Australia Tips

Where dolphin love meets shark fin, where exotic rainforests are pierced by poisonous critters, and where flip-flops are combined with a wedding dress... yes, life ticks a little differently here. Australia is one of the most fascinating countries on Earth.

Millions of vacationers, backpackers, students, and expatriates travel to Down Under each year. Despite being on the other side of the world, Australia has a similarly laid-back Western atmosphere. This is why it is a very popular destination for travelers of all ages, as Australia is not only incredibly exotic, wild, and beautiful, but it also meets Western standards and safety is not operated by bush doctors.

I lived in Australia for a long time and over the years collected quite a few good and helpful tips that make traveling through Australia much easier. Which visa do I need, where can I find an apartment, where to get a job? Where can I shop affordably and how should I behave in Australian waters? Shark attacks and kangaroo checks - here are all the tips you need to know before your trip to Australia.

Two weeks?! If you don't have much time, you should rethink a trip to Australia. The significant time difference means some serious jet lag for several days, and the long flight... it's not really worth it for two weeks. What length of travel would I recommend? Phew... it's best if you take a whole year off. Three weeks should be the minimum, with no upper limit. Australia is nearly twice the size of Europe - it takes time to explore the entire country.

Guru Tip: Looking for inspiration? Check out my article on the top 15 Australia attractions.

The only thing that separates you from a trip to Australia is 23 hours sitting at 15,000 meters in the air. A thick wallet wouldn't hurt either, as not only are the living costs in Australia about 1.5 times higher than back home, but the flight price isn't cheap either. With some luck, you can find flights starting at €500, usually hovering around €800-1,200.

For students and young people, I have a good tip: Some providers offer student flights that are about 10% cheaper. I can recommend Statravel and CIRTravel. You can utilize these discounted flights if you are either under 26 years old, a student, or just look like you could still be a student. Oh boy! I know. Don't tell anyone, but it works quite well. It's often said that the international student ID is checked, but that's not usually the case. I haven't met anyone for whom that was a problem.

Once you've booked your flight, you need a visa for Australia. That's pretty easy and straightforward to apply for from home. Depending on how long you plan to stay in Australia and whether you simply want to spend money or go to work, you will need a different visa. For holiday and business trips, for example, you only need to apply for the so-called eVisitor-651 visa. Detailed information on applying for visas for Australia and the various types of visas can be found in my article on applying for a visa.

Woohoo! You've made it, you're finally in the land of koalas and tank tops. I don't know where your first stop will be, but trust me, once you're landing, your heart will race because the greatest time ever is about to begin. As soon as you step off the plane, you'll have to stand in a long line to get your passport checked. Sorry, I have yet to figure out how to get through that faster. It won't be long before an Australian police officer approaches you with a friendly 'Haw ya going mate?' You'll quickly understand how things work here - they are quite relaxed.

Unlike in America, the process isn't so cumbersome. You don't have to provide a fingerprint; they usually just take a quick look at your passport, check the electronic visa, nod pleasantly, and you're through. However, you'll still have to go through a separate luggage check. Previously, you had to fill out a card indicating what you have with you. It doesn't really matter what you write, as customs officers will usually check your bags anyway. However, you should definitely adhere to the entry and customs regulations; boiled Easter eggs from grandma and delicious Serrano ham must unfortunately stay at home. Sweets and the allowed amount of alcohol, however, should be fine. I strongly advise you to bring some alcohol from home or from the duty-free shop because a bottle of vodka easily costs $30 to $40 in Australia.

As beautiful and exotic as Australia is, it can also be quite dangerous. I don't mean to be overly dramatic, but have you seen that six-meter long shark that was caught off the east coast of Australia? A few meters away, people were playing in the water. Remember: The Australian seas harbor some pretty extraordinary creatures. I once spoke to an Australian about shark attacks and how he would react. He said, 'I would be scared as hell - the first thing I would do is kick out as hard as I could.' But even better, you never find yourself in this situation.

Beware of the ozone: It's not only in the water where it can be dangerous. We've learned in school that there's a huge ozone hole over Australia that lets harmful sunlight directly hit the Earth. Australians are well aware of the dangers posed by the sun. Tourists and vacationers, unfortunately, are not. You can spot tourists a mile away who just arrived a few days ago, with bright red faces strolling along the beach. On the one hand, you'll be recognized straight away as a foreigner and labeled very naive, on the other, a sunburn can be extremely harmful to your health. Just do it like the Australians and wear a shirt when swimming.

Did you know that it snows in Australia? Not necessarily a lot or often, but during winter, there can be significant snowfall in Melbourne, especially in Tasmania. In the mountains behind Sydney, snow remains year-round, and you can even go skiing.

