Canberra is the capital of Australia and location of Parliament and the Central Government. Australia includes 6 states (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia), each with their own capital, and 10 territories (Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Jervis Bay Territory, and Heard and McDonald Islands). Major Australian cities and their locations include: Sydney (New South Wales), Melbourne (Victoria), Brisbane (Queensland), Adelaide (South Australia), Perth (Western Australia), Darwin (the Northern Territory), and Hobart (Tasmania). Australia is divided into six climate zones characterized by differences in average seasonal temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and vegetation: tropical (north), equatorial (far north), subtropical (east coast), desert (southern coast and most of the center), grassland (surrounding desert in the center), and temperate (southeast and southwest coasts). [5] X Research source Purchase or check out from a library a guide book of Australia. General guide books include Lonely Planet’s Australia and East Coast Australia; the Rough Guide to Australia offers personal and candid accounts of experiences in Australia and is recommended for experienced travelers; and Insight Guide Australia includes information on Australian history, culture, and customs. [6] X Research source
Most of the major tourist destinations, such as the Great Barrier Reef, and largest cities, including Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra, are in the eastern part of the country along the coast. [7] X Research source Australia is home to 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House, and Ayers Rock in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. [8] X Research source Australia was first inhabited by the the Indigenous Aboriginal community over 40,000 years ago. Australian Aboriginal culture is incredibly diverse. In the 18th century, over 1 million Aboriginal people occupied Australia, organized into 300 clans and speaking over 250 languages. Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory is one of the best sites to visit Aboriginal art and culture sites. [9] X Research source The National Gallery in Canberra showcases 13 galleries devoted to Aboriginal art. [10] X Research source History buffs can learn about Australia’s history as a penal colony for Great Britain at Fremantly Prison near Perth. The Historic Port of Echuca on the banks of the Murray River in Victoria offers living history related to 19th century life, trade, and shipbuilding in southwest Australia. [11] X Research source Australia is home to some of the best beaches in the world, such as the Twelve Apostles beach in Victoria,[12] X Research source You can also swim with rays at Dolphin Bay in South Australia, take a break from Sydney at Bronte Beach, or visit Aireys lighthouse at Eastern View beach in Victoria. [13] X Research source You can also rent a car and leisurely stop at beaches and destinations along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. [14] X Research source Wildlife and nature buffs can experience Australia’s unique flora and fauna by catching a glimpse of crocodiles in Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory,[15] X Research source searching for wombats and platypus in southeast Australia,[16] X Research source or swim with whale sharks in Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. [17] X Research source For wine and food aficionados, South Australia is home to Australia’s world-famous wine region. You can tour wineries throughout the Yarra Valley, located a short drive from Melbourne. [18] X Research source
Air travel: airfare, check baggage fee, airport parking (per day), and airport transfers. Transportation: travel within Australia (airfare, buses, trains), car rental, gas, and public transportation. Accommodation and meals: hotel or hostel (per person per night), breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and tips. Sightseeing, tour and entrance fees, souvenirs and shopping, and entertainment. Other expenses such as travel insurance, passports, visa, currency exchange fees, and luggage. A good rule of thumb is to add $25 to $50 per person per day for miscellaneous travel expenses.
You can start by downloading a travel planning app, such as Tripit. com or NileGuide. com. [23] X Research source Be realistic and do not cram in too much into a single day. Schedule down time during the day, make sure you get 8 hours of sleep per night, and give yourself enough time to travel between places. Make an itinerary that is flexible. Being able to make adjustments will help you deal with any unexpected travel delays.
To find an authorized passport acceptance facility, go to travel. state. gov and click on “U. S. Passport”. Under the “Your U. S. Passport” tab in the upper left corner, click on “Where to Apply”. This will bring you to a page that lets you search for authorized facilities by state, city, or zip code. When applying for a passport, you will need: proof of U. S. citizenship such as your birth certificate, previous U. S. passport, certificate of naturalization, or consular proof of birth abroad (original documents only, photocopies will not be accepted); photo identification (valid driver’s license, valid government ID, valid military ID, or undamaged U. S. passport issued in the past 15 years); and two copies of a 2x2 inch color photo taken within the past 6 months, printed on photo-quality paper, and which meet additional requirements outlined on the travel. state. gov website. [25] X Research source Passport fees must be paid at the time of application. You can pay using personal checks, money, or cash. [26] X Research source Basic fees include $110 for an adult passport book, and a $25 processing charge. Additional fees include $60 for expedited service, $14. 85 for overnight delivery, and $30 for an adult passport card.
