Here are 9 Australia travel tips that helped me the first time I visited the country!
Every year, over 7 million tourists visit Australia. While most holidaymakers return home with their mind full of happy memories and their cameras full of stunning photographs. Sadly, many travelers hesitate about visiting Australia.
Indeed, for less-experienced travelers, Australia is a worrying distance away. A country that might speak the same language as your home country but that is otherwise very different from your home. In fact, did you know that every year, millions of holidaymakers choose a staycation over a vacation abroad? Not because they are worried about the cost but because they are genuinely concerned about the many risks of visiting a foreign country.
Australia, as it happens, is one of the safest and happiest places you’ll ever get to visit. It is also a mind-blowingly beautiful country with a variety of rural landscapes, urban architecture, and cultures. That’s why I’ve written this blog post to help you to be better prepared for your first visit to magical Australia!
Australia Travel Tips for First-Timer Visitors
1. The wildlife is not as scary as you think
Surprizingly, the most common reason that tourists give for postponing a trip to Australia is the wildlife. Social media videos have created an unrealistic image of Australia as somewhere where ebvery homeowner needs to wrestle a giant spider or a venomous snake on the front door of their house.
And the truth is that while Australian spiders have a bad reputation, a spider’s bite tends to not be as dangerous as a bee sting for humans.
The huntsman spiders – this would be the almost puppy-size species you’ve seen on YouTube – tend to run away from people. Their venom is not dangerous, and they are reluctant to bite. In fact, if anything, they keep pests at bay.
Ultimately, even though the Australian wildlife might be impressive, you have to bear in mind that the animals you see don’t attack; they defend themselves. If you leave them to themselves, there is nothing to fear.
Anyways, enough with the zoology lesson. The top 5 worries about Australia tend to refer to planning issues, budget, and the overall journey. Here are some handy Australia travel tips to encourage you to schedule your trip to Oz without fear!
2. Decide whether you want to drive in Australia
Australia is about 32 times bigger than the UK. And it will be difficult to fit too much into a short timeframe. So, should you start your tour with Sydney? Should you aim for another town or a rural location where you can plan a tour of the country? It can be difficult to decide.
We think Australia is best explored by road-tripping, as it means you can explore at your own pace and venture off the beaten path. And if flexibility is important to you (like it is to us), then it’s the way to go – as you can create your own itinerary.
As I said earlier – Australia is HUGE! And therefore, it would be foolish to expect to see all of Australia in a couple of weeks of driving. The distances in Australia are lengthy, and the next town might well be hundreds of miles away.
There are not many short drives here. So, instead when renting a car in Australia, focus on seeing a couple of places.
Top Tip: If you’re going to rent a car in Australia, we highly recommend Discover Cars. We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars when we’re traveling. It is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
3. You can’t afford to be 100% spontaneous on your Australian holiday
European getaways can be fairly spontaneous, especially when you only need a short flight to get to a new country. But when you’re traveling down under, you can’t afford NOT to plan. You need to prepare the essentials ahead – from booking your flights and hotel rooms to figuring out whether you should book online tickets for popular local attractions.
Additionally, you might find it practical in Australia to download a GPS app to guide you even when you’re outside the main towns. Google Maps tends to be problematic once you’re in a rural location. However, you, too, should also leave a little room for spontaneity! Don’t schedule every hour of every day.
When planning your trip, think about how you’ll get around in the cities. Since attractions in big cities are spread out, using a website like secureparking.com.au to find parking can be really helpful. This saves you time and cuts down on the stress of searching for safe and convenient parking spots in places you don’t know well. Whether you’re renting a car or driving your own, reliable parking can make your travel experience much better.
4. Australia is a HUGE continent
Let’s get this straight! Australia is not just a country. It is a continent. And therefore, it would be foolish to expect to see all of Australia in a couple of weeks. The distances in Australia don’t compare to the distances in most European countries.
The next town might well be hundreds of miles away. There is no short drive. But don’t let it ruin your trip. On the contrary, focus your holiday on a couple of spots. You may not see the whole country, but there is always the next time!
5. Your Australian holiday doesn’t need to be expensive
Inexperienced travelers often worry about managing their budget in Australia. Indeed, the cost of traveling is high. It doesn’t mean you can’t visit Australia on a budget. But it certainly means you should be careful about unnecessary expenses.
