Travel Tips and Info About Australia
About Australia
Australia - the diverse land down under, home to so many fascinating natural landmarks and a country that is thought of in so many different ways. We are a multi-cultural country that welcomes all nations, backgrounds and religions. But there are many interesting facts about Australia that you may not be aware of.
Australia boasts some of the world's most beautiful natural wonders such as the Great Barrier Reef - the world's largest coral reef system, the Heritage Listed Ayers Rock (Uluru), the Bungle Bungles in Western Australia, the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road. Man-made icons include the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
The population of Australia in 2011 was 21,507,717 with the most populated states being New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Canberra is the Nations' capital is an interesting city that is home to the Parliament House, Old Parliament House and the War Memorial.
The geography of Australia ranges from deserts, mountainous, tropical islands, rain forests, lakes and rivers. The longest river in Australia is the Murray River which is 2375 kilometres long. The Murray River begins in New South Wales, then travels through Victoria and finally South Australia where the Murray Mouth meets the Southern Ocean. The Murray River is home to a variety of wildlife such as platypus, Murray cod, golden perch, trout and cod. The river is also famous for its paddle steamers and there are paddle steamers that cruise along the river for several days.
There are many beautiful lakes in Australia with Lake Eyre in South Australia covering a surface area of 9500 square kilometres, when the lake is full it is the largest lake in Australia. Another lake that attracts many visitors is Lake St Clair in Tasmania. Lake St Clair is the deepest lake in Australia that covers an area of 430 square metres and forms part of Cradle Mountain. Lake Argyle is the largest artificial lake which covers a surface area of 1000 square kilometres. Located in Western Australia near Kununurra the primary inflow of Lake Argyle comes from the Ord River. Lake Argyle is very beautiful and a cruise is a great way to experience the lake.
The climate in Australia varies with tropical climate in the northern parts, subtropical in the south and temperate in the south east and south west. Canberra can be very cool in winter and the coldest temperature recorded was -14.60 degrees in 1971 while Stanthorpe in Queensland holds the record for the lowest temperature in the state. Rainfall in Australia is generally seasonal with the highest rainfall occurring at Mount Lofty in South Australia and the lowest in the desert regions. The varied weather in Australia allows for a variety of outdoor sports such as sailing, skiing, hiking and rock climbing.
Capital – Canberra
How to Travel within Australia?
By Bus
This is my favorite transportation option in Australia. On the east coast, this will be your cheapest option. On the west coast, buses are surprisingly expensive. There are not many people moving up and down that coast, and there’s limited competition. It’s often easier and cheaper to fly out in Western Australia.
However, on the east coast, you can find really cheap bus tickets, especially if you book in advance. Greyhound Australia is the biggest company in Australia. There’s also Premier (but it doesn’t have as many stops). All three companies sometimes offer $1 fares but, for the most part, the buses ticket prices are around $35 (night buses are usually around $60–70 dollars). From Melbourne to Cairns, a Greyhound pass will cost you $549 AUD.
By Train
Are there trains in Australia? Yes. Is the train system extensive? No. Is it cheap? Definitely not! Granted, Australia’s train system is a wonderful way to see the country. Between city trams, commuter trains, and long-distance and trans-continental trains, Australia can be seen extensively by rail. However, their use isn’t that widespread. Train lines exist mostly on the east coast with only two other major lines in the country: one goes north/south from Melbourne to Darwin and another east/east from Sydney to Perth.
Trains in Australia are very expensive, even with the backpacker fare (one way from Sydney to Perth is $692 AUD!). It’s not really a cheap option so, unless you’re looking to splash out on a scenic route like the Ghan with your significant other (or just love trains), I’d skip traveling Australia by train.
There are very few ways to get cheap train tickets these days so avoid this transportation option. If you do take a train, keep in mind tickets for the scenic trains book out months in advance so book early!
Public Transport
All of Australia’s cities have reliable, affordable public bus systems. In the bigger, cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, you’ll even find subways and tram systems. This is the cheapest way to travel the cities. Fares cost between 3-4 AUD. Skip the taxis. They are too expensive.
While public transport in Australia is usually safe, clean and reliable, you will need to adjust your expectations from city to city. Most of our major cities now use electronic passes or pre-paid cards in place of paper tickets, but the catch is that you’ll need a different card for each destination. Here’s what you need to know.
Australia Gastronomy & Restaurant
Australia has an exciting array of native ingredients and a food culture that is constantly evolving, as international dishes are reimagined and adapted by the local cuisine. Not only can you indulge in unique flavors, but you can enjoy them in one-of-a-kind surrounds. Try a plate of Asian street food on a Darwin beach at sunset, or tuck into a meat pie at Melbourne's most famous sporting ground. Plus, there are world-class restaurants run by world-renowned celebrity chefs. Here are our picks for bucket list Australian food experiences.
