Travelling Safely in Australia

It is surprising just how often things go wring when you travel and yes, things can even go wrong in beautiful Australia when you are holidaying. This often means that the memories of your dream holiday downunder are tainted. In serious cases, such as theft or assault, you may have to spend time sorting out the problem at the local Police station. Always use common sense if you want to travel safely, whether it's a safe country like Australia or an adventurous one like Pakistan. Shopping in a local town or spending time on the beach, do not put yourself in a position where you could either be in danger or taken advantage of.

Sure, it is rare for this to happen to tourists in Australia, but it is not unheard of - there are unscrupulous people everywhere who will take advantage of tourists who don't know their way around.

Use your common sense and instinct. It is a common mistake for many travelers to carry all of their valuables with them in the belief they are safer in a place like Australia and this is simply not a good idea anywhere. Take just what you need for the day and leave the rest in the hotel safe as it is better to lose a little, rather then everything. There is nothing worse than having to cancel credit cards on your holiday so to protect your assets further when you are out and about, hide them and the cash in different areas about your person in small amounts. That way a possible thief would not get much, even if getting robberd is not that likely. Better safe than sorry, as they say.

It is also never a good idea for a couple to use the same credit card, when to travel with the protection of multiple sources of cash is just can be done by taking a second card from a completely different account. One can be used as a replacement should one be mislaid or stolen. Many tourist areas can see also you as the victim of bag and camera snatching which is not so easy to do if they are over your head and shoulder. Some of the easiest crimes involve snatch thieves that may actually work in teams, though again, this is not so common in Australia. In some areas they locate unsuspecting victims who have a bag on their shoulder for instance that can be easily grabbed by a passing cycle or scooter. From a criminal's point of view, large groups of tourists are just treated as easy targets and because they do this sort of thing all the timeand they get good at it from practice.

Your complacency can lead to a bad experience because these people make their living doing this sort of thing but just a little extra care can make it much harder for them to take what does not belong to them. Carrying a small backpack can be a good idea as it can be secured with a small padlock which although will not deter the determined thief, will certainly slow down and prevent the majority from trying their luck. To prevent keys being lost or stolen try attaching them to a climber's D-shackle that you can place on your belt or pack of some sort, this should help stop anyone trying to snatch them quickly from you. Instead of putting your wallet in your back pocket use your front pocket. Likewise women should close their handbag because all this has a deterrent factor. The only reason these types of events happen on vacation is most people are not traveling safely so by maintaining your guard, many awkward situations can be avoidable.

As mentioned, these things are not very common when travelling in Australia, but a little extra caution will ensure that you are not one of the unlucky few.

To find our all you need to know about Australia travel safety including great places to stay and things to do, check out NowGoDo.

Flying in Australia

People who travel frequently in Australia and internationally are talking more about airfare deals and about receiving the best prices at the best time to travel. It's possible to fly to many places inside Australia and around the World for considerably less than the full standard fare, although ticket prices seem to fluctuate significantly in various locations; with some research and given you've gotten the assistance of a capable travel agent or one of Australia's low cost airlines such as Virgin Blue.

The key factor related to getting good deal from the airline carriers is how adaptable the traveler is. If you're flexible and willing to compromise on the day and time of year you travel, there's a great possibility that you will get a cheap seat. Airlines want to save money by slotting people into empty seats, and you can capitalize off this if you are able to modify your dates to suit theirs. However, with most airlines, if you decide to switch your travel date after you have booked a flight, you will incur a hefty cancellation of amendment penalty. Another point about being flexible in looking at flights is that if you want to cancel or change your flight without an additional charge, then you might have to pay for the full fare.

Frequent flyers usually win in the 'dog eat dog' world of airlines and airfare deals. The frequent flyer program is designed as a thank you for good customers because of their loyalty. Regular airline passengers can be awarded benefits each and every time they utilize certain carriers and then redeem for free tickets or for other compensations. Intense competition has led to many airlines' adoption of this devise or to their linking with other airlines; many hotels are doing the same. In Australia, QANTAS probably has one of the better frequent flier programs though other lower cost airlines are joining the game as well.

The internet is the best-known source to find airfare deals. Watch out for online sites specializing in the sales of airline tickets at a discount, the business could be totally legitimate, but it is wiser to book flights with more known discount agents. Often the problem is that travelers cannot verify the authenticity of these sites until after they have made the purchase. Never expect email contact as the only avenue for assessing an agent's knowledge of the airline industry, visit the office and if that's not possible, make a call and talk directly with the agent. Query with as many questions as you can, to learn of any likely snags related to their ticket deals, such as stopovers in unattractive parts of the world. The importance of knowing exactly which airline you are flying with cannot be stressed enough; make sure you have the information. You can get around that problem by buying directly from the airline own site, though other discount flight websites also exist for the Australian market.

Airfare deals and options involving new destinations with more flexible tariffs are opening up and increasing daily. If you are careful, flexible and well-researched, you should find little in the way of getting to the destination you desire.

Now is the time to travel in Australia as with fuel costs going up, airlines are starting to think about increasing their prices. Get in now before things get more expensive!

