Australia is known for being the land of sunshine, kangaroos, and those beaches you’ve been dreaming about since you booked your flight. Maybe during this period, you want to make your trip pretty sustainable and you have ideas on what you could do. So, it all sounds pretty straightforward, right? Well, not quite.
Actually, this country is full of surprises, and if you’re visiting for the first time, you might find yourself making a few rookie mistakes (which is fine but ideally better off to be avoided). But with all of that said, read this guide about what to avoid when first time in Australia and enjoy your trip without any “I didn’t think this through” moments.
7 Mistakes to Avoid While First Time in Australia
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when visiting first time in Australia for a safe and enjoyable journey.
1 – Not Every City Plays by the Same Rules
This goes for all countries, but at the same time, so many tourists keep making this exact same mistake. So, just go ahead and picture this; you arrive in Australia, ready to explore, and assume all cities are walkable, packed with reliable public transport, and as pedestrian-friendly as, say, London. But it’s actually not!
Actually, here’s a great example; Sydney’s public transport can take you pretty far, but you might find yourself huffing up endless stairs or walking longer than expected to reach certain spots. This alone is why it’s so heavily encouraged to look into luggage storage Sydney, because if you have your suitcases with you while exploring, well, you’re going to have an awful time.
Anyways, Melbourne’s trams are iconic and handy, but even they won’t get you everywhere. Brisbane? Be prepared for more sprawling distances. Some cities are car-centric, and some are great for walking, but each city is still pretty different. So,
2 – Thinking “It’s Just a Short Drive”
If you think a road trip from Sydney to Melbourne sounds like a fun day out, well, think again. Australia is enormous. That “short drive” you imagined? Well, it’s an eight-hour marathon (maybe longer depending on traffic). How about Sydney to Perth? That’s closer to five hours on a plane than a casual jaunt in a car.
But overall, distances here are no joke, so plan your travel time wisely. If you’re keen to visit multiple cities, stick to flying or focus on one region at a time. But overall, just trying to squeeze too much in will leave you rushing and missing what makes each place special.
3 – Misjudging the Beaches
While yes, Australia’s beaches are stunning, don’t be fooled, they’re not all calm, postcard-perfect spots for a casual swim. Many have rip currents that can drag even strong swimmers into trouble. Like it or not, you’re better off sticking to just swimming between the red and yellow flags, where lifeguards are on duty, and if a beach looks deserted, there’s probably a reason.
4 – Forgetting How Intense the Sun Is
Seriously, the Australian sun doesn’t play. Even on a cloudy day, the UV rays can leave you looking like a lobster in no time (not ideal, right?). Sure, sunscreen is non-negotiable, and you’ll need to reapply it throughout the day, especially if you’re hitting the water or sweating it out while exploring.
But of course, this only matters if you’re going when it’s still hot (or warm) in Australia. Most people tend to travel there when it’s summer in Australia, but even in late spring and early Autumn, it can still be hot.
5 – Expecting Kangaroos on Every Corner
Yes, kangaroos are everywhere in Australia, just not in the way you might think. They’re more likely to be hanging out in rural areas than bouncing down the streets of Sydney or Melbourne. How about koalas? Well, they’re even rarer.
If you are visiting parks, hilly areas, and beach sides be cautious of kangaroos ,and if you find them anywhere try to avoid feeding them. Poepls starts making photos with them that can be dangrous.
6 – Ignoring the Seasons
Seasons were already mentioned, but deserve a second mention. So, the seasons in Australia are flipped for anyone coming from the Northern Hemisphere, which means summer is in December and winter is in July. But beyond the calendar swap, the climate varies wildly depending on where you are.
For example, the tropical north has wet and dry seasons, while southern cities like Melbourne and Sydney have milder winters but can surprise you with cooler days in summer too.
7 – Trying to See Everything
Alright, so what’s their biggest mistake? Well, it’s overplanning. Australia’s vastness and diversity mean it’s impossible to see everything in one trip, so focus on quality over quantity.
You’re far better off just exploring a city or region in depth rather than racing from one place to another. But honestly, this is probably the best country to do slow travel in anyways, there seriously is so much to see, that you just can’t do or see the highlights, not even within a week of being there.
Sum Up
These are some common mistakes that you should avoid during your first time in Australia to eliminate the stress of a harmful or dangerous journey. Australia is a beautiful and ecofriendly place for tourists but having a fully relaxed can be dangerous.
So you must be aware of local laws, policies, travel distance, weather, and beach conditions, and don’t expect to see kangaroos everywhere. Remember, Australia’s seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere, and each region has its own climate. Lastly, focus on exploring fewer places more thoroughly instead of trying to see everything.