1. Because of its immense size, Australia offers a wide range of climatic zones – from the temperate climes of Southern Australia to the tropical humidity of far north Queensland and the dry desert heat of the interior. The summer months (December to February) are generally the most popular for visiting coastal areas such as Sydney and Melbourne, while winter (June to August) is a good time to explore the Red Centre.2. Winters are generally mild throughout the southern states, but temperatures can be surprisingly nippy in Tasmania.3. In Australia, the long summer, especially the two weeks around Christmas Day, is the busiest time of the year and you should book flights and accommodation well in advance if you want to be in Australia during this period.4. Also bear in mind that hotel accommodation is at a premium during major sporting events such as the Melbourne Cup (first Tuesday in November), the Australian Open (also in Melbourne, every January), Adelaide’s motor event in March and the Australian Grand Prix held in Melbourne during March.5. Unless you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, you will need a visa to enter Australia. You can apply for a range of visas, including tourist visas and working holiday visas, but you must do so before leaving home.6. In Australia, tipping is now becoming much more common, especially in restaurants and bars. Giving 10 per cent of the total bill is generally considered appropriate7. In Australia, driving is on the left, so most UK visitors will feel right at home.8. Australia is an informal society – don’t be surprised to be called “mate” by complete strangers.9. Dress codes are equally relaxed: when eating out, except in smart restaurants, men wear shorts and T-shirts.10. Australians have a robust sense of humor.11. If you’re aged between 18 and 30 you may be eligible to apply for a Working Holiday Visa, allowing you to live, work and travel anywhere in Australia for one year.12. You can apply for holiday working permit if you meet up with the following conditions• Be aged between 18 and 30 (inclusive) at time of applying• Not have previously entered Australia on a Working Holiday Visa.If you are granted a Working Holiday Visa, you can:• Enter Australia at any time within 12 months of the visa grant date• Stay for up to 12 months in Australia• Leave and re-enter Australia any number of times in the 12 months from the date of first entry• Undertake temporary employment in Australia for up to six months with any employer13. With a second Working Holiday Visa you can either extend your stay in Australia or come back again for another year before you turn 31. To get the second visa, you need to have completed a minimum of three months ‘specified work’, such as fruit picking, in an eligible regional area.14. Australia is an incredibly diverse island, continent, and country- both culturally and geographically speaking.15. Nearly all of Australia’s population lives within 50 miles of the coastline.16. As a former penal colony, the country is now a mixture of modern cosmopolitan culture and ancient Aboriginal traditions.17. A visit to Australia guarantees fantastic sightseeing, nightlife, and adventurous experiences to remember forever.18. The best time for Australia travel is between mid-April to late August, when airfares are the lowest, while the peak travel season in most parts of Australia is during their winter, the most pleasant time to travel to Australia is from April through September.19. Daytime temperatures are warm, and it rarely rains. September and October are ideal, when the warmth is sufficient to shield you on the beach in the southern states and the wildflowers of Western Australia are in bloom.Hostels start at 20 AUD per night for a dorm room, though they get as high as 40 in the big coastal cities. Private rooms with a double bed and a shared bathroom in hostels range between 80-100 AUD per night.20. For budget hotels, you are looking to spend at least around 75-95 AUD for a double room, private bathroom, TV, and breakfast. Larger, chain hotels cost closer to 200 AUD. Camping costs between 15-30 AUD per night (cheaper if you bring your own tent, more expensive if you’re parking an RV).21. Food isn’t cheap in Australia! Most decent restaurant eateries cost at least 20 AUD. The best value food are the Asian and Indian restaurants where you can get a really filling meal for under $10 AUD!22. Local city trains and buses cost 3-4 AUD. The most popular and cheapest way to travel is to drive yourself.23. Flying can be very expensive due to limited competition, especially when going from coast to coast. I generally avoid flying in Australia unless I am pressed for time or there is a sale.24. Multi-day activities and tours are expensive, generally costing 400-540 AUD. Day trips will cost about 135-230 AUD. For example, a one-day trip to the Great Barrier Reef can cost 230 AUD while a two-night sailing trip around the Whitsunday Islands can cost upwards of 540 AUD. A three-day trip to Uluru from Alice Springs is around 480 AUD. Walking tours are around 50 AUD and day trips to wine regions are between 150-200 AUD.25. Suggested daily budget – $60-80 AUD / 43-57 USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals, and using local transportation. This also depends greatly on the number of tours you do! Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher!)26. The level of crime is no higher than in the UK. Be careful with personal possessions and travel documents in cities and popular tourist destinations.27. Avoid carrying everything in one bag. Don’t leave bags unattended in vehicles, public places or clubs. Theft from safety deposit boxes is common in the cheaper hotels and hostels. Be particularly vigilant at night in the busy tourist areas of Sydney like Kings Cross, down town George Street, Hyde Park and Centennial Park.28. There have been some serious sexual assaults against British nationals in Australia. Take care in the town centre of Alice Springs at night. There have been a number of incidents of harassment, robberies and attacks (including sexual assault) on foreign tourists.29. Alcohol and drugs can lead to you being less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment. If you are going to drink, know your limit. Drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK.30. Beware of online scams in which prospective tenants are asked to transfer a deposit to an overseas bank account in return for keys to a rental property in Australia. British travelers have fallen victim to these scams.31. You can reduce the risk of losing your passport by getting a proof of age card. This is an accepted form of ID for many services like opening bank accounts or entering licensed premises. By getting a card soon after you arrive you will limit the need to carry your passport with you.32. If your passport is lost or stolen you may be able to get an Emergency Travel Document from the nearest British Consulate..33. Australia is a huge country. If you’re exploring national parks it can take hours to get help in the event of an emergency.34. The terrain and intense heat can have a severe impact on your capabilities. Take plenty of water and a means of rigging up shelter from the sun.35. Australia is home to a number of dangerous animal species, from crocodiles, jellyfish and sharks to venomous insects, spiders and snakes are found in many parts of the country.