Australia Travel Information
Australian Geography
Traveling around Australia offers an unparalleled journey through a vast and diverse landscape, one that dwarfs the entire continent of Europe. Australia’s character is ever-changing: one moment, you could be taking in the skyline of Sydney, and the next, you can be stargazing from the comfort of your bed in the remote wilderness of the Outback, like at Flinders Ranges. This country is a land of extremes, and that’s what makes it so interesting to travel through. From the natural landmarks of the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road to the vibrant expanse of reefs at the Great Barrier Reef or Ningaloo Reef. Come explore Australian Geography with Just Add Flights.
Best Time of Year to Visit Australia
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January to March is the Australia Australian summer and great to visit for weather reasons, particularly if you head to New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. While the Northern Territory and Queensland experiences its wet season with hot and humid conditions and frequent tropical storms. This period is also the height of the Australian summer and a popular time for locals and tourists to take vacations, adding a vibrant atmosphere to the southern cities and beaches. Visitors can enjoy numerous events and festivals, such as the lively Australia Day celebrations in late January, featuring spectacular fireworks around Sydney Harbour. Additionally, outdoor cinema screenings and various sports events add to the cultural richness of the season. While the Great Barrier Reef's weather can be unpredictable, the southern beaches and the Ningaloo Reef offer excellent conditions for exploration, albeit with extremely hot temperatures at Ningaloo. This blend of festive activities, favorable weather, and diverse experiences makes early in the year a great time to explore Australia's southern charms.
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April to June is the fall time and an ideal time to visit Australia for great weather and budget reasons, as it offers a perfect blend of pleasant weather and unique experiences with much less crowds. In Queensland and the Northern Territory, the temperatures become more comfortable as the intense summer heat dissipates and the roads reopen, making it easier to access remote areas. The crowds thin out, allowing for a more serene exploration of this stunning region. In New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, April brings plenty of sunshine and significantly less rain compared to the summer months, making it a highly recommended time to visit. By May, while the days remain bright and sunny, temperatures begin to cool slightly, ushering in beautiful autumnal landscapes. Additionally, between April and June, visitors can enjoy extraordinary experiences such as taking a boat trip to Ningaloo Reef to see or even swim with the majestic whale sharks. This combination of favorable weather, reduced crowds, and unique seasonal activities makes April to June a fantastic time to explore Australia.
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July to September is the winter months and a great time to visit Australia for budget reasons, particularly if you're looking to experience diverse climates and activities across the country. In the Northern Territory and Queensland, this period marks the 'dry season' during the Australian winter, characterized by sunny days and warm temperatures ideal for both land and underwater exploration. The calmer tidal currents around the Great Barrier Reef create perfect conditions for snorkeling. In the southern regions, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, the weather is temperate, offering cool hiking conditions, although some areas may experience rain or even snow. This quieter season in is also a great time to explore rural inland regions like the Flinders Ranges, which are less appealing during the scorching summer months. Additionally, the wildflower season in Western Australia in September paints the landscape with vibrant colors, making it an ideal time for nature enthusiasts to visit. This mix of pleasant weather, reduced crowds, and unique seasonal activities makes July to September a wonderful time to explore Australia.
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October to December is springtime in Australia, offering a mix of blooming landscapes and festive cheer and great for travelers looking for great weather and some good prices. In the Northern Territory and Queensland, temperatures and humidity begin to rise, occasionally bringing thunderstorms that rejuvenate the Outback with wildflowers. Coastal areas may experience high winds, affecting access to reef islands. Meanwhile, the southern states of New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, welcomes spring, perfect for hiking and wildlife spotting in national parks and coastal regions. As Christmas nears, the prices start to go up along with the temperature while towns and cities adorn themselves with festive lights and trees under clear blue skies, leading up to dazzling New Year's Eve fireworks displays. This period also features a variety of events and festivals. October is ideal for hiking along well-marked trails in the Blue Mountains before the summer crowds arrive. November is perfect for exploring the Margaret River region and enjoying its renowned food and wine festivals. Early November also brings the excitement of the Melbourne Cup, Australia's most famous horse race. Throughout the summer, outdoor cinema screenings provide entertainment under the stars. The combination of vibrant landscapes, festive events, and favorable weather makes October to December an exceptional time to experience the diverse attractions of Australia.
Finances
In Australia, they use the Australian Dollar which you can exchange at banks, hotels, and international airports or you can withdraw money from ATMs, which are widespread throughout the country.
The easiest way to pay for things is by credit cards like Visa and Mastercard. American Express and Discover are taken in only a handful of establishments. Merchants can impose a credit card surcharge, and some credit cards charge up to 3% for an international charge, so it is worth calling your credit card company to understand additional fees.
Whenever paying via credit card, ALWAYS pay in the local currency to avoid extra transaction fees from the bank.
Tipping in Australia is not a common practice in everyday life in Australia. Hotels and restaurants do not add service charges to your bill, and you can choose to tip any service provider if you want. It is common to tip waiters, at a sit-down meal, up to 10% of the bill.
Visas
As an American tourist, it is essential to obtain an Australian visa before visiting the country. For a majority of Americans, you can apply for the Subclass 601 visa (also known as the Electronic Travel Authority or an ETA). This visa is $20 AUD, you will out a few questions and can apply for your visa within a few minutes online. Please note that if you respond ‘yes’ to any of the questions, you are likely going to have to apply for a Subclass 600 visa, which can take several months to get approved and costs $190 AUD per person. Do not leave the United States without having an approved visa, as you are likely to get deported upon arrival.
Travel Logistics
Driving
Australians drive on the left side of the road, thus for Americans it is worth being extra diligent at looking both ways at pedestrian crossings and on streets to make sure you avoid danger.
In Australia, all drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt in the car, and children under seven must be in a car seat appropriate for their size and weight. We highly recommend bringing your own car seat for traveling, as car hire companies do not guarantee the availability for the correct size and weight.
While driving in Australia, you can encounter wildlife frequently. At dawn and dusk, proceed with caution and always drive at a safe speed to make sure you can stop.
E-tags for tolls is recommended when you collect your carhire, as it makes it easier to pay and move on to your next destination.
Phone Services
The international dial code for Australia is +61, and each state has an area code. When calling from outside of Australia, you will want to dial +61 plus the number of the establishment. If there is a “0” at the beginning of the code, leave it out when dialing from a phone outside of Australia (i.e +61 3 3999 6545).
We highly recommend downloading WhatsApp as many suppliers communicate with customers via this app.
Flights
From the US, there are multiple carriers and routes that you can fly to Australia direct. We recommend starting and finishing your vacations with Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane as you will have direct flights back to the U.S. with Qantas, United, Delta, American Airports and Hawaiian Airlines. You can depart from Dallas Fort Worth, Chicago, San Franscico, and Los Angeles.
There are alternatively indirect flights that you can fly from the U.S. to Australia via Fiji, French Polynesia, New Zealand, and multiple Asian countries.
A majority of flights with leave in the late evening (after 10pm) and arrive early morning into Australia. Please note that you cross over the International Date Line, so many times you arrive 2 days later when you fly from the U.S. to Australia and you arrive the same day as you depart when you leave Australia and fly back to the US.
Electrical
When coming from the U.S, you will need an adapter to plug your appliances into the power sockets. You will need plugs that have two flat metal pins that form a “V” shape, and have an electrical current of 220-240 volts, AC 50Hz.
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