Flights and Travel Guide to Australia

Australia is strange but wonderful, huge but unforgettable and inspiring yet unbelievable.

Introduction of the Country that is continent !

Located in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia is bordered by wide majestic oceans and carries their individual specialties all embedded into one Australia, which is the smallest continent but sixth-largest country. To the west, Australia is bordered by the Indian Ocean, to the east by the South Pacific Ocean and to the Southeast by the Tasman Sea, separating it from New Zealand, while the Coral Sea lies to the northeast. Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Indonesia are Australia’s northern neighbors, separated from Australia by the Arafura Sea and the Timor Sea.

Australia’s capital is Canberra while its most popular cities are Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast, Christmas Island, Alice Spring and Darwin.

Weather / Climate in Aussie

Australia’s diversity brings it a variation of climates from one end to the other. Though, most regions of the country receive more than 3,000 hours of sunshine annually but the north is often hot and tropical, while south tends to be sub-tropical and temperate.

Australian winters run from June to August while December-to February is warm and pleasant summer season. In the tropical areas, summer is wet and winter is dry.

Getting in the awesome Australia

To get in or around, the best and most convenient transportation means is by air. The biggest airport in terms of arrivals is Sydney International Airport (SYD). Flights to Sydney are available with nearly half the airlines in the world. While flying from UK, the cheapest flights to Sydney are with Emirates Airline that often offers a stopover in Dubai, free of charge. While other leading airlines include Malaysian Airways, Singapore Airline, British Airways, Etihad Airline, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Blue, Thai Airways, Tiger Airways and also, Qantas Airline that is called the Flying Kangaroo of Australia.

Qantas Offers direct flights to Sydney and connecting flights to other large cities including flights to Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Canberra, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast and Christmas Islands. Cheap airfares and low cost tickets are mostly available with Air New Zealand and Southeast Asia airline. It takes up to about 24+hours to fly from Europe to Australia, therefore stopover in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Dubai is often desirable.

Roaming in & Around Australia

Australia is a huge country actually a continent so as said above domestic flights are the main transportation between cities. While car hire, mini bus travel, tram travel, underground rails, and subway, tourist bus, boating, cycling and biking are also popular means of transportation. Vehicles can be easily hired in Australia. The country’s infrastructure and roads are wide and smooth. However, navigation is recommended to be done with Google map, city / country maps and guides, at all times.

Places to See in the Splendid Australia

• The three top attractions and a must see, without which your trip is incomplete is the Sydney Harbor, Sydney Opera House “the Sails” and the Sydney Harbor Bridge “the Coathanger”.
• Explore the Green Island Marine National Park that offers dense rain forest, spectacular coral reefs and white soft sandy beaches casting a spell.
• Visit the Happy Feet, Fairy Penguin colony at the Phillip Island near Melbourne.
• Tour the Great Ocean Road and make refreshing memories of the resort towns of Loren, Apollo Bay, and Port Fairy.
• Visit the Kangaroos and Koala Sacturies in Melbourne.
• Pay a visit to the Campbell National Park, an area famous for its rocks jutting out of the ocean, the most famous ones being called “Twelve Apostles.”
• Visit the Swan Valley and River, the mother of Perth City.
• In the Tasmania, visit Gordon River, Hell’s Gate, riverside rain forests and Heritage Area.
• Visit the lost paradise, Whitsunday’s islands in Queensland and indulge in the ecstasy of Airlie Beach.
• Take a Day’s trip to the Yarra Valley, you can also book a cruise trip from Melbourne and make the most of your voyage.
• A notable attraction is the Blue Mountains Nature and Wildlife Park near Sydney; where the majestic Blue Mountains and the Three Sisters at Echo point, are worth a trip.
• Also at Kennett River, see koalas in their natural habitat and take a memorable walk in the rainforest at Otway Ranges. *You can hand feed Koalas and Kangaroos at various sanctuaries nationwide.
• Indulge in the ‘Natural Beauty’ Tasmania, listen to the Water Falls, chanting trees and humming birds in the unspoiled wonder.
• Visit the St James Old Cathedral in Melbourne, that will take you back to the Victorian times with its charming architecture.
• Visit the Cradle Mountain, in Tasmania’s magical landscape. This mountain located in ‘St Clair National Park is made of dolerite columns.
• Take a walk to Lake Dove in Tasmania and meet with the wild including pademelons, wallabies and possums.
• Visit Kimberly waterfalls, red cliffs, rivers and some rainforest.
• Stay a Night in the Daintree forest Queensland.
• Explore the King George Falls, Mitchell Falls, The Bungle Bungles or Purnululu National Park.
• Get lost in the magic of Australian desert by visiting Uluru (or Ayers Rock), world’s largest monolith, made of sand stone (348 meters). From dusk till dawn, its shades of color change from light brown to deep red, that is why they call it “The Heart of Australia”.

