All Questions
853 questions
56
votes
1
answer
11k
views
How to book a ticket for an unborn infant?
How does one go about booking a ticket for an infant who isn't born yet ?
Planning to fly from Darwin, Australia to Dubai and bub's on the way in a month. Looking to fly in November/December and want ...
- 8,461
52
votes
4
answers
17k
views
Is it legal to bring board games (made of wood) to Australia?
I am traveling and I would like to bring some local board games (all made from timber and marble) that I really liked back to Australia. However, I found this article.
Relevent bit:
All wooden, ...
- 613
47
votes
16
answers
12k
views
How to politely ask people from East Asia to give way? [closed]
I've arrived in Australia 9 months ago and I've noticed that often when asking people from East Asia to "give way" they will simply ignore me or even answer a "yes" but not move at all.
This is a ...
- 759
45
votes
2
answers
11k
views
What does YCWCYODFTRFDTY mean?
In several outback pubs in central Australia, including Cadney Homestead (below) and Stuarts Well Roadhouse, there's a prominent sign at the bar with the cryptic message "YCWCYODFTRFDTY":
What does ...
- 99.2k
44
votes
7
answers
22k
views
What's the right answer to "Check, Savings or Credit" for an overseas card in Australia?
A few days ago, rather jetlagged, I was very stumped when the person serving me in a cafe at the airport asked "Cheque, Savings or Credit" when I handed over my (overseas / foreign card) to pay for a ...
- 63k
42
votes
5
answers
5k
views
When is the best time to visit the Australian outback?
I plan on renting a camper van driving from Adelaide to Alice Springs via Uluru roughly following this route. What would be the best time of the year to do this? I've never been to Aus, and I'm from ...
- 631
38
votes
6
answers
7k
views
Do pedestrians imitate automotive traffic?
I'm from the USA, where we drive on the right side of the street. When walking, I always felt like heavily trafficked areas manage themselves by imitating the automotive traffic (usually). Pedestrians ...
user27701
30
votes
3
answers
8k
views
Does my wife, who is accompanying me to a conference in Australia, need a separate visa application?
I am from India. I have been invited to a conference in AI to be held in Australia this year. I want my wife to accompany me during the trip, since we wish to tour Australia as well during the same ...
- 403
27
votes
5
answers
52k
views
Is it safe to drink water with a strong chlorine smell?
Are there any health issues with drinking heavily chlorinated water?
During a recent trip to Australia (Queensland, NSW), virtually all tap water I found had a very strong chlorine smell and taste. I ...
- 12.6k
26
votes
2
answers
9k
views
Forced to pay a customs fee for importing a used wedding dress into the Netherlands. Is there a way to avoid paying?
I have been required to pay a hefty Value Added Tax (VAT) and customs duty on my wedding dress that I brought from Australia to the Netherlands (I was stopped at customs, so I likely also need to pay ...
- 369
26
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Why do some hostels only allow international visitors?
Some of the hostels in the Gold Coast, Australia, only allow international visitors. I'm a bit surprised at this because the average Australian is not at all dangerous only dangerous in the same way ...
- 23k
26
votes
2
answers
2k
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 ...
- 23k
25
votes
5
answers
11k
views
What is the purpose of hook turns?
Firstly, I'm sorry if this is the wrong place to ask. I just can't really seem to find an answer anywhere.
My question is, what is the rationale behind hook turns? While I've never performed one, I ...
- 365
25
votes
1
answer
5k
views
How to organize prescription medicine for an extended (>3 months) travel in Australia and New Zealand?
We're travelling for 7 months (from the UK) to Australia, New Zealand, and back via Australia again (with less than 3 months in each country).
My wife has obtained a 7 month supply of her ...
- 353
24
votes
8
answers
73k
views
What is meant by "Country of residence" in Australian Visa Application form?
I'm filling in an online application form for an Australian visa, and there is a step "Contact details" which asks for a "Country of residence", specifically "Usual country of residence" (see the ...
- 363
23
votes
1
answer
14k
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 ...
- 99.2k
23
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Plane landing at Sydney Airport -- from where is this photo taken?
I have found (actually Flightradar24 did this for me) a beautiful photo of an Etihad Airways A340 banking right to land at Sydney Airport:
Basing on building in the background, is it possible to tell,...
- 2,955
22
votes
5
answers
6k
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 ...
- 38.5k
21
votes
3
answers
44k
views
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 ...
- 51.6k
21
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Are electronic visas not acceptable for boarding a plane?
I have recently received an Australian student visa from Pakistan and now I want to travel through Oman Air. It's a connected flight with two stops, one in Muscat and the next one in Abu Dhabi. I have ...
- 329
21
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Walking across Australia?
Is it possible to walk across the Australian continent East to West (or W to E)?
In other words, as an American, only familiar with movies/tv shows, etc, I think of Australia as a wasteland in the ...
- 10.2k
20
votes
3
answers
4k
views
How to post a picture card?
Summary:
Recently went on a road trip to Adelaide, bought one of these picture postcards to send to someone.
Question:
This is the first time I'm sending one of these so sorry if it's a stupid ...
