An island country and continent in the Southern Hemisphere, located in the south-west Pacific Ocean. A Commonwealth state with a population of ~23 million. Colonization began in 1788 by the British.
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Does the rotation of the earth affect the travel time from Europe to Australia?
Assuming that a place in Europe is exactly on the opposite side of the earth than Sydney. Now I want to take a plane to travel there. Does it matter if the plan flies with the rotation of the earth or ...
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2answers
215 views
Where would be the optimal place to watch the Nov 2012 Solar Eclipse from?
There's a solar eclipse going across northern Australia on November 14th, 2012:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_November_13,_2012
Given that climate and weather varies substantially ...
14
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2answers
463 views
How to get to Christmas Island?
Christmas Island is an island of Australia far off the northwest of the mainland, much closer to Indonesia.
(Thanks to Wikimedia Commons for the map)
I know I can fly there but Wikitravel seems to ...
14
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1answer
262 views
Can you eat food refused by quarantine by Australian border control?
If some food you're bringing in is refused by quarantine, are they sometimes willing to let you eat it? Assume there isn't a massive queue behind you and the officer is in a good mood.
Background: I ...
13
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5answers
845 views
When visiting urban areas in Australia, do I need to be worried about deadly insects / animals?
Australia is known to have more than its fair share of deadly insects and animals. These would obviously be a concern when, say, you're off in the wilderness but is there any reason to be worried ...
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317 views
Places to stop off along the Sydney to Brisbane railway?
I'm hoping this is a constrained enough question to not produce either long lists, or lots of subjective answers, so here goes...
In December I'm going to want to get from Sydney to Brisbane. I won't ...
12
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2answers
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Can I take chocolate to Australia?
Australia is well known for having very strict rules on what food and plant-based materials can be brought into the country, to try to keep the country free of diseases. Some food/animal/plant things ...
12
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2answers
391 views
Are there still any “cheap” options for flying from Australia to Mexico without going through the US?
I've travelled to Mexico many times and I'm starting to feel the itch again but I think finding a cheap way there has become more difficult since my last trip 3 years ago.
I have some problems with ...
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1answer
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What is the cheapest way to get from South America to Australia
What is the cheapest way to get from South America to Australia?
I found several flights mostly from Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile, however the prices are quite prohibitive. Do you recommend ...
12
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1answer
155 views
Tours of opium poppy farms or processing facilities in Tasmania
I read several years ago that Tasmania is a major supplier of legal opiate products, and this weekend I spotted first-hand some farms growing opium poppies.
Are there any tours of opium poppy farms ...
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3answers
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Can you receive an Australian passport stamp if you ask?
I am a big fan of all things analog & souvenir-ish, and I am planning a visit to Australia. I was discouraged to hear about the ETA and that it means you do not get a stamp... but I know some ...
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3answers
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Does an EU citizen need a visa to visit Australia for holidays?
Is a visa required, or is just a passport enough, for a short holiday trip to Australia?
Specifically, how is it for citizens of Nordic EU member countries such as Finland?
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2answers
156 views
Are there any travel experiences in Australia that offer aboriginal (or Torres Strait) “cultural immersion”?
I am wondering if it's possible for a traveller in Australia to immerse in aboriginal culture, or Torres Strait Islander culture.
By "immerse" I mean stay in a traditional aboriginal area where ...
10
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4answers
298 views
How much does it add to a North America / Australia journey to go “the wrong way”?
North American flights to Australia generally involve getting to the west coast (LAX or YVR) and then crossing the Pacific. I believe Air Canada used to have a tech stop in Hawaii and still may. I am ...
10
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6answers
268 views
One slightly groggy day in Sydney alone - what to see?
Tonight I leave for Sydney, Australia and I will arrive early Thursday morning. The event I am attending kicks off Friday. I plan to sleep as much as I can on the flights (I am good at sleeping on ...
10
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3answers
456 views
What is the cheapest way to get from Thailand to Australia with a car?
Imagine I have a car in Thailand and I want to get Australia, is there any ferry that cross from Asia to Australia? How much is it? No problem if have to drive to another country or if there is no ...
