Coming to Australia is a favorite holiday destination for people around the world. When planning your first holiday to Australia, you may be a little unsure of what to bring with you. Here are a few tips that will help you know what to bring along.

The Essentials

Guidebook – Australia is a huge country spanning more than 3000 km from Perth on the West Coast to Sydney on the East Coast. A guide book with a map of the country will give you a good idea of the layout. It is easier to cover large distances each day. For example, it is reasonable to drive from Sydney to Melbourne in 1 day covering about 900km over 12 hours.

Sunscreen – is an important particularly for fair skinned people. The UV rays are much stronger in Australia and you’ll easily get burnt from a few hours in the sun.

Sun shade – many people comment that the sunlight is also much brighter in Australia than in Europe or North America. Don’t forget your sunglasses and bring a wide rim hat.

Mosquito Repellant – is generally required in Northern Queensland. Most of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia are not considered mosquito country.

Dressing Up

Taking along the right clothing for your holiday is the basic point of your preparation. To a large degree, your choice of clothing options depends greatly on the activities you plan on enjoying during your holiday. If your destination is Sydney or Melbourne, you will assuredly need formal wear that will take you to the many theatres and other cultural events that are found in both of these beautiful cities. Men will find that taking along a basic tuxedo with traditional accessories will work well in formal settings with no problem. A simple suit that can be dressed up or down with the proper accessories will also work well for less formal dinners and evenings out. In like manner, women will want to bring along at least a couple of formal outfits, along with some flattering tea length dresses for less formal occasions that still require something other than casual clothing.

Going Casual

Along with formal clothing, it is a good idea to pack casual outfits that are appropriate for both warmer and cooler environments. If the idea is to spend time by the ocean as well as in more rugged areas, there will be a need for swimsuits, short sleeved shirts, jeans, comfortable shoes, and a few sweaters as part of the basic wardrobe.

Some pubs and golf clubs in coastal and city areas wont let you enter if you are wearing thongs and a singlet. These venues often require covered shoes and a shirt with a collar.

Casual clothing is acceptable in number of settings, such as amusement parks, on the beach, while backpacking, and enjoying an afternoon of shopping.

Taking Care of Medical Matters

Making sure you have made arrangements for any medications that you require in advance is an important aspect. If at all possible, contact a local physician before your trip, to ensure that copies of your records can be sent ahead, and arrangements with a local chemist put in place to allow you to obtain refills on medicines that you are required to take daily. If it is not possible to make these arrangements in advance, take along your medical records, so that a healthcare professional can consult them quickly in the event of an accident or medical emergency.

While there is very good public and emergency health care available, a first aid kit is worth taking on holiday to Australia.

Fun Things

You’ll definitely need a good book and a pack of playing cards to keep yourself entertained while traveling. A music player is also a great idea.

Communications

You’ll find public phones right across Australia which accept coins or calling cards. An affordable alternative is to rent a mobile phone or to bring your own mobile phone and change the SIM card with a local card on a prepay service.

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From the culture and elegance of the Sydney Opera House to the whimsy of that little clownfish, Nemo, Sydney is one of the most recognized cities in the world. Nestled in a gorgeous harbour, this cosmopolitan town offers all the luxuries you might expect from a seaside city. In addition to the beautiful landscape, you can also take in any number of water sports.


Sydney’s Beautiful Beaches


Because of Sydney’s shape and size, you’re never more than an hour from a beach. With 37 to choose from, it’s safe to say Sydney has wall-to-wall shoreline. One of the most popular is Bondi Beach. With glistening white sand and some killer waves, surfing is a top activity at Bondi. Sunbathing and swimming are high on the list, too. But the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Bondi has an awesome nightlife that doesn’t require formal dress. Jeans, t-shirts and sandals are the preferred attire for most beach front restaurants as well as for the Pavillion.



The Rocks

An entire district in Sydney (near the Sydney Opera House) is dedicated to its history. This area is referred to as The Rocks. With cobblestone lanes and buildings constructed out of the original stone The Rocks was named for, this section of town has a charming, old-world ambiance. Take in the attractions The Rocks offers including the harbor Bridge. In fact, for those who are physically fit and daring, you can climb the bridge! You and a group of 12, along with a professional guide, will climb to the top of the harbor Bridge – over 400 feet above the sea! At a length of 3.5 hours, your tour will have you traversing catwalks and ladders and being rewarded with the most spectacular views in the city.



Scuba Diving

With some of the most exciting sea life in the world, Sydney is a world-class dive site. If you’ve never tried scuba before, you’ll be glad to know there are numerous dive schools in the area who can teach you in as little as a day. Under the crystal-blue sea, you might discover underwater flora and fauna ranging from elegant sea tulips to mystical sea dragons to massive humpback whales. It’s an adventure filled with wonder and excitement.



Festivals

Depending on the time of year you travel to Sydney, you can participate in some of the many festivals held there. From yacht races to Sydney’s version of Mardi Gras to the Sydney Garden & Flower Show, there’s so much to see and do you won’t know where to start. One of the best ways to see Sydney and the surrounding areas is via cruise ship. The next time you plan a visit to the land down under, ask about tours that include exciting ports such as Sydney. You’ll find a world of exhilaration you won’t soon forget.



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