When in Melbourne (Things to Remember)

Packing Tips

There are parts in Australia where weathers condition are extreme but there are also some parts where the weather is pleasant through the year. So you will be packing depending on where you’re staying. Mostly just keep it light and comfortable because Australian behavior is generally casual and being comfortable at all-time are practiced there. If you are attending an occasion then you should consider the appropriate attire.

Money Tips

ATM can be found everywhere but you must check if they have way in for international access. There are some that don’t have but for that do have ATM, will accept cards either PLUS, CIRRUS, or STAR international ATM mark or the Interlink or Maestro POS mark.

American Express, Backcard, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and their branch, these are the usually accepted Credit cards. They are hard to use and fees that the banks charge the operator are enormously high. You cannot use it in small towns and small retail shops.

Paper money is plasticized to increase its durability. The larger the amount the more valuable it is. They come in great colors too. The paper money has been plasticized to increase its life span. It’s newly introduced and the Australians hate it. Only at banks and large hotels can be in cash it.

Phone Tips

Payphone in Australia do not accept incoming calls. This is beneficial to know if you are expecting on using a call-back service to call your home states. If you are in a place that has private phones, call back companies are beneficial to know about. The arrangement is like this: Dial a phone number. Let it ring twice. Hang up. It will directly ring you back at the number you have used. Australia has a card reader in the pay phone for the Australian phone company cards. This is beneficial for making country calls.

Transportation Tips

Among the public transportation, taxis are the most comfortable way of traveling in and over the cities. The simplest reason for these is they can be found anywhere in the city establishments. Empty taxies have a light and signage on the roof. There is a minimum “flag fall” and charge depending on the distance you have traveled.

If you are going to Australia to explore the rural the best way to do it would be a rental car. Bring your driver license from your hometown, and if not in English, bring a translation. Lanes on rural are narrower, it even becomes difficult sometimes when the lane don’t allow two cars and there is a speed limit between 100 to 120kph but they don’t really enforce much attention on it. The expected expense on renting a car a day is $70 to $90 so don’t be fooled by the unbelievable low rate. Dig deeper and if possible do call them before settling an agreement. Insist with a cold aircon, also ask on how restrictive they are on using it on gravel, trust me, it will be worth it.

Eating tips

Due to high immigration level, a mixture of all world traditions had resulted in an amazing variety of restaurant in Australia. Most of it are claimed original, nevertheless if you are preparing to leave the city, then I’ll be tipping you to bring a food that can last for a long period because outside the city will be serving you a high-fat, high cholesterol diet with overcooked vegetables and lots of lambs, nevertheless the prices of the food are cheap and reasonable.

Healthy tips

If you have to carry large quantities of medicine, a doctor’s certification will be requiring you at the customs. A chemist can fill most of the prescription of drugs but there is some need to be checked by an Australian registered doctor.

During summertime, while the heat of the sun is appreciated by many in Australia, It can also severe and possibly damage your skin. So for those who adores the beach or sunbathing, be sure to apply SPH+15 water resistant sunscreen on the exposed skin of your body.