- 1,113
20
votes
4
answers
5k
views
How do I buy a double ticket for myself?
I want to travel conveniently from Darwin to Sydney. For an empty seat next to me, I am happy to purchase another ticket.
Do airlines allow a passenger manifest with two similar names? Am unable to ...
- 8,461
19
votes
3
answers
62k
views
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?
- 12.7k
19
votes
3
answers
5k
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 ...
- 665
19
votes
2
answers
78k
views
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 ...
- 63k
19
votes
2
answers
50k
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.
- 98.6k
18
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Early arrival in Australia, early hotel check in not available
I’m a frequent traveler from the US to Australia. Arriving in Australia, from USA, nearly every flight is early a.m., but no hotel and most Airbnb do not have that early of a check in available. Have ...
- 183
18
votes
7
answers
9k
views
What kind of clothing will not get me kicked off a flight?
Although I do not find anything odd about the clothing on this person (might be considered NSFW), I find it surprising that a pilot can ask a passenger to change their clothes before letting them on.
...
- 8,461
18
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Can you climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for free?
When searching with Google for "Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge", pretty much every result say it costs $185.
Only Wikivoyage talks about a free climb (although they also talk about the one above):
...
- 9,301
18
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Do I need a visa for Japan as a New Zealand Citizen?
I'm from New Zealand and I am planning a trip to Japan next year. The flights I'm looking at have short layovers in Australia where I don't plan on leaving the airport so I don't think I need a visa ...
- 191
18
votes
2
answers
14k
views
Does condition 8115 mean you can't check your work email?
My parents have just received their visa for their upcoming Australia trips. Among the terms, there's condition 8115:
Condition 8115 allows 'business visitor activities' such as general business or ...
- 886
18
votes
1
answer
3k
views
This article in a major Australian newspaper says Aussies just gained visa-free access to Japan. Didn't we already have it?
I've been visiting Japan for something like twenty years with Australian passports and never needed to obtain a visa in advance. I've always been granted 90-day stays. I was there a few months before ...
- 79.7k
18
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is it rude to bring our own baby food into a restaurant?
Our baby is too small to eat adult’s food, so we bring our own baby food with us when we dine in a restaurant, which supplies us with a baby high chair.
I am wondering if it is rude to bring our own ...
- 923
18
votes
4
answers
20k
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 ...
- 181
18
votes
2
answers
1k
views
UK visa ban based on an allegedly non-genuine Dutch permit
New Edit/information: I am attaching a picture of the original refusal letter. Personally it makes no sense to me as to why they would think it's a fake permit, especially since she personally went to ...
- 181
17
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Is it possible to climb Uluru (Ayers 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?
- 51.6k
17
votes
3
answers
3k
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 ...
- 79.7k
16
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Why is the Australian ETA application fee cheaper on a 3rd party website?
I'm a Malaysian passport holder and I require an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) to travel to Australia.
Upon googling "Australia ETA for Malaysian passport", the first link is for the Australian ...
- 161
16
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Can having a second wife affect my Australian visa processing/stay?
I am already married and I am in the process of marrying another woman. Moreover, I am also in the process of getting Australian visa to study. I know that Australian laws do not recognize the taking ...
- 263
16
votes
3
answers
11k
views
Tripod in Carry-on Luggage
Many years ago someone told me about travel with a Camera Tripod is not allowed. I have a trip to Europe from Australia, and I have a 10 hour layover in Dubai. I would like take photos at night in ...
- 2,753
16
votes
2
answers
11k
views
When do pedestrians have right of way in Australia?
How does the pedestrians right of way law work in Darwin (NT) and other cities in Australia?
When do pedestrians have the right of way?
Is it not common courtesy to offer pedestrians the right of ...
- 8,461
16
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Is there really no way for Australian citizens to return home from India right now legally?
I just read that Australia has passed a law that makes it illegal for citizens to return home from India.
Is there absolutely no way to do it? Can't the embassy in New Delhi assist in some way? I ...
- 14.7k
16
votes
2
answers
3k
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 ...
- 63k
16
votes
2
answers
7k
views
Are you allowed to set up a tent/van at Australian "Rest Stops"?
Over the Christmas area my wife and I (kinda off the bat),
decided to go for a 2 day camping trip to the "Southern Forests" region of Western Australia.
However, each site we checked ended up being ...
- 1,583
15
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Can I enter the US under the VWP as a Dutch and Iranian national?
I am resident in the Netherlands and have not been in Iran for 5 years. I have a Dutch passport and an Iranian passport. I plan on travelling using the Dutch passport.
Will I be allowed to enter ...
- 169
15
votes
8
answers
6k
views
Where can I take a selfie with kangaroos in Australia?
I see a lot of people doing this. I believe this is not safe, isn't it?
Where can I do this?
- 487
15
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is it easier/faster for an Iranian citizen to get a US or a Schengen (Swiss) visa?
An Iranian citizen has recently joined my team, and he needs to attend company orientation in either the United States or Switzerland. All things being equal, when applying from Sydney, Australia, ...
- 99.2k
15
votes
3
answers
3k
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 ...
- 15.5k
15
votes
2
answers
6k
views
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 ...
- 63k