See The Best Of Australia With These 5 Travel Tips

Australia is one of the most popular destinations in the world and for good reason. With famous landmarks, lots of culture, and notable natural beauty, there’s something new to discover every time you visit. Its location on the other side of the world (for most people, anyway!) only adds to its appeal.

Planning a trip Down Under? Here are five ways to make sure you see the best of Australia.

1) Look beyond the guidebook

Chances are you’re going to want to see the more well-known sights, but don’t be afraid to look beyond the tourist trail. Australia is a big country and your chances of stumbling upon a hidden gem are high.

To get started, ask the locals for their input — people you meet on the street or the staff at hostel/hotel receptions are normally safe bets if you’re looking for an authentic experience. National Geographic also has a good guide to traveling locally.

Look at your map of Australia and pick out the places you’ve never heard of, or simply venture beyond the town or city center to see what life is really like in your destination.

2) Pick the right transport for you

Buses are the most common way to get around in Australia, with affordable networks running in all the major towns. For longer trips, Greyhound coaches are ideal — there’s even the option of getting hop-on, hop-off passes so you can stop at whatever location takes your fancy. Some cities have trams and trains, which are useful if you just need to travel around in the area.

If you want the flexibility and freedom of having your own transport, why not hire a campervan? It’ll double up as your accommodation, saving you money in the long run. 

Remember: Domestic flights are easy to find in Australia, but they’re much more expensive than other forms of transport. They’re worth considering if you need to travel somewhere in a hurry, however, so don’t discount them completely.

2) Don’t miss out Sydney

Although there’s a lot to be said for uncovering a hidden gem, Australia’s popular sights are beloved for a reason and the country’s most famous city, Sydney, is a must-visit.

You’ll have the opportunity to take a backstage tour of the world-renowned opera house and walk across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, plus there are beautiful beaches to explore (see them all on the coastal walk that takes you from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach). You can even explore the beautiful hidden gems in suburbs of Sydney where locals hang out.

3) Be realistic when you plan your trip

Australia is an enormous country and unless you have unlimited time and money, chances are you’re not going to be able to see everything. The less time you have, the fewer regions you should focus on. Otherwise, you run the risk of doing too much traveling from place to place and being too tired to truly appreciate each new destination. Take the length of your trip and your budget into account, and plan accordingly.

Top tip: Don’t forget to include extras like visa fees and the cost of travel insurance in your budget. According to Compare Travel Insurance, you’ll need extra cover if you’re planning any adventure activities, so be sure to check your policy includes everything you need.

4) Pick the right transport for you

A road trip is must if you’re traveling Australia for the first time. Buses are the most common way to get around in Australia, with affordable networks running in all the major towns. For longer trips, Greyhound coaches are ideal — there’s even the option of getting hop-on, hop-off passes so you can stop at whatever location takes your fancy. Some cities have trams and trains, which are useful if you just need to travel around in the area.

If you want the flexibility and freedom of having your own transport, why not hire a campervan? It’ll double up as your accommodation, saving you money in the long run. 

Remember: Domestic flights are easy to find in Australia, but they’re much more expensive than other forms of transport. They’re worth considering if you need to travel somewhere in a hurry, however, so don’t discount them completely.

5) Short on time? Use a ready-made itinerary

Finally, if the thought of planning the whole trip yourself is too overwhelming, there’s no shame in relying on one of the many itineraries you can find online. These are normally put together by people who have already been traveling, so they’ll know all the do’s and don’ts and you’ll have a better idea of what to expect.

Not so keen on having someone else control every aspect of your trip? You can always use an itinerary as your starting point and customize it to suit you.

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