Comments on: 15 Things Not to Do When Visiting Australia

By: Barbara

Barbara — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 19:21:18 +0000

I lived at the NW Cape of Australia for two and a half years. Practically the outback. It would be good to include some colloquialism. Don’t ask for a napkin in a restaurant ask for a serviette. And don’t try to hitch a ride using your thumb use your index finger

By: Juliet

Juliet — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 02:09:39 +0000

I’m a Sydneysider and very disturbed that nobody has mentioned safety at the beach. Swim between the flags and if you see signs with pictures of sharks or jellyfish either avoid or check with a local before entering. Never pick up octopii and be careful of brown-spotted sea shells as the Cowrie has a poisonous barb it will use in self-defence.

By: Calvin

Calvin — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 06:00:24 +0000

I also have a plan to go there in coming up days to explore the beauty of this alluring destination. I am so happy for it. I hope so that it will be a really great time for me.

By: Clazz - An Orcadian Abroad

Clazz - An Orcadian Abroad — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 12:48:21 +0000

Great tips! The fruit & veg is something I didn’t know until I’d been in Australia for a few months, so I’m glad you brought that up! It was quite strange really because we worked on a farm for a while, but we had to go through a quarantine bit to get home, so we couldn’t technically take any of their produce home! We also learned the hard way about dropping off a rental car at a different location, unfortunately we didn’t have much choice as we were using it to get to a job, but I started to wish we had just bought our own car.

By: Dmitry Pavlenko

Dmitry Pavlenko — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 14:16:56 +0000

Thanks Michela for your very interesting post. These are very useful tips.

By: Keith

Keith — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 14:15:51 +0000

I’m a senior born and bred in Australia. It’s entertaining to read other’s views on travelling here. If I were from some other country I’d avoid the major cities. Why bother with cities like Sydney and Melbourne which are nice in their own way but expensive, cosmopolitan, sophisticated, diverse and vast. Seen Vienna, Toronto, San Francisco? Be content. Seen Broken Hill, Kalgoorlie, Longreach, Merimbula, Ceduna, Katherine, Normanton, Fitzroy Crossing or Manangatang? There you will find an Australia that is unique in the world, extraordinary, beautiful and amazing. Take six months, hire a car and explore this marvellous country.

By: Samantha Gray

Samantha Gray — Sat, 28 Jan 2017 05:02:27 +0000

In reply to rockytravel.

I was in Australia for 5 weeks for doctoral work, and took my sister with me. We drove though Tasmania (most beautiful place either of us had ever been), flew to Cairns via Sydney and back to Sydney after 3 weeks in Queensland. The Aussiepass air pass served us very well. We lived (well, mostly) on mango ice cream, protein bars and yogurt, which kept expenses down. We fell in love with Vegemite also! I still eat it whenever I make toast! Ate out only at night and never had a bad meal! Yes, beware of the sun, and follow the Oz dictum of “slip, slap, slop” with long white shirts, hats and sun block. To anyone driving in Australia – we drove at night and felt safe doing it, but be aware that gas prices are VERY high. Loved Australia and can’t wait to go back. Oh yes – one other thought. Don’t go in the water at remote beaches during “stinger season”.

By: rockytravel

rockytravel — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 11:15:07 +0000

In reply to Donna Anstey. Hi Donna! Rocky Travel is a top website for first-hand tips and real travel around Australia, mostly focussed on my own travel adventures and those of fellow solo travellers too. Thanks for stopping by and leave your contribution! ;-)

By: Donna Anstey

Donna Anstey — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 03:25:51 +0000

Thanks for your great article, I live near Newcastle NSW and with my husband have traveled most of Australia (and overseas).
Your advice about driving is great for people travelling here, if you are wanting to save money on car travel google “standby relocation’s’ this will will bring up a number of websites that show you how to get a hire car from $1 per day. (basically you are returning a car to a rental destination) you can book up to one month ahead and there are T&C’s.
With food check out ‘shopadocket’ website, you can print coupons for dining, attraction passes and many other things
With banking, there are a number of options including debit cards which work excellent here. Do not bring your cheque books as we do not accept cheques in 99% of places unlike America where it was common when I was last there.
With mobiles, it is cheaper to buy a sim here and use it than one bought from your home.
Driving night/day/evening/fast/slow are all fine as long as you are driving to conditions, realise that Kangaroo’s (especially) become moronic when seeing car lights and actually run at them not away! I have personally witnessed a Kangaroo/Wallaby running at our car and hitting the front of it when it was originally over 50 meters away…. Agh!
Definitely get insurance, it is worth it for EVERYTHING.My only other advice is to get onto google and websites and do your homework on what you want to see and do and read articles from people who have gone before you. And don’t forget to ask the locals whats good to see when you are here – happy holidaying 🙂
PS: I am not affiliated with any of the sites above – just a person who appreciates getting the best value for my holiday money.

By: Leah

Leah — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 05:49:35 +0000

In reply to rockytravel. Even with PayWave you must use a PIN if your charges are over $100.

By: Leah

Leah — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 05:47:35 +0000

In reply to Shara Lundie.

I don’t know I’d say it’s ‘perfectly safe’ to drive at night time, because there are increased risks. Driving below 70km/hr is a ridiculous suggestion because that’s dangerously slow and actually illegal in a 100km/hr zone – you could be fined. But it’s still safe enough to drive at night if you’re careful. When I was a kid my dad drove at night time a lot.

By: rockytravel

rockytravel — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 19:18:26 +0000

In reply to Jasmin. Hi Jasmin, you are so right! In the Australian Outback there are so many beautiful places to uncover. No need to travel to big attractions, everywhere there is a charming place. As long as you are well-prepared and organized to hit the road, and avoid the wet season, the Outback is always worth it. Thanks for stopping by! :-)