Visiting Australia is always a great idea. Do you want to relax on the beach all day or hone your surfing skills? Well, Australia has some of the best beaches in the world. Want to embark on a safari and get up close with nature? The continent offers diverse landscapes and intriguing wildlife. Then there are cultural attractions, great food, exciting nightlife and much more.
However, before you head Down Under, there are some things you need to know.
Border Control is Strict
“If you don’t need it, then don’t bring it” should be your mantra when packing for Australia. Border control is extremely strict, and there is a long list of things you can’t bring in. Aside from the obvious, like weapons and drugs, the list includes vegetables, animal products, and medications without a doctor’s prescription.
You Will Need to Wear Sunblock
Put some sunblock on your skin even before your get off the plane. The sun in Australia is quite strong and could damage your skin badly without you even noticing. This is especially the case if you come from areas that don’t get a lot of sunlight during the year.
Australia is Quite Big
People often underestimate the size of Australia since most world maps don’t do it justice. It is the sixth-largest country in the world by land area and the major cities are quite far apart. You would need to embark on a nine-hour car ride to get from Sydney to Melbourne.
It’s Less Dangerous Than You Think
Dangerous wildlife is the first thing that most people think of when someone mentions Australia. But while the continent actually has all sorts of venomous spiders and scary animals, you don’t need to worry about them. They are mostly chilling in the deserts and you really don’t have to go there.
Tipping is Not Considered Mandatory
You can tip in Australia if the service is great, but you are not expected to. This is because the staff receives satisfactory pay while restaurants and bars attach the service fee to the prices.