Australia’s major towns and cities are all well equipped with a wide range of restaurants. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and many secondary cities boast a huge list of cuisines, from Asian specialties to European delights. Being a multicultural nation, it comes as no surprise that cities are speckled with diasporas, boasting culinary influences from various parts of the globe. Nevertheless, there are some regional delicacies that tourists can only find when dining in Australia and it wouldn’t be a trip down under without a taste of kangaroo or emu. Pubs are a quintessential part of a bustling nightlife scene and watering holes can be found in virtually every city and town, offering delicious local brews.
It is easy to find an excellent meal in one of Australia’s largest cities. Sydney contains a huge range of award-winning restaurants, boasting cuisine from every corner of the globe. Prices tend to be on the higher side, but servings are generally favorable and the food is high quality. Darling Harbour is an ideal spot for a relaxed meal with a great ambiance. The Coast (The Roof Terrace, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney) offers quintessential yet trendy Australian cuisine overlooking the water. Chinta Ria (Cockle Bay Wharf, Wheat Road, Sydney) is one of Sydney’s finest Indian influenced restaurants. The Rocks is another district with memorable restaurants like Quay (Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, Sydney), which offers sweeping views of the Opera House and harbor. One of the city’s famed culinary (and more expensive dining) experiences, modern and experimental Australian delicacies dominate the menu. Rockpool (107 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney) is operated by the famous chef, Neil Perry, serving elegant seafood dishes with a raw Asian influence.
Australia Whether and Climate
Australia’s climate varies greatly across the country. About 40 per cent of the northern part of the country lies in the tropics. Monsoon winds bring moist air during summer, and the high rainfall between December and March is called ‘the wet season’. The climate in the southern part of the country is temperate, with cool winters, hot summers and four distinct seasons. Australia lies in the Southern Hemisphere, so the summer months are December, January and February, and the winter months are June, July and August. Nearly 90 per cent of the population live around Australia’s coastal edges, where ocean breezes bring the temperature down. Temperatures in the desert regions are severe and often exceed 40°C during the day in summer and fall as low as -7°C at night in winter.
Australia's seasons are at opposite times to those in the northern hemisphere. December to February is summer; March to May is autumn; June to August is winter; and September to November is spring.
Travel Adaptors and Plugs
For Australia the associated plug type is I, which is the plug that has three flat pins in a triangular pattern. Australia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
As voltage can differ from country to country, you may need to use a voltage converter or transformer whilst in Australia. If the frequency is different, the normal operation of an electrical appliance may also be affected. For example, a 50Hz clock may run faster on a 60Hz electricity supply. Most voltage converters and transformers come supplied with plug adaptors, so you may not need to buy a separate travel adaptor
Currency of Australia
Australia’s national currency is Australian dollars (AUD), which comes in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes. Coins come in 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent and one and two dollar denominations.
Location and Geography
Australia is an island continent and the world's sixth largest country (7,682,300 sq km).
Lying between the Indian and Pacific oceans, the country is approximately 4,000 km from east to west and 3,200 km from north to south, with a coastline 36,735 km long.
Canberra is Australia's capital city. With a population of approximately 380,000 people and situated in the Australian Capital Territory, Canberra is roughly half way between the two largest cities Melbourne and Sydney.
Australia has 19 listed World Heritage properties. Australia is also famous for its landmark buildings including the Sydney Harbour Bridge; its ancient geology, as well as for its high country.
Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. It is one of the largest countries on Earth. Although it is rich in natural resources and has a lot of fertile land, more than one-third of Australia is desert.
Most Australian cities and farms are located in the southwest and southeast, where the climate is more comfortable. There are dense rain forests in the northeast. The famous outback (remote rural areas) contains the country's largest deserts, where there are scorching temperatures, little water, and almost no vegetation.
Running around the eastern and southeastern edge of Australia is the Great Dividing Range. This 2,300-mile (3,700-kilometer) stretch of mountain sends water down into Australia's most important rivers and the Great Artesian Basin, the largest groundwater source in the world.
Time Zone in Australia
Australia is divided into three separate time zones: Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), Australian Central Standard Time (ACST), and Australian Western Standard Time (AWST).
Australia uses three main time zones: Australian Western Standard Time (AWST; UTC+08:00), Australian Central Standard Time (ACST; UTC+09:30), and Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST; UTC+10:00). Time is regulated by the individual state governments, some of which observe daylight saving time (DST).
