A trip ‘down under’ for most people means travelling to a country made famous by characters like the Crocodile Hunter, glorious harbour shots of Sydney, shrimp-on-the-barbies and even scary movies like Wolf Creek. Of course, these clichés are probably not what the average Aussie would choose to describe Australia, but do, among other essential information, factor into our list of essential tips for the solo female traveller.
English is (not quite!) the first language:
If this is your first trip to Australia, you may need this app. Aussie slang is colourful and fun but you may be left a bit stumped when you hear, “grab a coupla tinnies and see if ya can get a pack of frangas for the barbie.” The key take out here, is Aussies love shortening every possible word in the English language.
Make sure you bring your regular medication:
Australia has strict biosecurity laws so make sure you bring any regular medication you have with you as they may be different to what you’re familiar with but make sure your medication is accompanied by a doctor’s prescription lest they be seized at the airport.
Trust me on the sunscreen:
Australia, along with New Zealand has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with women having one in 34 risk of developing melanoma before the age of 75. It’s a serious and dangerous issue, yet the Aussie beach culture remains entrenched in the nation’s psyche. Even when the sky is cloudy, Australia’s proximity to the hole in the ozone means a higher tendency to burn, so you’d better slap on the SPF 30+. There is a huge selection of sunscreens available on the market, but always look for products approved by the Cancer Council as they are the most effective.
Prepare to assert yourself:
Australians on the whole are laidback and low-key folk. If you are enjoying your space and are approached by a male keen on striking up conversation, once you are done with the pleasantries and wish to go back to your ‘me’ time, you can be assertive without being rude – a fine line – but crucial. The trick is to disengage by clearly marking the end of the conversation – “Great advice, I’ll definitely remember it” then go back to your activity or politely excuse yourself and walk away. Out of sight, out of mind does the trick nicely.
Do your research:
The World Wide Web has massively democratised travel. Tons of apps and websites will help you do everything from plan your trip (Tripit), to finding cheap flights and hotels to your destination (Cheapflights), to the best reviews on hotels at your city of choice (Trip Advisor). Trying to find a good restaurant in Perth or Melbourne’s best bars? Check Zomato. Aghast at Sydney’s taxi prices after a night out at the clubs? Uber to the rescue! Public transport in Australian cities varies from place to place but all of them have fantastic online tools that will help you plan every second of your journey.
Bushfires:
On Saturday, February 7, 2009, a day known nationally as Black Saturday, bushfires in Victoria (Australia’s second most populous state) took 173 lives in a single day and fires ravaged uncontrollably across the state. If your trip to Australia is between spring and summer and you’re planning to head to remote areas, make sure you check bushfire warnings in the region, Australians live with the risk of bushfires which are unpredictable at best and deadly at worst. The best advice is simply to stay away from regions at high risk of bushfires during days of extreme heat. Australian news outlets provide plenty of warnings – please take them seriously.
Swim between the flags:
So we’ve covered the fact that Australia has some of the world’s greatest beaches but beneath the water lie hidden dangers in the form of strong currents called rips. The safest places to swim are between the red and yellow flags – they mark the safest place to swim on the beach. Buff lifesavers wear the same bright colours making them dead easy to spot! Seen in their natural habitat between the warmer months of October to April.
It’s a big country – make sure you comprehend the distance.
Australia is huge, with vast chunks of it largely unpopulated. You can drive here for days and not see another living thing, and mobile coverage is patchy. Be sensible and plan properly for the distances you must travel between destinations and make sure you travel in a vehicle that is equipped for the terrain. Always tell someone your plans so if anything goes wrong, a search can be narrowed. Plan carefully – and you can never, ever, travel with too much water.
Backpacking?
Australia is an extremely backpacker friendly destination, many of the hostels even have female only floors if that makes you feel safer.
We all know to pack to mosquito and fly repellent, but there are plenty of handy little tricks for women travellers to ensure a safe and comfortable trip in Australia.
(Feature: ‘Week 20 Holidays!’ by Colleen Galvin available at col233 under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0.)
