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So you just returned from watching a Baz Luhrmann movie, and all of a sudden, you absolutely love the country down under. You have no control: You need to visit Australia. Nonetheless, Australia is a really big nation. Be sure to plan. Your trip will be ruined if you don’t know where you are going or what you want to do.
First of all, do your paperwork.
1. Apply for a passport: You cannot enter the country without one. Naturally, this requires that you have a passport.
Americans can start planning their visit by visiting the website for the Passport Services of the U. S. State Department. As well, US citizens can obtain passport applications at any federal or state courthouse or the local post office. Look in your phone book for the government listings of locations. After you pay your fee, you passport will be good for ten years. Here is what you must bring with you to get your passport: 2 photographs, a birth certificate or certificate of citizenship or naturalization (some form of proof of citizenship).
Canadians can visit the Canadian Passport Office Website. Alternately, you can send a paper letter to: Canadian Passport Office Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Gatineau QC K1A 0G3 (800) 567-6868
Getting a visa: Now that you have your passport, you must get a visa. If you are from anywhere but New Zealand, you must get a passport before you go on your trip. There is no charge for visas for tourists. After 1 year, they expire and are only valid for 3 months.
Application for a visa for Australia is done by two methods:
1. A 3 month visa can be obtained by visiting (www.eta.immi.gov.au/), the Electronic Travel Authority. They don’t stamp your passport anymore. They store the information electronically, and it only takes a few minutes.
2. A three-month tourist visa is typical; however, other types of visas are available in the US.
Go to the Australian Embassy, located at 1601 Massachusetts Avenue, Northwest, Washington, D.C 20036-2273 You can call: (202) 797 3000 or fax: (202) 797 3168. You can write or visit the Australian Consulate General 50 East 42nd Street, 34th Floor New York, NY 10017-5612 Voice: (212) 351-6500 Fax: (212) 351-6501 And in Canada, at: Australian High Commission Suite 710 50 O’Connor Street Ottawa, ON K1P 6L2 Voice: (613) 236-0841 Fax: (613) 236-4376 Be diligent about getting your visas. You will not be allowed on the plane if you do not possess one. Also, when you buy your ticket, remember that you will have to show the customs officials in Australia that you have an exit strategy planned. You must either have a return ticket or another ticket to go somewhere else. Overstaying your visa is a major offense. If, after your three months is over, you want to extend your stay, you can seek permission from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
Trip Planning
1. Determine when you want to visit: Don’t forget, the seasons in Australia are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, summer comes in December and winter arrives in July. Two thirds of Australia is a temperate climate zone. This area is in the south. The temperatures range from 32 to 59 degrees F (0 to 15 degrees C) in winter to 59 to 87 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) in summer. It is not common for snow to fall here, but don’t plan on a beach vacation in the winter.
Temperatures in the northern third of Australia range from 68 to 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) in winter and up to 104 degrees F (40 degrees C) in summer, making it the hottest part of this continent. Rainfall divides the season. November to April is the wet season. May to October is the dry season. Be sure to check the weather forecast before you head out. In the wet season, you could get drenched, and the roads could be treacherous.
Of course, you and everybody else wants to travel during the warm, dry time of year. Summer vacation, which starts in late November and ends in mid-February, is usually the time when most Australians travel. Make plans long in advance to avoid high prices during these months.
Well, if you have made it this far, you must really be determined to visit Australia, so you should fly! The bad news is that it is costly. If you do not have flexibility in your travel schedule, be prepared to pay more money for your tickets.
Regardless, it is always a good idea to compare as you shop. Here are some online services to check out:
* Cyber Air Broker
* Austravel
* SideStep
* Priceline
* Air Brokers
* Travel CUTS
* Student Travel Australia
Then again, maybe you are unconcerned about the date of your Australian journey. You can save some money by traveling as an air courier if you have a lot of flexibility. An air courier transports documents or packages overseas in payment for greatly reduced flights. It is less expensive to send luggage by freight than by cargo. That’s why companies prefer couriers. Of course, your package will go through customs, so be sure there is nothing illegal in it. The problem with this is that you must be ready to move at the drop of a hat, and you won’t have a lot (or any) space for your bags. Even so, it is a great idea if you don’t have much money but cannot wait to visit Australia. Look into The International Association of Air Travel Couriers (www.courier.org) for additional information.
Get your money ready: Paying in Australian dollars will save you money in the end. Upon your arrival, you should immediately exchange your money. Although, you don’t want to end up with nothing at all. As you prepare for your trip, make sure to exchange enough money to last you for about 3 days in Australia. The rates for currencies are always being revised.
There is a departure tax to be remitted when you leave Australia by flying. Check ahead to make sure that the amount you paid for your ticket includes it, so that you are not caught off guard and delay people waiting in line as you search for spare change.
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Australia looks like so much fun, but the trip itself is sooo long!
This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog, especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! Keep up the excellent work.
That’s a good article. I really like this.
I ll be visiting you more frequently, here is very interesting information.
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Good posting, thanks a lot!