Planning a first trip down under can feel overwhelming. Australia is vast, wildly varied, and full of must-see places and must-avoid mistakes. This guide gives 12 practical, no-fluff tips drawn from working in travel every day. Use these to save time, avoid fines, protect your safety, and get the most out of your trip while you explore the best things to do in australia.
Quick navigation — the 12 essentials
- Payments and money
- Seasonal planning and weather
- Food and quarantine rules
- Documents and driving requirements
- Tipping culture
- Distance and travel time
- Flies in the outback
- Itinerary pacing
- Night driving risks
- Stay on marked tracks
- Swim only in designated areas
- Regional transport realities
1. Bring minimal foreign cash — use cards instead
Most Australian banks will not convert a wide range of foreign banknotes. Exchange desks at airports exist but often offer poor rates. The easiest approach is to arrive with a payment method that gives competitive conversion and wide acceptance. Use a credit card or a specialist travel card (for example, Wise). They usually give the best exchange rates and are simple to use. Bring a small amount of Australian dollars for immediate minor purchases, but rely on cards for most spending. This reduces the risk of being stuck with unusable notes and avoids expensive airport rates.
2. Match destinations to the season
Australia has multiple climate zones. Choosing the wrong place at the wrong time can turn a dream holiday into a miserable slog. Here are the essentials:
- December to March (summer): Avoid northern Australia — places like Cairns, Port Douglas, and Darwin are wet and cyclone-prone. The tropical north is hot, humid, and often rainy.
- December to March (also summer): The central Outback, such as Uluru and Alice Springs, can be dangerously hot. Temperatures and sun exposure become a genuine safety concern.
- May to September (winter): Ideal for northern and central Australia — clearer skies, cooler temperatures, and far fewer rain interruptions.
- Southern cities and Tasmania: Best visited in the southern summer months when weather is mild and days are long.
If you want to plan around festivals, whale seasons, or wildflower blooms, check local calendars — the timing of seasons can vary year to year. Matching season to destination will help you comfortably enjoy the top things to do in australia.
3. Don’t bring food across borders — and watch internal quarantine checkpoints
Australia has strict biosecurity laws. Even a single apple in your luggage can result in heavy fines if undeclared. Declare any food items on arrival and when requested. Beyond border entry, internal quarantine controls exist for sensitive regions such as Kangaroo Island and Tasmania. Those areas protect unique ecosystems and agriculture; they take contamination risks seriously.
If you plan to explore protected or island regions, pack accordingly: avoid fresh produce in carry-ons, and check local rules before you travel there. Respecting quarantine regulations keeps ecosystems healthy and prevents costly fines.
4. Check travel documents long before departure
Small paperwork mistakes cause big problems. Before you leave, confirm these three things:
- Passport validity: Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date. Airlines will often refuse boarding otherwise.
- Visa or ETA: Obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or the correct visa before you travel. No ETA, no boarding.
- Driving licence: If your licence is not in English, get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Rental companies require an English-readable licence or an IDP before giving you the keys.
Sorting these items before you arrive prevents humiliating and expensive delays at the airport.
5. Tipping is optional — not expected
Tipping culture is relaxed. There is no obligation to tip after meals, tours, or other services. Staff appreciate gratitude for exceptional service, but a 15 to 20 percent tip is not standard or expected. This can be a pleasant surprise for travelers used to mandatory tipping cultures. Use the money you might have tipped to upgrade an experience or add a local tour — both are great ways to support local hospitality.
6. Respect the scale — Australia is vast
Australia is a continent. Distances between points of interest can be much larger than they appear on the map. If you only have two or three weeks, avoid long multi-state drives that waste days on the road. Instead:
- Use domestic flights to jump between regions quickly.
- Pick up rental cars or motorhomes at your destination to explore locally.
- Plan fewer locations and longer stays — two to three nights at main stops is a helpful rule of thumb.
This approach gives you time to enjoy each place and reduces exhaustion. It also opens up a wider list of things to do in australia because you can spend more meaningful time at each attraction.
7. Prepare for flies in the Outback
In summer months, the outback regions can be plagued by flies. In places such as Uluru, Alice Springs, and Kings Canyon, flies in December to March can be relentless. Bring lightweight netting, long sleeves, and insect repellent if you are visiting during this period. Many travellers find visiting those locations during the cooler months far more pleasant. A little preparation goes a long way toward comfort and can make hiking and outdoor dining enjoyable instead of stressful.
