For many years, Australia has been a popular travel destination for citizens of Asian countries. Wherever you go in Australia, you will find plenty of happy Asian visitors, delighting in the many things that make Australia unique – from the kangaroos and other furry marsupials, to the vast red desert.

It can be daunting to travel to a country where the culture is so different. Visitors from Asia quickly discover the many ways Australians try to make them feel at home – from tour brochures often available in other languages, to the many restaurants and stores that offer genuine Asian cuisine. This isn’t surprising, as Australia has many citizens of Asian origin who have brought with them a love of their culture to share.

Australia offers a vacation experience so memorable, you will want to come back again and again. Boasting natural wonders like The Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock, to man-made wonders like the Sydney Harbour House, there is plenty to see and do on your vacation. The problem is deciding where to start, as let’s face it – Australia is huge. So settle back and relax, imagine you are already lazing under a giant gum tree, and read some of the articles on Holiday Inspirations to decide where you’d like to start. Remember – we’re only a few hours’ flight away, so it won’t take long to start your adventure Down Under.

Getting there
Plenty of airlines travel to Australia, including our main carrier, Qantas. 

In addition to Qantas, Asian-based airlines travelling to Australia include (in alphabetical order – not in order of recommendation):

Air China
Asiana Airlines
Cathay Pacific
China Airlines
China Eastern Airlines
China Southern Airlines
Eva Air
Garuda Indonesia
Korean Air
Japan Airlines
JALways
Malaysia Airlines
Philippine Airlines
Royal Brunei
Singapore Airlines
Thai Airways
Tiger Airways
Vietnam Airlines
 
Tiger Airways is the newest on the list, and is generally your cheapest option for flying safely to Australia. All of the airlines listed meet or exceed Australia’s strict aviation code of safety, otherwise they would not be permitted to enter the country. Therefore it comes down to cost, convenience and comfort when it comes to choosing the right airline.

Be warned, however, that while Tiger is usually the cheapest, there are often extra costs. For example, the majority of airlines allow at least 20kg of luggage per person, however Tiger allows only 15 kg, unless you are willing to pay extra to “upsize” your bags. More importantly, you have to select the upsize option and pay the fee at least 72 hours before your flight. If you don’t and your bags are over 15kg, you must pay the excess baggage fees during check-in and they can be substantially more expensive. That said, if you keep your baggage light, or select the upsize option well before your flight, you could get a real bargain for travel to Australia. 

Whether you are travelling in a peak season will usually affect the cost of your air tickets, regardless of the airline you choose. The good news is that you can travel to some amazing destinations in Australia during the cheaper, off-peak season. The reason is that Australia’s climate varies substantially from north to south, and the northern part of Australia is actually nicest to visit in the winter months while many parts of Australia in the south are best enjoyed during the summer months. And of course, autumn and spring are excellent times to visit anywhere in Australia.

Visas and Passports: All visitors to Australia require a valid passport, and with the exception of New Zealand citizens, require a visa. This must be obtained before you travel and cannot be purchased upon arrival in Australia, although it can be extended while you’re in the country. Details of visas can change, so for the most up-to-date information check out Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Vaccinations: You will not need a vaccination or malaria tablets for a trip to Australia. However, if you have been in a Yellow Fever infected country less than 7 days prior to arrival, you will require a Yellow Fever vaccination as well as a certificate stating that you received it. 

Food: While it’s exciting to try local cuisines when travelling, after a while you may find yourself longing for some familiar foods. Happily, Australia has many restaurants and supermarkets boasting authentic Asian foods thanks to our large immigrant population. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding comfort food from your own country.

Getting around: Driving: If you plan to drive, you will need to hold a valid International Permit in addition to a current driving license from your own country. Australians drive on the left side of the road.

Flying: If you plan to see parts of Australia that are far apart, arrange to purchase air tickets to these places before you arrive in the country. It is usually much cheaper to buy flights around Australia as part of your main international air ticket, or as a separate air pass. 

Air passes are not available to residents of Australia and offer a fantastic opportunity to see the country. The tickets are frequently bought as coupons, and you choose how many you would like. For example, the Qantas Boomerang Air Pass allows you to hop around the country, at $AUS240 per segment within one zone, or $AUS300 per segment if it’s within two zones. You could choose to fly from Sydney to Melbourne to Ayers Rock to Alice Springs to Perth, for example, for a small fraction of what a resident of Australia would pay for the same flights. For these passes to be valid, you must have a valid international air ticket. Check with your travel agent for details of these passes, or contact Qantas in your home country. 

Buses: Australia has some fantastic bus companies, with modern and luxurious coaches offering video entertainment and onboard toilets. These are exceptionally clean and very safe. If you would really like to see Australia in all her vastness, consider purchasing a bus pass. These can easily be purchased at any major bus station in Australia, and can be valid for unlimited use during a set number of weeks, or valid for a year but with a set number of destinations. Note that you will need to book your seats for travel.

Electrical items: Depending on where you live in Asia, the voltage may or may not be a problem. Australia has 240 volts, and if you have an appliance of between 210 and 240, it should work fine, providing you attach a suitable adapter. If you live in Japan (100v) or Saudi Arabia (127v), you will not be able to use your appliances unless they have a voltage switch (to 240v) or you have a suitable transformer. Be careful though – if you buy an adapter, but forget to flick the switch to 240 volts, or your item does not have the switch to allow you to do it, you will destroy your appliance within moments of switching it on. (The reverse does not happen with appliances purchased in Australia and moved to Japan or Saudi Arabia – they simply won’t work properly or at all until the correct voltage is provided). 

Money: The local currency is the Australian dollar, which is made up of 100 cents. 

Accommodation: The choices are endless – from yachts drifting along the tranquil Whitsunday Passage, to century-old cottages set in vineyards, to oceanfront apartments – you will find all you dreamed of and more. Gone are the days of resigning yourself to a simple hotel room; while these are certainly available throughout Australia, you can choose an option that is truly memorable for the same price. Check out TakeABreak for the best of every style of accommodation, at the best prices.

Making your plans: Australia is a huge country, and it may be difficult to decide where you are going to visit. Before you make any plans, be sure to check out the many destination articles available at Holiday Inspirations where you’ll find plenty of details about each of the towns and their attractions, history and culture.


About the Author

Kylie-Jane Degeling is a freelance writer who has lived in Adelaide,Yulara (Uluru), Alice Springs and Canberra, as well as five different countries throughout the world. After backpacking around Australia, she worked as a tour guide in Central Australia, before training for her Commercial Pilot License and working as a flight instructor, scenic flight and charter pilot. She later worked as a travelling IT trainer for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which involved spending time in each of their 16 District Offices around the country on a frequent rotating basis. 

Having experienced Australia as a backpacker, tour guide, pilot and business traveler, Kylie now enjoys family holidays with her husband Alex and children Jezzy and Jordan. She says, “I have been lucky to see Australia from a variety of perspectives, and as a travel writer can use this experience to inspire others to find holidays they would enjoy.”

Kylie currently works as a travel writer in addition to being a government writer and columnist for two parenting magazines.