Traveling to Australia? Some things to know before you visit

Australia is famous for the Opera house and the kangaroos. It is one of the most pristine places to be if you are a nature lover or someone who loves to travel. However, when travelling to Australia there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

Cultural differences to know before you go to Australia

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The Language

The Australians speak English, but the slangs differ from our local English. For example, Thongs can mean flip flops. Togs would mean, a bathing suit. In addition, if an Australian asks you to join them for tea, they are asking you to actually join them for dinner.

The Summers

Each city in Australia has a different type of summer. It is advisable to wear plenty of sunblock before heading out, to avoid a tan. Perth has dry summers whereas Brisbane has humid summers. Darwin a city in Australia has a yearlong summer season.

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Strict Smoking Laws

Australia is among one of the few countries that have really strict laws around smoking. The legislation is soon going to be passed that would make a pack of cigarettes incredibly expensive. Furthermore, the cigarettes packs come with some very graphic images which are not quite pleasant.

Currency

The Australian currency is extremely vivid and colourful. The value of their money is directly proportionate to its size. The money here is made out of plastic, unlike paper. The lowest value of money here is five cents.

The Flags

Australia is well known to have shark-infested waters. Thus they have put up flags in the palace to keep you cautious of the potential danger. However, if you are looking for some thrill and go swimming into these waters, try taking someone with you.

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Avoid Tips

The minimum wage in Australia is quite high and thus it is frowned upon to tip, in a restaurant. The service charges are directly added to the bill and hence there is no need for tips. It may be a common habit to tip at bars or a local restaurant, however, in Australia, this practice is not taken well.

The Emergency Number

The emergency number in Australia is triple zero, i.e. ‘000’.  Once you dial this number you will either be directed to a police station or an ambulance department. They are extremely helpful and will guide you through the entire process until help arrives.

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