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The Traveler's
Australia-The Land Down Under
A Beginner's Guide to Australia: the Best things to see and to do.
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Australia is the largest island and the smallest continent, the world’s 6th largest country, and the largest country in Oceania. It is located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans in the Southern hemisphere.
Australia is extremely dry, with about 35% of the country receiving very little rain (if any). Almost 20% of available land is dominated by deserts and semi-arid land, located along the Tropic of Capricorn.
Australia (officially, the Commonwealth of Australia) is divided into 6 states and 2 major mainland territories. The New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The two major mainland territories are the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory. In addition to these, there are seven external territories – Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island, and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Islands.
The cost of living in Australia is 9% higher than that of the USA, but 10% cheaper than in London. Australia is one of the most developed nations of the world, enriched with both natural and cultural beauty. According to the Australian government, the average per year cost to live in Australia is AU$ 20,290 which will cost you about AUD 1,690.83 per month. This includes various areas of expenditure such as rent, fuel, food, internet, local transportation, and so on.
The country is huge, and lots of its amazing attractions are widely spread out across the country.
From exploring the east to the west side of the entire country. If you are planning to visit Australia with a good amount of time to stay, you better need to plan your schedules carefully especially if you will exploring the whole country. To make the most out of your visit, you need to note down all the most visited spots in every state.
"Aussie" is a colloquialism that was used during World War I to refer to Australian-born people of British or Irish ancestry. Initially used to describe a happy-go-lucky character capable of battling through hard times, the term was employed after World War II to distinguish those born domestically from "new" immigrants from western and southern Europe. The term continues to have the meaning of a label for Australians representing their country. Among some sectors of society, "Aussie" is regarded as Eurocentric and anachronistic in a nation officially committed to ethnic and racial inclusiveness.
Getting around by road, by public transport
With so many things to do and spectacular places to see, choosing how you travel around Australia is as important as choosing where you want to go.
For travel between Australia's states, hop on a plane. Daily flights are available between domestic airports. Car travel is popular in Australia, and most Aussies take to the road over Easter and during the six-week holiday season from mid-December to the end of January. North Americans will find it easier and cheaper to travel outside of peak season, particularly between February and April (before Easter) and in October or November when prices are cheaper and the weather is pleasant.
Prepare for long distances if you’re driving in Australia. From Sydney, it’s a 10- to 12-hour drive to Brisbane and slightly less to Melbourne, although no one should attempt to drive such long distances on unfamiliar roads all in one trip. (We recommend making at least one overnight stop along the way.)
Campervans, motorhomes, and caravans can be rented from a variety of outlets (note that it may prove costly to choose a caravan, as you’ll also need to rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle to tow it). Campervans are perfect for a couple without much luggage who don’t mind roughing it.
Few things to know
1. What is the currency and conversion in Australia?
Australia’s national currency is the Australian dollar (AUD) which comes in the polymer (plastic) notes of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Coins are in 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent denominations as well as $1 and $2 denominations. You can find a currency exchanger on any street but check the commission. It normally converts to USD as 1 UDD = 0.78 USD
2. What is the language in Australia?
Australia has no official language. However, English has been entrenched as the de facto national language since European settlement. Australian English is a major variety of the language with a distinctive pronunciation and lexicon, and differs slightly from other varieties of English in grammar and spelling. General Australian serves as the standard dialect.
3. Are there many ATM's and Money Exchange?
Currency exchange is available at banks, hotels, and international airports. Australian banks offer the same range of services typical in other western nations, and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are widespread, although facilities may be limited in remote towns and the outback. EFTPOS (our electronic payment system) is widely available in most Australian shops, restaurants, and hotels, allowing you to pay for purchases with your credit or debit card. Fees may be charged on transactions, particularly if withdrawing from an international account, so it is advised you check with your bank before traveling.
4. What is the time zone in Australia?
There are 6 time zones in Australia. Adding the country's 3 dependencies brings the total to 9 time zones.
Australia's mainland states and territories are divided into 5 standard time zones. Like Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory don't use Daylight Saving Time (DST), there are only 3 corresponding DST time zones.
