| For many, a trip to the “Land down Under” is the | | | | you to replace it. With an electronic ticket, there is |
| trip of a lifetime. Australia really does offer something | | | | usually no such problem, your airline will simply re-send |
| for everyone, exciting cities, spectacular scenery, | | | | it to you at no cost. |
| friendly people and some of the most unique wildlife | | | | Many people drive while in Australia, a driving trip |
| found anywhere in the world. Part of the excitement | | | | across the famous Outback is absolutely a |
| of a big trip is in the planning and if you are visiting this | | | | memorable experience. If you plan to drive, you will |
| huge and fascinating country, there are several things | | | | need to take your regular driver's license or an |
| you should not overlook. | | | | International Driver's Permit with you. It is a rule in |
| The most important thing is your passport. Without this | | | | Australia that you carry your license with you at all |
| vital document, you will not get very far at all as your | | | | times, it must also be written in English or you will need |
| airline will not board you. Your passport needs to be | | | | a translation. The minimum driving age is 16 or 17; |
| valid for the length of your visit to Australia and the | | | | sometimes 21 to drive a four wheel drive vehicle. |
| name on your passport should exactly match the | | | | Many people visit Australia to experience the |
| name on your plane ticket. Actually, it is surprising how | | | | fascinating culture of the country's original inhabitants, |
| many travelers put their middle name or nickname on | | | | the Aborigines. If you intend to travel on Aboriginal land, |
| one or the other. | | | | other than on a designated road, you will need to |
| All visitors to Australia, except citizens of neighboring | | | | contact the Land Council in that state to obtain a |
| New Zealand, also need to have a visa, or in keeping | | | | permit. You can apply for the permit in advance, |
| with today's electronic environment, an electronic travel | | | | although the process can take up to six weeks, so |
| authority, (ETA) as it's now called. The ETA is easy to | | | | you do not want to leave it until the last minute. |
| obtain, you can apply for it on line, and most airlines and | | | | Australia is considered to be one of the safest and |
| travel agencies will process your application, for a fee. | | | | healthiest places in the world to visit. No vaccinations |
| Unless you are in poor health or have a recent criminal | | | | are necessary unless you have been in a yellow fever |
| record, you should not have any difficulty being | | | | danger zone, usually found in Africa or South America. |
| granted the ETA. | | | | Be sure to take adequate prescription medication with |
| There are several different types of ETA, depending | | | | you. By law, Australian pharmacies can only fill a |
| on the purpose of your trip. If you are vacationing in | | | | prescription written by an Australian doctor. And it is a |
| Australia, you will need a visitor's visa - valid for three, | | | | good idea to have a spare pair of glasses or contact |
| six or twelve months, although extensions are possible. | | | | lenses. |
| If you intend to work or conduct business in Australia, | | | | You may not need to take out additional travel |
| you will need one of several visas allowing you to | | | | insurance; the insurance included on your credit cards |
| work in the country, either on a temporary or | | | | may cover you against such things as lost luggage, |
| permanent basis. | | | | airline delays and a tour operator ceasing operations. |
| One thing you probably will not need for your trip to | | | | Most health insurance plans will not provide coverage |
| Australia is a paper plane ticket. Today, virtually all | | | | in Australia and it is vital to take out adequate health |
| plane tickets are electronic, and are usually referred to | | | | insurance, especially if you are planning to visit remote |
| as e-tickets. You may want to carry with you a faxed | | | | areas. Make sure you have signed everything and filled |
| or e-mailed copy of your itinerary and receipt when | | | | out all forms correctly. |
| you travel, although it is not actually necessary. Also, it's | | | | When flying, always carry important documents and |
| also a good idea to confirm flight times before leaving, | | | | paperwork with you in your carry on bag, never in |
| just in case of a schedule change. | | | | your checked luggage, just in case your bag is one of |
| Electronic tickets offer big advantages to the airlines | | | | the few that is lost. It's also a good idea to make |
| as well as passengers, they are less expensive to | | | | copies of any important papers, passport, plane tickets, |
| produce and distribute; and they involve less | | | | tour itinerary, driving license and medical documents. Be |
| paperwork to keep together. Previously, if you lost | | | | prepared and enjoy your trip! |
| your paper ticket, the airline would generally charge | | | | |