| Smart Packing Tips |
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Some parts of Australia experience extremes in weather conditions while there are some that are pleasant throughout the year. So what you pack really depends on where you are headed for. If it’s the tropics then lightweight (natural fibers) clothing
is most comfortable year-round. In the southern temperate regions, summers (Dec-Feb) are warm to hot and lightweight clothes are suitable for daytime, but keep a jacket or sweater handy, as nights may be cool. For the southernwinters (Jun-Aug)
sweaters and warmer clothes are advisable. Preparation for rainfall |
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is also quite advisable. But most of the time just keep it light and comfortable. More so because Australian lifestyle is generally informal and being comfy at all times is the accepted norm. Of course if you plan to attend
any special occasion a more formal outfit may be required.
Just a reminder, Australia's seasons are the opposite to those of the Northern Hemisphere. |
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| Spring - |
September - November |
| Summer - |
December - February |
| Fall - |
March - May |
| Winter - |
June - August |
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Seeing the countryside just isn’t done without a pair of binoculars. Apart from that a sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are must haves. What with the ozone layer above this continent depleting fast, it's best
to take protection. For walking in the bush, sturdy and comfortable boots are a must.
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| Transport Tips |
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Taxis happen to be the most comfortable way for traveling in and around cities here. For the simple reason that they are available almost anywhere - transport terminals, hotels, shopping centers or you can hail them in the street. Vacant cabs have a light and sign on the roof. There is a minimum "flagfall" charge, then a charge for the distance traveled.
If you are planning to travel the country and explore rural areas the best way to do it would be hiring a car. Carry your driver's license from your home country. If the license is not in English, do carry a translation |
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with you. As you get behind the wheel remember the mantra here is being on the left side. Always. If you’ve never driven on the left it can be quite a challenge adapting. Everything turns reverse, so being alert to it is the only way you’ll avoid getting into trouble on the roads.
The lanes, especially in the villages, are narrower than most of the luxurious road-widths of the west. But again most cars are sensibly smaller. However, it does become difficult sometimes when the lanes don’t allow even two cars side by side. There is ostensibly a speed limit in rural areas, 100 to 120kph, but it isn’t enforced with much attention.
The car rentalscan be very inviting displaying unbelievably low rates but dig deeper and its not as pleasant. Use your judgment when you see rates as low as $25 cents a day. They don’t exist. These outfits charge
extra for insurance and have impossibly low mileage restrictions, after which it’s 25¢ a mile! Expect to pay AUS $70 - $90 a day for car rental. Do call around before settling for one. It’ll be worth it. Insist on AC. Also, inquire on how restrictive they’re going to be on driving on gravel. On some major routes a gravel stretch is unavoidable. |
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| Phones Tips |
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The pay phones in Australia do not accept incoming calls. This is useful to know if you’re thinking about using a call-back service to call home to the states. If you are planted in places with private phones, call back companies are useful to know about. The scheme is this - you dial a phone number in New Jersey. Let it ring twice. Hang up. It then immediately rings you back at the number you have previously programmed. Your international long distance call is now at the rate your number is programmed for.
Most pay phones have a card reader for the Australian phone company cards. These are useful for making in-country calls. |
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| Travel Healthy Tips |
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If you have to bring in large quantities of medication, a doctor's certificate helps at the Customs. Chemists can fill most prescriptions but some may need to be reissued by an Australian registered doctor.
Also it is recommended that you travel with adequate travel insurance. However, vaccinations aren’t required if you are coming in to Australia.
During summer, while the warmth of the sun is enjoyed by many in Australia, it can also be intense and harmful to your skin. For those who love the beach or sunbathing, be sure to apply pH 15+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen on exposed areas of skin. For those going bush walking, sightseeing, or boating, wear a broad-brimmed hat, shirt with collar and sleeves, and lots of sunscreen. |
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| Handling Money Tips |
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ATM Machines are almost everywhere, even in smaller towns. But you’ll have to check if they have been enabled for international access. Some may not be. But those that do, will accept cards with either CIRRUS, PLUS or STAR international ATM mark or the Interlink
or Maestro POS mark.
Credit cards… well the most commonly accepted are American Express, Bankcard, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and their affiliates. They are however surprisingly hard to use. The fees that banks charge merchants are exorbitant, and so stores
tend to discourage their use. Minimum purchase and so on. But you may not be able to use them in smaller towns, country areas and small retail shops so better be prepared with good old cash, more than you are used to.
The Aussies use more coinage than most countries. Some odd denominations: 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1 and $2 coins. No pennies. Any price that hovers around A$...99 are rounded to the nearest nickel. Generally,
the smaller the coin, the more valuable it is. The paper money has been plasticized to increase its life span. It’s newly introduced, and the Australians hate it. It works the reverse here - the larger the bill, the more valuable it is. They come in wonderful colors too.
