Australian Trip Planning Australian Trip Planning: Smart Ways and Tips Traveling to Australia can be one of the most exciting experiences you can ever imagine. As you may know, Australia is considered throughout the world as an ideal destination for a holiday getaway or vacation. As such, it’s no surprise to see a lot of wonderful things in Australia even at your first visit to one of its glorious cities. Most of these things are naturally built and developed, making Australia a heritage for all things natural. Included in the list of the most interesting things to see and do in Australia are the dazzling beaches, lush rainforests and mountains, wildlife, breathtaking sceneries, fine restaurants and bars, lively communities, great festivals and dance parties, a friendly and welcoming climate, and so forth and so on. However, Australia is so huge that touring and seeing all those wonders can take you for about days or weeks to complete. Note that Australia is a continent with an area as big as that of the area covered by Western Europe. It is even as wide as that of the 48 neighboring states in the US. Well, it is for this size that touring the country without knowing what to do and where to go can be one of the worst moves you can ever take. Yes, showing up in Australia without proper knowledge of everything Australian is a big mistake you should never commit. It will only ruin your trip as much as it can put you to risk. So what’s the best thing to do for a successful Australian travel? There’s no other better answer to that than proper trip planning. Yes, proper and careful planning is a key to a successful Australian travel, so as much as possible one should make a plan to organize everything involved in your visit to the Australian continent. Planning can be a bit puzzling though as there are a lot of things to consider before you can say that you’re fully prepared. But, all the efforts and time spent aren’t wasted as the fruits of your labor are well worth noting. How to start planning? Below are some of the most helpful and valuable ways to plan for your successful Australian trip. Note and understand the following, and do everything you possibly can to make your trip worth remembering. Step 1: Passports and Visas? Get All the Paperwork Done Australia is a foreign country, so if you are traveling from another country or state, get all the paperwork needed for you to enter the continent. The best way to start with this is to know exactly what the entry requirements are. Do some research about it and gather all the information you can find. Note them, of course, and do the best that you can to obtain and complete them. How to Get a Passport? Passports are required for all outside-the-country travels. I bet all of those who have left home before, and even those who don’t, know about this fact. So if you are planning to travel to Australia and you have never traveled outside your country before, then you certainly need to obtain a passport. The passport can be obtained from several government agencies, depending on your location. For instance, Americans traveling for Australia often get their passports from a number of state or federal courthouses, as well as post offices. They are often required to pay for about $65 as an application fee, and the passport is deemed active and valid for about ten years. However, obtaining this document needs you to present some requirements, including proof of citizenship such as birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or certificate of naturalization. Two identical pictures of you are even needed. How to Get a Visa? So you’ve got your passport. Well, it’s now time for you to obtain a visa. Visas are important as Australia itself had considered it as one important requirement for every traveler to meet. This requirement, however, does not cover the New Zealanders who are allowed to enter regardless of their having no visas. The tourist visas can be obtained for free and they are valid for about three months. The Australian visa can be obtained in two ways. The first requires you to use the Electronic Travel Authority in which the application can be done by the travel agent you have contacted. Your agent has the access to this reservation system, and what’s nice to know about this method is that the process can be completed in just a matter of minutes. The information is even kept electronically, instead of having it stamped on your passport. Note that this kind of visa application method is now made available for the Canadian and US citizens to use. If you are living in a country where the above mentioned method is not yet made available, you may consider the second method which is basically all about paper application. This too is available in the US for those who want to obtain a visa other than the one with the standard three-month validity period. Note that the passport and visa are just two of the most important documents you need to carry with you for a successful Australian travel. If you have no passport or visa, then don’t expect that the flight attendant will let you enter on the plane. It is also important to make sure that you have your plane ticket. This is needed as a proof that you can travel outside your country. And, if you want to travel free of any hassles, don’t ever extend your visa. If you want to stay longer in Australia, then settle it with the Department of Immigration and Multi-Cultural Affairs, for example. Step 2: Decide When to Go As much as there is a best time to plant your favorite seeds, there is also a best time to go for a trip to Australia. However, unlike the areas in the Northern Hemisphere, Australia’s summer arrives during the month of December, while the winter is on July. So it follows that when it is winter in the areas located at the Northern Hemisphere, Australia is enjoying the hottest of summer, vice versa. With this, don’t be surprised when you feel the weather becoming colder and colder as you head farther south of the country. Of the unique seasons, winter is the best time to explore the most well-known and revered parts of the country. This is in fact considered as the peak season in Australia as during this time, hundreds of people from all parts of the world flock to Australia for several purposes. It is also during this time when most of the accommodations are expensive, and if you want to get a good place for you to stay, you need to book early. The summer in Australia, on the other hand, is deemed perfect for those who want to discover and explore the southern states, like Perth, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. But generally, it is often claimed by many that the best time to visit the country for whatever purposes is during the month of September and October, when the southern areas are not so hot and the northern parts are not too cold. During these months, the wildflowers in the