U. S. citizens with a valid passport can apply for and purchase an Electronic Travel Authority, or ETA, online for $20. [28] X Research source An ETA allows you to enter and leave Australia at anytime during a 12-month period and remain in the country for no longer than 3 months at a time. [29] X Research source Most ETAs take less than 12 hours to process. Certain individuals are ineligible for an ETA, including those who have tested positive for tuberculosis or been convicted of a crime and served a 12-month or longer sentence are ineligible. [30] X Research source HIV/AIDS positive visitors may also encounter certain restrictions or be required to undergo a medical exam prior to entering Australia.
Keep your travel dates flexible to take advantage of reduced airfares. In general, flights are cheaper midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday) or on Saturdays. [31] X Research source Flights are usually 10% to 20% cheaper during the off-season, which in Australia is between early May to early June, and late July to late September. [32] X Research source Because of its size, the best way to travel within Australia is by airplane. Australia has several domestic airlines that offer regular, affordable flights between its major cities. Major domestic carriers include: Jetstar, Qantas Domestic, Rex, Virgin Australia, and Tiger Airways. [33] X Research source
Most plane tickets are non-refundable once purchased. It is always a good idea to purchase insurance in case you need to cancel or reschedule your trip. Plans are usually offered for an additional fee at the time of purchase. Read through all ticket information, including possible additional fees for luggage, seat location, meals, etc.
Booking in advance is especially important if you are planning to travel to a city during a major festival, or during peak travel seasons. Print out and bring any receipts with you, as well as the credit card you used to make the booking. In case the hotel loses your booking or overbooks for that night, you have proof of your reservation and can demand a refund or alternative accommodations.
Before purchasing travel insurance from a third party, check and see if you current medical or life insurance policies will cover you when outside the U. S.
If you plan on eating out at a popular restaurant, try calling or emailing to make reservations in advanced. Make arrangements for things back home, such as childcare, pet sitting, or house sitting, at least one month in advance.
Maximize space by rolling items such as shirts, skirts, pants, and shorts or folding clothes together. [35] X Research source Save space in your suitcase by purchasing toiletries (e. g. soap, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. ) in Australia. Discard these items at the end of your trip. Purchase durable luggage, especially if you will be traveling a lot within the country. Cheap luggage cannot withstand the wear and tear of international travel, and you might be stuck needing to buy a new suitcase in Australia.
Summer (December to February) ranges from hot and humid in the north, hot and dry in the center and much of the east and west coasts, and mild/warm in the south. Average temperatures range from 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit to the north, center, and west, and are cooler (70 to 90 degrees) to the south and east. Many sporting events and outdoor festivals in east and southwest Australia occur during the summer months. Winters (June to August) are mild to the north, but cold throughout the rest of the country. Average winter temperatures range from around 26. 6 degrees Fahrenheit in the southwest to 75 degrees in the far north. Skiing and snowboarding is popular this time of year in Victoria. [40] X Research source Spring (September to November) and Fall (March to May) are transition seasons, and the weather can be highly variable. However, the dry season from May to October is the best time to experience clear skies in the tropical regions of northern Australia. [41] X Research source
Examples of restricted or prohibited imports include: firearms, endangered animal and plant species, certain dog breeds, laser pointers, electric fly-swatters or mosquito bats, pornographic material, and certain antibiotics. [44] X Research source
In emergency situations, most American cell phones work in Australia. Contact you cell phone service provider prior to leaving to ask about international plans or costs and fees associated with calls outside of the U. S. or Canada. Be aware of time differences when attempting to call family or friends back home. Australia is divided into three separate time zones. [45] X Research source The East Coast of the U. S. is 13 hours behind Western Australia and 16 hours behind New South Wales and Sydney. Add three hours for places on the West Coast of the U. S.
Examples of important or necessary documents for traveling to Australia include: passport, visas, credit card you used to book hotels or airfare, credit and ATM cards, cash (USD and AUD), E-tickets, hotel information and reservations, driver’s license, guidebooks, and prescription drug information. [46] X Research source Make copies of all important documents and keep them together in a folder in your checked luggage (take the originals with you on your carry-on).
Check airport and airline restrictions on carry-on items, such as liquids and gels, or items such as pocket knives or nail clippers. [49] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Transportation Security Administration U. S. government agency responsible for ensuring safety by setting and enforcing travel protocols Go to source
Text or email updates. Check airport website for flight updates.
