Australia is one of the most urbanized and beautiful countries in the world. The general thought is that Australia is very similar to North America which is partially true. but there are some major differences you want to know before visiting this amazing country. If you’re lucky enough to travel to this country keep reading as in this post, we’ll talk about 10 things to know before traveling to Australia.
You don’t have to tip
With $19.84 per hour for minimum wage jobs, bartenders, hotel workers, and taxi drivers don’t rely on tips for a decent living. They charge you enough for the services they provide that you are not expected to pay tips at all.
Rental amounts are per week
You may see a 5 bedroom house for rent in Australia with an ocean view and a big pool for $800. Step back, take a deep breath, and move forward as the rental amounts in Australia are mostly per week!
Call 000 if you need 911
Australia’s emergency number is 000 which is honestly way easier than 911. Then you’ll be directed to the police, fire, or ambulance departments, depending on your needs.
Don’t swim with the sharks
There are flags in the water near every beach which means the safe zone before becoming face to face with a shark! But even between the flags, you still want to be careful and swim with others, rather than alone.
Tim Tam is your new Oreos
Tim Tam is Aussies’ favorite snack. They eat a pack of Tim Tams in a second or two and never share! Make sure to leave some room in your suitcase as you’ll end up bringing a lot of Tim Tams with you back home!
Smoking doesn’t come cheap
The cheapest pack of cigarettes costs $29 in Australia with $48.50 for a pack of Marlboro Golds. Then if you smoke a lot, give it another thought before traveling to Australia.
Kangaroos and Koalas aren’t everywhere
Since Australia is urbanized in most parts, wildlife has been pushed back to the national parks. Then if you like to spot Kangaroos and relaxing Koalas in Australia, visit places like the Atherton Tablelands region in far North Queensland, Kangaroo Island which is about an hour from Adelaide, or The ecosystem at the Great Barrier Reef.
Australia is huge
Australia is not your typical European country. For example, a flight between East Coast (Brisbane) and the West Coast (Perth) will take you 5.5 hours. Road trips would be even longer, like a trip from Cairns to Brisbane is practically impossible in less than 3 days.
Summer is different across Australia
Australian summers aren’t generally nice like in Europe and North America. The weather varies from region to region. It’s generally hot, like really hot! There are also chances of heavy rains like in 2010 when the whole city of Brisbane flooded.
Learn Aussie English
Australian English almost sounds like a foreign language for the first few hours, but you’ll get used to it soon. Slang words aren’t that complicated either, like the ones below.
- Ute =pick up truck
- Fortnightly = every 2 weeks
- Lollies = candy
- Bushwalking = hiking/trekking
- Boot = trunk
- tomato sauce = ketchup
- chuck a u-ey = make a U-turn/turn around;
- do you want to join us for tea = do you want to join us for dinner
Australia is perfect spot for summer vacations…with all the beaches and weather.
Exactly!
Thank you for your comment!
Since I am not a smoker, I like the fact about smoking (no offense to smokers!)
That makes sense!
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I love love love Australia, especially now more than ever because I’ve recently been obsessed about the place🤷♀️😂💕
I used to find the slang really weird because I wouldn’t be able to understand anything but I think I’m justt getting used to it though half the times I just have to stare blankly😂
And gosh, who knew TEA meant DINNER?!🤯😂😂😂 Imagine us ordering scones while the others order meat 🙆♀️😂
And well, Tim Tams are really yum though 😂💕
Lol! I hear ya.
It’s a lovely country to love.
It is among my top five favorite countries as well!
The tea thing is too weird! It happened to me once since I wasn’t in Australia for a long time, but I just didn’t get it! lol!
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Chuck a U-ey made me laugh. I forget about this phrase. One of my Europeans friends told me how he thought it was so funny we say ‘heaps’ alot here.
lol! Right. It’s cute and makes me laugh too!
Thank you for your comment!!
They say heaps in England too
Great post! I’ve just relocated to Tasmania from the US and I am certainly getting used to the new culture!
Wow! Good for you! How do you like it so far?
So far it’s amazing! Tasmania is COVID free, and the contrast after coming from New York is pretty crazy!
Wow! I can’t imagine the world without this Covid thing anymore! It must feel very good for you guys!
You’re right, NYC is like another planet compared to Tasmania. Your nerves must be thankful of your moving choice! Lol!
Thabk you for your comment!
I love Aussie slang! There was a large Aussie community in England so I picked up on some of their lingo. I remember I was looking for something and my Aussie friend said, “It’s gone walkabout.” At first, I was like “What the fairies!” Because how could the thing I lost do an Aboriginal rite of passage?? Then, I caught on. Apparently, English people have caught onto Aussie slang too, so slang has gone antipodean
lol! Aussie slang usually stresses me out because sometimes I just don’t get it and they start laughing themselves!
It’s definitely a weird dialect, and yeah stresses me out too because it takes my ear a bit of time to adjust to it. I got used to hearing Aussies speak after a while, but now I’ve lost my touch with that. You know what is REALLY crazy though? English people sometimes asked me if I was Aussie if they couldn’t place my accent. I would simply say, “No honey. I’m not Aussie”
True!
The worst thing about me is that I lose my accent after the first day being in a new place and start catching theirs! lol!
I think you’re kind of like me!
Yeah. I like to blend too, especially since I learned to hide the fact I’m “American” (haha) when I’m in a foreign country from a young age. There are moments where I LOVE being a TCK!
I saw this TCK humor thing on IG that said, “If we’re arguing and my accent starts to change, you’ve got about 5 seconds to get up out of my face!” Definitely true with me!