Australia

Travel tips for Australia: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Cards work almost everywhere. Recent travelers report going weeks without touching cash, as contactless payments are universally accepted for everything from public transit to small vendors, though minor card surcharges are common.

Try the food

  • Meat Pie: A hand-sized savory pastry filled with minced meat and rich gravy, traditionally eaten with a generous squirt of tomato sauce.
  • Vegemite on Toast: A thick, dark, intensely savory and salty yeast extract spread thinly over heavily buttered toast.
  • Lamington: A square of light sponge cake dipped in chocolate icing and thoroughly coated in desiccated coconut.

Essentials

Plugs
Type I
Voltage
230V, 50Hz
Driving
Left side
Tap water
Safe to drink
Emergency
000 (all services), 112 (mobile)
SIM tip
Pick up a prepaid SIM card from Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone at major international airports upon arrival, or download an eSIM via apps like Airalo before you land for immediate connectivity.

Etiquette

Tipping is not expected or required in Australia, as hospitality workers are paid a high minimum wage, though leaving a 10 percent tip for exceptional service at high-end restaurants is appreciated.

Airports in Australia