Situated between Indian and Pacific Ocean, Australia is the world sixth largest country.
Its unmeasurable beauties make Australia the ideal destination for an unforgettable holiday, filled with fun and excitement, adventure and discovery of the new.
National parks, ancient rainforest, great white sand beaches will enchant you and allow to explore the great outdoors. The wonderful colours of the Australian Outback, the unforgettable Ayers Rock, its Aboriginal culture and much more make of Australia one of travelers’ favorite destinations from all over the planet.
New and fascinating is the discovery of the Australian urban cities: from Sydney, the futuristic Opera House – national opera theatre home – the Harbor Bridge – one of world most spectacular arched bridges – to Melbourne, an elegant city with wonderful gardens and trees lined avenues. From Darwin – blending south east Asian influences and Aboriginal cultural background – to Hobart with its gothic history and contemporary arts. From Brisbane – a modern and relaxed city – to Perth, the most isolated city of similar dimension on the planet. From Cairns – gateway to the oldest rainforest on Earth and the Great Barrier Reef – to Broome, surrounded by natural wonders. From Adelaide, sophisticated and casual city, to Canberra – country’s capital and home to the best art galleries.
A unique adventure… Australia will become part of your reality and it won’t be any more the “far away land of koalas and kangaroos”.
Remember: it’s your job to explore and take advantage of “all things Down Under!”

Travelers must hold a valid passport with at least 6 months left validity from schedule return date. In addition, it is compulsory to obtain a visa in order to enter the country. The electronic touristic visa (ETA Electronic Travel Authority) is free of charge and it can be obtain online from the official Australia Government website: www.australia.gov.au/

CUSTOMS

Strong restrictions are in place when entering Australia with food, natural products, sport equipment and more. Please check directly through the Australian Government official website before travelling.

www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/passports-and-travel/customs-and-quarantine

Australia is situated in the Southern Hemisphere with seasons opposite to Europe: summer goes from December to March while winter is from June to September. Australia is also formed by different climatic zones according to latitudes and regions: a temperate climate can be found along the New South Wales coast (Sydney), Victoria (Melbourne) and Tasmania; desert is present in majority of the central and western areas; tropical and subtropical climate on the Queensland coast; equatorial weather in the extreme North. Overall Australia is an all year around destination which some areas better than others in some seasons.

CLIMATE

In Australia seasons are opposite to Europe.
Its continental climate allows visitors to see Australia all year around. When it’s winter in the southern areas, the climate is ideal in central and northern regions out of heavy rains (wet season goes from November to February). Vice versa when a humid heat is oppressing the North, the South enjoys much drier and pleasant temperatures.

 

Australian seasons:

Spring: September to November
Summer: December to February
Autumn: March to May
Winter: June to August

Australia is a country with enormous distances however it is easy to travel through it and there are many ways available.

 

FLIGHTS

The best and quickest way to move around Australia is by plane. Australian national airlines connect all major capital cities and great numbers of regional cities. Airlines include Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Tiger Airways, Rex and Airnorth.
The industry competition allows to have some advantageous airfares, especially if booked in advance.

Look at each company website for fares and times:

www.qantas.com

www.virginaustralia.com

www.jetstar.com

www.tigerair.com.au

www.rex.com.au

www.airnorth.com.au

 

BUS

In Australia bus trips are comfortable, efficient and affordable. Long distances buses have air conditioning, single reading lights, reclining seats and free Wi-Fi. The national bus line, Greyhound, offers “hop-on hop-off” tickets for its most popular routes, tickets for short and flexible trips according to how many kilometers you want to travel.

Check out the Greyhound website for fares and routes:

www.greyhound.com.au

 

CAR

Australia has a great network of well-maintained roads and some of the most beautiful touristic scenic drives in the world. Most popular self-drives are the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide or vice versa: self-drive through Kangaroo Island in total freedom; the Red Center from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock or vice versa; self-drive through Tasmania; coastal drive from Brisbane to Cairns, Northern Territory including Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park and Kathrine Gorges.
Beautiful and long are road trips from Perth to Esperance, from Perth to Broome and Broome to Darwin for those who like adventure and have more days available.

 

TRAINS

Travelling by train is a comfortable, convenient and scenic way to discover Australia. Trainlink operates between Sydney and regional New South Wales, along the southern coast to Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra. V-Line connects Melbourne to regional Victoria; Queensland Rail works in Queensland and TrasnWA runs through Western Australia.

Long distances iconic train trip likeThe Ghan or Indian Pacific run through the whole length of the continent in style, comfort and a romantic nostalgic aura. The Indian Pacific goes from Sydney to Perth stopping at Broken Hill, Adelaide and Kalgoorlie; the legendary The Ghan runs from Adelaide to Darwin through the Red Center and the tropical Top End.

Look at each trainlines website for fares and routes:

www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/book-nsw-trainlink-regional-travel

www.vline.com.au

www.queenslandrail.com.au

www.greatsouthernrail.com.au/journeys/indian-pacific/sydney-to-perth

www.greatsouthernrail.com.au/guest-information/fares-and-timetables/the-ghan-2019-2020

 

FERRY

Spirit of Tasmania offers a night service for passengers and vehicles linking Melbourne in Victoria to Devonport in Tasmania. Additional ferries are offered during peak periods.
SeaLink Ferries run from Cape Jervis South Australia (108 km/67 ml south of Adelaide) to Kangaroo Island multiple times a day. In capital cities ferry rides are available between different suburbs on Sydney Harbor, Swan River and Rottnest Island in Perth or on the Brisbane River.
Various island ferries work all around the country.

Look at each ferry website for fares and routes:

www.spiritoftasmania.com.au

www.sealink.com.au

www.rottnestexpress.com.au

 

TRAVELLING WITH A DISABILITY

In Australia all planes, trains, buses and ferries offer easy access to passengers on a wheelchair or with low mobility issues. Australian airports offer specific services and can assist with luggage, transfers inside the airports and to get on/off aircrafts.

The official currency is the Australia dollar (AUD). Currency exchange is available at banks, post offices, hotels and international airports. Most common accepted credit cards are American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa, JCB and partners.
Some venues may not accept American Express which often has a higher commission percentage attached to it.
It is often more convenient to purchase Australian dollars before departure in your own country than change Euros/Us Dollars at Australian banks.

The official language in Australia is English. Australia is considered a multicultural nation due to the high presence of migrants who have helped in spreading other cultures and languages.

Casual dress code is advised with comfortable clothing, trekking shoes, hat for sun protection, sweater and light windcheater jackets, warm clothes if visiting the southern regions during winter (bear in mind temperatures never become too rigid however it is good practice to have something warmer with you).
Different layers of clothing are the perfect way to dress and face different climate zones while moving from North to South.
Sun is very strong. Best to use high UV protection sun creams and sunglasses.
In Australia you will easily find what you may need so don’t panic if you forget something!

The Australian voltage is 220-240 volts, AC 50Hz. European travelers will need an adaptor which can be bought in airports, specialized retail shops or many hotel receptions.

For more information visit the official Tourism Australia website:

www.australia.com/it-it