Q&A for Tourists Visiting Australia for the First Time

The world’s sixth-largest country can often feel unusually daunting due to its size, distance from other nations, and the stories you hear about its diverse wildlife. Australia is slightly different from most other places you’ll visit, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting. When you arrive in Australia, you’ll encounter a warm population eager to share their magical country.

More than 80% of the plants, mammals, and reptiles are indigenous to Australia, so you’re guaranteed to see flora and fauna you won’t find anywhere else. Between kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and wallabies, you’ll be awestruck by the variety of wildlife.

But while Australia is beautiful, visitors might’ve heard plenty of myths. It’s a nation filled with stereotypes and misconceptions, and you’ll find things surprisingly simple when you land in Oz. Let us answer the most common questions from tourists visiting Australia for the first time and put your mind at ease before you arrive.

Can I Drive Across Australia?

The first thing that people often fail to realize is Australia’s size. It’s more significant than the lower 48 states of the U.S.A. and larger than India and Argentina combined. For this reason, planning your itinerary according to your length of stay is essential. You could rent or buy a car if you stay in Australia for a few months. However, with trips like Melbourne to Perth taking around 36 hours, you must consider the vast distances.

If you’re planning a two- or three-week itinerary, arranging flights from city to city makes much more sense. Australia has plenty of commercial airlines that operate regionally. Still, you can also take advantage of the massive network of regional airports and use a private jet for more flexibility and exclusivity on your trip of a lifetime.

Another alternative might be to split your itinerary so that you drive between a few closer destinations and then fly cross-country. For example, you could drive along the Gold Coast, famed for its world-class beaches and outstanding surfing, before dropping off your car in Sydney and flying onwards to Melbourne or Perth.

Another consideration if you plan on driving in Australia is that they drive on the left-hand side of the road. Drivers must be aware of this at all times so that your safety or that of other drivers is always prioritized.

What Time of Year Should I Visit Australia?

There’s no easy answer to this question — it depends. Since it’s such a large country, the weather varies hugely from state to state throughout the year. The Northern Territories are always hot, averaging 25–35 degrees Celsius yearly. They’re also similar to other desert climates in that they only have a “wet” and “dry” season.

On the southeast coast, however, in places like New South Wales, you can experience all kinds of weather depending on the time you visit. In summer (December to February), prepare for sizzling hot days when temperatures regularly climb above 40 degrees Celsius. If you arrive in Winter (June to August), you might even see evening temperatures plummet to sub-zero.

Knowing what kind of temperatures you find comfortable makes it easier to choose a time of year that maximizes comfort, so do your research in advance and pick a time of year that suits you. Australian summers on the south coast are usually a little busier than winters, but there isn’t a ‘tourist season,’ with a wide spread of international visitors in Oz year-round.

Can You Still Explore the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef has made headlines in recent years after claims that it had ‘died’ following a series of colossal coral bleaching events.

The Great Barrier Reef Foundation explains that the Great Barrier Reef is not dead, although coral bleaching shows that the reefs are distressed due to changing temperatures and a lack of algae. The Great Barrier Reef comprises over 3,000 reefs across almost 350,000 square kilometers. This means there are still dozens of areas where you can visit, snorkel, and discover hundreds of species of aquatic life and feel the magic of one of the world’s most incredible wonders.

Places like Cairns, some three hours north of Sydney by plane, offer one of Australia’s most untouched experiences of the Great Barrier Reef. Learn about the locals’ role in protecting this Australian treasure, visit the Southern Hemisphere’s only underwater art gallery, and dive into one of the world’s most diverse underwater landscapes.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the top things on everybody’s Australia bucket list, and the bottom line is yes — you can still explore it.

Is Australia Filled With Dangerous Animals That Want To Hurt You?

No, not really. While it’s true that Australia is home to 66% of all venomous species on the planet, with native Taipan snakes and Funnel-Web Spiders being some of the world’s deadliest, it’s unlikely that you’re going to bump into them while heading down to the beach.

Venomous snakes are only really an issue in rural Australia, and even then, more people are killed by horses than venomous species in the country every single year.

Travelers to the “Land Down Under” should be far more wary of the waters around the country’s beautiful beaches, with drowning being a much greater risk than any dangerous animal.

Australia’s Myths Dispelled

Now that we’ve covered some of the most common questions from tourists visiting Australia for the first time, we hope you’re feeling far more prepared and excited for your trip. You probably won’t get bitten by a venomous creature, but you can explore the Great Barrier Reef. Just don’t forget your passport!