what you need to know before a trip to australia

Australia is a vast country, with so many amazing places to explore and iconic monuments to see. Your trip to the land down under is sure to be unforgettable and the memories you make along the way will be treasured forever. However, if you want to make your trip as special as possible, it's important to do your research. Here are five things you need to know before embarking on your Australian adventure.

1. The weather is more varied than you might think

Australia is known for its dry climate and scorching temperatures. Many think that the entire country experiences temperate weather all year round, but this is not the case. The weather is incredibly varied, depending on the city you choose to visit.
Cities in Western Australia, such as Perth, typically experience drier summers with warmer weather while southern territories, like Tasmania, experience cooler weather. Many people don't realise that you can actually go skiing in the Hobart region of Australia and their resorts are just as amazing as European skiing destinations

2. Australia is huge

This might seem obvious, but have you really stopped to think about how big the country really is? It's the world's largest island, 32 times bigger than the UK, and has more than 7 million km² of land to explore. You should take this into account if you're planning to visit as many cities as possible during your journey, as it can take hours or even days to get from place to place. Flying from Sydney to Perth can take more than five hours, and it takes almost three days to drive if you're on a road trip.​

3. The exotic animals aren't all scary

One thing that puts people off visiting Australia: the critters and creatures. But Australia isn't just home to giant snakes and crawling spiders waiting to pounce. There are so many other amazing animals to see; cute and fluffy animals are also in abundance. Embark on an Australian safari, where you might be able to spot a kangaroo in its natural habitat or even an adorable stubby-tailed wombat. You could even get the chance to cuddle or feed an Australian koala bear. Surely that has to make enduring the scarier animals worth it?
4. Travel insurance is a must
While travel insurance isn't mandatory in Australia, it is strongly recommended, even if you're already overseas. 38% of people aged 25-34 traveled without taking out insurance, which is a risky decision to make if the worst should happen. A reciprocal healthcare agreement exists between Australia and some countries (such as New Zealand and the UK), but this only covers you against very basic medical care and should not be considered a substitute for health insurance. Make the right decisions and cover yourself against theft, damage and last minute travel cancellations if you want to enjoy a carefree Australian holiday.​

5. The people are very laid-back

It’s a stereotype, but there might be a grain of truth to this one – Aussies are famously laid-back! Whether it’s because of the climate, the miles of beaches, or the barbecue culture, one thing’s for sure: people in Australian love nothing more than kicking back and having a good time. If you’re travelling to Australia, you should definitely follow suit! Don’t take things too seriously when you’re there. Relax with the friendly locals, and let all the stresses of your life back home float away. ​