20 mistakes to avoid when you land in Australia

Yes, you can prepare and anticipate your trips to avoid making the mistakes of a novice traveler, however, you cannot organize everything perfectly. It would be too boring! Don’t you think? We know that for you preparing a trip to Australia is something big, very big. 

We have been in your situation and also, as good travelers, we have traveled to Australia many times. Years and years of experience have allowed us to know what are the typical mistakes that those who set foot on the land of kangaroos for the first time tend to make. Today we are going to share them with you, shall we start?

1. Be inflexible with your plan

We know that you have planned a lot for this trip, but we have to confess that not all things will go as planned. Maybe you went with the idea of studying in Australia, or simply touring the country from top to bottom. Assume that you cannot control everything and, above all, what does not depend on you.

2. Go to sleep when you land

When you land in Australia, put the local time on your watch and don’t go to sleep until it’s at least 8 pm. Holding out until that time can be a real challenge if you arrive at dawn or in the morning, so we recommend that you take a flight that arrives in the afternoon or that you arrive with enough energy to distract yourself and take a walk around your new city. No going to bed if you don’t play! If you do, you will catch a terrible jet lag. Good Luck! 

3. Buy bottled water

In Australia we drink tap water. Of course you will find bottled water in the supermarket, but it is very expensive. Bottled water in this country is a super luxury!

Tap water in Australia is drinkable and you can drink it without problems. It is best to buy a recyclable glass or aluminum bottle and fill it up that way. If you want something more refined, you can buy a bottle or jug that purifies water (Brita type) and thus you will eliminate small impurities or excess limescale that the water may contain.

In addition, in all Australian bars, clubs, restaurants or venues they will serve you free tap water whenever you ask for it: “tap water, please!”.

So now you know, if you want to save… bottled water nothing at all! And so, by the way, we do the planet a favor by using less plastic.

4. Stay in the center

Sydney or Melbourne are the largest Australian cities in which 4 million people live. Schools and jobs are usually in the center or CBD of cities. Surely you have been told that public transport in Australia is expensive, but always look at all the available options.

Do not make the mistake of assuming that it will cost you less to live in a room in the center paying a higher rent.

Check if there are cheaper rooms in other neighborhoods of the city. Maybe you can buy a bike or a car? Maybe the public transport you have to use is not as expensive as you thought? Learn about the land before you move!

5. Losing money with transfers

Do not trust your usual bank. If you follow the traditional procedures for making money transfers, you will probably be charged high fees. Use Wise to transfer your money to your Australian account with the lowest possible fees. If you are a bit lost, write to us and we will solve your doubts to start your adventure.

6. Not knowing what to do in an emergency

Emergencies are unpredictable and do not warn, so you must be prepared from the moment you start your adventure. Read this post and find out how to act in case you have an emergency in Australia.

7. Do not buy/sell second-hand

Australia is expensive and we all know it. Before you buy anything new, go to Gumtree and check that no one is selling what you need secondhand. Do not sin as a newbie buying new things in Australia. Buying second hand saves you money! And, if you have extra stuff, you know, upload it on Gumtree and earn some money. 

8. Work for free or below the legal limit

In Australia, especially in bars and restaurants, it is common for them to ask you to do a TRIAL (a test) before giving you the job. This should last anywhere from a couple of hours to four. Never more. Don’t work for free. On the other hand, the legal minimum wage in Australia is $21.38 an hour.

You should always charge above these figures, never below. Remember it! Do not look for work only in the center, investigate the offers in the peripheral neighborhoods! 

9. Buy in supermarkets 24 hours a day

If buying food in Australia can be expensive, buying in supermarkets 24/7 (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) you can’t even imagine. When you arrive you will not have price references and you can sin by spending your money in places like SevenElevens or NightOwls.

10. Submit your European/Latin American resume model

It won’t do you any good to hand out your CV if you don’t have it adapted to the Australian CV model. In Australia you don’t put a photo!

11. Being ashamed

Being afraid of being wrong when speaking English is a mistake. Don’t be ashamed to speak English like an Indian. We’ve all been there! Also, Australia is a country of immigrants and they are used to foreign people. If you try, they will help you and you will learn much faster.

12. Make only Spanish-speaking friends

A very common error and related to the previous one. Since you are afraid and ashamed to speak English, you interact only with Spanish speakers, ERROR!

If you come to learn English in Australia, get together with people of other nationalities, speak English, learn about cultures and go on an adventure! You will see the satisfaction you will have when you explain something in English and they understand it.

13. Not knowing the holidays in Australia

Have you gone to work and it was closed? Have you got up early to go to school and there is no one? Having a calendar of holidays in Australia will help you not to make mistakes and to be able to enjoy the holidays. Be sure to check it out from time to time!

14. Look the other way when crossing the street

Careful! It is a very typical mistake and even if you have been in Australia for a long time, do not trust it, one day you may look where it is not due and you will not see the car coming from the other side.

15. Thinking you have roots instead of feet

When you land in Australia, don’t settle for the first thing you find. We talk about rooms, jobs… about anything. If you don’t like something, don’t be upset. Move and change it You are not a tree!

16. Not taking care of the country

If in your country you believe that you recycle and take care of nature, it is because you have not been to Australia. Most Australians are very aware of the pollution of the planet. Make sure that your flatmates explain how the recycling system works to make it super good. oh! And don’t even think about throwing the ashes of your cigarette on the ground, throwing waste on the beach or not using the bins on the street… you will give a very bad image.

When an unforeseen event arises, relax, find a solution and let yourself go, the best things in life are those that happen without being planned. And if you see that your visa is about to end and you want to extend your stay, do it!

17. Not taking enough photos

You may not be the typical person who posts photos on social networks or you may update your status 24 hours a day. Whatever you are, take photos of your adventure and keep them in a safe place (in case you drop your camera at the bottom of a lake on an Australian island, like a student did).

When you return to your home, to your country, you will love to look at them and remember those times. Take photos, even if they are for you, you don’t have to share them. And send us the ones you want.

18. Not trying surfing

Not trying surfing in Australia is like not going up the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It is a MUST. 

19. Not knowing how big Australia is

Australia is huge and you have to record that in your head. To give you an idea, moving around Australia is like moving across Europe.

Australians are used to driving many hours to visit other destinations or spend the weekend abroad… In Australia you will change the concept you now have of near and far.

20. Not traveling enough

It is normal that during the first months you focus on studying the language and finding a job. However, do not forget that you have also come to Australia to explore the country.

Don’t let the ambition to make money by working more hours during your vacation blind you from your true goal in Australia: enjoying the trip.

And, as Australia is so vast, it will never be enough, we know you will have to come back to complete your trip