compass Australia Travel Guide: Opal Card, Tipping & Wildlife
passport Visa & Entry
- Visa REQUIRED for everyone - ETA for visa-waiver AUD 20
- Australian ETA app easiest - approved minutes to 24h
- eVisitor (subclass 651) FREE for Europeans - 3 months
train City Transit
- Sydney: Opal Card - tap on AND off. Daily cap $16.80
- Melbourne: Myki card - free tram zone in CBD
- Intercity flights (Jetstar, Virgin) often cheaper than trains
compass Wildlife & Safety
- Swim between red & yellow flags - lifeguard safest
- Rip currents kill more than sharks - float and signal
- Sunscreen non-negotiable - UV index 13+, burns in 10-15 min
🚗 East Coast Road Trip
- Sydney to Cairns: 2,400km - budget 2-3 weeks
- Byron Bay (hippie surf), Noosa (Everglades), Fraser Island
- Whitsundays: Whitehaven Beach - 3-day sailing $400-600
- Great Barrier Reef from Cairns - best diving Apr-Nov
drink Food, Wine & Coffee
- Flat white invented here - Melbourne cafes legendary
- BYO restaurants: bring your own wine, corkage $2-5
- Smashed avo on toast ($15-22) quintessential brunch
calendar Best Time to Visit
- Summer (Dec-Feb): beach weather, Christmas on sand
- Autumn (Mar-May): best season - warm days, fewer crowds
- Winter (Jun-Aug): ski in south. North warm - dry season
💡 Quick Tips
- Seasons opposite Northern Hemisphere - December is summer
- Australia is continent-sized - Sydney to Melbourne 9h drive
- Tipping NOT expected - minimum wage high, service included
- Tap water safe and excellent everywhere
- Coffee culture world-class - flat white originated here
- Sunday surcharge: many restaurants add 10-15%
- eSIM before landing - Aussie SIMs need ID verification
⚡ Pro Tips
- Fixed prices, no haggling, taxes included - strong consumer laws
- Great Ocean Road must-do - budget 2-3 days
- BYO restaurants common - bring your own wine, small corkage
📋 Summary
Australia is vast, safe, and visitor-friendly. Sun protection is priority #1. Tap water free, tipping optional, wildlife amazing but respect the distance.