Before You Go

Every holiday is the chance of a lifetime! If you know what you’re doing, you can have any experience you want without maxing out your credit cards. All you have to do is just plan ahead!



1-2 Months Before You Go: Practical Preparation

Passports: Citizens of Australia need a valid passport to enter other countries and to re-enter back into OZ. You can apply for a passport at most post offices, passport offices or courts of law and will need to present proof of citizenship and identity. Regular service takes up to one week, but you can receive expedited service for an additional fee.

Airfare and Rail Tickets: When it comes to airfares, a little effort can save you a bundle. Many airline websites offer special last-minute deals. The key is to hunt around, be flexible and ask persistently about discounts. Students and those under 26 should never pay full price for a ticket. It is best to buy your Eurail or Europass before leaving to avoid marked-up prices in European cities. While the passes are sold at uniform prices in Australia, some offer certain bonuses with purchase, so shop around. Also, keep in mind that pass prices usually go up each year, so if you are travelling early in the year, you can save by purchasing before January 1.

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance generally covers basic areas like medical problems, property loss, trip cancellation/interruption and emergency evacuation. ISIC provides basic insurance benefits and access to a toll-free 24hr emergency hotline.

Accommodations: Many young budget travellers frequent hostels because of the low rates and party atmosphere; however, many don’t accept reservations.  If you plan on staying in hostels, research your options and call to find out what time of day generally offers greatest room availability.  Consider buying a combined YHA (Youth Hostel Australia) ISIC card to receive membership privileges in hostels around the world.If you plan to stay in hotels, book your room far in advance many hotels offer online reservations.



2 Weeks Before You Go:  Creating Your Dream Trip

Research: Find out everything you can about your destination(s) and pick at least 10 sights you don’t want to miss. Many websites and travel guides have suggested itineraries and sample walking tours-find ones that suit you and add them to your plans.

Ask around: The best way to find the inside scoop on your travel destination is often to talk to other travellers. Check out chat forums on travel websites to get advice on anything from hidden deals to hostel recommendations to safety tips for solo travellers.

Life and Times: Read up on the history and culture of your destination.The more you know about a place,the more comfortable you’ll feel when you get there.



Travel Packing Tips

Pack Lightly. Lay out only what you absolutely need; then take half the clothes and twice the money.

Luggage. If you plan to cover most of your itinerary by foot, a sturdy frame suitcase or a small to medium sized would be suitable.  

Clothing. For most places, it’s a good idea to bring a warm jacket or jumper, a rain jacket, sturdy shoes or hiking boots, and thick socks.  Flip-flops or waterproof sandals are must-haves for grubby hostel showers.  If you have a room, you may also want to add one outfit beyond the jeans and t-shirt uniform, and maybe a nicer pair of shoes.  Remember also that if you plan to visit any religious or cultural sites, you’ll need something besides tank tops and shorts to be respectful. 

Washing Clothes. Bring a small bar or tube of detergent soap, a small rubber ball to stop up the sink, and a travel clothesline so it won't take up any space in your luggage bag.

Converters & Adapters. In Australia, electricity is 240 volts. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. (Note: The Australian standard is very similar to the Chinese CPCS-CCC and Argentine IRAM sockets.)

First-Aid Kit. For a basic first-aid kit, pack: bandages, panadol, antiseptic cream, a thermometer, a Swiss Army knife, tweezers,decongestant, diarrhea or upset-stomach medication (Pepto-Bismol or Imodium), an antihistamine, sunscreen, insect repellent, and burn ointment.

Other Useful Items. For safety purposes, you should bring a money belt and small padlock.  Basic outdoors equipment (plastic water bottle, flashlight, compass, waterproof matches, pocketknife, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat) may also prove useful.  Quick repairs of torn garments can be done on the road with a needle and thread; also consider bringing electrical tape for patching tears.  Other things you’re likely to forget are an umbrella, sealable plastic bags (for damp clothes, soap, food, shampoo, and other spillables), an alarm clock, safety pins, rubber bands, and garbage bags.



Travelling alone

There are many benefits to travelling alone, including independence and greater interaction with locals.  On the other hand, any solo traveller is a more vulnerable target of harassment and street theft.  Follow these tips to keep yourself at lower risk:

When travelling alone, avoid unwanted attention by blending in as much as possible. If questioned, never admit that you are travelling alone.

Familiarise yourself with your surroundings before setting out, and carry yourself with confidence. 
Check maps in shops and restaurants rather than on the street.
Maintain regular contact with someone at home who knows your itinerary.



Female Traveller

Women travelling on their own inevitably face some additional safety concerns, but it’s easy to be adventurous without taking undue risks.Consider staying in hostels that offer single rooms that lock from the inside or in religious organisations with rooms for women only. 

  • Stick to centrally located accommodations.
  • Always carry extra money for a phone call, bus, or taxi.
  • Hitchhiking is never safe for lone women, or even for two women travelling together. 
  • When on overnight or long train rides, if there is no women-only compartment, choose one occupied by women or couples. 
  • Look as if you know where you’re going and approach older women or couples for directions if you’re lost or uncomfortable.
  • Generally, the less you look like a tourist, the better off you’ll be. Dress conservatively, especially in rural areas. 
  • Trying to fit in can be effective, but dressing to the style of an obviously different culture may cause you to be ill at ease and a conspicuous target.
  •  Use your best judgment. 

Your best answer to verbal harassment is no answer at all; feigning deafness, sitting motionless, and staring straight ahead at nothing in particular will do a world of good that reactions usually don’t achieve. 



Budget Travel Tips

Save Cost: The cost of your trip will vary considerably, depending on where you go, how you travel and where you stay. The average price for hostels around Australia varies depending where you stay but an approximate value would be $25-$30 per night. If you have an ISIC YHA card you can save a lot on plenty of different hostels throughout Australia.  

Staying on a Budget. Before you go, spend some time calculating a reasonable per-day budget that will meet your needs.   If you stay in hostels and prepare your own food, you’ll probably spend from $30-40 per person per day. A slightly more comfortable day (sleeping in a better hotel or apartment that includes breakfast and lunch and then dinner at a restaurant would approximately be $100-$150, again depending on where you are staying too.) 

Tips for Saving Money. Some simpler ways include searching out opportunities for free entertainment, splitting accommodation and food costs with other trustworthy fellow travelers, and buying food in supermarkets rather than eating out. Do your laundry in the sink (unless you’re explicitly prohibited from doing so). With that said, don’t go overboard with your budget obsession. Though staying within your budget is important, don’t do so at the expense of your health or a great travel experience.



Money Exchange

Use your ATM card when you need money abroad. You get good exchange rates and you don't need to wait for the bank to open! Before you leave Australia find out how much your bank charges for it's international ATM fees.

If you use travellers cheques or bills, carry some in small denominations (the equivalent of $50 or less) for times when you are forced to exchange money at disadvantageous rates, but bring a range of denominations since charges may be levied per check cashed.

Travellers cheques are one of the safest and least troublesome means of carrying funds. American Express and Visa are the most widely recognised brands. Many banks and agencies sell them for a small commission. Check issuers provide refunds if the cheques are lost or stolen, and many provide additional services, such as toll-free refund hotlines abroad, emergency message services, and stolen credit card assistance. Ask about toll-free refund hotlines and the location of refund centers when purchasing checks, and always carry emergency cash.



Health

Ensure that you take all the immunizations you need before leaving Australia. Its best to see your GP before you leave so that you can get all the suggested immunisations depending on where you're travelling to and from.



Check out: www.smartraveller.gov