Have you planned a trip to Australia? No matter how long you are going to stay in Australia or what you are planning to do, we have provided some helpful information you must know before travelling to Australia.
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Do I need a visa?
Unless you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, you will need a valid Australian visa to enter the country. All other passport holders must apply for a visa before leaving home. You can apply for a range of visas, including tourist visas and working holiday visas, at your nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate. The type of visa you should apply for depends on the length of your stay, your passport and the purpose of your visit. You can visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs website to find more information on the different types of visa.
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What items can I bring into Australia?
Australia is geographically isolated from other continents and the introduction of some biological materials can have catastrophic consequences on the island ecosystem. As a result, Australia has strict requirements on the food, plant materials or animal products that can enter or leave the country. Food, including fruits and vegetables, meat and eggs, is not permitted. You are also prohibited from bringing in plants, seeds, skins and feathers. Laws also prevent you from bringing in drugs, weapons, firearms and protected wildlife. You can bring in medicines for personal use, but there are restrictions. It’s best to have a letter from your doctor stating what medicines you are taking and what your medical conditions are. You should read more about customs and quarantine here for more details.
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How is the weather in Australia?
Australia is in the southern hemisphere, so their seasons are opposite of those in the northern hemisphere. Australia experiences temperate weather for most of the year but the climate depends on what part of the country you are travelling to. The northern states typically experience warm weather much of the time, with the southern states experiencing cooler winters.
The best time to visit Sydney or Melbourne may be November to April. The summer months of December, January and February are a popular time to travel due to the warm weather. If you are planning a trip to Perth, consider going in September or October for nice warm days. You can also visit the vibrant city of Brisbane during April and May, as it provides comfortable temperatures without becoming too warm and there is minimal rainfall. If you plan to visit the northern region of Queensland, consider going in the winter months of June, July or August. Winter is also a good time to visit the hot desert regions, such as Uluru.
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How does public transport work?
The types of transport available vary between cities but all of Australia’s major towns have reliable public bus networks. You can also travel by train in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Melbourne also has trams, Sydney and Brisbane have ferries.
You will find below the list of public transport website for each state:
Australian Capital Territory – TC Transport Canberra
New South Wales – NSW Transport Info
Northern Territory – Northern Territory Deparment of Transport
Queensland – TRANSLink
South Australia – Adelaide Metro
Victoria – Public Transport Victoria
Western Australia – Transperth
