I can’t believe I’ve been in this beautiful country for 89 days now. I’ve had the most incredible journey so far and have made a lot of lasting memories. Farley and I also haven’t killed each other yet! To travel is the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve learnt a lot about Australia in the last 89 days, so I thought I’d share 89 things with you…
- Australia is MASSIVE
- It’s over two thirds desert
- Each state has a different time zone. It’s difficult to keep track.
- Driving is the best way to explore. If you can afford it, buy yourself a car. You won’t regret it!
- You can drive 6 hours and still get nowhere
- That being said, fill up at every petrol station you drive past no matter how full the tank
- Distance is measured in KMs
- You must park your car in the direction of traffic otherwise you’ll risk getting a fine
- If you haven’t got much time in Oz then domestic flights are a good way to get around the country
- Airbnb is the way forward. If you’re travelling as a two or more then its a lot cheaper and nicer than a hostel
- It’s hot pretty much all the time
- Suncream will become part of your daily routine. The sun is so strong. Do yourself a favour and please don’t get burnt!
- Australia is expensive and it’s true your savings will go quick. Budget wisely
- Aussie currency doesn’t have pennies Five cents is the lowest change
- June, July and August is Winter. September, October, November is Spring. December, January and February is Summer. March, April and May is Spring
- Christmas is in summer
- The sunsets are breathtaking
- The storms are unreal
- Melbourne has all the seasons in one day
- Most Aussies avoid the sun
- Everyone owns a barbecue
- Most houses don’t have an upstairs
- Whereas trains in Sydney do
- Travel is cheap on a Sunday in Sydney ($2.60 all day anywhere)
- Coffee. I’m not a coffee drinker but Australians love their coffee
- Aussies love their alcohol as much as coffee
- But they do not drink fosters.
- A schooner is not a pint!
- Wine tasting in Adelaide is incredible
- Australian wine itself is incredible
- You can’t buy alcohol in the supermarket
- They have drive through bottle shops (bottle’o)!
- Always do a food shop before heading to the liquor store. On your receipt there will be coupons to use for money off alcohol
- There is a new law where international driving licenses are accepted as ID. Make sure you have your passport you. Silly law I think!
- Look for the happy hours when eating or drinking out
- Aussies don’t tip
- The minimum wage is $17.70
- Home cooking will save a ton of money!
- Capsicum means pepper
- Avocado is a hot topic
- Vegemite is the marmite equivalent. I think it taste pretty good! Vegemite ice cream however is a big no no
- I have a new found addiction to ice cold chocolate milk
- Australian chocolate is nothing compared to English chocolate. From what I understand they put something in it to stop it melting
- Tim Tams are yummy. They are like penguin bars but better
- Crisps are called chips
- They don’t have prawn cocktail flavoured crisps
- Burger King is known as Hungry Jacks and it’s delicious
- Nando’s is shockingly bad
- Australian chicken schnitzels are insane
- Not everything wants to kill you. Trust me I worried to much. There isn’t spiders the size of your head everywhere you turn, sharks each time you swim in the sea or snakes just hanging around the place. If you do happen to come across one, stay calm, it’s probably a lot more terrified of you than you are of them
- That said, Australia has more animals and insects that can kill you than anywhere else
- 000 is the Oz emergency number
- Australians do not give you sympathy so don’t go complaining your too hot. They’ll tell you to get over it
- If you’re British you’ll get called Pom (Prisoner of Her Majesty) A LOT
- If they hear your pommy accent in some places, you won’t be paying the local prices
- Everything is shortened and they like to add ‘o’ to their words even it makes them longer (afternoon = Arvo, service station = servo, right = righto)
- Most of the population seems to be Asian
- No one really ever says G’day mate
- Thongs mean flip flops not underwear
- Although a lot of people don’t wear shoes
- Hugh Jackman and Chris Hemsworth are not worshipped in every household
- Steve Irwin is a legend
- You haven’t experienced Australia until you’ve been to the outback
- Kangaroos are everywhere in the outback
- Kangaroos and emus can’t walk backwards
- Koalas are basically drunk all the time
- They may look cuddly but they are the biggest carrier of chlamydia
- Australian flies are a nuisance
- But Aussies don’t mind them on their food. I however do!
- Australia is home to some of the most spectacular national parks
- And some of the most ridiculously beautiful beaches
- Always swim between the flags
- Jelly fish are gross
- You can find wild penguins on St. Kilda Pier in Melbourne
- Graffiti in Melbourne seems to be a good thing and is considered artistic
- You’ll be surprised at how many things you can do for free in each city. Have a google!
- However internet is super slow
- AFL and rugby are considered better than football or soccer as they say. Farley is certainly not happy about that
- They have a bank holiday for the queens birthday!
- Pet shops have real puppies and kittens for sale. It’s always tempting
- It’s illegal to have a pet rabbit in Queensland. The fine is extortionate, something like $63,000
- Take advice from strangers
- The kindness of strangers demonstrates that there are generally good people out in the world
- Home sicknesses can strike at any moment
- A travel journal is priceless
- And so are the photos you take
- Sometimes you don’t realise how great a moment is until it’s a memory
- So stop and savour the moment
- And whatever you do, don’t let any opportunity pass you by. If you want to do something, do it. Life’s to short to say no
Catch you later
Miss Health & Safety aka Steph
P. S cheers to travel 