

Timezones

Australia is divided up into three time zones: Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST – UST+10), Australian Central Standard Time (ACST: UST+9½ ) and Australian Western Standard Time (AWST: UST+8).

The above covers almost everything you need to know about traveling down under. If you still need something, drop us a line!

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