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| Image credit: Catarina Sousa/pexels.com |
Dear Tourists,
I can’t believe I have to write this blog to remind you how to behave appropriately when you visit our home, Australia.
Keep in mind that as much as we don’t mind you visiting our yard, enjoying our country, and perhaps spending your money here and there, we always appreciate it if you act like good adults and keep your hands away from places that they shouldn’t be.
We DGAF if you are an influencer from the greatest place you’ve believed in or whatever qualifications you’ve got. Not even Johnny Depp has been spared.
You are a tourist – plain and simple.
You might have come here with your free-visa privilege or spent hundreds to get that access, and still, these don’t mean you can do whatever you want without consequences.
Australia isn’t your Disneyland.
Now, read this guide carefully and, if necessary, keep it saved on your devices so you don’t have an excuse. Our local rescue services are sick of saving and wasting our taxpayers' money just to rescue dumb tourists in distress.
Ignorance is not an excuse to violate our laws.
When entering the Australian Borders
Welcome to Australia, the land of the free and fair go! We do appreciate you choosing to visit and explore our home, provided you follow our house rules.
* Check the visa requirements you need before booking your flights to Australia.
* If you have something to declare from your travel luggage, it's best to declare it. Refer to our separate post regarding the Incoming Passenger Card, and what things to declare when entering Australia’s borders.
* Never attempt to smuggle your contraband, including your recreational drugs. The authorities will prosecute you, impose fines, and in many cases, impose jail time, including visa cancellation.
* Or you can watch the Border Security Australia on YouTube for much information about what not to bring in Australia.
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| Image credit: Ethan Brooke/pexels.com |
When visiting wildlife
In general, Australia is a safe country. However, we don’t have control over whatever nature dictates to us. Hence, it is advisable to be cautious, especially if you are going out for bush walks, hiking terrains, and camping overnight.
* It is a SMART idea to be accompanied by a local guide whenever going for bushwalks or any outdoor activities. Don’t be a tight-ass. Get a local guide.
* Under any circumstances, stay away from any wild animals on site. Do not attempt to touch or pick them up, and become the next Sam Jones. If you get an itch for a close-up encounter, use the 10x zoom on your smartphone. It’s there for that purpose.
* Do not ignore the warning signs just to get the awesome Instagram photos you’ve been dying for. You’ll end up getting what you want, minus being awesome.
* Most of our wild animals are cute AF, and it is nature’s gift. But that doesn’t mean you are more than welcome to snatch them like your childhood teddy bear. Again, STAY AWAY.
* If you encounter wildlife in distress, do not approach but call the nearest animal welfare hotline or the police hotline. They are the ones authorized to assist.
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| Image credit: Damon Hall/pexels.com |
When visiting the beach
Australia has over 10,600 beaches, which makes it a paradise for many beach lovers. And just because you’ve traveled to many beaches worldwide or won gold medals from your recent Olympics stint, it doesn’t mean you are an expert in Australian waters.
* When the beach area doesn’t have a designated lifeguard (not every beach is like Bondi), keep in mind that you will swim at your own risk.
* Australian tides are unpredictable - enjoy every minute of it, until they suddenly drag you deep.
* Where proper swimwear. Swimming in full clothes is dangerous, and it may drag you deeper into the waters.
* Follow the designated swimming signs around, and listen to the advice of lifeguards. They are there for an important (sometimes life-threatening) reason.
* Do not swim next to the cliffs, or jump just to capture your YOLO moments on TikTok. Hundreds of people died in Australia because of these stupid stunts.
* For the nth time, always wear the right sunscreen protection. We, Aussies, never joke about skin cancer.
* Drinking alcohol while on the beach and in parks is prohibited.
* Sand castles are illegal.
* You can be trapped and suffocated by our sands. Beware.
RELATED ARTICLE: Top Reasons Why You Must Visit Cairns
When visiting pubs or partying outdoors
Australia has a proud culture of diversity and multiculturalism, and we have strong values of freedom of expression and speech, including disagreeing in a peaceful, non-violent manner.
* Do not wear your hats inside the pubs. It is a common courtesy to everyone. Some pubs and bars have the right to send you away and deny service if you violate their in-house rules.
* Any form of harassment is a serious crime in Australia. This includes verbal harassment, sexual harassment, online harassment, etc.