ACT Australian Central Time: UTC +9:30 / +10:30
AET Australian Eastern Time: UTC +10:00 / +11:00
CCT Cocos Islands Time: UTC +6:30
CXT Christmas Island Time: UTC +7
NFDT Norfolk Daylight Time: UTC +125. What is the climate in Australia?
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.
Seasons in Australia are:
Summer: December to FebruaryAutumn: March to MayWinter: June to AugustSpring: September to November6. What is the telephone code in Australia?
Australia uses eight-digit local phone numbers preceded by a two-digit STD area code. The Australian country code is 61. When calling from outside Australia, leave out the leading '0' from the STD area code or from the mobile telephone number.
02 Central East - New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory
03 South East - Victoria, Tasmania
04 Mobile telephones - Australia-wide
07 North East - Queensland
08 Central and West - Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory7. What is the emergency service in Australia?
Australia’s primary emergency call service number is Triple Zero: 000 for police/fire/ambulance services in Australia and can be called from any fixed or mobile phone and certain VoIP services.
106 is the text-based emergency number for people who are deaf, or who have a hearing or speech impairment. This service operates using a textphone (TTY) or a computer with modem access.8. What is the driving mode in Australia?
If you're planning a trip to Australia, many great destinations are only accessible by car, so you'll need to get used to some major differences if you plan to drive across the country.
Australians drive on the right side of the car and on the left side of the road.9. What is the electricity voltage in Australia?
In Australia, the power plugs and sockets are of type I. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Some of the best places to see in Australia
Airlines that fly to Australia?
These are some of the airlines flying to Australia from around the world. Major airlines offer direct flights to Australia from all over the world. There are also several connecting flights to Australia depending on what countries you depart to which airline you are flying with. In some airlines, you may consider having layovers too.
Which airport should you land in Australia?
There are ten major international airports in Australia: Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Brisbane (BNE), Perth (PER), Adelaide (ADL), Gold Coast (OOL), Cairns (CNS), Canberra (CBR), Hobart (HBA), Darwin (DRW). The most common arrival airports are Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Depending on where are you staying most of the time, you need to choose the closest airport for your convenience.
Due to the large distances between destinations in the country, it’s most of the time more convenient to fly. The biggest airlines in Australia are Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar Airways, Regional Express Airlines, and Tigerair Australia.
How long do flights to Australia take?
Australia, one of the largest countries in the world, is located on the smallest continent. It’s located between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Looking at the world map, we can see that it’s in the Southern Hemisphere of the earth.
Located in the southern part of the Western Hemisphere, the midpoint of the Australian continent lays at roughly the same latitude as Africa's southernmost point and the same longitude as Japan. Although it is considered to be part of the southern Pacific Ocean, Australia is still far north relative to Antarctica and other far-south regions, such as the extreme southern tip of South America.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) - Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
The total flight duration from Manila, Philippines to Sydney, Australia is 8 hours, 16 minutes.
This assumes an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. It also adds an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Your exact time may vary depending on wind speeds.
If you're planning a trip, remember to add more time for the plane to taxi between the gate and the airport runway. This measurement is only for the actual flying time. You should also factor in airport wait times and possible equipment or weather delays. If you're trying to figure out what time you'll arrive at the destination, you may want to see if there's a time difference between Manila, Philippines and Sydney, Australia.
The calculation of flight time is based on the straight line distance from Manila, Philippines to Sydney, Australia ("as the crow flies"), which is about 3,883 miles or 6 249 kilometers.
Your trip begins in Manila, Philippines.It ends in Sydney, Australia.
Your flight direction from Manila, Philippines to Sydney, Australia is Southeast (150 degrees from North).
The flight time calculator measures the average flight duration between points. It uses the great circle formula to compute the travel mileage.Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) - Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
The total flight duration from Los Angeles, CA to Sydney, Australia is 15 hours, 29 minutes.
This assumes an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. It also adds an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Your exact time may vary depending on wind speeds.
If you're planning a trip, remember to add more time for the plane to taxi between the gate and the airport runway. This measurement is only for the actual flying time. You should also factor in airport wait times and possible equipment or weather delays. If you're trying to figure out what time you'll arrive at the destination, you may want to see if there's a time difference between Los Angeles, CA and Sydney, Australia.
