Even though Australia has yet to reopen its borders to foreign travelers, it should not stop you from preparing for a vacation in the Land Down Under. The country is the home of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Sydney Opera House, Great Barrier Reef, and Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.
These destinations make the country a good place to visit once the pandemic is over. But before you finalize your plans, you should take some things into account to ensure that your visit is relaxing and enjoyable. Here are some things that you have to consider before visiting Australia.
Review the Quarantine Laws
Reviewing the quarantine laws of Australia allows you to avoid issues once you arrive in the country. While much of the focus is on the quarantine laws associated with the pandemic, Australia also has strict quarantine laws when it comes to plant and animal products. You are not allowed to bring nuts, fruits, seeds, and some food products into the country.
These laws aim to protect the agricultural industry of Australia. You have to declare any prohibited items once you arrive. If you bring low-risk items, they will be returned to you. On the other hand, high-risk items will be confiscated. Declaring these items allows you to avoid the penalties for bringing these items into the country.
Get a Visa Ahead of Time
Many countries around the world do not require a visa for US passport holders. But Australia is not one of these countries. Aside from your passport, you should obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) when you visit Australia as a tourist or businessman.
Even though getting the ETA is fast and easy, the pandemic has changed the way people travel around the world. Due to this, you should make sure to get an ETA long before your travel date. This allows you to make changes in your itinerary, if necessary.
Respect the Culture
Australia is home to around 798,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They are among the first inhabitants of the country. Even though they represent around 3.3 percent of the total population, you should acknowledge their customers when you enter their lands.
You should also follow your tour guide’s instructions when you visit these lands and avoid intruding when you visit their communities. Learning about their culture gives you a glimpse of the history of Australia before the first European settlers arrived in the 18th century.
Explore the Coastline of the Country
Australia has a long coastline spanning around 34,000 kilometers. And its beaches are famous around the world. With around 50 percent of the population living close to the oceans, it shows that many of the beaches of the country are safe.
You can hire a corporate boat and explore the coastline of the country. Watercraft of this size allows you to go to areas where it’s not practical to use a larger vessel. It also allows you to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Some of these ships also feature barbecue equipment that allows you to cook your lunch without having to go back to port.
But before you swim on any of the beaches of the country, you should make sure that it’s safe. The unpredictable surf conditions and rip currents pose a danger to anyone who is not familiar with the country.
Prepare for the Heat
The geographical location of Australia is the reason why it receives a good amount of ultraviolet radiation. Many Australians wear a wide-brim hat and use sunscreen whenever they go out. Australia even has a heatwave service to warm people of severe heatwave conditions in different parts of the country.
Even though the country has a lot of impressive beaches, the heat makes it necessary for you to plan your swimming excursions while in the country. You should always wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses when you go out. You should also avoid going out between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Watch the Budget
Australia has a lot of tourist destinations that can affect your budget when you visit the country for a vacation. The expensive accommodations and costly entrance fees are just some of the things you need to prepare for when you visit the Land Down Under.
Due to this, you should look for places that allow you to save while you visit different tourist destinations in the country. You should look for low-cost accommodations located close to supermarkets where you can buy food. You should also take mass transportation to save on the cost of riding a taxi.
Australia offers a lot of options to people who want to take a break from the stress of the pandemic.
