Updated April 2026 with the latest information, tips and tricks for every journey!
Nobody Googles "Australia travel tips" because they're calm and prepared.
They Google it at 11pm two weeks before their flight, mildly panicking, wondering if they've forgotten something important. So here it is: everything you actually need to know before you land, including the boring stuff people skip until it bites them.
Start here. The emergency number is 000. Police, ambulance, fire. Save it now.
For non-emergencies, the police number is 131 444. Save that one too while you're at it.
Australia is massive, and some parts of it are genuinely, properly remote. If you're heading out of the cities for road trips or hikes, pack a basic first aid kit, download offline maps before you go, and tell someone your plans. Mobile coverage disappears fast once you're out of the main corridors.
Honestly? Barely. Australia is one of the most cashless countries in the world. Tap your card or phone and you're sorted at almost every cafe, shop, and transport system in the cities.
That said, smaller businesses in rural and regional areas can still be cash-only. Keep a small amount on you once you're outside the major cities, just in case.
Airport exchange desks are convenient and the rates are terrible. Classic combo.
Get yourself a multi-currency card instead. Wise is the go-to for most travellers: exchange rates close to the real rate, and fees dramatically lower than withdrawing cash on a foreign bank card.
ATMs are everywhere. But third-party ATMs charge fees on top of whatever your home bank charges, so they add up fast.
Commonwealth Bank ATMs (the yellow ones) are your friend. They don't tack on extra charges for many transactions. Download the CommBank app and it'll show you the nearest one.
Visa, Mastercard, and Amex are all widely accepted. EFTPOS is literally everywhere.
One heads-up: some businesses add a card surcharge, usually 1-2%. It'll show up on your receipt and it's legal. Just budget for it.
Traveller's cheques? (Someone has to say it.) Obsolete. Don't pack them.
This one catches basically every first-time visitor off guard. Cafes and restaurants can legally add a surcharge on public holidays, typically 10-15%, sometimes up to 20%.
Many also add a Sunday surcharge of around 10%. It should be on the menu. Check before you order if you're not sure.
RELATED: BACKPACKER'S GUIDE: HOW TO MOVE TO AUSTRALIA
Short answer: you don't have to.
Hospitality workers in Australia get paid a proper minimum wage. Tipping is a genuine "thank you," not a social contract. You won't offend anyone by skipping it, and nobody will give you a look.
Rounding up or leaving a few dollars for great service is always a nice move. If a tour guide absolutely nailed it, tip them. But it's optional, never assumed, and never awkward to skip.
RELATED: TIPPING IN AUSTRALIA: A COMPLETE GUIDE
English is the official language. But Australia has over 300 languages spoken across the country, so don't be surprised to hear Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, Italian, Greek, and Vietnamese alongside English in the major cities.
And then there's Aussie slang, which is practically its own dialect.
RELATED: BACKPACKER'S GUIDE TO AUSSIE SLANG
It's 18. Your passport is the safest ID to bring on a night out. International driver's licences are hit or miss at the door, and some venues won't accept them at all.
Cities have solid nightlife. Just have your ID ready, especially after midnight when door staff get stricter.
Australian beaches are genuinely great. They will also absolutely humble you if you don't pay attention. Read this section.
Patrolled beaches have red and yellow flags. That's the safe swim zone and where the lifesavers have eyes on the water. Always swim between them.
Most popular beaches are patrolled from October to April. Outside patrol hours, swim with real caution. Rips don't take days off.
Surfers: your zone is between the black and white chequered flags. Stay out of the red and yellow swimming area.
There's usually a board on the foreshore near the flags. It covers current conditions and any hazards. Takes 30 seconds to read. Actually read it.
Far North Queensland is a different situation entirely. Box jellyfish are present in certain coastal waters during the wet season (November to April), and saltwater crocodiles are a genuine hazard in some rivers and coastal areas. Not theoretical. Actual.
Check local signage, follow the guidelines, and visit the Queensland Government's marine stingers and crocodile safety page for current information before you get in any water up there.
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. The UV index is brutal, and you can burn on overcast days without realising it.
SPF 30+ every time you're outside. A decent hat. Sunglasses. Reapply every two hours at the beach. Non-negotiable.
Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCAs) with the UK, New Zealand, Ireland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, and Malta. If your country is on that list, you can access some subsidised Medicare services.
