Australia travel guide
Meet AustraliaAustralia weather reportGetting into AustraliaFrom the Australian kitchenFrom the Australian bar Currency in AustraliaMajor airports in AustraliaExamples of food and drink spendThings to have at hand in AustraliaDid you know?
Meet Australia
What do you picture when you think of Australia? Do you envision huge swathes of outback, made up of savannah, deserts, and dry salt lakes? Perhaps you dream of cosmopolitan coastal cities, where you can enjoy sun, sea and surf. Or maybe you think about the cuddly koalas, jumping kangaroos and waddling wallabies that are unique to the country. In truth, Australia has all these things, and more.
As big as the United States, but populated by just 20 million people, much of the country is arid bushland. At heart of this wilderness is the Northern Territory, where you’ll find Ayers Rock, the second-largest monolith in the world. Yet Australia’s coastline, where most Aussies live, reflects nature at its most bountiful: the lush rainforests of Queensland, and the underwater cornucopia of The Great Barrier Reef, attract tourists from all over the globe.
Australia’s coastal metropolises pulse with life and energy. Vivacious Sydney, with its stunning natural harbour, iconic opera house, and thriving arts scene, definitely deserves a place in your holiday itinerary. And you shouldn’t overlook Melbourne, with its beautiful Victorian architecture and multicultural sophistication.
Millions of tourists flock to Australia every year to enjoy the diverse range of experiences that the nation has to offer. Peak holiday season is from October to February, so what better way to shake off blues of a British winter, than with a holiday to this unique country?
Australia weather report
Australia has two climatic zones: the northern tropical zone, where there is only a wet summer and dry winter season, and the southern temperate zone, which experiences all four seasons.
While Europe endures the cold of winter, Australia enjoys the summer heat. Throughout the spring and summer months of October to March, the whole country basks in sunshine, with an average national temperature around 29 degrees Celsius. The weather is humid and wet in the north, but pleasantly warm and dry in the south.
During the autumn to winter months of April to September, northern and central Australia enjoy clear warm days, and cool nights, while the south of the country experiences mild sunny days, with occasional rainfall. There is an average national temperature of 13 degrees at this time.
For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool.
Getting into Australia
To enter Australia, you will need a passport, which is valid for the duration your stay, and a travel visa. You can apply for your visa through a travel agent, or online at www.eta.immi.gov.au.
From the Australian kitchen
Australian food has been greatly influenced by the various nations who have colonised the country. In the 18th century, the first British settlers brought their local cooking with them, and as Mediterranean and Asian immigrants began to settle in Australia, the national cuisine became similarly shaped by their cultures.
In the 1980s native Australian recipes began to be rediscovered, with the unique spices of indigenous plants forming the basis of many restaurant menus. Today, contemporary interpretations of all these culinary styles are fused to create a cuisine labeled ‘Modern Australian’.
A few dishes on the Aussie menu are:
-
Damper: traditional bread made by wrapping dough around a stick, and roasting it over an open fire.
-
Anaboroo Soup: a native ‘bush tucker’ dish, which typically blends roasted buffalo, mango, and the local nut, burrawong.
-
Chiko Roll: an example of the influence of Asian cuisine on Australian gastronomy, this popular deep-fried savoury roll is similar to a Chinese spring roll.
-
Pie Floater: a small meat pie served on a bed of pea soup.
-
Lamingtons: delicious squares of sponge cake covered with chocolate icing and sprinkled with desiccated coconut.
-
Pavlova: a meringue based desert topped with cream and fruit.
From the Australian bar
-
Victoria Bitter: Australia's most popular beer, despite its name, this is actually a lager.
-
Bundaberg rum: usually referred to as ‘Bundy’ by Aussies, this famous local rum is produced in Bundaberg, Queensland. You can buy this spirit neat, or in cans where it is pre-mixed with cola.
-
Wine: the reputation of Australia’s wine has flourished over recent years. Many wineries have salerooms where you can enjoy a spot of wine tasting. Visit the Hunter Valley for Chardonnay and Shiraz, and the Yarra valley for sparkling wines
-
Billy Tea: a traditional ‘bush tucker’ beverage, made from tea boiled in a billy can.
Currency in Australia
The unit of currency used in Australia is the Australian dollar (AUD) ($), which is comprised of 100 cents (c). Coins come in $2, $1.50, 20c, 10c and 5c. Banknotes are issued in $100, $50, $ 20, $ 10 and $ 5 bills. For the up to date currency conversion please use the Pampo exchange rates calculator.
Major airports in Australia
-
Adelaide Airport
-
Alice Springs Airport
-
Brisbane Airport
-
Broome Airport
-
Cairns Airport
-
Canberra Airport
-
Darwin Airport
-
Gold Coast Airport
-
Melbourne Airport
-
Newcastle Airport
-
Perth Airport
-
Sydney Airport
Examples of food and drink spend
-
A typical restaurant bill in Australia is around £30-£35 per person. Starters are usually in the region of £5-8, and an average main course will cost approximately £15-20.
-
A pint of beer is usually priced between £2 – £3
-
A glass of wine is generally priced in the region of £2.50- £4
Things to have at hand in Australia
-
A valid photo ID
-
International Driver's Licence
-
Sunscreen
-
Sunhat
-
Bottled water
-
Travel insurance: leave one copy of your policy at home and take one copy with you
Did you know?
-
Australia Day is celebrated on 26th January, to commemorate the proclamation of British sovereignty over Australia in 1788.
-
There are 1500 hundred species of Australian spiders.
-
There are more than 150 million sheep in Australia, and only 20 million people.
-
Australia has the lowest precipitation of any of the world’s inhabited continents.
-
In 2007, The Economist voted Sydney was the world’s most liveable city for the second year in a row, and Melbourne was ranked 6th.