How to plan a gap year Down Under
Are you stuck in a studying rut? Always wanted to take a year out and see the world but wouldn’t know where to start? Organising a gap year in Australia may seem like a daunting task but with a bit of know how and lots of planning you’ll be on that plane before you know it.
Follow this handy guide by Travelmood and start planning a year Down Under.
How to get there
From the UK, flights to Australia can vary in price depending on the time of year you fly. This summer fares from London can be found for under £600 each way with tax included. Popular stopover destinations include Hong Kong and Dubai so you may want to factor this in and benefit from a mini-break whilst travelling to Oz.
Australia is vast but travelling around is easy to do. You’ll find a reliable network of domestic flights, busses and trains and fellow travellers are always happy to share their tips for getting around.
Visas & working abroad
A visa is required by all British citizens travelling to Australia. If you are not planning on working whilst there, you can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa which is valid for 12 months from date of issue with multiple stays of three months each.
If you do plan to work to fund your travels, then you’ll need to apply for the Australian Working Holiday Visa. This allows UK passport holders, aged between 18 and 30, to live and work in Australia for up to 24 months.
You will find recruitment agencies in the larger cities who can assist you in finding temporary work in the area. Make sure you have an up to date CV saved on your email account as there can be a wide range of work available, including office jobs, bar work, or even fruit picking in remote areas.
Hostels vs Hotels
Hostels are favoured by travellers as they are inexpensive and a great place to meet fellow backpackers. Many hostels have a notice board displaying local job opportunities, house shares and recommended tours in the area so take a look on check-in.
You may choose to spend your first couple of nights in a hotel and this is easy to arrange when booking flights with tour operators such as: travelmood.com
General information
The climate in Australia offers extreme variations, with surfing and skiing are both possible! Our winter is the Australian summer so expect your Christmas day to be spent down the beach.
Central Australia is 9.5 hours ahead of GMT so it can take a couple of days to recover from jetlag on arrival.
The Australian dollar (A$) is readily available in the UK before departure and major credit cards are accepted across the country. International banking is easy to set up before travelling and money transfer services can be accessed in many states.
Phone calls can be costly so consider buying an Australian sim card for an old mobile phone and use services such as Skype to make calls back home for free!
Five Must-See Places in Oz:
1. Sydney
Sydney is the country’s oldest, largest and most visited city and is home to one of the world’s most iconic landmarks – The Sydney Opera House. Its mix of cultures, vibrant nightlife and beaches make this a city that is hard to forget and is a great spot to acclimatise and absorb the relaxed aussie way of life.
Our tip: Join an organised climb of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the best views of the city!
2. Whitsunday Islands & the Great Barrier Reef
Many think they’ve found paradise upon arriving at the Whitsundays in Queensland. There are a total of 74 islands, of which only eight are inhabited, so days here will be spent sailing, snorkelling, swimming and sunbathing.
Also in the Whitsundays region is the famous Great Barrier Reef; home to thousands of brilliantly coloured fish, coral and marine life. Even if you have never dived before there are many courses to get you through the basics and non-swimmers can enjoy the view on a glass bottomed boat tour or though the underwater viewing chamber.
Our tip: Join a boat cruise and take the opportunity to become captain for a day
3. The Great Ocean Road
No visit to Australia is complete without a tour of the Great Ocean Road which runs for over two hundred miles along the coastline in Victoria. It starts in the surfing town of Torquay and finishes in Warnambool, passing rain forests, waterfalls, cliffs and wineries along the way.
Our tip: You’ll find the best surf gear in Torquay
4. Ayres Rock
Found in the Northern Territory, Ayres Rock is Australia’s most recognisable natural landmark dating back 500 million years! It is a sacred site for the Aborigines and also referred to as Uluru. There are many tours to the area and it is often best viewed at sunrise or sunset.
Our tip: Join an organised tour and camp under the stars
5. Tasmania
Tasmania is an island situated just off the south-east coast of Australia that can be reached by car ferry or a short flight. It is famous for breathtaking scenery, hiking and camping.
Our tip: Try the oysters here, they are the best in the world!