Cold weather is the least of Australia's problems. Much more often, the continent faces extreme heat. In the Australian summer (from November to February) of 2013, there was a heat record of over 50 degrees Celsius - it hadn't been that hot for 150 years. Even in the dead of winter in the northern half of the continent, places like Darwin can see temperatures soar up to 40 degrees Celsius, with humidity ranging from impossible to horror. To cope with the extreme heat, there seem to be air conditioners in every phone booth. During heat waves, Australians rarely stay outdoors - you should do the same!

The most dangerous side effect of extreme heat are the bushfires in Australia's many forests. Every year, countless square kilometers burn, houses are destroyed, and animals die. To assess the risk of bushfires, road signs indicate the level of risk as soon as you venture into more wooded areas.

The summer in Australia is generally no joke. Along with the ongoing heat waves, especially along the east coast around Brisbane and upwards, there are heavy rainfall and flooding. January and February are peak season for this. Perhaps you remember the extreme flooding in Brisbane in 2011. Half the city was underwater for weeks. It's not as extreme every year, yet important roads are regularly flooded from the coast inland. It may look exciting, but don't underestimate the danger of flooded roads. Even a small creek can sweep your car away. Most Australians have special 4WD vehicles that can cruise along the beach and drive through water. However, you should be cautious and better ask for advice; otherwise, take a different route.

Heat plus rain equals rainbows? Not quite - you should expect many exotic, crawly creatures. Australia is not only famous for its beautiful opera house and Steve Irwin, but also for its nasty wildlife. Snakes and spiders often steal the show from koalas and kangaroos. I wish I could tell you that encounters with these animals are only half as wild and that you rarely see them. Unfortunately, I can't - some dangerous species simply belong to Australia, so you should be prepared:

... a snake: It's quite unlikely that snakes will crawl into houses or apartments. You're more likely to encounter one in the woods. However, if you spot a snake in front of you, remain calm and slowly move away. Quick movements will not be met kindly by the snake.

... a spider: They are actually everywhere and come in sizes you can't even imagine. Australia has numerous highly venomous spiders, but thankfully, most of them stick to the rainforest and are reluctant to enter busy areas. Still, the other spiders shouldn't be ignored and must be approached with caution. So it's always advisable to check your shoes before putting them on. If one is crawling around in your home, your best bet might be to crush it with your boot or use insect spray, the only thing that works against those mutated Australian cockroaches.

If you plan to work on a farm in Australia, you better get used to the idea of shaking spiders out of your clothes. That happens constantly.

If you plan to stay in one place for an extended period in Australia, it's definitely worth it to rent an apartment or a room. Hostels can be way too expensive in the long run. However, renting accommodation in Australia is similarly challenging as it is in Germany. You often need to show recent payslips, bank statements, a reference from your previous landlord - dozens of documents need to be filled out and checked by the real estate agency before you get an answer. Often, the competition is quite fierce, so as a tourist, you have little chance with just a few months' stay. If you want to try anyway, check out this site: realestate.com.au.

There are also some websites where people privately rent rooms and apartments that don't require strict criteria. I can recommend gumtree.com.au and craigslist.com.au. In Australia, it's common to pay an all-inclusive rent. Water, electricity, and internet are usually included in the price. Depending on your preferred location, the rent could be up to four times higher than what you are used to in Germany.

The job market in Australia currently looks quite grim, to be honest. Finding a well-paid position in your profession for just a few months is nearly impossible. Even part-time jobs, like in retail, bakeries, or gas stations, are hard to come by. Hundreds of people often apply for one position. Nevertheless, it's a good idea to regularly visit sites like seek.com.au and skilled.com.au; many job postings are also uploaded on gumtree.com.au.

It's definitely recommended to ask in stores personally or drop by companies. Australians are a very laid-back people, and many employers appreciate it when they are visited personally. Bring several copies of your resume, because even if you're offering your work directly in-store, they'll always ask for a 'CV'. In that case, you should definitely find a job!

We barely appreciate it anymore, but our groceries here in the United States are fairly cheap, at least compared to Australia. You can easily multiply prices by two, and in some cases by four, because the prices for cheese, watermelon, nuts, etc., are exorbitantly high Down Under. I still don't know why cheese and nuts are so expensive here... especially since everything is grown locally or over in New Zealand.

If you want to eat more than just pasta with store-bought tomato sauce, you should significantly narrow down your choices of supermarkets. Aldi is a good choice, as well as my favorite shop Coles. Woolworth is pricier, and of course, so are the 7/11s that are spread across the globe. There are also some local franchiser supermarkets, like IGA - where prices are often a bit higher too.

You might as well say goodbye to cheese, or buy a 300g block for $8 if you want to indulge a little. I managed my groceries by only buying what was on offer. Watermelon for $2 a kilo? Right into the cart. Tomatoes 30% cheaper? In they go! Daily offers change here, so you can save quite a bit. If cornflakes are not on sale today, just wait a week or two, and they will drop by $3-4.