western part of the country are even in full bloom. Aside from knowing the best seasons in Australia, it is also important for you to know about certain festivals and holidays in the country. These too will highly affect the outcome of your travel. So if possible, know exactly what periods of the year are the busiest in Australia, as well as when the stores and shops are open. Step 3: Prepare Your Budget Visiting Australia can be one of the biggest investments of your life. Yes, a single visit to the country may cost you a lot. Thus, it is very much important to prepare your budget prior to your actual trip. Setting up the budget for your Australian travel can be a bit puzzling, but it’s all worth it. After all, the more financially prepared you are, the more successful your Australian travel will be. So first things first, consider how much you are willing to spend for your vacation in Australia. Know all the possible fares and taxes, and make sure that you have all the money to support your needs. For instance, it would be a great idea to consider the airfare. Of course, you will be traveling by plane and by any other means, so if possible, know how much you may need to spend to reach your Australian destination. It is also wise to consider your accommodation. Note that Australia is highly capable of giving you a wide selection of accommodations. A number of hotels, hostels, apartments, villas, cottages, cabins, and a lot more are available out there. Perhaps the best thing you can do to find the right choice is to simply know what you really want to have and experience while in Australia. Each type can give you different levels of comfort, so think about that. Also consider the location, as well as the safety when choosing the right accommodation site in Australia. Furthermore, it is worthy to note that in Australia, paying certain stuffs with Australian dollars is pretty much cheaper. It is for this reason that most experts recommend having your money exchanged with the Australian dollars as soon as you get there. Also, if you want to arm yourself with the right budget, exchange your money with the right currency and think about how much you may need to get to make the most of your stay in Australia. Note that if you have the right budget, you can have the right vacation experience. Step 4: Know Exactly Where to Stay You’ve reached Australia! So, what’s next? Find the right place to stay. Finding the right accommodation in Australia can be easy. All you need to do is to exert a bit effort and time looking for the best option. For sure, with lots of accommodations available out there, you can find your perfect home. You’ve got your budget, right? Are you on a limited budget or not? Whichever is your case, it is always good to find the cheaper deal. Don’t overspend just for accommodation. There are and there will always be a cheaper option for you, so look for it. Hostels can be a good option for you to consider as they offer comfortable rooms at low rates. Also, there are a number of backpacking hotels in Australia and their number is currently growing more and more people visiting the country for an ultimate backpacking experience. If you are the type who loves the outdoors, why not go for a camping? Yes, camping in Australia can be a great way to accommodate yourself. However, you may find it a bit costly to obtain all the camping equipments while in Australia, plus the right sites for an ultimate outback are located on distant places. But if you are willing to take all these challenges, then there’s no better idea to consider than to go on camping. Just choose the right accommodation in Australia based on what you really need for a successful travel. Don’t lose hope. After all, you are left with a number of options, so take your time. Step 5: Discover, Explore, and Consider Future Visits So you’ve found your perfect place and you’ve got the budget. Hmmm…there’s no other better idea than to make the most of your Australian vacation by discovering and exploring what needs to be discovered and explored. That sounds exciting and challenging, right? Well, yes, it is! It is even more exciting if you couple it with interest. There is a myriad of wonders to be explored in Australia. Some of them are naturally made, while others are man-made. Whatever your choice is, you’ll surely be awed by what these things can show you off. You can start exploring the area by getting around. You can walk, drive or bike. Of these options, the best way to take into the most wonderful sites is to walk. This will even give you the chance to meet the most interesting Aussies. But, if you feel like you are on a great budget, you can always rent a car. Car rentals are available anywhere in the country, so just try to look for the ones that offer you the best deals. However, it is always important to remember that driving in Australia is different from that of the other countries in the world. The people in this country typically drive on the left side of the street. Also, there are some requirements for driving in Australia. You may need to have a valid driver’s license first and you are required to follow all the rules and regulations set on the road. Just note all of these and you’ll have a driving experience like no other. You can also head to the most exciting parts of the Australia. For instance, there is the city of Sydney willing to welcome you with its wonderful sites. In the city, you can explore the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, the city’s museums, parks and reserves, and a lot more. From Sydney, you can go to the other well-known cities like Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Victoria, etc. Each of these cities has its own wonderful sites ready to welcome you with great smiles. If you prefer to stay far from the bustle of the mainland, you always have to option to hop on the country’s islands. There is the Kangaroo Island where you can enjoy the sites of the native kangaroos hopping here and there, delighting every visitor’s eye. You can also visit the Philip Island where cute little fairy penguins march like they’re attending a parade. It is this site actually that draws more and more people from the mainland to Philip Island. There are still a lot more islands out there in Australia where you can make the most of your vacation. Make sure, however, that when traveling to these islands you’ve got the budget and you are willing to show some respects to what the islands have strongly maintained, be it the eco-friendly rules or whatever. Wherever in Australia you may go, you are guaranteed to have the best experiences possible. There are all sorts of adventures and the outback. So with all these things available, there’s no reason for you not to be happy and enjoy. And, if you find yourself delighted by all that Australia has to offer, I bet you would be willing to consider future visits.