Money & Currency (AUD)

The currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD, $). Australia is largely cashless — credit cards work almost everywhere, even for a coffee. Exchange Rate & Withdrawal Rate (as of 2026): approx. 1 € ≈ 1.60 AUD Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere (even for small amounts from

Australia has a first-class healthcare system — but as a tourist, you have no access to Medicare (Australia's public health insurance). Travel health insurance is therefore absolutely essential. Insurance Travel Health Insurance: MANDATORY. Medical treatment in Australia is expensive — a doctor's

Australia is one of the safest travel countries in the world. The crime rate is low, the infrastructure is first-class, and Australians are friendly and helpful to visitors. The greatest dangers are natural: Natural Hazards UV Radiation & Heat: The #1 danger for tourists. Sunstroke and dehydration

Australia has good mobile networks in cities and along the coast, but large dead zones in the Outback. Internet is more expensive than in Europe. SIM Card (recommended) Telstra: Best network, best coverage (also in the Outback). Prepaid SIM at the airport: 40 AUD for 35 GB/28 days. Telstra is the

Electricity & Sockets

Australia uses Type I sockets — two slanted flat pins and a grounding pin. German plugs do NOT fit. Voltage: 230V, 50Hz (same as Germany) Adapter: Buy an Australia adapter (Type I) before the trip (from 5 €). At the airport in Australia: 15–25 AUD (more expensive). Universal adapters recommended.

Driving — Left-Hand Traffic

Australia has left-hand traffic — the steering wheel is on the right, and you drive on the left side of the road. For most Europeans, the biggest adjustment of the trip. Tips for Left-Hand Traffic Beginners First Step: Practice at the airport in a quiet parking lot (indicators, wipers are swapped!

Australia has three time zones — and it gets complicated because not all states switch to daylight saving time: Time ZoneStatesDifference to CETDaylight Saving? AEST (Australian Eastern)NSW, VIC, QLD, TAS, ACT+9 hrsYes (except QLD) ACST (Australian Central)SA, NT+8.5 hrsYes (SA), No (NT) AWST (Au

Australian Slang — The Most Important Words

Aussies abbreviate everything — names, places, words. If something has more than two syllables, it gets shortened and ends with an "-o" or "-ie". This is not a sign of laziness, but of affection. Greetings & Basics AustralianMeaning G'day!Hello! (ubiquitous) How ya going?How are you? (Respons

Aboriginal Words in Everyday Life

Many words you hear daily in Australia come from Aboriginal languages — most Australians don't even know this. Over 80% of Australian place names have Aboriginal origins. Everyday Words from Aboriginal Languages WordOriginMeaning KangarooGuugu Yimithirr (Queensland)"gangurru" — large hopping anim

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Travel Guide Australia

Q: Visa — eVisitor & ETA

Germans, Austrians, and Swiss need a visa for Australia — but there are no embassy appointments, everything is done online and is straightforward. Two Options eVisitor (Subclass 651): For EU citizens (including Germany, Austria). Free, apply online via the Australian immigration website. Approval

Your complete travel guide for the red continent at the other end of the world

Capital:Canberra

Language:English

Currency:Australian Dollar (AUD)

Best Travel Time:Oct–Apr (depending on region)

Flight Time:~22 hours from DE

Visa:eVisitor/ETA online

Last updated: 11 March 2026 · 14 Chapters · 68 Sections

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Australia Highlights

3 weeks

The ultimate Australia tour for first-time visitors: icons, beaches, outback, and reef in three unforgettable weeks.

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East Coast Sydney–Cairns

2–3 weeks

The backpacker classic: The entire east coast from Sydney to Cairns — beaches, surfing, rainforest, and reef. By Greyhound bus or campervan.

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Melbourne–Adelaide & Outback

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From the coast to the red heart: Great Ocean Road, South Australia's wines, the underground city of Coober Pedy, and Uluru — Australia's most contrasting route.

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Western Australia Roadtrip

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The less traveled side of Australia: From Perth along the west coast to the north — quokkas, dolphins, whale sharks, and the Kimberley.

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Australia with Children

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Family-friendly: Bondi Beach, Taronga Zoo, Phillip Island Penguin Parade, Gold Coast theme parks, and snorkeling at the reef — Australia for big and small adventurers.

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All Chapters

Planning· 2 Chapters

Chapter 1

Welcome to Australia

4 Sections

Chapter 2

Arrival & Transport

4 Sections

Regions· 5 Chapters

Chapter 3

Sydney

9 Sections · 1 Walking Tour

Chapter 4

Melbourne & Victoria

7 Sections · 1 Walking Tour

Chapter 5

Queensland & Great Barrier Reef

7 Sections

Chapter 6

Outback & Red Centre

6 Sections

Chapter 7

Western Australia

6 Sections

Understanding· 5 Chapters

Chapter 8

History of Australia

3 Sections

Chapter 9

Society & Culture

4 Sections

Chapter 10

Nature & Wildlife

4 Sections

Chapter 11

Food & Drink

2 Sections

Chapter 12

Art & Culture

2 Sections

Practical· 2 Chapters

Chapter 13

Practical Info A–Z

8 Sections

Chapter 14

Language Guide — Understanding Strine

2 Sections

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Regions at a Glance

Sydney & New South Wales

Australia's glittering metropolis with the iconic Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, legendary surf beaches, and the spectacular Blue Mountains as a day trip.

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Melbourne & Victoria

Australia's cultural capital with the best coffee culture in the world, hidden laneways full of street art, and the breathtaking Great Ocean Road.

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Queensland & Great Barrier Reef

Tropical paradise with the largest coral reef on earth, ancient rainforest, dreamy islands, and Australia's sunniest coast.

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Outback & Red Centre

The mystical red heart of Australia — Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, and the oldest living culture in the world under an endless starry sky.

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Western Australia

Australia's best-kept secret — quokkas on Rottnest Island, whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, world-class wines in Margaret River, and the wild Kimberley.

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