Population of Australia
Australia 2020 population is estimated at 25,499,884 people at mid year according to UN data. Australia population is equivalent to 0.33% of the total world population. Australia ranks number 55 in the list of countries (and dependencies) by population.
Australia's population is about 25.5 million as of 2020 and is projected to grow to 42.68 million people by 2099. Australia's population growth rate is 1.18%, adding about 296,000 people to the population over 2019's population.
Australia Languages
About 21% of Australians reported speaking a language other than English at home. Australian Indigenous languages are spoken by less than 1% of the total population. The most common languages other than English are: Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian and Greek.
Shopping where and what?
Love to shop? Australia is a shopper’s paradise starting from all the famous international brands, local boutiques for gifts and souvenirs such as Australian pearls, boomerangs etc. to markets where you can purchase aboriginal artifacts and antiques, the exotic country provides a myriad of shopping options with each city having its own markets and unique shopping experiences to consider that you might even get confused about where to shop and what to buy. We are making shopping in Australia simple with the following list. Make sure to hit these spots for an unforgettable shopping spree.
Queen Victoria building is a high-end shopping destination with 4 floors of the most loved fashion brands. It is located on George Street and has more than 180 outlets of fashion and food choices. Its 19th-century architecture is also a treat to the eyes.
Pitt Street is a pedestrianized shopping street that is home to many popular chain stores including international brands such as H&M, Topshop and Gap, as well as popular domestic stores such as Country Road, Sportsgirls and Sheike.
The big supermarkets often open at 6 am and close at 9 pm or midnight. It's a similar situation with the large liquor stores and hardware chains. There are also lots of convenience stores that are open 18 or 24 hours a day. My answer applies to Sydney and NSW.
Oxford Street has made a name for itself for being one of the premier shopping streets in Australia. Running from the city through to Bondi Junction, you can easily spend a day walking up the street stopping for some retail therapy in Australian designer stores like Sass & Bide.
Phone and Emergencies in Australia
Police, fire, ambulance - Tel: 000 (112 from an international phone)
Emergency for callers who are hearing or speech impaired - Tel: 106 (TTY/textphone)
Search and Rescue - Tel: 1800 641 792 (Maritime) , Tel: 1800 815 257 (Aviation)
Best 5 airports in Australia
Sydney Airport
Sydney is Australia’s largest city and the busiest airport you’ll come across. The airport has three terminals, business and first-class lounges, an array of the best stores and restaurants and ample parking facility. It is well connected to the city via buses, taxis and an underground railway line and bicycle paths. The airport handles at least 43 million passengers a year and is home to all major airlines such as Qantas, Jetstar, Tigerair, Singapore Airlines etc. The airport keeps implementing expansion plans from time to time to keep serving its ever-increasing number of passengers.
Melbourne International Airport
Melbourne airport aka Tullamarine Airport is the second busiest airport in Australia after Sydney serving over 35 million international and domestic passengers a year. It is the hub of all main international airlines such as Malaysian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Etihad, Emirates etc. There are 4 terminals in this airport, multiple luxury lounges and excellent facilities. Airport hotels such as Hilton, Ibis, Holiday Inn are situated within close distance to the airport making it convenient for international travellers. Melbourne airport ranks in the top 10 airports in the world so you can expect true class services here.
Adelaide Airport
Adelaide airport has won several awards for being one of the best airports in the world. It is the main airport in Southern Australia and caters to a million passengers for their international and domestic travel needs. The airport has departmental stores, great restaurants including fine dining options, a multistorey car parking facility, duty-free shopping, high-end stores and hotels to cater to travellers. It also has good public transport facilities and even car rental outlets within the airports.
Brisbane Airport
Brisbane is the main airport and the capital city of Queensland state. It is a functional airport catering to over 20 million travellers per year. It was stylishly revamped in the past few years to make it more operative and modern. It has many luxurious lounges of all big airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Qantas Airlines etc. This airport is also used for military transportation purposes. Brisbane has won many accolades including friendliest airport staff. Plus point is the airport is only 13KM away from the central business district.
Perth International Airport
Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and is the main airport connecting western Australia to all other major cities. Western Australia is geographically furthermost away from all major cities hence Perth being the only main airport within the entire vicinity in the western area is the primary airport for this entire region. It has 4 terminals which cater to domestic and international passengers as well as cargo transportation. The airport is well and easily connected to Asia and the pacific region and often flights are cheaper to land into Perth. The airport has excellent facilities such as duty-free stores, restaurants, foreign currency exchange counters, bars, lounges and even good public transport systems such as buses, cabs and commuter
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