Australia independent travel from A to Z. How much does a trip to Australia cost?

Australia is a very big country. Therefore, in order for your trip to Australia to seem successful and full of positive impressions, you need to plan your route in advance. This article looks at ten of the best places in Australia. This doesn't mean you have to fit all these places into one trip when traveling to Australia. You can choose several that are most interesting to you and think over an interesting route. If you decide to organize a trip to Australia, it is good to have at least three weeks in reserve. Well, if you have up to six months left, you will have time to leisurely visit all the interesting places.

Top 10 Places When Traveling to Australia

5. Kangaroo Island.
6. East coast of Australia.
7. Great Barrier Reef.
8. Margaret-Rivier.
9. Aires rock.
10. Tasmania.

This is a fantastic city! It combines everything that a large modern city can offer: tall skyscrapers and ancient architecture, many shopping centers, restaurants and cafes, parks and beaches, the largest port and numerous hotels. Some compare Sydney to Los Angeles, the same energy and proximity to the ocean.

You must allocate at least three days for Sydney. The public transport system is well developed here. Buses, ferries and trains are a relatively inexpensive and convenient way to get around in Australia and Sydney in particular. The city itself is very compact and getting around is relatively easy. If you get lost, go to any newsstand. Newspaper sellers are usually very friendly and will always tell you which bus you should take. To get to your desired destination.

If you ask an Australian what Melbourne is, most will tell you that it is the best city to live. It is the second largest city in Australia. However, it is different from most Australian cities and is the complete opposite of Sydney.
In the center of Melbourne there are wonderful art galleries, shops, museums, huge parks and small squares. The outskirts of Melbourne are also interesting.


The Mornington Peninsula is one of the most beautiful places in Australia. There are about seventy wineries, Australia's largest strawberry farm, and the Ashcombe labyrinth. The outline of the island resembles the shape of Italy.


The Whitsundays are the most stunning part of Australia and, at the same time, the most expensive. These are 74 islands that are located in the warm turquoise waters of the Coral Sea. The marine life surrounding these islands is breathtaking. Tropical islands are a great place for a relaxing holiday, snorkeling or sailing.


Kangaroo Island is the best place to see Australian wildlife. Here you can observe Australian animals in their natural habitat and come within arm's reach of them. In fact, it is believed that if you do not visit this island on your trip to Australia, then you have not been to the “real” Australia.


East coast of Australia

The east coast of Australia is one of the most visited stretches of coastline. After all, this includes Sydney, and Cairns, the largest tourist center, and Melbourne, and the Barrier Reef, which consists of 71 coral islands. You should set aside at least three weeks to visit the east coast.


Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the largest coral system in the world. This attracts tourists from all over the world who decide to travel around Australia. Whether you just want to swim or go diving, a whole new world will open up for you. The reef itself extends over 300 km.

This city is in the most wine-producing region in Australia. This is one of the best wine producing regions in the world. Also, the outskirts of this city are famous for a large number of caves. There is also an amazing creation of nature - Wave Rock. In the middle of the plain there is a rock 15 meters high, which looks like a wave. The road to this wonder of the world is quite tiring, but the result is worth it.


Ayres Rock

Traveling to the outback of Australia will be more of an adventure for you. As a result, among the sun-scorched plain you will see a rock 348 m high. It can change color depending on the time of day.

IN latest Over the years, Australia has been attracting more and more tourists. Firstly, it is an opportunity to change the climate (the summer season is in December-February, and the winter season is in June-August). In-second, Australia has a lot of untouched corners of nature, unusual flora and fauna. There are still uninhabited islands here. Australia is also a paradise for lovers surfing and diving. This is where the world famous Great Barrier Reef is located. But Australia- this is another continent with an unfamiliar climate and fraught with danger. Therefore, when preparing for a trip, you must be aware of the problems that you may encounter in this country.

Natural Hazards in Australia The first danger that is waiting an unprepared tourist is a scorching Sun. This can lead to sunburn, sunstroke and heatstroke. Sunburn is a rather unpleasant and dangerous thing and can significantly ruin your vacation. Sunstroke is also dangerous For health phenomenon that occurs due to overheating heads in direct sunlight. Basic signs: headache, feeling of weakness, dizziness and nausea.

