5 things they don’t tell you about a trip Down Under
Australia is often touted as one of the world’s most exotic destinations. And with a plethora of diverse landscapes, breathtaking wonders, and abundant bucket list experiences, it’s not hard to see why a trip Down Under is something many backpackers dream of. This is an incredibly vast landmass packed with enough remote beauty, coastal havens and cosmopolitan comforts to impress even the savviest of travellers. It’s also an English-speaking country, meaning that you won’t have to try hard to feel at home here.
But picture-perfect as it may seem, there are some things you’ll never know until you actually experience the country for yourself. Here are a few facts you won’t often hear about a trip to Australia.
1. The Great Barrier Reef is nearly lost
Australia is blessed with the largest coral reef on the planet. A mesmerising ocean habitat that consists of over 3000 individual reef systems, stunning coral cays and countless glorious shimmering islands, the Great Barrier Reef is a listed world heritage site and one of the country’s most famous attractions. Sadly, however, this once-pristine attraction is now disappearing rapidly with many large sections of it turning grey and lifeless, much to the disappointment of tourists diving off the coasts in Queensland’s Far North.
2. Travelling here can be expensive
Getting around in Australia can get pricey very fast, even if you think you’ve got all the travel essentials down. For one thing, this is an unbelievably massive and remote destination where you’ll likely spend hours travelling between destinations. You might think that you could just hop on a quick flight to get to the other end of the country, but the truth is that flying from Brisbane to Perth alone will take over five hours. And to top it off, attractions in individual regions can be spread so far apart that you’ll be spending a lot more time travelling than you planned, all the while racking up travel costs.
3. It can get blisteringly hot
Lounging on Australia’s gorgeous sun-soaked beaches may be near the top of your to-do list, but this isn’t exactly a smart thing to do. At least not without a bucketload of sunblock. Australia’s sun can be ruthless, burning any exposed skin that’s not smothered in sunscreen. The country also has a much thinner ozone layer than most places in the world, allowing beaches to heat up quickly and fry unprepared beachgoers. While you’re here, it may be a good idea to also wear a hat to avoid painful sunburn.
4. You won’t find wildlife around every corner
If you’re visiting Australia with hopes and dreams of seeing cute koalas and kangaroos on the streets, you’re going to be sadly disappointed. The country has a reputation for playing home to amazing native creatures, but you’ll have to head inland to see them in sanctuaries and national parks. Also despite all the media hype, not every exotic wild creature you’ll see here is going to be deadly. And even if you do encounter something dangerous or venomous, you likely won’t be attacked unless you go looking for trouble. It’s always worth being insured against any potential disasters, of course, but the chances of painful wildlife encounters are much smaller than you might think.
5. The internet can be unreliable
Thanks to the sheer size of the country, you’ll have to be prepared to spend time offline while you’re off exploring the country’s hidden wonders. The internet in Australia can be frustratingly slow and pricey, even in cities like Melbourne on occasion. So if you absolutely can’t go without a day of posting pics of your Aussie escapades, you can consider buying a hotspot that can be carried around with you. It’ll keep you connected with friends and family, and you can even use it to charge your phone when you’re on the go.