10
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2answers
281 views
Is it possible to climb Uluru (Ayer's Rock)?
Suppose I'm in Australia. Can I climb Uluru? Do I need any special permits or gear? And how long do I have to walk to the top?
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3answers
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Driving license in Australia
We will be in Australia for a few days and I was considering renting a car. Is a standard European license (we have Polish and Italian) good enough, or do we need "international driving license"? We ...
10
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1answer
112 views
Sydney to Perth on the Indian Pacific, what is included?
I will probably take the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth in February, and was wondering if anyone has taken the train before. Most likely will be travelling in "Red Service Sleeper Cabin" (3rd ...
9
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1answer
104 views
Can I use my probationary Australian driver's license to rent a car in the United States?
I got into this driving thing kinda late, which means I have a probationary driver's license from Victoria, Australia that looks kinda like this:
(courtesy Angie Sommer's blog)
This basically means ...
9
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1answer
160 views
Getting to Australia from overseas cheaply and not by air?
I really thought this had been asked before but can't find such a question.
I'm looking for either a website or guidebook or detailed directions on how to arrive in Australia from another country ...
9
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3answers
76 views
Accommodation for a large group in Cairns in November 2012
I'm organising a largish group (around 10, hopefully) to go to Cairns in November for the total solar eclipse on the 14th.
With a group that size, it'd be nice if we could have a place to ourselves - ...
9
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1answer
231 views
Touring opal mines in Australia
I would like to visit some of the opal mines in Australia (Coober Pedy, Lightning Ridge, etc.).
Are tours available to the general public at any of the mines? Do any of them offer for-fee ...
8
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3answers
193 views
What is the cheapest method to get a flight from Australia to New Zealand?
I'm planning to be about a month in Australia and then continue my trip to New Zealand. What is the cheapest method to get a flight from Australia to New Zealand? Does it make a difference from which ...
8
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2answers
395 views
Seeing Penguins “in the wild” in Sydney
Are there places near Sydney, Australia where one can see penguins in the wild (not in a zoo)? If so, what's the best way to catch a glimpse of these cute creatures?
I have read some information ...
8
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2answers
85 views
Where can I find guided tours of Australia by indigenous people?
Where can I find guided tours of Australia by Aboriginal persons, or organisations, ideally where profits go back into helping or preserving the local people and/or landmarks? I would love to see ...
8
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2answers
118 views
Is a transit visa required when travelling from UK to New Zealand via Sydney?
Do I need a transit visa when travelling from UK to New Zealand stopping in Sydney for one hour 30 minutes?
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2answers
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Can you buy duty free at Kuala Lumpur for travel to Australia?
Currently, Australia has tough restrictions on liquids for both departing and arriving flights. These mean that for a flight to Australia, you will be re-screened before boarding the plane, with ...
8
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2answers
97 views
Recommendations for snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef
I'm going to Australia in January with my girlfriend. It's the first time she's visited Australia and one thing we really want to do is to see the Great Barrier Reef.
We'd prefer to snorkel, rather ...
8
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1answer
736 views
Darwin to Timor by boat
Need a quick bit of advice. I can't seem to find any information about boats from Darwin to Timor. I've been informed there are no ferries. Anyone know how to or had experience getting from Darwin to ...
8
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2answers
113 views
Visiting Daintree Rainforest on an budget
In the Lonely Planet guide for Australia Daintree is the top #6 attraction. The guide book claims there are (among other things) mountain treks, self-guided walking trails, kayaking, croc-spotting ...
8
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1answer
126 views
Driving from Melbourne to Sydney on the Hume Highway, where should we stop for the night?
We'll shortly be driving from Melbourne to Sydney on the Hume Highway and plan to stop for two nights en route. We'll have a late departure from Melbourne, so the goal is to drive only a few hours ...
8
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1answer
97 views
Precautions to take for travelers when doing short-term apartment rental
I'm considering short term apartment rental (about 2 months) while travelling to Canada and Australia, probably with roommates.