Heat stroke has similar symptoms, but occurs due to general overheating of the body. To To avoid these risks, precautions should be taken precautions: in the first days of stay in Australia avoid exposure to direct sunlight, enjoy protective creams, wear clothes made from natural fabrics, wear sunglasses. The second danger that tourists may face in urban terrain - highly conditioned air, to to whom The people of this country are used to it. For an unprepared person, this can be dangerous, since the difference between the temperature outside and indoors will be significant, which can lead to colds.

Official language: English

Population: over 23 million people

Time difference with Moscow: 4-7 hours ahead (4 time zones)

Dialing code: 61

Currency: Australian dollar (AUD), 1 AUD = 100 cents, 1 USD ≅ 0.9 AUD, 1 EUR ≅ 1.3 AUD (rate varies).

Visa: required, consular fee 110 - 535 AUD (varies depending on the type of visa and course).

Cost of a “typical” dinner: 30-40 AUD

Tip: 5-10% of the bill amount

Car rental per day: from 40 - 50 USD

This country never ceases to attract travelers with its geographical, natural and excursion diversity.

So we can say with a clear conscience that the Australian tourist is special: he is not at all afraid of getting sunburned in the scorching sun, he is ready to travel to the continent for more than a day on stage and is not embarrassed by the presence of all sorts of fantastic creatures, from meter-long grasshoppers to marsupial devils. For such strength of spirit, Australia rewards manifold: the lacy archipelagos of the Great Barrier Reef, the blood-red monolith of Uluru, postcard waves for surfers and plush tame koalas for sentimental young ladies. Let's add to this the magnificent beaches and recognizable silhouettes of attractions such as the Sydney Opera House and the Harbor Bridge, a bunch of interesting things that you can take with you and the ease of communication with the local population: our tourists have at least learned English. “Ossie, ay’m cuming!” - we exclaimed and thoroughly studied the southern continent for you.

The homeland of the Antipodes (by the way, why has no one ever considered, say, the inhabitants of South Africa or America as such?) is included in the “must visit” list of several categories of wealthy travelers: fans of all kinds of extreme sports, lovers of monumental natural attractions, restless eco-tourists, tanned muscular surfers and nitrox-pale, enthusiastic divers. Those who want to learn English (who may be interested in the material “Education in Australia”) stand apart.

Fly to Australia for more than 20 hours (and this is only the time in the air, not counting landings and connections), paying a lot of money for all this - only to then lie on the beach for the entire vacation? "No way!" - the Australians themselves say on this matter. "There is no way!" - echoes the team of alternatively gifted translators. A holiday in Australia usually lasts at least ten days (or even a full two weeks) and consists of a whole bunch of different things: seeing the famous Sydney Opera House in person, a trip to the Ayers Rock monolith, which at sunset looks at least Martian, Bangui- jumping and zorbing to the point of slight disorientation, mind-blowing diving on the GBR, traveling through national parks, wholesale purchase of boomerangs from bushmen and other madness. Well, you can go to the beach for a day or two, yes. If there is time left.

Let's add a secret: the first thing every new guest from the Northern Hemisphere does in this country is check which way the water in the sink swirls.

The capital is Canberra. Major cities - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Cairns.

Popular places in Australia

The country's main beach resorts are located on the east coast, the most popular among them being the Gold Coast and the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). The center of the country is covered with a red desert, which has its own “Grand Canyon” and the “Navel of the Earth” - the sacred Aboriginal mountain Uluru, hence its popular name - the “Red Center” of Alice Springs and Ayers Rock. In the north, in close proximity to Aboriginal settlements, there are numerous parks with waterfalls, rivers teeming with crocodiles and many other Darwin animals.

The best time to visit the Gold Coast is Australian summer (Russian winter). In June-August there is a big wave, strong winds blow and it rains. At this time it is better to swim and sunbathe on the GBR.

