As one of the better-performing countries against the pandemic, Australia has chosen to close its borders for now. However, once the threat of COVID-19 goes away, which it will, Australia will again open its borders for visitors and travelers.

Undoubtedly, Australia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The country is a must-visit for people wanting to relax and enjoy its famous tourist spots. But, with that said, there's always that someone who's visiting Australia for leisure for the first time. In this article, we'll provide you with the necessary tips to truly enjoy Australia for the first time.

Passport and Visa

Whether there's a pandemic or not, Australia requires people going into it to have visas. In your case, you'll need a tourist visa to enter the country's borders. Aside from a visa, you'll also need a valid passport.

Be Wary of the Seasons

Generally speaking, the further down south you go, the cooler it gets in Australia. On the west coast, Perth is hot, so you might want to consider your choice of wear. In cooler places such as Melbourne or Adelaide, you should avoid shorts and flip-flops during the winter season as it'll get freezing. Here's a simple list of the seasons of the country by the months:

June - August: Winter

September - November: Spring

December - February: Summer

March - May: Autumn

Plan your travels accordingly with the seasons so you won't have trouble enjoying the numerous tourist spots in the country.

The First Stop

Most of the time, people will be entering Australia through Sydney International Airport. Sydney is one of the largest cities in the country and is the capital city of New South Wales. New South Wales or NSW is filled with incredible getaways and adventures. With your arrival here, you can visit the numerous Holiday parks in NSW Australia. With more than 30 coastal and inland parks, you'll have a memorable first stop here.

Expect It to Be Big

As one of the largest countries in the world, it'll take you a significant amount of time to see all of what Australia has to offer. With that said, you need to plan on what sites and places you're going to visit. If you don't plan to stay long, multiple visits to this wonderful country are a must if you want to experience everything.

Consider Traveling Around by Plane

Due to its enormous size, it takes a lot of time to hop from city to city in Australia. For example, if you're going by car from Cairns to Brisbane, it'll take more than three days to reach. Consider traveling on a plane if you want to go from city to city in no time. With planes, you'll have more time to wander around instead of staying in a car traveling all the time.

For shorter distances, you could consider renting a car. Although it's a long drive, a road trip from Sydney to Melbourne will take you 9 hours. Trains are also an alternative, especially if you're traveling with a group.

Food!

Australian cuisine is ever-evolving as it takes international dishes and adapts them to local tastes. With the number of restaurants and stores in the country, you'll have no shortage of where to get good food. Most of the hotels you'll be staying in will also have fully equipped kitchens to cater to their guests.

However, if you really want what locals are craving for, it's the BBQ you definitely have to try. Aussies love their BBQ, and you can find many BBQ places practically everywhere in the country. If fancy restaurants aren't your thing, then head to a nearby Asian food market or Chinatown, as each city has one of these places in them. Night markets are also a good option for those who want to experience the many delicacies that Australia has to offer.

Must-visit Places

Now that you're settled, you absolutely should not miss visiting these places on your first visit:

East Coast

●         Sydney Opera House

●         Manly Beach

●         Fraser Island

●         The Great Barrier Reef

●         Whitsunday Islands

●         Byron Bay

●         Bondi Beach

The Outback

Although a lot of people know the Outback as an arid desert, there is actually more to this place than just the hot sun and sand. The Outback is home to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

This park is a sanctuary for some of Australia's endemic plant and animal life. Another tourist attraction you can visit here is Uluru or most commonly known worldwide as Ayers Rock. Follow your tour guide's instructions as Uluru is a sacred site for indigenous Australians.

West Coast

●         Ningaloo Reef

●         Karijini National Park

●         Rottnest Island

●         The Pinnacles

●         Fremantle

●         Shark Bay

●         Perth

Don't worry if you won't get to visit everything on your first visit. As mentioned before, the country is big, with Australia being the 6th biggest country in the world. You'll need to stay longer or have multiple visits to finish your bucket list of places to enjoy in Australia.

Takeaway

Due to the pandemic, Australia is tightening its borders for incoming tourists. However, with our understanding of COVID-19 becoming better, Australia will be reopening for everyone soon. Whether you're going to the Outback or the Great Barrier Reef, Australia is blessed to have a ton of natural attractions just waiting for tourists and locals to enjoy.