8. Don’t cram too many stops into a short trip
It is tempting to try and see everything. Too many stops means too much travel time and little time to experience places properly. The antidote is simple: choose quality over quantity. Stay longer at fewer places. Plan two or three nights at major destinations and give yourself a travel buffer between far-flung locations. If time is limited, prioritize flights between distant points rather than lengthy road journeys.
9. Avoid night driving in remote areas
Driving after dark in rural Australia is risky. Many rental agreements forbid after-dark driving, and for good reason. Kangaroos, emus, and other animals become active at dusk and night. Collisions can cause serious damage to vehicles and serious injury to occupants. If your route requires driving in remote areas, plan to arrive well before dark. Expect slower travel, and always keep phone numbers for local emergency services and roadside assistance handy.
10. Stay on marked tracks and heed warnings
Australia is home to unique and sometimes dangerous wildlife. Crocodiles appear in far northern waterways and can be deadly. Heat, rugged terrain, and lack of water make off-track adventures risky in many regions. Stick to designated trails and obey signage. If you plan more adventurous activities, book guided tours with local operators who know the land. A guide adds safety, context, and often access to areas you might otherwise miss.
11. Swim only in designated areas
Surf beaches and tropical waters are beautiful but can be hazardous. Rip currents are common and can be lethal for inexperienced swimmers. Many Australian beaches have lifeguards and flagged swimming areas — stay between the flags. In northern waters, watch for box jellyfish and saltwater crocodiles during certain seasons. If you are visiting famous city beaches like Bondi, follow local guidelines and swim only where lifeguards monitor conditions.
12. Don’t expect reliable regional public transport
Outside major cities, public transport options can be sparse. For regional travel, the best strategy is to combine domestic flights with local rental vehicles, shuttle services, or organized day tours. For example, fly to Cairns, then take a short drive or shuttle to Port Douglas. In remote national parks, pre-booked tours often include pickups and drop-offs — an easy and efficient way to see top things to do in australia without the hassle of arranging local transit yourself.
Practical extras and final checks
Before you go, add these small but meaningful checks to your routine:
- Photocopy important documents and store digital copies in a secure cloud service.
- Check local emergency numbers and register travel plans with your embassy when appropriate.
- Buy travel insurance that covers car rentals, medical evacuation, and adventure activities if you plan to hike, dive, or drive remote routes.
- Pack sun protection: high-SPF sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. The Australian sun is strong year-round.
Sample travel approach
If you have two weeks and want to hit a mix of city culture, coastline, and unique wildlife, a sample approach could be:
- Start in a southern city like Sydney or Melbourne for three nights to experience food, culture, and short coastal walks.
- Fly to Cairns for reef experiences and tropical rainforest day trips for three nights, but only in the dry season.
- Fly to Alice Springs or Uluru for two to three nights during the cooler months to experience the Red Centre.
- Finish with a relaxed coastal stay or Tasmania if your season aligns. Use domestic flights to connect these regions efficiently.
This strategy minimizes long road drives, gives time to explore, and keeps travel days efficient — ideal for getting the most from your list of things to do in australia.
Wrap up — travel smarter, enjoy more
Australia rewards visitors who come prepared. Small pre-trip steps — checking passport validity, arranging local currency via cards, planning around seasons, and respecting biosecurity and safety signs — make a big difference. Pick fewer places, stay longer at each, and rely on flights for long distances. That approach keeps travel days stress-free and gives you time to enjoy the top things to do in australia rather than racing between points on a map.
Use these 12 practical tips to plan safer, smoother, and more enjoyable travel across Australia. With a little pre-trip planning you’ll spend more time exploring, less time dealing with avoidable problems, and more time discovering what makes Australia uniquely rewarding.
Remember: match climate to destination, protect your documents, and treat local warnings seriously. These are the steps that keep your trip on track.
Safe travels and enjoy the adventure.
Additional Travel Resources
Australia Youtube Playlist here
Watch our NZ Travel Planning Playlist on YouTube here
Review our NZ Sample Travel Itineraries on YouTube here
Check out our NZ Road Trips Playlist for route inspiration here
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