If you are passing through Sydney on your Australian holiday, why not consider staying close to your transport at one of the Sydney airport hotels. They're close to the airport and still in striking distance of Sydney's best attractions.

Things to do in Australia - New South Wales

New South Wales is Australia's most populated and diverse state. Located in the southeast corner of country, it has something to offer every traveler, from the rugged national parks and cities, to the beautiful beaches and resort towns. A trip to New South Wales would not be complete without a visit to its capitol city, Sydney. The city is a beautiful, bustling, cosmopolitan delight and one could easily spend a week here and never run out of things to do.

Here are some of the highlights of Sydney:

* The Sydney Opera House is one of Australia's most recognized and most visited tourist spots. Designed by Jorn Utzon, it is situated on Sydney Harbour at Bennelong Point and was completed in 1973. Approximately 300 events run here annually, including Opera Australia, Australian Chamber Orchestra and The Australian Ballet. Guided back stage tours are offered year round and it's a wonderful place to relax on the steps near the water.

* The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a favorite of tourists and locals alike. After 9 years of construction, it opened to traffic in 1932. The bridge is used by cars, bicyclists, pedestrians and trains with pedestrian walk ways on both sides of the bridge making it safe to cross and enjoy the view. For a more rewarding view and an amazing experience, try the guided BridgeClimb Sydney. This 3 ½ hour adventure brings you to the top of the bridge at 134 meters where you will be rewarded with 360 degree fantastic views of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline. Choose to take a tour at dawn, day, twilight or night. Definitely a tour of a lifetime and must-do if you are comfortable with being on top of the world.

* Darling Harbour is a huge waterfront precinct that is just a 10 minute walk from the city center. It is one of Sydney's largest shopping, dining and entertainment areas. You will find many delicious waterfront dining options and bars for night entertainment at Cockle Bay Wharf and King St. Wharf.

* Also located in Darling Harbour is the Sydney Aquarium. This aquarium showcases the world's largest collection of Australian marine life, such as sharks, eels, sting rays and crocodiles. Some other attractions worth visiting in Darling Harbour include the Chinese Garden of Friendship, the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Sydney Fish Market.

* The historical precinct of The Rocks was the first settlement in Australia in 1788. Today the beautifully restored buildings are homes to shops, restaurants, boutique hotels and galleries making it a great place to spend the day shopping, eating and browsing local art.

* The Museum of Contemporary Art is also located in The Rocks, featuring modern art and exhibitions from around the world.

* To find one-of-a-kind art, ceramics, souvenirs and crafts visit The Rocks Market open only on weekends. To see it all, consider embarking on The Rocks Walking Tour as it's a great way to see what this colorful neighborhood has to offer.

New South Wales is well known for the miles and miles of beautiful beaches. Whether you're into surfing, diving, swimming or just relaxing in the sun, there is a beach for you. Many of the best beaches in New South Wales are near Sydney and easily accessed.

* Located just 7 miles from the city center, Bondi Beach is Australia's most popular beach. Bondi is a great place for surfing, diving, enjoying the sunshine, rollerblading, cycling and people watching. Surfing lessons are available as well as boogie board rentals. Campbell Parade, which runs along the beach, offers an abundance of shops, restaurants and bars. Some other great beaches in this area include Coogee, Manly, Palm Beach and Whale Beach.

Sydney attracts a large population of outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. Within a couple of hours, you can be surrounded by the majestic Blue Mountains and the doorway to days of exploring, hiking and fresh air.

Here are some highlights of The Blue Mountains:

* The Blue Mountains is a great choice for anyone looking for an incredible wilderness getaway. The name comes from the "blue haze" that hangs over the region caused by a fine mist of the eucalyptus forests. The area is well known for its forests, gorges, canyons, limestone caves, beautiful bush-walks, Aboriginal engravings and luxurious resorts, fine dining and day spas.

* Greater Blue Mountains National Park offers breath-taking scenery, Aboriginal engravings, extensive marked trails and several cliffs, including Evan's Lookout.

* Jenolan Caves are Australia's most spectacular limestone caves.

* Echo Point offers some of the best views of Jamison Valley, including the Three Sisters rock formation.

* Hunter Valley is a great region to visit for wine and gourmet food lovers. This area is the oldest wine region in Australia, offering more than 120 wineries. In addition to the many wineries and winery tours, olives and fine cheese are also produced here. Hunter Valley features many fine dining options and even gourmet cooking lessons.

New South Wales offers a plethora of activity for everyone in the family whether you enjoy the bustle of the city or the tranquility of the outdoors. This Australian territory is a must see on any Downunder tour.

Look for our upcoming series of articles on the five other states of Australia including Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, and its mainland territory, Northern Territory.

Call a Professional Travel Agent today to book your Australia vacation of a lifetime!

Trisha has worked in the travel industry for over 10 years as an agent and in marketing. She has traveled extensively in Fiji, Europe and on Cruises throughout the world. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling when she can and sharing her experiences with anyone who is interested.
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