The calculation of flight time is based on the straight line distance from Los Angeles, CA to Sydney, Australia ("as the crow flies"), which is about 7,496 miles or 12 063 kilometers.
Your trip begins in Los Angeles, California.It ends in Sydney, Australia.John F Kennedy International (JFK) - Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
The total flight duration from New York, NY to Sydney, Australia is 20 hours, 22 minutes.
This assumes an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. It also adds an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Your exact time may vary depending on wind speeds.
If you're planning a trip, remember to add more time for the plane to taxi between the gate and the airport runway. This measurement is only for the actual flying time. You should also factor in airport wait times and possible equipment or weather delays. If you're trying to figure out what time you'll arrive at the destination, you may want to see if there's a time difference between New York, NY and Sydney, Australia.
The calculation of flight time is based on the straight line distance from New York, NY to Sydney, Australia ("as the crow flies"), which is about 9,934 miles or 15 988 kilometers.
Your trip begins in New York, New York.It ends in Sydney, Australia.
Your flight direction from New York, NY to Sydney, Australia is West (-94 degrees from North).
The flight time calculator measures the average flight duration between points. It uses the great circle formula to compute the travel mileage.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) - Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
The total flight duration from Vancouver, Canada to Sydney, Australia is 16 hours, 1 minute.
This assumes an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. It also adds an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Your exact time may vary depending on wind speeds.
If you're planning a trip, remember to add more time for the plane to taxi between the gate and the airport runway. This measurement is only for the actual flying time. You should also factor in airport wait times and possible equipment or weather delays. If you're trying to figure out what time you'll arrive at the destination, you may want to see if there's a time difference between Vancouver, Canada and Sydney, Australia.
The calculation of flight time is based on the straight line distance from Vancouver, Canada to Sydney, Australia ("as the crow flies"), which is about 7,757 miles or 12 484 kilometers.
Your trip begins in Vancouver, Canada.It ends in Sydney, Australia.
Your flight direction from Vancouver, Canada to Sydney, Australia is Southwest (-116 degrees from North).
The flight time calculator measures the average flight duration between points. It uses the great circle formula to compute the travel mileage.Dubai International Airport (DXB) - Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
The total flight duration from Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Sydney, Australia is 15 hours, 28 minutes.
This assumes an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. It also adds an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Your exact time may vary depending on wind speeds.
If you're planning a trip, remember to add more time for the plane to taxi between the gate and the airport runway. This measurement is only for the actual flying time. You should also factor in airport wait times and possible equipment or weather delays. If you're trying to figure out what time you'll arrive at the destination, you may want to see if there's a time difference between Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Sydney, Australia.
The calculation of flight time is based on the straight line distance from Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Sydney, Australia ("as the crow flies"), which is about 7,484 miles or 12 045 kilometers.
Your trip begins in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.It ends in Sydney, Australia.
Your flight direction from Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Sydney, Australia is Southeast (119 degrees from North).
The flight time calculator measures the average flight duration between points. It uses the great circle formula to compute the travel mileage.Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) - Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
The total flight duration from Bangkok, Thailand to Sydney, Australia is 9 hours, 51 minutes.
This assumes an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. It also adds an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Your exact time may vary depending on wind speeds.
If you're planning a trip, remember to add more time for the plane to taxi between the gate and the airport runway. This measurement is only for the actual flying time. You should also factor in airport wait times and possible equipment or weather delays. If you're trying to figure out what time you'll arrive at the destination, you may want to see if there's a time difference between Bangkok, Thailand and Sydney, Australia.
The calculation of flight time is based on the straight line distance from Bangkok, Thailand to Sydney, Australia ("as the crow flies"), which is about 4,675 miles or 7 524 kilometers.
Your trip begins in Bangkok, Thailand.It ends in Sydney, Australia.
Your flight direction from Bangkok, Thailand to Sydney, Australia is Southeast (136 degrees from North).
The flight time calculator measures the average flight duration between points. It uses the great circle formula to compute the travel mileage.
