[Travel] Extra Notes Tip Based on Discovers Sydney & Melbourne, Australia in September 2018
Maybe some of the readers notice that I have been updating the stories about my experience discover Sydney and Melbourne, Australia in September 2018. In this topic, I would like to share some tips for travelers who are planning the trip going to Australia soon. Maybe these tips will be useful to you before going there, especially to Malaysian tourists.
Here, the extra notes of the tips I would like to share before you're planning travel to Australia.
- Season. Yes, the season in Australia is different from the countries that located above Malaysia like Korea, Japan, Europe and more. This situation is the same if you planning to travel to New Zealand. The season during my trip in early spring in Australia. It is because the spring season in Australia starts on September until November (Average temperatures: 11ºC - 23ºC). The summer season starts on December until February (Average temperatures: 18ºC - 30ºC). The autumn season starts on March until May (Average temperatures: 13.7ºC - 26ºC). The winter season starts on Jun until August (Average temperatures: below 7ºC). Better checks the season before you decide to plan your trip.
- Weather. Do always checking the weather condition (on daily basis) before you go out from the hotel during your trip to Australia. It is because the weather in Australia is unexpected and always changing all the time. Better carry the umbrella or raincoat in your handbag, just in case.
- World Time Different. Normally the time difference between Sydney and Melbourne, Australia with Malaysia is 2 hours ahead of Malaysia. But if you plan to go to Perth, Australia the time is the same with Malaysia.
- Adaptor Type. Mostly the adaptor type or plug-in Australia is two flat metal pins shaped live a ‘V' and some may contain a third pin in the center. It is better bringing the international adaptor together with you.
- Visa. Malaysian Tourist needs the visa or known as ETA Australia Visa before entering Australia. It is easy to apply the Australia visa thru the website but if you not confident to do by yourself, you can ask any travel agent for apply the Australia visa for you with the standard charge is RM 20 per person. Once you had done apply for the visa, your information is already in the Australia immigration system but its better you print the visa for your copy – just in case they ask about that. One more thing, you didn't get the cop on your passport once you enter Australia. Maybe in the Australia immigration system is using online only and they do not need to cop your passport.
- Things can and can't bring to Australia. As you know, Australia and New Zealand are strict about these things so everything you bring together with you, you need to declare once you've arrived at any Australia Airport. Normally, the things that you can't bring with you are everything in fresh condition (like meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, fruits, vegetable and related with it), honey, grains, seeds, nuts, plants, traditional medicines or herbs, animals, soil, and related with it. For more information, just visit the website. (www.border.gov.au/allforms/) or (https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/ente/brin/can-i-bring-it-back) or (https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/ente/goin/tips-for-travellers). Such as a Malaysian tourist, I know you like to bring foods from Malaysia. Actually, you can bring some foods from Malaysia but you need to buy the product with the detail ingredient label with it. Example like instant noodles (Maggi), drinks' product 2 in 1 (milo kosong, coffee 2 in 1 (just coffee with sugar pack), and the instant foods (Brahim). The normal products that you can't bring it like drink products 3 in 1 (coffee 3 in 1 or tea 3 in 1), normally this product have milk inside so can't bring it; milo 3 in 1 also can't bring it, as you know all products have related to milk – you can't bring it; but if you have baby – you can bring the baby's powder milk but everything you bring have to declare, medicines (with label in small quantity), and salted Dried Sour Plum with seed inside – you can't bring (Asam Boi) with seed inside. One more thing, you can't take-out any of ‘meal on broad' from the plane while you can't finish it. It has shown all about this once you enter the plane.
- Incoming Passenger Card. Complete fill up the Incoming Passenger Card or known as Declaration Form (don't leave black in the certain section). Tick the things that you bring it together with you in Declaration Section (just be honest). If not, once you get caught – you're in trouble. One more thing, clean your shoes from the soil when you've arrived in Australia. You also need to make sure your extra shoe in luggage is also clean too (if you bring it).
- Important Documents. Always carry your important documents (like flight details, hotel reservation, and any related to it) in your hand carry bag. It is easy if the immigration officer asking you. Be confident when you answer any question from them and be prepared too.
- SIM Card. The SIM card phone for internet and call & SMS is available in the airport. You're feeling free to choose any shop you like once you've arrived at the Australia Airport. I recommend taking the rental pocket WiFi before you're going to Australia because it is easy for me. Like I do during my trip to Australia. The device of pocket WiFi can be used until 6 devices in one time.
- VAT Claim. As a tourist, you're entitled to get the VAT Claim or Tax Refund but you need to spend more than AUD $300 (RM 946.50) in single receipt and you can get your claim at the International Terminal Airport in Australia, before you check-in your luggage because the officer want to check your claim items and it takes time. So when you plan to get your Tax Refund, I strongly recommend to go the airport early more than 5 hours. You don't know the queue is long or short on that day so better you go there early; just to avoid any problem.
- Meal Portion. Mostly the meal portion in Australia is big for ladies or who not really eat much. So I recommend if you plan to eat outside with your friend or family, maybe you can share 1 meal with 2 people. At the same time, you can save your money too.
- Time Operation. Most of the shopping mall and stores in Australia is close early – normally around 6 pm on every day. But except for the restaurant, café, and bar; maybe some supermarket too – those places are closing late rather than the normal closing time. Better you check the operating hours of the stores you want to go. Planning well.
- Public Transportation. In Australia, public transport is like the bus, taxi, subway and also tram. These public transports are easy and convenient for traveling around the city but if you plan to go outside the city, the better way is self-drive by rental the car or join the optional tour. If you planning to go to Melbourne, in the Melbourne City it has a free tram just inside the middle of the city only. You can try it once you're in Melbourne City.
- Public Toilet. Mostly the public toilet in Australia is free. So it is easy for you while you're traveling to Australia.
- People. In this part, based on my experience. Mostly, Australian people are nice and kind; especially in the big town. They are willing to help you but it is will be nice if you asking them nicely and try to look at the situation before you decide to ask anyone. But some of them show a little bit of uncomfortable manner like speak in high tone (like angry tone mood) when you asking or ordering something. Maybe it is normal for them but try to calm when speaking to this kind of people. I think it is the way their talk normally. I not sure about it but not all of them like that. Just show your smile.
That is all my extra notes tip of discovers Sydney and Melbourne, Australia in September 2018 with my mom and sister. It is a wonderful and amazing memory to me of discovering new places. I have been learning many things during this trip.
1 comments
If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with extra information? It is extremely helpful for me.
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