Vaccinations for traveling to Australia For Travel to Australia for Russian citizens is not required to be made in advance no vaccinations (they are required only for tourists from countries where yellow fever is common). But tourists Those traveling to the “green” continent are still recommended to get vaccinated against typhoid fever. The source of this disease is Salmonella, which can enter the body through contaminated water. or infected food products. Since Salmonella is highly resistant to many types of antibiotics, there is no treatment. Always happens fast.

Therefore, it is better to protect yourself. The vaccination consists of one injection, which necessary done no later than two weeks before the trip. You need to get vaccinated once every 3-5 years. For travelers From May to October, it is recommended to get a flu shot.

The risk group includes people with chronic bronchopulmonary diseases and people over 65 years of age. For those visiting rural areas and likely to encounter bats, should get vaccinated against rabies. Children should be vaccinated compliance with the national calendar of preventive vaccinations. Insects in Australia categorically It is forbidden to walk barefoot, as grass There are poisonous insects and snakes. In general, the world of Australian fauna is very rich, but many of its inhabitants are not entirely friendly to people.

Especially active reptiles become dark time days. Animals The bites of snakes such as taipan, mulga, krait, tiger snake and asp are dangerous to humans. As a rule, the probability of meeting a snake in the city is small, but for its outside it is increasing. In Australia, medical care for snakebites is highly developed, and today there are many medicinal means to prevent the consequences of the poison.

In this case, it is the speed of assistance that is often the decisive component in saving the life of the victim. But contrary to popular belief, it is not poisonous snakes and spiders that pose the greatest danger to tourists. Active holidays in Australia Main danger This continent is not on land, but in water. Due to strong ocean waves and surf, the drowning statistics are increasing every year. In 2011, 82 people drowned on Australian beaches, of which 26 were tourists.

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world in terms of territory. It occupies almost the entire Australian mainland and neighboring islands, the largest of which is Tasmania. The climate in Australia is hot. In summer there is little rain, but in winter it can even interfere with traffic on the roads. The best time to travel to Australia is September-December. Temperature in summer is no more than +25°С, in winter – no less than +5°С. The country is a constitutional monarchy and an independent member of the British Commonwealth. Therefore, the head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General. Australia is a continent of deserts, semi-deserts and dry woodlands, occupying vast interior spaces; only on the east coast of the country rises the low mountain range of the Great Dividing Range. The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, stretches along the east coast for almost 2000 km. The country's cities are landscaped with many parks and gardens. Australia has the most natural wonders among its attractions. Among the city's main attractions, it is worth highlighting the Sydney Opera House and the Harbor Bridge.

One of reasons- unprepared equipment, and lack of skill among some tourists when diving and surfing in such conditions. The second is the lack of knowledge among some tourists English, as a result of which they do not notice prohibitory and warning signs. IN communications at all the above, swimming is allowed only on specially equipped beaches (they highlighted yellow-red and green flags). Beaches marked with yellow and red flags indicate increased danger when swimming. If you are not entirely confident in your skill as a swimmer, then it is better not to get into the water here. come in. Swimming beyond the flags is strictly prohibited.

In addition, surfing and diving enthusiasts do not must forget that these sports are traumatic. The most common injuries among surfers are: bruises, dislocations, various kinds of cuts and abrasions received during a fall. The latter pose the greatest danger, since water can cause infection in the wound. The most common diving injury is barotrauma. In both cases, it is better not to self-medicate and contact to a specialist. Ocean is fraught with another danger - its inhabitants. There are jellyfish off the coast.

Cases attacks on people are quite rare. Their bites can cause trouble, ranging from a simple burning sensation, ending fatal. In this case, it is important to immediately consult a doctor to prevent undesirable consequences. Drinking water in Australia As for drinking water, tap water suitable for consumption, but its use is not recommended. The chemical composition of the water differs significantly from what is familiar to residents of Russia, which can lead to gastrointestinal disorders. Recommended buy bottled water. Drink from various natural sources: streams, waterfalls, lakes – categorically forbidden! For gourmets, Australia has a huge selection of exotic dishes. One of the delicacies is kangaroo meat. A native Australian dish, vegemite is a unique extract of yeast, salt, celery and onion. And in the composition some dishes Includes generally unfamiliar ingredients, such as anaboroo and burrawong.

