A trip to Australia promises to be an unforgettable experience! Located on the other side of the world, it also has something mysterious about it. When you are planning your trip Down Under, many questions will undoubtedly come to your mind. What about all those dangerous animals? Is it everywhere as hot as the Outback? And what is the best way to get around in this gigantic country? After spending five months traveling through Australia in a camper van, we’re sharing our best tips to help you prepare for your own adventure.
1) Apply for a visa for Australia
First, it is important to know how to enter Australia. This can be done with a visa. The most common is a tourist visa. Most Europeans can apply for this through this official website. This visa is digitally linked to your passport and allows you to travel in Australia for 3 months continuously. A second, popular option (if you are under 31) is a working holiday visa. This visa allows you to stay in Australia for a full year and work in the meantime. Handy to save some money first and then explore the country!
2) Australia is huge: focus on one part
And we mean really huge! The country is almost as big as the continent of Europe, and you need a lot of time if you want to see everything. It is also a vast country, and sometimes you have to travel long distances to get from A to B. Therefore, depending on how much time you have, we recommend focusing on one part. Most travelers count 3 to 4 weeks, and with that you can cover the popular itinerary from
3) Getting around in Australia
How do you get around Australia? That also depends on which part you are exploing. You can travel the itinerary from Sydney to Cairns on the famous Greyhound bus. This backpacker bus stops at all major attractions along the East Coast and is a comfortable way to travel. For the other parts of Australia there is limited public transportation available. In our opinion, the best way to explore this country is by campervan or car. You will find a lot of beautiful camping sites in Australia and they will take you to the most pristine places. In addition, with a campervan or car you also have the freedom to go wherever you want. Especially if you want to explore the west coast of Australia or Tasmania your best option is your own transportation.
TRAVEL TIP: Planning to drive yourself? Keep in mind that you must be at least 21 years old, you need an international driver’s license and they drive on the left in Australia. In addition, do not underestimate the gigantic driving distances!
4) Animals in Australia: dangerous or not?
Australia and animals go hand in hand. During your Australia road trip, you will undoubtedly encounter an animal at some point. Fortunately, this will most likely be a kangaroo, wombat or koala. These are absolutely not dangerous, but when driving by car it is possible that a kangaroo will jump onto the road. This is mainly during twilight hours, so driving when it is dark in Australia is strongly discouraged. However, animals such as crocodiles, snakes and spiders are also a part of Australia. However, the chances of seeing these are much lower! In the five months that we traveled around Australia, we never saw a dangerous spider. We did see three snakes, but they are just as afraid of you as you are of them, and before you realize what you are seeing, they are gone.
5) Best time to visit Australia
Because Australia is in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed from those in Europe. Meaning summer in Australia runs from December through February. In addition, the country is so large that it also has different climate zones. So again, you have to take into account which part you are going to travel around in. For example, it is very cold in the south of Australia from June to September, while this is precisely the best travel time for the north. So depending on your destination, you have to consider a different travel time. In a nutshell, this can get you started:
- January – March: South Coast (Melbourne – Sydney, Esperance), Tasmania, Queensland coast, Western Australia (Perth)
- April – June: Queensland coast, Outback, North Australia (Cairns, Darwin), Western Australia (Perth)
- July – September: Northern Australia, Outback, Western Australia (Exmouth), Queensland coast
- October – December: South Coast (Melbourne-Sydney, Esperance), Tasmania, Western Australia
6) Respect indigenous Aboriginal culture
Aborigines are the indigenous people of Australia and have a rich history dating back thousands of years. Unfortunately, European colonization in the late 18th century had a devastating impact on Aboriginal communities. Today, the effects are still being felt. Australia is now committed to restoring this relationship by fully recognizing these communities and giving back parts of their land. When visiting Australia, be sure to visit cultural centers and always respect Aboriginal sacred sites. As with everything and everyone, it is important to act in a respectful manner.
7) Australia and budget
Australia uses the Australian dollar (AUD), and €1 is roughly equal to about 1.6 AUD. Keep in mind that Australia isn’t the cheapest travel destination, overall costs are generally higher than in Europe. So if you’re planning a trip, make sure to adjust your budget accordingly. Renting a car or camper van, staying in major cities, or booking lots of activities can add up quickly. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to keep expenses down: cook your own meals, look for free activities, or share costs with fellow travellers. That said, some experiences are absolutely worth the splurge. A visit to the Whitsundays or K’gari Island may be pricey, but in our opinion, they’re must-dos!
8) There is not always coverage
Because Australia is such a large country, it is not exceptional that you will not have internet coverage everywhere. Especially in the remote parts, there is little phone reception. Therefore, be sure to download your maps offline in advance. If you want to purchase an Australian SIM card, the best option is Telstra. It offers the most coverage in the remote parts of Australia. A second option is Optus, but it is especially recommended if you are staying in a big city for a longer period of time. Finally, you can also choose to install an e-sim, then you are not dependent on a provider and it’s easy to cancel quickly!
9) Australia is very popular
Traveling to Australia is on the bucket list of many travelers! Rightly so, because Australia is truly a fantastic destination. This also means that you will certainly not be the only one there and you need to book certain things in advance. Especially during the high season, it is best to book certain activities and accommodations as far in advance as possible. For example, you need to book excursions like the Whitsundays or K’gari or the ferry to Tasmania several weeks in advance to be sure of a spot. Our Australia travel guides can get you started planning your itinerary!
10) Vaccinations & medication
When traveling to Australia, there are no standard vaccinations required, but it’s best to check with your doctor before traveling. We also recommend that you bring mosquito spray, as they are plentiful in some places. Besides that, in Western Australia and the Outback you will find a lot of flies that are only too happy to bother you. Unfortunately, there is little you can do about this except to swat them away or wear a head net. Now you know where the ‘Australian wave’ comes from!
With these 10 tips, you can start planning your trip to Australia ! If you have any tips of your own to share, let us know in a comment below! Still have questions about traveling to Australia? If so, please feel free to email info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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