Australia is a country located on the continent of the same name in the Southern Hemisphere. It has access to the Pacific and Indian Oceans. More than half of the continent’s territory is occupied by deserts, 50 thousand km of coastline have been turned into comfortable beaches.
Why go?
Australia is famous for its unusual flora and fauna – only here live koalas and kangaroos, and in the Spencer Gulf you can see giant cuttlefish. Deserts on the mainland neighbor mountains and green plains, not far from Queensland the oldest tropical forest in the world has been preserved. The coast of the Indian Ocean itself has been turned into a huge resort with well-developed infrastructure and bays for diving and surfing enthusiasts.
Australia’s special feature is its high standard of living. The country’s large cities with skyscrapers, expressways and specially equipped recreation areas are distinguished by their comfort. There are no ancient architectural monuments here, because 120 years ago Australia was an agricultural colony of Great Britain. But modern buildings surprise with their design and functional solutions.
The main thing about the country
- A flight from Russia to Australia and back will cost approximately 75-120 thousand rubles*.
- The budget for a trip per person should be planned at 12-15 thousand rubles per day.
- The time difference between Moscow and Melbourne is 7 hours.
- The official language is English, but locals speak an Australian dialect, so communication difficulties may arise. The second most popular language by number of speakers is Italian.
- Australia is a multi-confessional country, Catholic churches here coexist with mosques and Buddhist temples. But more than 70% of the local population profess Christianity.
- A quarter of Australia’s population is of foreign origin.
- The form of government is a constitutional monarchy. The title of Australian Queen belongs to the First Lady of Great Britain, Elizabeth II. The Queen has no powers in the internal affairs of Australia.
- Despite the scientific and technological revolution, Australia still remains an agricultural country that lives off farming.
* all prices are valid for January 2022
Visa and entry
You can enter the country with a tourist visa, which is issued online .
Customs
It is prohibited to import meat and dairy products, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruits, raw fish, plant seeds, any biomaterials, soil samples into the country. There are restrictions on the import of domestic animals, since Russia is on the list of unfavorable countries according to veterinary indicators.
When crossing the border, you must declare any items of plant and animal origin (leather jackets, fur coats, wooden and straw crafts). Without a declaration, you are allowed to import an amount equivalent to 10,000 Australian dollars.
When to go
Winter in Australia is hot and humid. This is the best time for active recreation – diving, surfing, underwater hunting. In June, the Australian winter begins, when the air temperature can drop to zero. At this time, it is best to relax at local ski resorts. February and March are the rainiest months, but in central Australia, precipitation is rare. September, October and November are considered the most comfortable for a beach holiday.
National holidays
- January 1st – New Year
- January 26 – Australia Day
- Good Friday (celebrated on the first Friday after the full moon or after March 21)
- Easter Monday (celebrated after Easter)
- April 25 – ANZAC Day
- December 25th – Christmas
- December 26th – Boxing Day
Currency
The country’s currency is the Australian dollar. Exchange offices accept euros, US dollars, and British pounds.
Prices
Australia is considered an expensive country to live in, with the highest water and electricity prices in the world. But tourists have quite comfortable conditions – a place in a hostel will cost 12-15 US dollars*, a hotel room – 50-70 US dollars. The closer to the sea coast, the higher the prices for housing.
Grocery stores are more expensive than in Russia. You will have to pay 10-15 US dollars for 1 kg of meat, fresh fish will cost 14-15 US dollars. 1 liter of milk costs 1.5 US dollars, 1 kg of apples – 3-4 US dollars, bread – up to 5 US dollars for 500 g. But it is still more profitable to cook food yourself, since you will pay 8-10 US dollars for a hot dog in a street cafe, and a full meal in a restaurant for one person will cost at least 35-40 US dollars.
* all prices are valid for January 2022
How to get there
Planes land at international airports in Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin, Perth, Brisbane. On the spot, you can use a regular bus to get to the city, order a taxi (the trip can cost 100-150 US dollars). The best option is to choose a hotel with a free transfer. Roundtrip flights to AustraliaPrices shown are for 1 person with departure from Washington.
Beaches
Beaches in Australia are usually white sand, fairly clean water and plenty of food outlets. Access to them is free, but renting umbrellas and sun loungers will cost 10-15 US dollars. The most popular beaches are Surfers Paradise, Bondi Beach, Lucky Bay, Ellis, Strand, Palm Cove.