Be careful in your experiments with local cuisine, as this can lead to poisoning. Especially attentive There must be people suffering from allergies, since it is unknown how their body will react to this or that unfamiliar ingredient. Safety in Australia In terms of social safety, Australia is one of the most safe countries of the world. Its residents are very law-abiding. There are no such concepts as “armored door” or “ security dog».

Theft rates are low even in large cities and tourist destinations places. You just need to follow basic precautions and be careful. Level of medicine in Australia Medical care in Australia is at a high level, but due to the large areas of the country and the remoteness of some settlements and farms, there are great difficulties in providing first aid in emergency situations. One form of solving these problems is “ Royal service Flying Doctors”, which has 50 equipped aircraft. Exist and helicopter services, but they are not centralized and different states have different modes of operation.

Citizens of Russia and the CIS require a visa to visit Australia. Under Australian immigration law, the person making the decision to issue a visitor visa must be satisfied that the applicant intends to visit Australia for tourism purposes only. If the decision maker is not satisfied with the evidence provided, the visa will be refused.

Abolition of the mandatory affixing of an Australian visa sticker to a tourist’s passport

An Australian visa sticker is not affixed to the applicant's passport. Information about the issued visa is located in the electronic database Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO). As a visa confirmation, the applicant will be sent an email or regular letter (if an email address was not specified when submitting the application) indicating all visa details.
Airlines have been notified of the new procedure by the Migration Department. The presence of a visa for a particular citizen is checked online in the VEVO system.
However, the Embassy recommends that you print out your visa confirmation as additional proof and present it at check-in if you have any questions. An exception to the rule is transit to Australia through the United States. In case of such a flight, a visa sticker in the passport is required, therefore, when applying for a visa, you must provide the original passport to the visa department of the Australian Consulate.

For providing emergency assistance established a single national scale, which provides five categories of urgency for providing assistance to victims. Resuscitation – instantaneous. Emergency – in flow 10 minutes. Urgent-1 (urgent) - within 30 minutes. Urgent-2 (semi-urgent) – within 60 minutes. Non-urgent – ​​within 120 minutes. Unlike many countries, in Australia you should never go to A&E unless your life is in danger! Clinics and hospitals An important place in the structure of Australian healthcare is given to the provision of medical care in hospital settings. Most hospitals are located in special complexes.

Providing assistance and equipment is at a high level. Today there are 2.6 places per thousand inhabitants hospitals. Medical service foreign citizens are carried out in private clinics or through insurance, or on a paid basis. Pharmacies All medicines are sold exclusively in pharmacies. To purchase medicines without recipe exist certain restrictions. In addition, there are restrictions on the import of prescription drugs. medicinal funds for the territory of the country. Therefore, if you bring any medications, you must have a prescription with you. Cost of medical services in Australia If necessary, see a doctor in Australia insurance.

In the absence of one, if you are not an Australian citizen, you have the right to visit exclusively private doctors, the cost of which is quite high. A visit to a specialized specialist costs 120 dollars, simple appendix surgery will cost $332 and cataract surgery will cost $682. A simple doctor’s home call can cost up to $125, and prices for dental treatment start at $50 dollars(the upper limit is not even defined). The ambulance will come and pick up the patient, but after that the bill will be issued. Delivering a patient to a hospital up to 50 kilometers will cost $280. If the distance more, then plus 1.2 dollars for each additional kilometer. Emergency phone numbers Free information service (you can find out the addresses of pharmacies) - 013. Single emergency phone number (fire, police, ambulance help) – 000. Insurance for a visa to Australia To visit Australia, Russian citizens require a visa.

The receipt process takes from 5 to 20 business days. Citizens of St. Petersburg can receive it directly in your own city. Availability medical Insurance is not mandatory for all categories of citizens, but is an advantage when obtaining a visa. For citizens over 75 years of age, insurance is required, and they must have be a medical examination that confirms that they are fit to travel. If you are going to Australia for a period of more than 3 months, then insurance is required mandatory ok. Important Be aware that if you are flying through New Zealand, a transit visa is required, even if you do not leave the plane. Get by exclusively Australian is only possible if you are flying exclusively to Australia directly within 24 hours.

