There’s no better time to fuel your wanderlust and start planning your next Australian getaway than the present. So kickstart that bucket list and dream up an unforgettable trip with these top 10 tips to start planning your next adventure.
1. FIND A LOCAL SPOT TO HOLIDAY
17 Jan
Fun fact
It would take around 27 years to visit a new Australian beach every day (there are over 10,000 of them).
Aussies love to travel, so if you’re homegrown why not discover what’s on your doorstep and start planning a local getaway in your town or city? Think discovering a new beautiful new beach, dining experience, a calming camping spot, local bar or hiking trail. If you’re dreaming of a trip to Australia from overseas, a great way to start planning your trip is to first explore Australia by map, then decide where you’d like to go. From the captivating pink lakes of Western Australia to the sapphire waters of Queensland’s coast, Australia is bursting with incredible experiences and diverse landscapes ready for you to discover.
2. DREAM BIG AND SAVE YOUR IDEAS FOR LATER
17 Jan
With such a diverse range of experiences on offer, keeping track of your favourites while planning your Australian trip is no small task. Start by saving a list of articles on everything you want to do using Google Pocket. Whether you’re interested in the best day trips on the Great Barrier Reef or a gourmet road trip in South Australia, this handy tool will let you create your own digital shortlist, so when it comes to booking it’s all there ready to go.
3. CREATE A BUCKET LIST WITH AN EXPERT
17 Jan
Packing tip
Australian summers are very hot. Make sure you pack sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
Whether you’re a foodie and want to travel meal to meal, an animal lover who wants to meet Australia’s wildlife, someone who loves to explore the great outdoors, or an arts and culture buff, it’s time to start dreaming of what you’d love to do on your holiday. A great way to start your planning process is by speaking to an Aussie Specialist. Experts on all things Australia, these specialists can help you with everything from creating your ultimate bucket list, tips on what to pack, local hotspots and weather forecasts. They’ll even book everything for you, making for a relaxed, easy-going experience.
4. SAVE YOUR FAVOURITE SPOTS FROM @AUSTRALIA
10 Feb
Instagram is a great way to visually connect with a place and spark the dreaming and planning process. Take a scroll through the @australia account and discover amazing experiences to save for later. Think the 12 Apostles along the Great Ocean Road, peaceful moments sitting at Nature’s Window in Western Australia, or cuddling a kangaroo at The Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs. Create your own wanderlust board with your favourite saved posts. Hit ‘saved’ in your Instagram settings, create a new folder, and start saving your favourite posts by clicking the bookmark icon next to the post. Then discover more about your saved places while you plan.
5. GET ORGANISED WITH A PLANNING APP
17 Feb
Creating a Trello board is a great way to organise your thoughts, to-do lists, and even your packing list. Once you’re at the nitty-gritty stage of planning, read up on useful travel tips, visa information, accommodation and Australia’s weather seasons, which differ across the country. Then, you can download apps like Tripcase and Tripit to store all of your travel information, such as itineraries, flight details, car rentals, maps and navigators, in one place.
6. INVOLVE YOUR FRIENDS IN THE PLANNING PROCESS
16 Jan
Involving your mates in the planning process can open up ideas and possibilities you hadn’t thought of. Either add them to your Trello boards, start a Facebook Messenger thread or create a social media poll to gather everyone’s holiday destination bucket lists, so you can grow and expand yours.
7. GET THE LOCAL KNOW-HOW
17 Jan
One of the most fail-proof ways to travel is by recommendation – think the best coffee your friend had in Melbourne, or the amazing hike your cousin went on in Tasmania. Check out our local’s recommendations, where you can uncover the lesser-known attractions, skip the crowds and experience Australia like a local.
8. GO OLD SCHOOL WITH A MAP
2 Nov
There’s nothing quite like going analogue, especially spreading out a map on your kitchen table and highlighting your favourite places. It’s a great way to see a broader picture of your travel plans. For those who really just prefer a digital option, Sygic Travel Maps are a great way to map out (excuse the pun) the best attractions, hotels and restaurants, while Google Maps can be used offline; perfect for those road trips off the beaten track.
9. START PLANNING A ROAD TRIP
28 Feb
From coastal drives to epic trips across the outback, Australia has so many amazing road trip itineraries to choose from. Take a 10-day road trip through regional Victoria, go from coast to desert in 5 days along the Indian Ocean Drive, experience the incredible landscapes of Western Australia’s south west corner with a 14-day adventure, or cross the Nullarbor in an epic desert drive. When planning your itinerary, use Google Maps to help with scale and timings.
10. CREATE A HOLIDAY VISION BOARD WITH PINTEREST
14 Nov
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