What I truly appreciate about the Aussies is the service you receive in supermarkets. At the checkout, you're greeted with friendly small talk - which might come off as a bit pushy and fake at first, but you'll miss it once you're back in the States - then your groceries are bagged, and no one rushes you; everything is relaxed and friendly. By the way: On the back of your receipt, there are always coupons - two Subways for the price of one, 10% off your next fuel fill-up. Definitely check your receipt before throwing it away.

By the way: Don't be surprised if you see some half-naked Australians walking around the supermarket, as there is no dress code in the shops, and that's often taken advantage of. Shirtless is actually the least of it. Typically, Aussies go barefoot, often also in scant bikinis, while buying beer and sausage for grilling. Everything is very laid-back here.

Making contacts in Australia is incredibly easy. As I mentioned at the start: You're likely to meet a few cool people at the airport. But if you've freshly moved to a new place or are in a hostel with dozens of other vacationers, there are certain platforms where you can mix with real Australians. A top tip: Couchsurfing. Australians, especially in larger cities and along the east coast, are super active in Couchsurfing. Almost every day, there are events happening, with people looking for company to go bushwalking, camping, or for housewarming parties... just check out groups in your area and meet up with some Couchsurfers to make connections.

As much as Aussies enjoy surfing, they also love to party and drink. The most direct and easiest way to meet people is in the many bars and clubs. Just go up, start a conversation, drink, and have fun - this is really no problem in Australia. By the way, parties can get pretty wild.

Have you ever experienced an Aussie in the States? They want to take a quick day trip from New York to Washington, from Chicago to Detroit. When you tell them that takes at least six hours, you just hear 'It's like getting milk in Australia!' European distances are almost laughable compared to Australian ones. Having a car in Australia is nearly essential. Sure, you can also travel through the country by Greyhound bus, but having your own car gives you much more independence and is more comfortable.

For any travel duration longer than a month, I would actually recommend buying a car directly. Rental cars or camper vans can be quite expensive in Australia. You can easily buy a car anywhere, drive it around during your trip, and then sell it again afterward. Don't be surprised, as what we consider scrap cars are still happily driving around here. The most relaxed option, of course, is to buy a small camper van. This way, you can drive all over the country, stopping and sleeping wherever you want. Just parking by the roadside and sleeping in the car isn't allowed everywhere. Either look for a truck spot where toilets are available or pay for a caravan park, which costs between $20 and $40 per night. I've driven a lot in Australia with a camper van, and once even parked right by the sea on the roadside (though that was against the rules) and had no problems. The view was simply amazing. You might get approached by a police officer, but you simply drive a little further.

Insurance and registration come as a package in Australia. Often, cars are already registered, and you just buy them from the owner. Otherwise, get advice on where you can pay the 'registration fee' nearby. That's all quite straightforward. With your U.S. driver's license, you are allowed to drive in Australia. Generally, it's required to carry a translation of your license, but even when I was checked a few times, it was never an issue.

Filling up in Australia is very cheap. Australians often complain about rising prices, but compared to the States, it's ridiculously cheap. Around $1.30, meaning about €0.85 per liter.

Make sure to adhere to speed limits. A few kilometers over the limit can easily cost you several hundred dollars. The Australians are not joking about that!

If you get sick in Australia or have an accident, you can rest assured you will receive the best treatment here. Of course, you should take out a good international health insurance policy before your trip, as the costs for medical treatments can be quite expensive - generally abroad, not just in Australia. If you're in an accident in Australia, you will of course receive immediate treatment without issues. However, if you only have a cold, a sprain, skin problems, or something like that, welcome to the Australian healthcare system.

Here, it's a bit more complicated and less straightforward than in Germany. A friend of mine had the following happen: During her stay in Australia, she discovered a lump in her breast. Naturally, she wanted to march straight to a gynecologist, but no, she first had to see a General Practitioner (GP) - similar to a family doctor. Anyone, regardless of what the problem is, must first see this doctor to get referred elsewhere. The funny part was: The doctor had no clue what he was doing, misdiagnosed her breast, and ultimately found nothing. She was then referred to a gynecologist who X-rayed the area. The results had to be sent back to the GP before she could collect them.

It's a bit quirky, but that's how it works in Down Under. So remember: You don't even need to look for a specialist for your issue; just head to the nearest General Practitioner, and they'll refer you further!

If you've made it this far, I'm very proud of you, and I can assure you that you are well-prepared for your trip to Australia. I put a lot of effort into these Australia tips, and I hope - I'm quite sure - that they will help you a lot once you are there. Enjoy your time Down Under!