Travel cancellation insurance Insurance from not to leave– this is a guarantee that you will not lose your money for trip if you have to cancel it. The travel agency charges fines for trip cancellation and this This type of insurance will help you. Insurance cases The following reasons for refusing to travel are accepted. Refusal embassy in issuing a visa to the insured person or those with whom he was going on a trip. Death or unexpected illness of the insured faces or his immediate family. Summons to court insured faces to participate in court proceedings.

Australia is an amazing country! Who among us would not like to see the legendary Opera House or the Great Barrier Reef with our own eyes? Unfortunately, the prices for holidays are no less shocking. Why is a trip to Australia so expensive, is it possible to visit it without depleting the family budget, and are there cheap tours to Australia? Let's figure it out.

About 4 million tourists from all over the world visit Australia every year, of which 15-20 thousand people are from Russia

When an ordinary Russian hears a price of 150 rubles for one and a half liters of ordinary bottled water, it comes as a surprise. But we should not forget that this is a country with a high standard of living and the salary of an ordinary employee there is incommensurate with Russian salaries, so the prices are corresponding.

The local currency is Australian dollars, 1 AUD currently costs a little more than 50 rubles, over the last year it has grown by 10%, respectively, and the budget of a Russian tourist for “pocket expenses” has increased proportionally.

The main currency is the Australian dollar, in rubles it costs slightly less than the US dollar

Australia is located on the other hemisphere, the flight there takes about 20 hours. This means that a plane ticket will be a significant expense. In addition, you are unlikely to want to limit your travel to staying in one city. Tourists travel between cities using local airlines; this is another “minus” from the trip budget. Obtaining an Australian visa will also be expensive.

Let's get down to specifics and look at what expenses await you, how much do tours to the “kangaroo capital” cost and how to make a trip there cheaper?

Traveling to Australia: on your own or through a travel agency?

Since this country is a very popular destination, the travel agency will definitely offer you several travel options, including quite cheap tours to Australia. Oddly enough, it is often cheaper to use the services of a travel agency than to travel on your own. This happens due to charter flights and agreements between operators and hotels that are ready to provide a partner discount to a travel agency.

Traveling through an agency is convenient because it is prepared on a turn-key basis and you can additionally get many convenient options, such as transfer from the airport. To register, you only need to provide the necessary documents, select the tour you like and voila - you are a traveler!

Another advantage of traveling through a travel agency is that you don’t have to worry if you don’t know the local language and you don’t have to waste time planning your trip yourself. It has already been compiled, movements and sightseeing are planned in advance. Your task is to board the bus at the appointed time and go on an organized excursion; it is very convenient.

Australia has many famous attractions that are a must-see for anyone traveling there. For example, Sydney Harbor Bridge, Kakadu National Park, Port Arthur and Swan Bells.

On the other hand, when organizing through an intermediary, you will be somewhat limited by the tour program. Therefore, if you prefer to spontaneously make decisions about your travel program, you will have to weigh the pros and cons yourself and decide how convenient it is for you to go to Australia: through an agency or on your own.

How to save money on a tour to Australia?

If you can even call yourself a traveler, then you know at least two ways to save money on a tour. Let us remind you: you need to contact the company to arrange a trip either much in advance, or vice versa - when the flight is already around the corner. By purchasing a tour 7-12 months in advance, you can save up to 30% of the cost, the same story with last-minute tours. Therefore, if possible, take care of your vacation in advance or sit on your suitcases, ready to break away.

Another way to get a cheap tour is to constantly monitor discounts and promotions; they are often very attractive, but do not last long.

How to make traveling to Australia cheaper?

Your journey will definitely begin long before departure, with a visa. Is it possible to save money on this?

Independent visa application

It cannot be said that obtaining a visa to Australia is a simple and straightforward procedure. You will be required to provide a lot of documents. Please note that all provided copies of documents must be notarized and translated into English by an accredited translator.

In addition, you must pay a consular fee of 130 AUD, which is about 7,000 rubles. Please note that if your visa is refused, the fee is non-refundable. When submitting documents, you will need to attach medical insurance (about 1000 rubles).