Don’t bother with traveler’s checks. No one likes to cash them, and everyone charges you 5% for the privilege. Also they can be cashed only at banks and larger hotels, not everywhere. |
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| Eating Tips |
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A mix of all world traditions due to high immigration levels has resulted in an amazing variety of restaurants in Australia. All claim to be originals, most of them are. However, if you are planning to leave the urban oasis for a little while, then do carry some food on
you that can last. Because here it’s a different story. You’ll be served with a choice of high fat, high cholesterol diet with overcooked vegetables and lots of lamb. However food prices are quite reasonable. |
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| Tipping Tips |
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| No tipping. It?s not really a norm here. For any special service a tip of 10% satisfies the waiters. Tips are not expected in cabs, but you might round up the figures if you?re so inclined. Usually at any time tipping is your choice and not a compulsion. |
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| Electricity Usage Tips |
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| The electrical current in Australia is 240/250 volts, AC 50Hz. The Australian three pin power outlet is a bit different so be prepared with an adaptesr socket. If your appliances are not 240/250 volts you will need a voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240V or 11 OV appliances are usually
found in leading hotels. |
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| Personal Safety Tips |
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| Australia's streetsand most tourist areas are considered safe. But the basic rules for any regular place apply here too. Avoiding poorly lit areas and parks at night. Buses and trams are safe even at night. But again, trains maybe a little dangerous at night as most stations are not staffed after working hours. Taxis are also a safe and efficient mean of getting around at night. Hitchhiking is seriously discouraged for any visitor andcan be particularly dangerous for women. |
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| Shopping Tips |
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Australia is true shopping haven. All major cities enjoy extensive shopping facilities with malls, arcades and specialty shops selling a wide range of home-produce and international products. Duty free shopping can be enjoyed in every capital city and international airportsd.
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| Aussie Lingo Tips |
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And just what does an Australian mean when he says...
Phrases |
| Ay - |
Didn’t catch what someone has said, or pardon me |
| Hello - |
G’Day |
| Ga day Cobber - |
welcome close friend |
| Got no Coin - |
got no money |
| Ga day or G 'day - |
a friendly welcome (same as hello or hi) |
| Have a Gander - |
have a look around at something |
| Bye Jingos! - |
exclamation of wonder |
| Ow-yar-goin - |
how are you going? |
| I'm Nackered - |
absolutely exhausted or very tied |
| Pat malone- |
you are on your own, alone |
| Righto - |
okay or that's right |
| Rip off - |
you been cheated |
| Rug up - |
dress warmly |
| No Sweat - |
no worries |
| Wouldn't be dead for quids - |
you're very happy and well |
| Hang on a Tick - |
wait a short moment |
| Ta or Tar - |
thanks |
| True blue - |
really Australian |
| You're a Candy - |
you're sweet |
| Ooroo - |
goodbye |
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| Money |
| Bickie – |
a dollar |
| Flog - |
to sell something |
| Haggle - |
you try to talk the price down |
| Lolly - |
money |
| Quid - |
money |
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Food & Drinks |
| Amber fluid – |
beer |
| Bee-ahs - |
Beers |
| Long neck - |
large bottle of beer |
| Tucker - |
Food |
| Cut lunch - |
sandwiches |
| Plonk |
real cheap alcohol |
Pot
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285 ml glass of beer (VIC & Qld) |
| Stubby |
small bottle of beer |
| Scallops |
fried potato cakes (Qld), Shellfish (elsewhere) |
| Schooner |
large beer glass |
| Middy or Middie - |
285 ml beer glass (NSW) |
| Mackers - |
Mc Donald's |
| A Slab - |
pack of 24 cans of beer |
| Tea - |
evening meal |
| Tallie - |
750ml large bottle of beer |
| Waterhole - |
pub or hotel |
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| What say? |
| Oz - |
Australia |
| Mate – |
Friend |
| Cozzie – |
Swimsuit |
| This Arvo – |
this afternoon |
| No worries – |
No problem |
| Dilly Bag – |
A small bag carried on person |
| Back-of-Beyond – |
A long, long way |
| Apple eaters – |
someone who lives in the state of Tasmania, an apple growing state
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| Blow-in - |
stranger in town |
| Blue Heeler – |
police |
| Booze bus – |
police van used for random breath testing for alcohol |
| On the Blower – |
telephone |
| Chinnwag – |
having a good chat |
| Corroboree - |
aboriginal festival dance |
| Cruddy - |
something of low quality |
| Fella - |
person |
| Laughing gear - |
your mouth |
| Matilda - |
your sleeping bag or bed roll for camping out |
| Prezzies - |
gifts |
| Pally - |
on friendly terms with someone |
| Pinch - |
to arrest |
| Push-bike - |
Bicycle |
| Pommy or Pom - |
English person |
| Quack - |
doctor |
| Seppo - |
American |
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