Traveling to Australia...what should i expect?

Question

Hi everyone,
I am going to australia in two weeks and i would like to know all that you could tell me what i should be expecting.
Such as what to pack, and what the weather will be like and just any other information that you could give to me help.
Thanks for all the answers!!

Answer 1

It really depends on what parts of Australia you'll be visiting. If you're visiting the southern areas, you'll need warm clothes. Days during winter generally average between 5 celcius and 20 celcius, while the nights can range between -5 C and 5 C. Most days during winter you can comfortably get around in jeans and a warm shirt.
If you're visiting the north, eg Queensland, NT, it's much warmer up there. I've not been there during winter but you can comfortably get around in tshirts most of the time. I'm not sure how cool the nights get though.
If you're visiting more central areas, like in the desert, the days are very warm and the nights are freezing cold.
So I guess my best suggestion is to be prepared for anything. Bring your wet weather gear because we've had a bit of it lately due to La Nina, and it is most likely going to stick around on the east coast for months.
Be prepared to eat a few new things. If you're coming here, there are a few things you have to try - Vegemite (spread it thinkly, you don't need a lot), Tim Tams, Jaffas, pizzas (very different to the usual thin pizza), cheezels, the list is endless.
I hope you visit some of the great food and wine regions, for example my part of the world, North East Victoria, has some brilliant vineyards, you have to try a Brown Brothers Moscato, it's like nothing else!
Have a great time!

Answer 2

G'day.
It all depends on where you are going. The northern end of the country will be warm but the rest of the country is having a cold and wet winter. Some parts of Victoria are currently suffering severe flooding. Tasmania is the coldest state in the country - at the moment about 12 degrees C during the day.
Most Aussies are very friendly and will help you if you ask. Don't let the Aussie boys lead you astray should you go to a local pub (a must do) and try the local beer.
Australia is a very multi cultural country which is the reason that we have a great selection of food, but while here you must try some "native" tucker. Whether it be kangaroo/emu or a quandong it'll be something you will never forget.
I hope you have a great time on your trip.

Answer 3

It's like everywhere else, unless you go to the remoter areas. In the north this time of year you usually get very mild and pleasant weather; in the southern parts it can get pretty cold.

Australians are generally pretty relaxed about clothing and tend not to dress up compared with Europeans and Amerians. Unless you're travelling 5-star you can go out in casual clothes. Make sure you bring something warm. I'd bring a sweater, a jacket, a couple of long sleeved t shirts and some jeans, plus shoes.

Anything else you can get here, especially if you're visiting Melbourne and Sydney, which have great shopping.

If you're going into the desert, you'll need a long sleeved shirt (cotton is best) and a couple of t shirts, plus warm clothing for night time. And a hat - but you can buy one here.

If you're going to Tasmania or the Australian Alps, it'll be COLD. Take what you'd wear in snow. But the rest of Australia's not that cold.

Answer 4

You don't say where you are coming from so that we can compare the weather in both places and you need to say where you are going to be in Australia as the weather varies greatly depending on where you are going.

I live on the Gold Coast Queensland and the days and nights here are pretty pleasant compared to other areas in Australia at this time of year.

If I don't hear from you again have a great holiday.

Gold Coast, Queensland
June 2007 Daily Weather Observations
Observations from the Gold Coast Seaway, at the northern end of Southport Spit.
Date Day Temps Rain
29/6 Fr 11.0 -20.2 0
30/6 Sa 12.8 -
Check out this web address for weather details in the area you are going too.

http://www.bom.gov.au/

Answer 5

Your cell phone probably will not work unless you get an Australian SIM card - check with your service provider before you leave. Your cell phone charger will work if it is multi-voltage. Don't bring other electrical appliances except for dual voltage shavers, specially not hair dryers. Hair dryers are available in many hotels and motels. CDs will work, DVDs will not work unless you can find a de-regionalised player. We use a different system for television, so portable TVs will be useless unless they have a setting for PAL-D. We use 240 volts, 50 hertz, and we use different plugs and sockets so you will need an adapter for dual voltage stuff. Switches are "down" for "on". Your battery powered radio will work OK. You can charge an Ipod or similar at a computer .