Things to do in the Audacious Australia

• Take a Helicopter tour above Sydney Harbor, indulge in the scenic views of the Opera, the Harbor Bridge and dazzling Skyscrapers illuminating Sydney’s Skyline
• For a more exciting trip, go diving or Snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef near the city of Cairns.
• Go Wine tasting, take in the cheese loaf and buy dark chocolates from Melbourne.
• Take the Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from the city of Cairns and admire the beautiful scenery and stunning landscape the classic way.
• Go boating at the Swan River Perth.
• Go Surfing at the Surfers Beach Sydney.
• Experience unadulterated fun at the Bondi beach, do crowd surfing, beach lazing, swimming in the ocean or play beach volley.
• Drive along the Great Ocean Road, up to the twelve Apostles, one of the top excursions from Melbourne.
• Go to the Finke River and get inspired by the silence of Out Back Northern Territory.
• Hit the pubs and discos or go snorkeling, diving, swimming or lazing at the picturesque, 7 kilometers of white sands at the Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday’s islands in Queensland.
• Treat your taste buds with the finest wines at the lovely grape-growing valley of Barossa, located less than 50 km northeast of Adelaide.
• Go off the beaten path and dive to see the Ningaloo Reef, another reef in the West Coast Australia. Not to miss, the Ningaloo Marine Park.
• Ski at the Mount Kosciuszko, Snow Mountain.
• Go for a pleasing hike through rain forests, rivers, and amazing waterfalls at Otway National Park.

Shopping in Australia - best buys at Best price

Get a list of great shopping spots, from the City shops as no holiday can be truly complete without a fair amount of shopping thrown in. Also:

• While in Sydney, Don’t miss the big bargain spots Paddy’s Market, Sydney Chinatown, DFS Galleria at the Rocks, Paddington Market and Birkenhead Factory Outlet.
• Shop till you drop from the Chapel Street or Greville Street in Melbourne and collect your best ever chic clothes and leather goods. Chapel Street alone has more than a thousand shops along a two kilometer stretch.
• Go to the Melbourne Central, QV, GPO and Little Collins in Melbourne for fine shopping.
• In Cairns, explore Kuranda heritage markets for classy souvenirs.
• Hit City Shopping Malls in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth as well where good stuff on sale and much more than shopping can brighten up your day.

Dinning in Aussie - Ultimate Food fiesta

Australia is culturally diverse, flavor rich country that has Vietnamese, Chinese, French, Japanese, Malaysian, Continental, Thai as well as Indian food inspirations, blessing it with a rainbow of tasteful cuisines. To Dine in style, head to the Sydney Tower 360 Bar and Dining, the hub of Australian cuisine with a refined French influence and classic wine selection. Its stylish and modern décor, pleasant environment and views of the glowing city from its clear glass windows are its specialty. Also, try dinning in the mythical silence of the Ayers Rock and colonial spirit of Melbourne. Dinning by the river side in Brisbane and Perth are also worth trying for. Sea food at the beach shacks and Adelaide Botanical Garden Café snacks are memorable little treats.

Festivals / Events in Australia that you shouldn’t miss

Now that you are visiting Australia, why not become part of an Aussie fun event, such as:

• The ‘Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race’,
• The ‘Road rally’ and Music Events in Tasmania
• Lighting the Sails, Sydney Opera House
• Sydney Jazz Festival
• Food and Wine Festival (Nation Wide)
• ‘Cheese & Dairy Festival’
• Sydney Art Festival
• ‘Falls Festival’
• Melbourne Film Festival (July August)
• ‘Carols in the candlelight’ (Around Christmas time)

Travel Safety Warnings for Smart travelers

• Always check for any restrictions on carrying fruit, vegetables and other food items (including honey) between states and even between regions of states when on a long drive or flights as there are heavy fines in place for rule breaker.
• Keep maps and guides with you as Australia is huge and some regions (like Outback) are scarcely populated. Also, there can be many hours distance between Gas stations, tuck shops and filling stations or any sign of civilization.
• Australia also has strict quarantine requirements regarding importing or exporting animal and vegetable derived products (any food, wooden products, seeds, etc). You must declare all such material. Please note that all baggage is scanned and examined by dogs prior to entry. In case of any banned / restricted item found heavy penalty as well as jail term can follow.
• The one thing that you can take or bring without restriction is Money. However, if you intend to bring A$10,000 or more you should declare it to Australian Customs and fill up some paper work.
• Australians are generally very open and broadminded. Open displays of affection are not restricted and also, there are some topless beaches as well. The country welcomes LGBTIs.
• If you accidentally fail to declare an item you may incur an on-the-spot fine of A$220, which must be paid immediately or consecutively a jail term may follow.
• To drive a motor boat and other vehicles, one must check the driver’s license requirements beforehand.

Australian Visa and Passport Requirements

• Thanks to Technology that Electronic Tourism Visa or Business Visa for short term can be applied at Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), through the website/online.
• Nationals or Passport Holders of Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and USA are eligible for ETA.
• E-visitor Visa can be obtained by citizens of the Europe, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland and a few European microstates. These visas are free, but otherwise effectively identical to the ETA.
• The Non-electronic visas should be applied through the nearest Embassy/Consulate, in case where the traveler does not hold an ETA or E-Visitor-eligible passport.
• Apply for a Non-electronic visa where a person is staying for a longer period of time or wish to seek Australian employment/Study.

*Please contact Australian High Commission / Embassy or your nearest consulate for up to date information regarding Visa, Passport and Policies. This information is only indicative.