Australia Prep: Visa, Clothing, and Everything Else
I’ve never been to Australia so I have many questions about my trip. Do I need a visa? What clothing do I need? What kind of shoes? How much money to bring along? What seat is the best for a 16 hour plane ride? I’ve been asking myself and many friends these questions for months and I wanted to share what I’ve learned during my preparation for a 10,000 mile trip.
Visa
Visitors to Australia need a visa no matter the duration of their stay. There are a handful of different visa options that are broken down on website for the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection. I need the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) visa, which allows passport holders from certain countries the opportunity to visit Australia as many times as desired over the period of a year, not staying more than three months during one single visit.
The application process could not have been easier. All I needed was my passport and a credit card. It took just about three minutes to fill out the application and my approval was nearly instantaneous. It cost $20AUD or $15.79USD. What I really like about the ETA visa is that I do not need to remember another document when I am traveling because the visa is linked directly to my passport. It is a little sad that I won’t have an extra visa stamp or page in my passport for memories, but I really like the convenience of the ETA.
Shoes and Clothing
I am quite certain that different parts of Australia have very different styles. Most of my time will be spent in Melbourne so I’ve searched Google and Pinterest for Melbourne outfits. I don’t want to stand out like a sore thumb. My favorite outfit is a simple dress, cardigan and Doc Martens. I’ve asked my Australian friends if Docs are popular in Australia and I’ve been told that I will definitely fit in while wearing them. I plan to bring my black Pascal Virginias and my Mid Khaki Bonny Canvas boot. I love Docs because they are incredibly comfortable and supportive from my flat, wide feet and I simply adore the aesthetic of them! I like the chunky black bottoms and thick yellow stitching.
Docs 'n socks and Docs with dresses are my favorite looks so I plan to wear them as much as possible in Melbs.
From what I’ve discovered, Melbourne is a city filled with black-wearing people. The vast majority of my closet is overflowing with black shirts, dresses and cardigans so I feel prepared for my trip. I also have a lot of grey items so I can have a pop of “color.” I’m actually incredibly excited to get to Melbs and see the fashion scene for myself. I love wearing dark colors because it allows my lipstick to really stand out and lipstick is my favorite accessory. However, I know that people wear more than black and since it will be the beginning of spring, I plan to bring some pastel pieces from American Apparel and Primark, too!
Money
I went to PNC and order the Australian dollars (AUD) in the equivalent of $1000 US dollars (USD). Within four days, the money was ready for pickup with my photo ID from the branch where I placed the order. Easy peasy.
Honestly, I know I will spend more than $1000 in my three weeks but I plan to take my credit card with me as well. I hope to be economical with my spending but I already know I want some wardrobe staples to bring back along with coffee to share with friends and family. Plus, I need to eat at Nandos and travel along the east coast to places outside of Melbs.
Seat on the Plane
Now, where to sit on my Qantas flight from Los Angeles International to Melbourne (colloquially know as Tullamarine Airport) has really brought me a great deal of stress. Initially, I turned to Facebook for help with the decision of an aisle or window seat for a 15 hour and 45 minute flight. The replies were split, if not leaning slightly towards a window seat. The pros of an aisle are that you have the ease of leaving your seat whenever you’d like and you can stretch your legs a little more. A window seat allows for views and the chance to lean against something as you sleep. Downside of aisles are that you’ll be bumped when passengers and flight attendants go down the aisles and also that you’ll have to move each time someone needs to use the toilet. Windows turn some folks off because they can be crammed and you have to ask people next to you to move. I’m a guilty person so I reckon I’ll only use the bathroom when people are awake. I was torn. I like aisles to get up and walk around and I’d love to explore the Airbus 380. However, I also really enjoy sleep.
I recently flew back from Florida and on my two flights back to Pittsburgh, I very consciously observed how I slept and how I felt while in an aisle seat and a middle seat (middle was not by choice). Airplanes put me to sleep. The gentle rumbling of the engines eases my body and my Bose QuietComfort 15 headphones drown out all sounds but Ed Sheeran. However, certain seats definitely allow for different levels of sleep and relaxation. When I sleep, I need a blanket in my arms and the smallest of pillows under my head. From Sarasota to Charlotte I sat on the aisle with my best friend to my left at the window. Best Friend Kyle’s shoulder and arm were my pillow and blanket and I slept very well. On the flight from Charlotte to Pittsburgh, I was no longer with Best Friend Kyle so I had to sleep with my head against the seat in front of me or just slightly to my side with the awkward headrest sides pulled out. It is settled that I sleep much better on an airplane if I have something next to me to lean on.
Consensus: I booked a window seat for the LAX to MEL leg and then another window for my return flight of Brisbane to LAX.
I’ll let you know if I made the right decision once I’ve landed in Australia!
What Do You Want to Know?
Did any questions pop into your mind as you read? If so, I am here to provide answers as best as I can!
All products and businesses mentioned are linked in the text because if I’ve a good experience, I’d like you to have it as well. And no, I am not getting paid for any of this.
Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly email updates and please share with your friends and family!
#PeaceLoveEd