Auckland International Airport (AKL) - Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
The total flight duration from Auckland, New Zealand to Sydney, Australia is 3 hours, 11 minutes.
This assumes an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. It also adds an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Your exact time may vary depending on wind speeds.
If you're planning a trip, remember to add more time for the plane to taxi between the gate and the airport runway. This measurement is only for the actual flying time. You should also factor in airport wait times and possible equipment or weather delays. If you're trying to figure out what time you'll arrive at the destination, you may want to see if there's a time difference between Auckland, New Zealand and Sydney, Australia.
The calculation of flight time is based on the straight line distance from Auckland, New Zealand to Sydney, Australia ("as the crow flies"), which is about 1,343 miles or 2 161 kilometers.
Your trip begins in Auckland, New Zealand.It ends in Sydney, Australia.
Your flight direction from Auckland, New Zealand to Sydney, Australia is West (-88 degrees from North).
The flight time calculator measures the average flight duration between points. It uses the great circle formula to compute the travel mileage.Tambo International Airport (JNB) - Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
The total flight duration from South Africa to Sydney, Australia is 14 hours, 18 minutes.
This assumes an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. It also adds an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Your exact time may vary depending on wind speeds.
If you're planning a trip, remember to add more time for the plane to taxi between the gate and the airport runway. This measurement is only for the actual flying time. You should also factor in airport wait times and possible equipment or weather delays. If you're trying to figure out what time you'll arrive at the destination, you may want to see if there's a time difference between South Africa and Sydney, Australia.
The calculation of flight time is based on the straight line distance from South Africa to Sydney, Australia ("as the crow flies"), which is about 6,903 miles or 11 110 kilometers.
Your trip begins in South Africa.It ends in Sydney, Australia.
Your flight direction from South Africa to Sydney, Australia is Southeast (138 degrees from North).
The flight time calculator measures the average flight duration between points. It uses the great circle formula to compute the travel mileage.Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) - Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
The total flight duration from Brazil to Sydney, Australia is 18 hours, 25 minutes.
This assumes an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. It also adds an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Your exact time may vary depending on wind speeds.
If you're planning a trip, remember to add more time for the plane to taxi between the gate and the airport runway. This measurement is only for the actual flying time. You should also factor in airport wait times and possible equipment or weather delays. If you're trying to figure out what time you'll arrive at the destination, you may want to see if there's a time difference between Brazil and Sydney, Australia.
The calculation of flight time is based on the straight line distance from Brazil to Sydney, Australia ("as the crow flies"), which is about 8,960 miles or 14 420 kilometers.
Your trip begins in Brazil.It ends in Sydney, Australia.
Your flight direction from Brazil to Sydney, Australia is Southwest (-152 degrees from North).
The flight time calculator measures the average flight duration between points. It uses the great circle formula to compute the travel mileage.Haneda International Airport (HND) - Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
The total flight duration from Japan to Sydney, Australia is 10 hours, 16 minutes.
This assumes an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. It also adds an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Your exact time may vary depending on wind speeds.
If you're planning a trip, remember to add more time for the plane to taxi between the gate and the airport runway. This measurement is only for the actual flying time. You should also factor in airport wait times and possible equipment or weather delays. If you're trying to figure out what time you'll arrive at the destination, you may want to see if there's a time difference between Japan and Sydney, Australia.
The calculation of flight time is based on the straight line distance from Japan to Sydney, Australia ("as the crow flies"), which is about 4,881 miles or 7 856 kilometers.
Your trip begins in Japan.It ends in Sydney, Australia.
Your flight direction from Japan to Sydney, Australia is South (168 degrees from North).
The flight time calculator measures the average flight duration between points. It uses the great circle formula to compute the travel mileage.
Do you need a Visa to enter Australia?
You will be required a valid Australian visa to enter the country unless you are an Australian or New Zealand resident. Passport holders from New Zealand may apply for a visa upon arrival in the region. All other passport holders must obtain a visa before departing. At the nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate, you can apply for a variety of visas, including tourist visas and working holiday visas. On the Australian Department of Home Affairs website, you can even apply for some forms of visas.
VISA TYPES
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