Resorts
The major cities are the centre of attraction for tourists. Melbourne is chosen by surfers and shopping enthusiasts, Sydney is visited for bright cultural impressions, as the famous opera house is located here. Most gastronomic tours pass through Brisbane, famous for its restaurants with national cuisine, and surfers from all over the world come to the Gold Coast. You can go skiing in Mount Buffalo, the main bases with high-speed slopes are located in the state of Victoria.
If you want not only to relax, but also to restore your health, then you should visit the mineral springs in Daylsford or take a course of treatment in the mud baths of Mork.
Attractions
There are no ancient castles and fortresses in Australia, but locals are truly proud of the openwork Harbour Bridge in Sydney, the Queen Victoria Shopping Centre building with a miniature copy of Big Ben inside, the underground avant-garde art museum Mona in Hobart, the cricket stadium in Melbourne, where you can hold competitions even at night. One of the iconic places in the country is the red monolithic rock Uluru, which is a symbol of Australia.
Most major cities have botanical gardens, parks and aquariums where you can get acquainted with exotic Australian flora and fauna. One of the main attractions is the Great Barrier Reef on the east coast, consisting of more than 900 coral islands. But you can only appreciate their beauty during an underwater walk.
Entertainment
Australia is rightfully considered a country of extreme sports. In addition to traditional water sports and alpine skiing, you can dive into the ocean in a cage to meet a great white shark, raft down turbulent mountain rivers, master rock climbing skills, and even learn to fly a high-speed plane.
Exotic lovers should visit Kangaroo Island and see animals in their natural habitat, as well as visit the Kakadu National Park. Museums, art galleries, cinemas, night clubs are in every city and are open to tourists.
Kitchen
Meat, fish, seafood, potatoes and beans are the most popular ingredients in Australian cuisine. Popular fast food is not the classic hamburger, but a meat pie served in mushy peas. The traditional lunch dish is grilled meat with vegetables, and dinner usually includes seafood salads and white wine. Some restaurants offer kangaroo steak. Popular desserts include Lamington biscuits, fruit-filled muffins and meringue cake.
Souvenirs
Sheepskin ugg boots, opal jewellery, eucalyptus oil cosmetics, boomerang toys and stuffed animal figures are the most common gifts tourists bring from Australia. You can also take home a bottle of local Bundaberg rum mixed with Coca-Cola as a souvenir.
Transport
The cheapest and most convenient way to travel within the country is by train. In the cities there are buses, trams and metro, the fare for which is 2-4 US dollars. If you have a Russian driver’s license with an apostille, you can rent a car from 70 US dollars per day. This is advantageous if you are traveling with your family or a group. In the cities, the cheapest way to travel is by bicycle, which can be rented for 10-15 US dollars per day.
Safety
A fairly prosperous country with a low crime rate. However, local police confirm the existence of groups that specialize in car theft and drug trafficking. There are no restrictions on movement around the country.
Australia is famous for its hiking trails that allow you to see the country’s diverse bio-systems. But you’d better go on such trips with an experienced guide: the continent is teeming with poisonous snakes and insects whose bites can be fatal.
Medicine
Travel insurance usually covers medical expenses related to emergency care. Routine treatment, including dental care, is paid and very expensive.
Traditions
- Australia is a multinational country whose residents love gambling and enjoy going out with friends for barbecues.
- Many Australians are involved in charity work, but they don’t just collect and donate money. If you see a tent selling homemade pies on a busy street in Melbourne or Seattle, you can be sure that it’s a charity event, and the proceeds from the sale of baked goods will go to saving koalas or restoring paintings in a museum.
- All shops, cafes and restaurants in Australia are closed on Christmas, New Year and ANZAC Day.
- Every spring the country hosts the Melbourne Cup horse race, and every adult Australian considers it their duty to place a bet on it.
Internet
Almost 90% of local residents use the Internet, you can connect to Wi-Fi in any hotel or restaurant both in a large city and in rural areas. For mobile Internet, you will have to buy a SIM card from Lebara or Virgin mobile operators.
Useful facts
- The Australian mains supply is 240 volts and appliances use three-pin plugs – an adapter will be required for the Euro plug.
- You can call any country in the world from public telephones.
- Almost all Australian shops are open until 4-5pm. Some supermarkets have Evening Shopping Days once a week, when they are open until 9pm.
- Standard tips in restaurants are 10-15% of the order amount, in hotels it is customary to give staff no more than 5 US dollars for services.
- All public toilets in Australia are free.