If you're from the US, Canada, or anywhere not on the RHCA list, Australian medical costs can be significant. Travel insurance with solid medical cover is not optional. It's essential.
Chemists (pharmacies) are easy to find in cities and towns. Over-the-counter meds are no problem. For anything stronger -- antibiotics, sleeping pills, certain antihistamines -- you'll need a prescription from an Australian GP.
Get it before you fly. Medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage, natural events: all real, all expensive without cover.
If you're surfing, skydiving, or doing anything a standard policy might call "extreme sport," check that your specific policy covers it. Many don't by default. Read the fine print before you need it.
Australia uses Type I plugs: two flat pins in a V-shape, sometimes with a third grounding pin. Voltage is 220-240V, AC 50Hz.
Coming from North America, Asia, or Europe? You need an adapter. Bring one or grab one at any convenience store or electronics shop when you land.
Grab a local SIM card or eSIM when you arrive. Takes about 10 minutes, costs very little, and saves you from international roaming charges for your entire trip.
Telstra has the best coverage in Australia, including remote areas. Optus is slightly cheaper in cities and a solid second option. Both do prepaid plans built for short-term visitors.
Wi-Fi is easy in cities and hostels. Once you're outside the major corridors, it gets patchy. Download Google Maps offline before you head out of the cities.
Every major city has its own public transport card. You need one to get around. Cash fares either don't exist or cost significantly more than using a card.
| City | Card | Where to Buy | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Opal Card | Airport, train stations, convenience stores, online | Trains, buses, ferries, light rail |
| Melbourne | Myki Card | 7-Eleven, train stations, online | Trains, trams, buses |
| Brisbane | Go Card | Train stations, convenience stores, online | Trains, buses, ferries |
| Perth | SmartRider | Transperth InfoCentres, train stations | Trains, buses, ferries |
| Adelaide | Metrocard | Train stations, newsagencies | Trains, trams, buses |
Tap on when you board. Tap off when you exit. Forgetting to tap off gets you charged the maximum fare for that route. Every city has slightly different rules so check the local transport authority site when you arrive.
Australia has solid job opportunities for WHV holders: hospitality, farm work, tourism, retail, construction. Here's where to look:
Farm work in regional areas is worth considering beyond just the money. Complete 88 days of specified regional work in your first year and you're eligible to apply for a second-year visa extension.
If bar or hospitality work is the goal, get your Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate before you start applying. It's an online course, takes a few hours, costs around $25-50 depending on the state, and makes you immediately hireable at most venues.
Australia's climate is not one climate. Queensland is warm year-round, but the tropical north has a wet season (roughly November to April) with heavy rain and real humidity. Sydney and Melbourne have four proper seasons. Tasmania gets genuinely cold in winter. Perth is dry and sunny almost always.
Pack for the specific region you're visiting, not for "Australia" as a vague concept.
Australians drive on the left. If you're from a right-side-of-the-road country, give yourself time to adjust before hitting major roads. Intersections and roundabouts are where visitors get caught out.
International driver's licences are accepted in most states alongside your home licence, but check the rules for the specific state you're in. For Outback road trips, pack extra water, a spare tyre, and a plan for stretches with zero phone coverage.
National parks and coastal reserves have strict rules around waste, campfires, and staying on marked tracks. Follow them. "Leave no trace" is taken seriously out here.
Reef trips on the Great Barrier Reef come with briefings on how to behave around coral. Actually listen. Same goes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural sites: always check what's permitted before you photograph or enter.
000 for police, ambulance, and fire. For non-urgent police, call 131 444.
If your country has an RHCA with Australia, you'll have access to some Medicare services. But that doesn't cover trip cancellations, theft, or non-medical emergencies. For visitors from the US, Canada, and most of Asia, travel insurance with medical cover is essential. For everyone else, it's still strongly recommended.
The left. Take it slow at first. Roundabouts are where most visitors get confused.
Yes. Visa, Mastercard, and Amex are widely accepted. Contactless payments work virtually everywhere in cities. Some businesses add a small surcharge (usually 1-2%). In remote areas, keep some cash on hand.
Nope, not expected. Hospitality workers are paid a proper wage. Leaving a few dollars for great service is a nice gesture, never an obligation.
You've got the essentials. Now go figure out where you actually want to go.
Browse our Australia travel packages and we'll help you put it together.
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