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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Planning a Trip to Australia

It is needless to say that you want to learn how to plan a successful trip to Australia, and that too with as little to do as possible. Am I right? Well, in order to get started, there are certain practical requirements that every international travel includes - visa, customs, flight and hotel reservations, driver's license, traveling inside Australia (deciding which place to see in Australia), money exchange, and shopping. All these things need to be taken into consideration before you travel to Australia. Keeping all this in mind, we have put together a "must go through" list and necessary paperwork to complete.

Australia
Australian Visa
No visa… no travel. Everyone has to have a visa for whichever country they are willing to travel to; and the same goes for Australia. Although, if you are a New Zealand citizen, you can enter Australia and get the visa at the time of your arrival (at the airport). For other countries' passport holders, you will have to apply for an Australian visa before you leave your respective countries. There are different types of visas available, but since you are traveling to Australia in terms of vacationing, you need to apply for a tourist visa. To apply for the visa, visit your closest Australian Consulate, and complete the formalities as per the Australian government's visa and immigration rules and regulations.

Customs Rules & Regulations
As per Australian government's customs laws, when entering the country, you are not permitted to bring weapons, illegal firearms, steroids, illegal drugs, perishable items (certain food items), and protected wildlife. There is no limit on the amount of cash you are allowed to bring into the country, but if the amount is equal to or over AU $10,000, you will need to declare it. For other details, you can talk to your travel agent.

Trip to Australia
Flight Reservation
There are various airlines that fly to Australia at an affordable price range. However, if you are planning a vacation, you should go through a travel agent that can help you with your itinerary. Depending on the number of people traveling, you can customize your vacation plans as per your requirement, and spend as many days as you like in Australia. Begin by finding the toll free number to contact a travel agent.



Now you have two options for traveling to and around the country - traditional way (flight, hotel, car, etc.) and cruise. Either you book flights and do all the normal things other tourists do, or you can opt for an Australian cruise package for a completely different experience.

Travel Insurance
For international travel plans, it is recommended that tourists take out a travel insurance policy so that they are safe from theft, accidents, and medical issues, while on the trip. Now since Australia is known for its adventurous spots, you should make sure that your insurance policy covers it all.

Driver's License
In Australia, they drive on the left side of the road. So if you are used to driving on the right side of the road, perhaps you should think twice before driving, when in Australia. Plus, you need to make sure if your current license from the country of residence is valid or not. You should be aware of the traffic rules and regulations as well.

Weather Conditions
Depending on which time of the year you will be traveling, go over the weather and climate conditions. This will help you while packing for your trip, as you don't want to carry extra clothing and items if you're not going to need them. Pack as light as you can, and do take essential items that suit the weather in Australia, and be safe.