Travel in Australia: Everything you need to know

07/03/2023

Australia is a magical, boundless and wild country. A coveted destination and certainly a place to see at least once in a lifetime.

I remember very well that day before leaving.

It was the beginning of June, the dawn of a new summer. I was in my room and by chance I found one of my high school diaries. Not the school ones; those in which you keep note about goals, dreams and hopes for the future.

“Travel in Australia”.

I probably never expected such a huge and different country, and I probably never thought I would have traveled there for real or suddenly as it happened.

In this article, I’ll help you clarify how to prepare for a trip to Australia and what you need for a smooth and unforeseen journey.

travel in australia: why ?

Let’s start from the beginning, why Australia?

To date, after traveling more than 5000 km in the land of kangaroos, I can say that in my high school days I was more aware than ever, I just didn’t realize it.

Travel in Australia is an experience that somehow allows you to reconnect to the natural world without filters, resize the ego that you carry around like a shadow and revive that feeling of wonder and freedom that makes you feel alive and grateful for the planet you live on.

It is a country that changes you, open your mind and gives you serenity with its boundless beauties.

From cities populated by imposing skyscrapers to incredible nature and its landscapes; from the humid heat of the tropics to the dry chill of the southern territories, Australia has so much to offer even to the most discerning traveler.

Documents to travel in australia

The two main documents without which you cannot enter the country (and with some airlines not even leave) are passport and visa.

There are various types of visa available for traveling to Australia and they are all clearly explained on the official website of the Australian Government, in the section dedicated to immigration.

Costs, deadlines and limitations vary a lot according to the visa type, but generally the issuing time is very short, if not instantaneous.

working holiday visa

If you have not yet turned 30 and want to travel in Australia, you have the opportunity to live a unique experience by applying for the Working Holiday Visa (WHV 417).

It is a specific visa for young people which allows you to stay in Australia for a year, study for a maximum of 4 months and work to put aside some savings.

After doing it, it’s a choice that I recommend to anyone: you earn very well, gain experience, make new friends and explore a beautiful country.

The visa costs around €300. Although it does not appear in the primary information, it also requires a minimum balance of around €2500 in your bank account, in order to survive while looking for work.

To complete the visa application, you will need to provide proof of your assets certified by the bank, so make sure you have all the documents ready before starting the procedure.

You will mainly need:

Identity card
passport
driving licenses (if you have them)
bank certificate.

From the moment your visa is issued, you will have one year to leave. Your 365-day visa will begin the moment you land in Australia.

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how much does it cost to travel in australia

Australia is an expensive country.

The cost of living is high, as are local salaries. The average price of a trip to Australia can therefore vary greatly depending on the country of origin, the value of its currency and the travel style.

If you choose hotels and resorts, the average per night generally starts from 200AUD for the cheapest, opting for hostels and campsites instead the prices generally start from 30-70AUD. The entrances to the parks are quite cheap and there are passes that allow you to save a little bit, while tours and more touristic activities are on average more expensive.

A site that offers really interesting discounts is BookMe: there are activities more or less throughout the Australian territory, but it is good to evaluate the sustainability of what you choose, as many experiences are purely touristic and not very respectful to the natural heritage.

As far as flights are concerned, the cost obviously depends on the departure place. To find the cheapest flights I generally use Skyscanner, using an anonymous page to compare prices within a whole period, usually a month. I also cross-check the trip, reverse-checking and setting the destination as “anywhere” to see which routes are cheaper.

Another app that I found useful for monitoring flight prices and finding discounts is Hopper, where you can activate notifications to follow prices variations of the routes that you’re interested about.

insurance to travel in australia

As I explain in detail in this article, when you decide to travel to Australia it is better to also choose insurance that covers both travel and health once there.

The local health system is subject to a fee if you are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen or do not have permanent visas, and travel is always an unpredictable experience, so it is better to choose comprehensive insurance and avoid worries and headaches.

when to travel in australia

Australia, like almost every country in the world, offers different wonders and activities based on the time of year you visit.

Personally, I don’t think there is a “best period“, but there are certainly experiences closely linked to the seasons for which it is necessary to inquire beforehand.

First you need to consider their seasons:

Summer : December, January, February
Autumn: March, April, May
Winter: June, July, August
Spring: September, October, November

Then you have to consider the latitude: in tropical areas the temperatures are always mild / hot, but with the summer season comes the rainy season; in the southern regions, on the other hand, the winters can be very cold, but the warm seasons tend to be mild and pleasant.

Another important factor is the presence or absence of dangerous organisms, especially in the sea. In fact, if you want to swim, enjoy the sun on the beach or go surfing and diving, it is useful to know the migration periods and locations of jellyfish, sharks and crocodiles, for example.

Finally, if you have you’re a nature lover and like outdoor activities, it is important that you find out about sustainable and feasible tours and activities in the various seasons.

For example, if you can’t wait to swim with the whale shark, you will have to organize a trip between the months of April and June, because in the rest of the year it is not present and you will have to choose the tropical west coast as your trip destination.

travel in australia: what you need

Leaving for the kangaroos land certainly requires a spirit of adaptation and adventure, as well as a good dose of curiosity.

From bikinis to hiking boots, sports and outdoor clothing are sure to come first when it comes to what to pack.

Filling your luggage with refined things and skimpy clothes may not be the most suitable choice for such a wild country, so I would opt for comfortable and practical clothes that can be used in any environment and situations.

Photographic equipment is a must, whether it’s smartphones, gopros, professional cameras: the important thing is to be able to immortalize this unique experience and keep its memories.

Finally, a guide can always come in handy, especially if you plan to explore more remote areas. Although critical thinking never hurts, I was very happy with the Lonely Planet Australia guide to get an overview of what each place offers and to be able to choose the stages of the trip.

Ready to go? 🙂

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