Australia, is one of the safest places you’ll ever get to visit. It’s time to tackle your fears of travelling and discover a magical holiday in Australia.
Every year, over 670,000 British and Irish nationals visit Australia. While most holidaymakers return home with their mind full of happy memories and their cameras full of stunning photographs. Many more travellers hesitate about visiting Australia.
Indeed, for less-experienced travellers, Australia is a worrying distance away. A country that might speak the same language but that is otherwise very different from the UK and Ireland. Indeed, did you know that every year, millions of holidaymakers choose a staycation over a vacation abroad? Not because they are worried about the cost but because they are genuinely concerned about the many risks of visiting a foreign country.
Australia, as it happens, is one of the safest and happiest places you’ll ever get to visit. It is also a mind-blowingly beautiful country with a variety of rural landscapes, urban architecture, and cultures. Therefore, it is time to tackle your fears of traveling and help you to discover the magical world of Oz.
Australia Travel Tips for First-Timer Visitors
1. The wildlife is not as scary as you think
It’s essential to understand what triggers fears for holidaymakers. The most common reason that tourists give for postponing a trip to Australia is the wildlife. Social media videos have created an unrealistic image of a country where every Australian homeowner needs to wrestle a giant spider or a venomous snake on the front door of their house. The truth is that while Australian spiders have a bad reputation, a spider’s bite is not as dangerous as a bee sting for human beings.
The huntsman spiders – this would be the almost puppy-size species you’ve seen on YouTube – tend to run away from people. Their venom is not dangerous, and they are reluctant to bite. In fact, if anything, they keep pests at bay. Ultimately, even though the Australian wildlife might be impressive, you have to bear in mind that the animals you see don’t attack; they defend themselves. If you leave them to themselves, there is nothing to fear.
Anyways, enough with the zoology lesson. The top 5 worries about Australia tend to refer to planning issues, budget, and the overall journey. Here are some handy tips to encourage you to schedule your trip to Oz without fear!
2. Choose whether you want to drive on your Australian holiday
Australia is about 32 times bigger than the UK. To put this into perspective, holidaymakers who are contemplating visiting the UK tend to wonder if they should spend their time in ever-popular London or go further afield to the Scottish highlands.
The choice is equally, if not more, difficult when it comes to Australia. Should you start with Sydney? Should you aim for another town or a rural location where you can plan a tour of the country? It can be difficult to decide.
There is no right or wrong answer. However, you need to pick an accommodation that is ideally located for your holiday. For instance, an urban hotel such as the NOVOTEL Melbourne Central is the perfect choice to explore a busy town and get a feel of the local culture in a short time. However, if you’ve got more time at hand and prefer to dive at the heart of the landscape and wildlife diversity in Australia, a rural and safe location, such as a farmstay can give you a base to discover the country. You should allow a minimum of 2 weeks for a rural trip.
Top Tip: If you’re going to rent a car in Australia, we highly recommend Discover Cars. We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars when we’re traveling. It is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
3. You can’t afford to be 100% spontaneous on your Australian holiday
European getaways can be fairly spontaneous, especially when you only need a short flight to get to a new country. But when you’re traveling down under, you can’t afford to plan. You need to prepare the essentials ahead – from booking your flights and hotel rooms to figuring out whether you should book online tickets for popular local attractions. Additionally, you might find it practical in Australia to download a GPS app to guide you even when you’re outside the main towns.
Google Maps tends to be problematic once you’re in a rural location. However, you, too, should also leave a little room for spontaneity! Don’t schedule every hour of every day.
When planning your trip, think about how you’ll get around in the cities. Since attractions in big cities are spread out, using a website like secureparking.com.au to find parking can be really helpful. This saves you time and cuts down on the stress of searching for safe and convenient parking spots in places you don’t know well. Whether you’re renting a car or driving your own, reliable parking can make your travel experience much better.
4. Australia is a HUGE continent
Let’s get this straight! Australia is not just a country. It is a continent. And therefore, it would be foolish to expect to see all of Australia in a couple of weeks. The distances in Australia don’t compare to the typical British or Irish distance. The next town might well be hundreds of miles away. There is no short drive. But don’t let it ruin your trip. On the contrary, focus your holiday on a couple of spots. You may not see the whole country, but there is always the next time!
5. Your Australian holiday doesn’t need to be as expensive as you think
Inexperienced travellers often worry about managing their budget in Australia. Indeed, the cost of travelling is high. It doesn’t mean you can’t visit Australia on a budget. But it certainly means you should be careful about unnecessary expenses.
For extended stays, it’s a good idea to consider apartment rentals that come with an equipped kitchen, as it reduces the need for eating out. People who choose to stay in hotels need to pay close attention to their everyday food and drink costs – you can indulge too much! Ideally, you should plan a budget of how much you are willing to spend or at least keep track of your expenses to avoid bad surprises.
Here’s some apartments we recommend in Sydney (they’re all rated a 9/10 or above) –
- Miss Baker’s Boutique Accommodation Bondi Beach – Located a couple of blocks back from the world-famous Bondi Beach, this studio apartment with a balcony is a brilliant option. The studio comes with a kitchenette, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and access to a communal garden. Rates average $260 AUD per night.
- Modern Apartment in Chippendale – This stylish apartment in the heart of the bustling Broadway district is just over a kilometer from Central Station. The one-bedroom apartment includes a fully-equipped kitchen, air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a washing machine! Expect to pay around $298 AUD per night here.
In short, to have a cheap-ish holiday in Australia – we recommend cooking in your apartment or hostel as much as you can and walking or getting public transport instead of taxis. And another good tip is to travel here during the off-season (June-August) when activities and hotel prices will be lower.
6. It’s such a long flight to get there
Most flights from the UK to Australia can take around 20 hours, with one stop included. It’s fair to say that you are likely to sit for long hours. For people who don’t travel long distances, the idea of being stuck on a plane for a long time can be daunting. You need to invest in your comfort.
In conclusion, if you’ve been dreaming of visiting Australia but are feeling worried about the distance and the planning of your Australian holiday. Remember – it’s important to plan around your challenges. Take your time to make it a worthwhile vacation for your budget and interests. Instead of letting the wild side of Australia worry you, learn to tackle it bit by bit.
Thanks for Reading!
Before you go! You may also enjoy reading some of my other most popular blog posts, including –
Can you visit Queenstown New Zealand on a budget
How to have the BEST 24 hours in Queenstown
Which Milford Sound Cruise Should I Choose?
Driving from Te Anau to Milford Sound: A Local’s Top Tips
Last Updated on May 14, 2024 by snaphappytravel