* Enjoy your alcoholic drinks and keep them straight to your stomach, not into your head. Acting rowdy just because you are drunk is not a valid excuse.
* Keep your hands in your pocket, and never stick them in places it doesn’t belong.
* Smoking is not allowed inside the pubs and bars. Either ask if they have a smoking room, or better yet, go outside to have a hit.
* For the ladies, just because you are a woman doesn’t mean you are excused for sexually or physically assaulting someone, especially if you are drunk (or high).
* For the nth time, bringing your so-called recreational drugs in Australia is illegal.
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| Image credit: Belle Co/pexels.com |
When dining at the restaurants
Australia is also known for its excellent dining culture, with several cuisines available from all over the world.
* As much as many restaurants and shops are offering cashless transactions, many restaurants still prefer their customers to pay in cash. Several restaurants also offer discounts for spending a minimum amount and paying in cash.
* Tipping is not an Aussie culture. If you want to share tips, oftentimes there’s a tipping jar that is dedicated to the charity they support.
* Splitting your bills is normal in Aussie culture. Unless you specifically inform your friends before you start dining.
* Being a rowdy and disrespectful guest is not tolerable in any Australian restaurant. You’ve been warned.
* Just like in pubs, smoking is not allowed inside the restaurant. Either ask if they have a smoking room, or better yet, go outside to have a hit.
When driving around Australia
We DGAF if you are the No.01 F1 Star, follow our road and traffic rules, and you’ll be safe and sound.
* We drive on the left side of the road. Keep it that way even when there’s no traffic around.
* Traffic and road signs are there for very important reasons. Never ignore them.
* Beware of road animal signs. It means you have to be alert to several wildlife around.
* Always give way to animals crossing the road. It is a serious crime here in Australia for deliberately killing animals on the road.
* Drive slowly, especially at night. Our wildlife is more active during the night, and you don’t want to hit a huge kangaroo or wombats under your car. These cutesy can cause serious damage to your car (if you are lucky).
* Drink driving is extremely illegal in Australia. Drunk and high while driving is a double whammy.
* Always have a designated driver if you go out partying and drinking. Or book a cab.
* Bribery is illegal, including the attempt to bribe a police officer.
* Texting while driving is illegal.
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| Image credit: Harrison Macourt/pexels.com |
When riding public transport, such as trains
Our transport systems aren’t perfect, however, we are proud to say that we have one of the decent transport systems that anyone can enjoy (even Americans are jealous of it).
* Don’t try to avoid paying your fare. That is unclassy.
* Be mindful of other passengers. Not everyone is keen to hear your girlfriend’s or husband’s banter over the phone. Keep it down.
* Don’t perform your next TikTok antics just to get views. We don’t want to see your stunts.
* Seats are meant to be seated, not to be used as your leg stool.
* We appreciate it if you give your seats to the elderly, pregnant women, or anyone struggling.
* Do not leave your food and empty bottles when you leave the train and the platform. There are several trash bins around that you can use.
* From Melbourne Airport, you can hop in a yellow bus and it will transport you to Melbourne CBD for FREE.
When filming content in Australia
Australia is one of the best places to film different types of content, except the likes of Sam Jones, coz we definitely don’t tolerate that. As the land of the free, we also have many restrictions that any overseas content creators, including us Aussies, must follow.
* Be extra mindful in taking photos and filming while in public spaces. Many people don’t appreciate being filmed, and it becomes a nuisance.
* Flying your drone is not permitted in many places, including national parks. Check every state's drone flying restrictions for rules and regulations.
* Hence, you need a licence as a requirement for flying your drone in Australia.
* IRL Creators and Streamers must abide by public rules about privacy.
* Avoid making pranks and jokes for the sake of creating content.
* Any kind of graffiti and vandalism is illegal and can put you in jail + hefty fines.
* You can dress however you want in Australia. Just don’t walk butt naked.
* Australia gives a fuck on anything that creates nuisances. Australia loves to slap hefty fines on anyone who violates the peace and order, even more if you are a celebrity or an influencer.
If there’s anything I missed, kindly let us know, and I’m happy to include it in this guide.
Enjoy and have an awesome mad day ahead!
Remember to be a nice guest, and don’t be a nuisance.
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