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Young woman enjoying Brisbane CBD from Kangaroo Point, Australia

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10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HEAD TO AUSTRALIA

Thinking of a trip down under? Here are 10 things to bear in mind before you go!

Iconic sights & experiences

From the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef to the Great Ocean Road, pink lakes to the sacred red rock of Uluru, Australia is home to a plethora of iconic and Instagrammable sights as well as bucket-list experiences!

 

Sydney Opera House and Bridge at sunset, Australia

Amazing wildlife

You are bound to see plenty of wildlife which is endemic to Australia. From koalas to quokkas, dingoes to whale sharks, kangaroos to Tasmanian devils, you will be amazed at the fascinating wildlife that call this country home. Some of these creatures are easy to spot in the wild however to ensure the best experience, we'd always recommend booking a tour so that you can learn all the interesting facts from the local experts!

 

Young woman feeding Kangaroo, Lucky Bay Beach, West Australia

Best time to visit?

Australia has a diverse climate, featuring varying temperatures and weather patterns from region to region, making it a fantastic year-round destination. Australian summers (December to March) are warm and sunny, perfect for beach days. Even the winter months (June to October) will still bring plenty of sunny, clear days in many regions and although the temperatures will be cooler in the south of the country, this is perfect for exploring!

 

People relaxing on the Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia

Pack your walking boots!

From the outback to the ocean, wherever you travel to in Australia, there is a huge variety of incredibly scenic walking trails and hikes. With options for all levels from beginners to advanced, these are sure to offer memorable journeys and amazing views.

 

Hiking the stunning iconic views from Natures Window in Kalbarri, National Park Western Australia

The sun is very strong!

Due to the earth's orbit, Australia is much closer to the sun than most places which means that it's much easier to burn! Don't forget to pack the factor 50... Having said that, a lot of Australian beaches actually have stations with free suncream which is a great touch.

 

Girls having fun on the beach, Merewether beach in Newcastle Australia

Be prepared to talk to strangers

The Aussies are probably one of the world's friendliest cultures. Don't be surprised if a stranger starts up a conversation with you on the street or on public transport. When it comes to eating out at restaurants or doing some shopping, you can expect super friendly service!

 

Vintage Melbourne W-Class Tram

Learn the lingo

The Aussies are renowned for their lingo, from abbreviating words (mostly ending in o or ie) to using swear words more casually than any other culture. It's a real art form and one that you will no doubt get used to very quickly once you're there! Anyone for the bottle-o?!

 

Group of surfers on surf boards, women wait for ocean wave, Australia

The best brunches

Aussie brunches have become quite the phenomenon. With world-class coffee (so popular that it’s become quite snobby!), an avocado obsession and plenty of influence from other cuisines particularly Asian, topped off with amazingly scenic locations and a vibrant social scene, a brunch in Australia is like no other!

 

A woman making pancakes in Australia

The oldest continuous living culture in the world

Australia's indigenous population encompasses a diverse range of groups which each have their own language, history and traditions. Learning about aboriginal culture means you truly get to the heart of what makes Australia, Australia. The Red Centre, as the home of sacred Uluru, is one of the best places to immerse yourself in this so make sure to head here. There is plenty to discover in this beautiful part of the country!

 

Billabong Cruise, Australia

Always check the driving distance

It's difficult to comprehend that Australia is roughly 32 times bigger than the United Kingdom. With that in mind, the drives can seem like a small distance when looking at a map, however they are much longer than they seem. Many of these driving routes in Australia are some of the most scenic and iconic in the world! So make sure to always factor in plenty of time - not just for the drive itself but to enjoy lots of scenic stops and viewpoints en route!

 

Kangaroo warning sign in Australia

Author Image

Lauren McLeod

Senior Procurement Manager

Lauren is a Senior Procurement Manager working in our Product Department in Kensington. Lauren has worked at Trailfinders since 2016 and has travelled to 50 countries. Her favourite destinations include India, Australia and Cuba.

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