To make your trip to the faraway country of Australia comfortable and successful, you should know some things and follow certain rules:
1.Don't plan too much. The average sightseeing tour in the country cannot take less than a week, while the traditional time is about 10 days. Experts advise to think out the plan as much as possible in advance, and move in one direction. You won't cover everything, but you will be able to see what you have planned.
2.Protect yourself from the sun as much as possible. Light and breathable clothing, wide-brimmed hats or light-colored caps, and creams with high levels of skin protection are not enough in the Australian summer or in the heart of the desert. It is difficult to do without air conditioning, so try to travel in comfort. Saving money on transportation will be a waste on your health.
3.Don't be guided by a standard set of excursions. There are hundreds of miles between many of the country's attractions, and operators don't always get the routes right. Check every conceived step, look for comfortable ways to get around. And try to combine two vacation destinations. That is, you can spend a couple of days on the beaches of the northern coast of Australia, visit the Kakadu National Park, and then go, for example, to Melbourne or Sydney to spend the last days in full comfort in a civilized metropolis with museums and restaurants.
4.Check the weather forecast in advance. Australia is a hot country. But it can rain at almost any time of year. Take water with you and try to refill it whenever you can. You can take water from springs, but do not drink from running rivers and streams.
5.Snakes, spiders, crocodiles and sharks. They're here. And there are a lot of them. If you're traveling to protected areas, make sure you follow the safety information on your itinerary and find out what's out there. Otherwise, you risk encountering a not-so-friendly spider the size of your fist. Or a poisonous snake. Don't walk without shoes, and watch where you pitch your tent if you're camping.
6.Most public places in Australia are smokefree. Not everywhere is marked. It's a social norm. And if you don't want a policeman to come up to you with a logical question, check the places. If you plan to quit smoking, it's okay. But if it is critical, take cigarettes with you. They are quite expensive in Australia.
7.You can give tips. It is not obligatory, and no one will demand it from you. Salaries in Australia are not bad, and you will not find poverty there, as such. But if you decide to give one or two Australian dollars, you will not be offended or surprised. But it is not accepted to bargain here, in the country is quite European mentality and firm financial grip. And discounts are frequent.
8.Many people say that Australians are not very friendly. This is mostly said to be due to long distances and small settlements. People in towns in the middle of the desert, on their ranches where they raise sheep, kangaroos or rabbits, do not see visitors very often. And they may be suspicious of them. But it's mostly about something else. Australians are very fond of their nature and their land. It is perfectly clean, there is little swearing and not too much noise. If you adhere to the social rules of a civilized society, you will be treated accordingly. And the system of social fines in the country works. And you should simply behave politely. Guests come to see nature, not to assert their position "the tourist is always right". Keep in mind that there are restrictions on the sale of alcohol here, from Monday to Saturday from 17.00 to midnight (the specific time varies from state to state), and only to persons over 18 years of age.
9.You can successfully travel around the country by car. In this case, be extra careful. Kangaroos run across the road, and the forests and fields are dry. An accidental cigarette butt can lead to tragedy.
10.There are considerable distances between cities. If you are driving a rental car and staying far from civilization, be vigilant. There are usually plenty of warning signs. If it's a wild beach, there will be some signs about currents, rocks and such. But it may be that there are none. So being alert remains the key to safety.