What precautions should I take not to get scammed, as well as making ...
8
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1answer
169 views
How to drive a car from Australia to Europe?
I want to drive to Europe from Australia by shipping it to Asia and to drive from there onwards.
Can someone tell me the cheapest way for shipping, which ports I should use for shipping and how much ...
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2answers
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What if you don't get an ETA for a flight to Australia?
As a US citizen, I've gone to Australia twice, and dutifully signed up for the ETA visa on the website and paid my $20 or so and had no hassles on entry. There was no mention of the ETA at any point ...
7
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3answers
489 views
What foods must I try while visiting Australia?
I will be traveling to Cairns, Brisbane, and Sydney and was wondering what are the must try foods/dishes I should get while there.
7
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2answers
91 views
How to send baggage from US to Australia?
We are planning a trip to Australia. We are going to spend some months there and we would like to take with us more than the current baggage limit. One option would be carrying in the plane just what ...
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3answers
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Is there a cheapest city / airline / season to fly one-way from anywhere in Europe to Australia?
Sooner or later in the next few months my money is going to run out and I'll have to get back to Australia from some point in Europe.
Since Europe is big and many fares vary significantly from season ...
7
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3answers
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Can you get to South West Rocks by public transport?
I'd like to dive the apparently amazing Fish Rock Cave in northern NSW. This video should give an idea of what the fuss is about - who wouldn't want to swim through an island with all those fish and ...
7
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2answers
165 views
Diving safety in Australia
I'm going to Australia next October and I was wondering if it is safe to go diving (near Cairns) even though it will be my first time doing so. Should I take a course locally before the trip?
7
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2answers
173 views
Is there free wifi in Sydney Airport?
I'm flying into Sydney airport in about a week, and there's a chance that I'll find myself wanting to look online for a last minute hotel. However, because I will just have arrived, I won't have had a ...
7
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2answers
92 views
How does the scuba diving compare between Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay?
As part of my idea for taking the train from Sydney to Brisbane, and stopping on the way, I'm thinking of stopping off in one of Coffs Harbour or Byron Bay. I'd probably pause for a couple of days, ...
7
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1answer
76 views
Getting to Guangzhou from Melbourne
I am taking a business trip to Guangzhou from Melbourne is a few months. I have noticed that there are no direct flights (correct me if I am wrong). Looks like I have to transfer in Hong Kong. ...
7
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1answer
343 views
Does a US citizen need a visa to go to Australia to put on a conference and go on vacation?
I'm going to Australia for both business and pleasure for two weeks. Do I need a special visa for this?
7
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1answer
58 views
What is the best base town to look for a 3-4 day scuba diving trip for the Great Barrier Reef?
I am planning to go for a conference in Cairns in June this year, and I am hoping to do a 3-4 day live-aboard scuba diving trip afterward. There are numerous companies organizing these kind of trips ...
7
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1answer
4k views
How to visit Lake Hillier?
Is it possible to visit Lake Hillier?
Do I have to go with tour or can I for example rent a car and go there? I see no roads near it.
7
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1answer
161 views
Are there any Australian war memorials I shouldn't take Japanese visitors to? [closed]
I'm planning on sightseeing Melbourne with someone who is Japanese.
I was browsing Trip Advisor's top attractions for Melbourne, and site number five was the Shrine of Remembrance.
I'm not after ...
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3answers
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Is it possible to exchange Australian dollars in New Zealand?
We're flying from Australia to New Zealand and have a few hundreds of AUD left. Is it possible to exchange them to NZ dollars in New Zealand or we need to this from Australia?
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2answers
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How do I know if my Australia ETA is approved?
I received a email saying that I would need to check again within 12 hours. However when I check my ETA status at http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/
I got this:
You have a current ETA to travel to ...
6
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3answers
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What are the cheapest ways to get from East Asia to Australia?
I have a return ticket that gets me from Turkey to Korea to Australia but it cannot be extended beyond the end of May.
I'm thinking of forfeiting or refunding some leg(s) of my ticket but as my ...