In order to obtain an Australian visa, you will need to collect a decent package of documents, have their copies certified, translated and sent to the visa center

Thus, when planning your budget, you need to take into account the cost of translator and notary services, payment of consular fees, and insurance. In total, about 11,000 rubles will need to be spent on independently obtaining a visa for one person.

Visa through intermediaries

If you decide to contact a specialized company for registration, know that their services will cost at least 5,000 rubles. In this case, if, of course, the company is conscientious and experienced, you can be sure that the consular fee will not be lost due to a minor error in filling out the documents. Also, you do not have to delve into the intricacies of the procedure and scour the Internet in search of detailed instructions for filling out all the necessary forms.

So what is the best way to apply for a visa?

By and large, if you set a goal to travel to Australia on the most budget possible and are willing to sacrifice several hours of personal time to delve into the topic, feel free to choose the option of getting it yourself. Submitting documents is not so difficult, especially considering that from October 1, 2015, this can be done remotely.

How else can you save on a tour to Australia?

Do not forget that the continent you are traveling to is located on the other hemisphere, so summer there falls in our calendar winter months. This means that getting out of our frosts to the sunny continent will cost a considerable amount, because the Australian summer is the height of the tourist season. A worthy alternative would be spring or autumn; it is in the off-season that you can grab a really cheap ticket.

There are many Tourist Information points scattered throughout the country, where you, as a tourist, will be given background information and help if problems arise. You should also take a special free catalog there; it contains a map of the city plus many coupons for discounts in popular tourist places. Using a coupon from this catalog, in some places you can get a discount of up to 50%, which, you see, is quite a lot when it comes to economical travel.

Do not forget that it is not only money that can be saved, but also time and nerves. Before traveling, check the validity period of your international passport in advance, because if it suddenly turns out to be expired, and you find out about it a couple of days before departure, you are guaranteed losses; at best, you will need to urgently issue a new international passport. Read more about what to do if your passport expires

Another small but nice feature: if the cost of the souvenirs you purchased while on a trip is more than 300 AUD, a tax refund of 12% of the cost of the goods is provided. To receive this compensation, please find a TRS office and present your purchase receipts, boarding pass and passport before flying out of Australia.

You can learn briefly about tourism in Australia from the story of the “Recreation and Tourism” program on the RBC TV channel.

Summarizing

Despite the fact that Australia has a reputation as an expensive country, it is quite possible to travel there on a medium budget if you know where to save money. You can go there as part of a tourist group or as a wild person, live in a hotel or put up a tent in a campsite, travel in a rented car or on foot - there are a lot of options and each has its own pros and cons. Choose based on what you want to get: a comfortable exploration of popular tourist spots or a complete immersion in the local flavor. This country is worth visiting!

We wish good luck to all travelers, Australia is waiting for you!

From my own experience, I can say that at first the process of obtaining a visa, flying, searching for hotels and attractions in Australia on a limited budget seems like a difficult task, but there are several secrets that will make a holiday in this wonderful country the most vibrant and unusual adventure of your life.

Before traveling to Australia

(Preparation)

So it all starts with obtaining a visa, which can only be directly processed in Moscow, since the Australian Embassy is located there. It will cost a little more to obtain a visa at the Document Center or the Australian Visa Center, but in this way it will be possible to simplify the process of creating a package of documents by leaving it to experienced specialists.
The requirements for a tourist visa are quite standard, but you need to take into account that for a positive decision from the consul, it is better to collect as many certificates and documents as possible confirming the availability of the amount necessary for travel. Here, in addition to a certificate from work and a bank account statement, it would not be amiss to present the right to your own real estate.

Medical insurance To obtain a visa, it is desirable, but not required. Naturally, its presence will be considered an additional advantage when making a decision. Although experts say that documents will be reviewed within a month, in reality everything happens much faster (about 10-15 days).

By the way, unlike many other countries, Australian visa stamp It is not included in the passport! The Australian Embassy sends a document to your email in which the terms and rules of stay are written. You should definitely print this document, since at the airport without it you will not be allowed into the security check area!

