Australia is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world, making it a remarkable holiday destination. For the majority of the time, Australia functions like any other major country in the world with availability of everything you may need, but there is another side to Australia too which you should know about before visiting the less travelled areas.
Climate
Temperamental is the best possible way to describe the climate in Australia. The common jokes about Australia being extremely hot are all too real, but that isn’t the biggest concern when looking into the Australian climate. The sheer size of Australia allows for the climate to differentiate quite drastically.
When visiting multiple areas on one holiday, being faced with blistering heat and cold is very possible. In winter, temperatures can range from freezing to well into the high 30s Celsius or 100 degrees Fahrenheit. No matter the time of your visit to Australia, bring with clothes for all weather conditions, especially to cope with extreme heat. In Australia, sunblock is a necessity, fortunately sunblock of all grades will be available at any chemist in virtually any town.
Size
Australia is big. That may seem like somewhat redundant, but it is difficult to get a true picture of just how large Australia really is. Australia is only 25% smaller than the USA, while having a population which is smaller than that of Texas alone.
The vast majority of the cities and population of Australia are located along the coast, leaving the center of the country as a big lot of nothing. When travelling between cities and taking inland routes, it’s not uncommon to travel for hours with literally nothing but the open expanse. No fuel stations and even worse, no mobile phone reception for placing AFL Premiership bets.
If you were to run out of fuel in these areas, it could spell a lot of trouble for you. Be sure to properly plan routes and pit stops to avoid any unnecessary problems while in this no man’s land. For any trips which go well out of mobile phone service areas, it’s advised to let people know where you are going and when to expect to hear from you again.
Respect The Locals
While everybody deserves respect, sometimes between different groups of people, respect can be a different thing. In Australia Locals like the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, both referred to as Australian First Nations can, at times, have a different view on respect, and it is important we consider what they deem respectful and not.
For the most part, general respect will go a long way, be polite and avoid taking pictures of anybody. If you would like to have a longer conversation with somebody, asking questions, is your best friend. For example, while the term Australian First Nations is inclusive and broadly accepted, many Australian First Nations may prefer more specific terms for their community.
Asking for a preferred term is usually appreciated, as most Australian First Nations take pride in their community and heritage. Provided you are polite and inclusive, most Australians will welcome your stay.