Visiting Australia
Australia - Things to Know before you Visit
Keep Left!
Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road, and this convention carries over to other parts of Australian streets as well. When stopping on an escalator, or walking up stairs, always stick to the left and don’t block other people from passing you by resting your hand on the right-side railing.
Drop Bears are not real
Drop Bears are our own private joke and do NOT exist. Not everything here is going to kill you and you will not be attacked by our wildlife unless you do something really silly. Having said that - don't try to pet wild animals - kangaroos can definitely make a mess of you.
What to expect in Australia
Australians are known for their casual approach and love of sports, especially cricket, AFL, and rugby.
The weather varies greatly depending on the region, with hot and humid summers in the northern states and colder winters in the south.
Language & Customs
Australia's official language is English, with Australian English being a distinct dialect incorporating unique slang and pronunciation.
While English is the dominant language, over 20% of Australians speak a language other than English at home.
Australian Etiquette
Aussies are pretty friendly and we do love to shorten words and chuck in a bit of colourful language. There aren’t many taboo subjects in Australia, although if you’ve just met someone, it’s best to avoid sensitive topics like race, religion, politics, and sex in your first meeting.
General Information
Australian Flag
The national flag of Australia is based on the British Blue Ensign—a blue field with the Union Jack in the upper hoist quarter—augmented with a large white seven-pointed star and a representation of the Southern Cross constellation, made up of five white stars (one small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed stars).
Australian Coat of Arms
The Commonwealth Coat of Arms, also known as the Australian Coat of Arms, is a shield containing symbols of Australia's six states, held up by a kangaroo and emu, with a seven-pointed Commonwealth Star above. The shield is framed by stylized wattle and the motto "Australia" is inscribed at the bottom
Australian Currency
The AUD (Australian Dollar) consists of colourful polymer notes. In 1988, Australia was the first country to introduce polymer banknotes for circulation. Polymer banknote technology was developed in Australia, jointly by the Reserve Bank and the CSIRO.
States & Territories
The Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands.
Australia is comprised of Six States and Two Territories. It has a total area of 7,688,287 km², making it the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania.
Australian States & Territories
Victoria
Victoria is a state in southeast Australia. It encompasses mountains, national parks, wineries and surfing beaches. Melbourne, the state capital, has a warren of 19th-century ‘laneways’, and a central arts precinct. The Great Ocean Road follows the coast west to Port Campbell National Park, where the Twelve Apostles are limestone stacks on the edge of the ocean.
South Australia
South Australia is a state in the southern central part of Australia. With a total land area of 984,321 square kilometres, it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, which includes some of the most arid parts of the continent. Known for its incredible wine regions, stunning coastline, arid ranges and National Parks, SA is often the forgotten state for visitors to Australia.
New South Wales
New South Wales is a southeastern Australian state, distinguished by its coastal cities and national parks. Sydney, its capital, is home to iconic structures such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Inland are the rugged Blue Mountains, rainforests and outback towns where opals are mined. Along the coastline are many beaches. The Hunter Valley region, in the north, has dozens of wineries.
Tasmania
It is located 240 kilometres (150 miles) to the south of the Australian mainland, and is separated from it by the Bass Strait. The state encompasses the main island of Tasmania, the 26th-largest island in the world, and the surrounding 1000 islands. It is Australia's smallest and least populous state. The state capital and largest city is Hobart, with around 40% of the population living there.
Western Australia
The largest Australian state, covering the entire western third of the mainland is made up mostly of arid outback. Its population is concentrated in its fertile southwest corner, home to the Margaret River wine region and the riverside capital, Perth. In the far north, the Kimberley region is home to ancient Aboriginal rock art, the Bungle Bungle sandstone domes and Broome, with Cable Beach camels and a pearling industry.
Queensland
Queensland is an Australian state covering the continent’s northeast, with a coastline stretching nearly 7,000km. Its offshore Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, hosts thousands of marine species. The city of Cairns is a gateway to the reef and tropical Daintree Rainforest. The capital, Brisbane, is flanked by the surfing beaches of the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory (aka NT) is a vast federal territory in Australia famed for its Outback desert landscapes. In the arid Red Centre lie the iconic sandstone monolith Uluru (Ayers Rock), the red-rock domes of Kata Tjuta and the sculpted cliffs of Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park. Remote Alice Springs, the gateway town to the Red Centre desert, offers Aboriginal art galleries.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory houses Canberra, Australia’s capital, built between Sydney and Melbourne in the early 20th century. The federal district’s forest, farmland and nature reserves earn Canberra its nickname, the "Bush Capital.” The city's focal point is Lake Burley Griffin, filled with sailboats and kayaks. On opposite shores are the grand Australian War Memorial and strikingly modern Parliament House.
Quarantine and Biosecurity in Australia
Australia has strict biosecurity controls to help minimise the risk of pests and diseases entering the country. All travellers must meet the requirements before entering Australia. Some items are not allowed into Australia because of the risk of pests and diseases. You must declare certain food, plant material and animal products on your Incoming Passenger Card You could be fined or prosecuted for carrying undeclared controlled goods.
Australia's First Nations People
First Nations people in Australia are the Indigenous Australians, primarily Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They comprise hundreds of distinct groups, each with their own languages, cultures, and histories. Indigenous Aboriginal peoples have inhabited mainland Australia for at least 65,000 years, a period predating the arrival of Europeans and modern human settlement in other parts of the world. They represent the world's oldest continuous living culture and have a rich history of adaptation and cultural practices.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.