We drive on the left and give way at intersections to the right. Most traffic signs will be similar or the same. Many toilets have two buttons. there is one of the left for "half flush" for No1, a full flush button on the right for No 2.

Most of the food products in the supermarkets are different though you can find Oreos, Campbells, Kelloggs, Heinz, Coca Cola, Pepsi-Cola and multiple other things here. We also have Macdonalds, Pizza Hut and KFC. I think that Macdonalds serves a better standard of burger with more salad vegetables here due to demand. I would not know for sure, I have been in Macdonalds twice in 35 years. There is far better food than this slush to be found in Australia if you look.

Crocodile Dundee and Steve Irwin types are pretty rare in cities. You will not see kangaroos on the streets and "drop bears" are a joke invented about 20 years ago to play on unsuspecting tourists. It is a bit stale now.

Look at Steve Kropla's site for more information.

http://www.kropla.com/

Answer 6

Well Its winter here and has been raining hard core and its flooding down south (NSW & VIC). So pack some warm clothes for sure, jeans, ugg boots and a jumper goes well most days! And If your coming to QLD the sunshine state embrace yourself for some cold winds, cause even the sun shivering also you will have to go to the gold coast for all the theme parks! Cause I know you'll have an awsome time down in oze cause we're all so friendly and it's just a great place to be! So best of Luck, hope you have an hell of a time and meet new friends!

Answer 7

Yes, it is winter so pack warm clothes if you are going to Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart or Adelaide. Anything north of the New South Wales border will be warm.
Are you travelling by coach between cities or by aircraft or rail? either way, travel with as little luggage as possible.
If you like swimming, then you will have to go to Queensland, and I recommend the "Sunshine Coast" not Surfers Paradise, or go even further north.
If you like skiing, then there are several good ski resorts located between Canberra (Australia's Capital) and Melbourne in either southern NSW or Victoria.
I certainly recommend going to Canberra and visiting the Australian War Memorial and Australian National University along with out Federal Parliament.
If you go to Melbourne, I recommend the ZOO, Healesvile Sanctuary, Cowes to see the penguin parade, the Botanical Gardens, The National Library, Eureka stockade area at Ballarat, and the observation towers at both the Rialto Building and at the newer 'Eureka Building'.
In Sydney I would recommend the 'Centrepoint Tower' and the "Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb". Also visit the Opera House. There are many other areas to visit.
If you went to South Australia then I recommend the 'Borassa Valley" and the vineyards and wine tasting.
In Central Australia (in the Northern Territory) I suggest visiting Ayres Rock (Ularu) which is a huge monolith rock. and a sacred site to our aborigines.
There are many sites to see all over Australia, and it is hard to put them all down. Just DO NOT GO SWIMMING around Darwin or Far Northern Queensland because of CROCODILES.

Answer 8

All great advice... except the kangaroo jumping down the main street.
Depending on if your staying up north or south. Here in Melbourne, Victoria it is cold, cold, cold. A beanie, scarf and warm under clothes if you don't like the cold. Australia is a great place to travel with a wide range of weather.
www.weatherchannel.com.au is a great site for weather. You can pin point your destination.

Answer 9

Well first off it is winter here and we have been having a cold one. It depends what part of Aus you are coming to. I live in Queensland and the temps are about 15 degrees celsius (not sure what that is in farenheight).

Jeans, tops and jackets are usually plenty, just wear layers. Pack a warm jacket for going out at night although most city restaurants will have outdoor heaters. It's a pretty mild climate as it only snows in some parts mostly Victoria, Tasmania & some ski towns in NSW.

If you are going north (cairns, darwin etc) pack summer gear as well (shorts singlets & tees etc).

I hope this helps and hey whatever you forget you can always buy as there is heaps of shopping!!!!! Have fun and enjoy your holiday!!

Answer 10

Expect a really long plane ride. It's the opposite season down there so pack clothes for warm days and cool nights - although alot depends on where you are going in Australia.

Also expect to meet some of the nicest people you have ever met in your life - and some of the nicest looking men, too...

Have Fun!