Tickets, currency and accommodation

Concerning air tickets, then there is a special story here. It is cheapest to fly from Moscow and, of course, in the summer (since it is winter in Australia at this time and there are no large crowds of tourists, which means tickets are several times cheaper). Do not be afraid of the Australian winter, since it is extremely rare there to be colder than +15 degrees at this time of year. Naturally, those who dream of celebrating Catholic Christmas or New Year on an Australian beach will have to pay a tidy sum for the flight.

Hostels and hotels There are different price ranges in Australia. Prices range from $15-20 per night to infinity. It is best to book a room at least a month in advance, especially for small cities where there is a small selection of hotels and hostels.

This country has its own currency - Australian dollar, which resembles funny colored plastic pictures. Please note that in Australia it is impossible to change Russian rubles at any exchange office! Even in international exchange offices where there are hryvnias and Belarusian rubles, Russian rubles are not exchanged under any circumstances. Therefore, there are three options - either exchange currency in Russia with a commission, or, if necessary, withdraw money from Australian machines with the same commission, or pay everywhere using a credit card.

Savings regime in Australia

I would like to immediately note that prices in the country for food, transport, and entertainment are very high, so if you have a limited budget, it is better to familiarize yourself with the basic rules of saving:

1. In Australia there is no full-fledged metro; it is replaced by peculiar double-decker electric trains. Travel there is quite expensive and you can easily spend 10-15 dollars in one day. But if you buy a special travel card that costs about $50, you can travel as much as you need all week (this applies to both land and water transport).

2. If you are traveling with a child under 12 years old, then on Sundays there is a special rate - family, when 1 ticket, valid an unlimited number of times, costs only 2.5 dollars! Therefore, if you want to save on transport, then a trip to the amusement park (Luna Park) and the zoo (Taronga zoo) can be left until Sunday, since they can only be reached by water. In addition, in Australia there is a special program to support families, so tickets to visit any attraction for tourists coming with children are always $20-30 cheaper.

3. Tourist centers sell a large number of combined excursions, thanks to which you can save up to 50% on visiting attractions!

4. If you are going to spend your holiday in Sydney, never buy souvenirs in the center at Cercular Quey (the station where the famous Opera House and Harbor Bridge are located). Much cheaper and more varied choice on Manly beach or in the suburbs.

Must-dos in Australia

Sights of the country
In addition to visiting the main attractions (Opera House and Darling Harbor in Sydney, the Botanic Garden in Brisbane, the National Museum in Melbourne, etc.), you should definitely visit numerous Australian national parks, where you can touch and feed kangaroos, koalas and ostriches with your own hands. Emu. A visit to the Blue Mountains and the famous caves with glowing worms leaves a strong impression. Many tourists are attracted by the famous Coral Reef, but getting to it is quite difficult (if it is not included in the excursion) and quite expensive, which not every tourist can afford.

Many museums and parks in Australia are free, and on beaches (for example, Bondi), in addition to the pristine sandy shore, there is a free swimming pool for those who are afraid to swim in the open ocean. For lovers of picnics and wildlife, in Australia there is a huge number of well-equipped forest and park areas where anyone can use a barbecue oven absolutely free of charge.
I do not recommend wasting time and money on visiting the geyser and whale excursions. The geyser works very poorly (I was never able to really see anything), and paying 80 dollars for a six-hour excursion to see 1-2 whales (if you’re lucky) is a thankless task.

Australian food

Contrary to popular belief, Australians practically do not eat kangaroo, claiming that it is food for pets. But in every store you can buy a steak or kangaroo fillet and try to cook it yourself, since in restaurants such a dish is very expensive!

You can't visit Australia without trying the famous fish delicacies. Barramundi, eels, green oysters, crayfish and salmon are quite inexpensive there, but their quality and taste always leave only the most positive emotions.

Australians love quick snacks, preferring their traditional meat pie (meat pie made according to a special recipe), sausage rall (a very unusual and tasty sausage in dough) and fish and chips (they call chips French fries). They are sold everywhere, so every tourist is simply obliged to try these dishes at least once.

Australians

Australia is famous for its very kind and helpful people who love to communicate and help visitors, so if you get lost or need advice, feel free to contact them for help.