Planning A Trip To Australia

Planning A Trip To Australia

So you’re planning on going on a trip to Australia? There’s no doubt it takes some preparation to ensure it’s a safe and fulfilling experience, whether you’re taking a tour down the east coast or heading into the outback of the north-west. As it always helps to have a checklist, we’ve compiled the most important things you should remember so your trip goes from a dream to a reality.

Check Your Finances

First and foremost, you have to be sure you can afford a trip to Australia. The majority of travellers work their fingers to the bone to save for their journey, as every one of the following steps costs. From applying for your visa to booking local tours, a trip to Australia costs money, so make sure, if you haven’t yet got the funds, you are able to save up for them.

Apply For Your Visa

You can’t go to Australia without one, so your first step is to apply for a visa. If you just want to visit on a holiday, you would apply for the Visitor Visa (subclass 600), which allows you to stay for up to three, six or 12 months. This amount of time lets you get a full experience of this vast country, should you stay for as long as your visa lets you. If you’re interested in working during your visit, you would apply for the Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417), which provides 12 months in Australia to holiday and work. Both visas have certain requirements and costs, so ensure you can fulfil such when applying.

Book Your Flight

You can go to comparison websites to see where you can get the cheapest flight or best offer, but the main airlines to Australia are Emirates, Qantas and Singapore Airlines. Prices can vary and offers can be random rather than due to last minute bookings or buying in advance. Due to the distance, flights will include a stop-off in Dubai, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore if you’re flying from Europe. Depending on when you want to be in the country, you would book your flight accordingly. Things to remember include:
• Australia’s seasons are opposite to those in Europe and America. Summer lasts from December – February, and winter creeps in around June and doesn’t cease until August. The south sees cooler temperatures than the north, with skiing opportunities in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania when snowfall arrives on the mountain ranges.
• The tropical north sees wet season from December – March, when the climate is hot and humid and daily rainstorms make many off-roads, rivers and gorges inaccessible. Dry season from May – October is more of a time to enjoy the outside with festivals, hiking and 4WD.
• Depending on where you want to start your trip, you will book your flight to the respective city. It might seem obvious, but remember to not book your return flight at the same time, as you don’t know where you’ll be or whether you’ll want to extend your visa to prolong your stay.

Buy Your Travel Insurance

Keep your mind at ease knowing that, if anything happens during your travel in Australia, your possessions and health are covered. Travel insurance can cover anything from theft to illness and accident, and there are plenty of insurers out there from Debenhams to AA and Aviva. A good tip is to check whether your bank provides travel insurance with your account, or see what deal you can get through them.

Book Your Accommodation

You don’t need to plan your accommodation for your whole trip, but book a bed for the first couple of days just to have somewhere to lay your head and get your bearings. Hostels are the most popular for travellers due to their low price and basic necessities, and are in abundance. Better yet, the rooms remain at one price whether you book six weeks or six days in advance, but certain rooms can sell out quickly. Rooms range from private double rooms to 16-bed dorms, where males and females can be separate or mixed. Compare cost-conscious accommodation at www.hostelworld.com or www.hostelz.com, or check out our accommodation pages.