For extended stays, it’s a good idea to consider apartment rentals that come with an equipped kitchen, as it reduces the need for eating out. People who choose to stay in hotels need to pay close attention to their everyday food and drink costs – you can indulge too much!
Ideally, you should plan a budget of how much you are willing to spend or at least keep track of your expenses to avoid bad surprises.
Here’s some apartments we recommend in Sydney (they’re all rated a 9/10 or above) –
- Miss Baker’s Boutique Accommodation Bondi Beach – Located a couple of blocks back from the world-famous Bondi Beach, this studio apartment with a balcony is a brilliant option. The studio comes with a kitchenette, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and access to a communal garden. Rates average $260 AUD per night.
- Modern Apartment in Chippendale – This stylish apartment in the heart of the bustling Broadway district is just over a kilometer from Central Station. The one-bedroom apartment includes a fully-equipped kitchen, air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a washing machine! Expect to pay around $298 AUD per night here.
In short, to have a cheap-ish holiday in Australia – we recommend cooking in your apartment or hostel as much as you can and walking or getting public transport instead of taxis. And another good tip is to travel here during the off-season (June-August) when activities and hotel prices will be lower.
6. It’s such a long flight to get there
Most flights from the UK to Australia can take around 20 hours, with one stop included. It’s fair to say that you are likely to sit for long hours. For people who don’t travel long distances, the idea of being stuck on a plane for a long time can be daunting. You need to invest in your comfort – having a neck pillow, sleep mask and wearing comfortable clothing helped me get through the long flight to Australia.
You could also download your favorite shows to your Netflix or Disney+ app on your phone – in case your TV screen on the flight is broken (this happened to my husband!)
7. Get travel insurance
Travel insurance provides coverage for a range of situations, including flight delays, canceled flights, injuries, illnesses, etc. Depending on your policy, you could be reimbursed for hospital stays, meals, hotel stays, transportation, or even the entire cost of your trip.
This is how we find the best travel insurance for our trip, it helps us find the best travel insurance for our trip. On their site you can compare the plans side by side so you can get the best insurance for your particular trip! As I always say, no trip is the same so your travel insurance shouldn’t be too!
The key to travel insurance is understanding your coverage before you travel. So, make sure to read your policy carefully, so you know what’s covered and what documentation you’ll need to submit. Keep all receipts for additional expenses, such as food, accommodations, or transportation.
8. Tipping is welcomed but not expected
Tipping in Australia is pretty laid-back compared to the United States. You don’t have to tip everywhere you go, as it’s generally not expected.
This is because Aussie workers get a decent minimum wage, so they don’t rely on tips as much. But if someone goes above and beyond, it’s nice to leave a little something extra, like about 10% of the bill, to show your appreciation.
In places like restaurants, bars, or taxis, it’s common to round up or leave some extra change if you feel like it, but there’s no pressure. So, tipping here is more about giving a nod to great service rather than feeling like you have to do it.
9. Consider the month you’re visiting
When you visit Australia really depends on where you want to go, since the country has different climate zones. Generally speaking, visiting between September and November (spring) or March and May (autumn) is a good idea because the weather is usually pretty nice.
But, if you’re thinking about heading north to places like the Great Barrier Reef or Darwin, the dry season from May to October is better since it’s less humid and rainy. For the southern spots like Sydney and Melbourne, December to February is your best bet, even though it’s the busy tourist season
Thanks for Reading!
In conclusion, if you’ve been dreaming of visiting Australia but are feeling worried about the distance and the planning of your Australian holiday. Remember – it’s important to plan around your challenges. Take your time to make it a worthwhile vacation for your budget and interests. Instead of letting the wild side of Australia worry you, learn to tackle it bit by bit.
Before you go! If you liked this Australia travel tips guide, you may also enjoy reading some of my other most popular blog posts, including –
3 Days in Sydney With Kids (Fun Weekend Sydney Itinerary)
Which whale watching tour in Sydney should I choose?
48 Hours in Sydney: The Perfect Weekend For First Time Visitors
Last Updated on April 24, 2025 by snaphappytravel