Birmingham is a landlocked metropolis; however, in the island nation of Britain, nobody is ever more than 144 kilometers from the sea. But if Brummies want to take in a holiday resort where the coastline is a staggering 59 736 kilometers (the sixth largest in the world), then they should add Australia to their travel itinerary. Traveling from the northern to southern hemispheres might seem like a daunting undertaking – the long-haul flight takes around 22 ½ hours – but the moment you touch down at this fabulous destination, you’ll be hooked. Here are some practical tips to take on board before heading ‘down under.’
Be ready for an Australian climate
Brummies are used to a summer high temperature of 16.5°C. In Australia’s summer (December to February), you’ll need to get used to a heat that can rise as high as 25.8°C. So, the first tip – be prepared for the sun! Ensure you take plenty of sunscreens and keep hydrated. Pack flimsy clothes and peaked hats.
Go on a casual date with an Aussie
What would make your trip to Oz even more memorable? Having your personal tour guide. Australia is especially welcoming to the LGBT community, so if you’d like to make appropriate arrangements, why not plan a casual date by consulting the best gay hookup sites in Australia, given how popular gay dating sites currently are? These outlets are easy to dip into, and you can easily check out reviews of the best ones. Read expert advice about issues like user-friendliness or what extra features are available to members who subscribe. There will also be chat rooms where you can get to know a cross-section of individuals – you might come across other site users who have been to Australia and can offer advice. Getting inside knowledge of the best places to visit or hooking up with a local would be a bonus when planning to visit yourself.
Explore Australian nature and cities
Australia is renowned for its indigenous wildlife. Around 18,000 years ago, the Pacific Ocean overflowed, creating the islands of Australia and nearby Tasmania and New Guinea. This led to a tremendous variety of animals evolving unique to this part of the world. Pay close attention to signs warning of crocodiles – a safer place to observe these scary but wonderful creatures would be one of the country’s many zoos and nature reserves. Two-thirds of the world’s marsupial species live here – lovable kangaroos, wallabies, opossums, and wombats. There are many fabulous birds, too, from cassowaries and penguins to multi-colored parrots. You can book all sorts of nature tours, but if you’d rather get a taste of the hustle and bustle of Oz, head into its major cities. Its most populous city is Sydney, on the southeast coast of New South Wales, facing the mighty Pacific Ocean. Away on the other side of the country, Perth dips its toes into the Indian Ocean. There are so many wonderful things for Brummies to see and do in Australia’s larger conurbations – from visiting Sydney’s iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge to Victoria’s Royal Botanic Garden.
Visit a cricket match to feel at home
As a Birmingham native, you may well be a fan of cricket. The city hosts Edgbaston Cricket Ground, the 25,000-seater home of Warwickshire County. You’ll feel at home in Oz, where cricket is a national passion. The Ashes is a cricket series that has been fought between England and Australia since 1882, equating to many years of intense rivalry (with opposing fans mingling in nearby bars to celebrate/commiserate). Australia’s national summer sport, you must take time to savor the atmosphere at venues such as Melbourne’s 100,024-seater stadium or Sydney Cricket Ground (capacity 48,000).
Get immersed in the local culture
What you also need to understand about Australians is they can come across as forthright and rude. Being English, Brummies may be a little more reserved. But it’s guaranteed that you’ll soon get into the swing of the Oz culture. Australians just love speaking their mind. Their sense of humor often relies on politely ‘taking the mickey’ out of friends and family. After a few glasses of the locally-preferred brews, such as Australia’s renowned lagers, you’ll soon get into the swing of things! Australia is also one of the world’s foremost wine-producing regions. When you’re here, you must book a tour of the country’s 2,500 wineries.
A final tip to enjoying sightseeing is to keep your options open and always seek to expand your horizons. Your visit to Australia will be even more enhanced if you’ve already given thought to where to go next. Many Brummies love popping over to the continent to check out the myriad possibilities of European getaways. Or there’s always North America, where you can enjoy experiences as varied as retail therapy in Manhattan or the Pride Carnival in New Orleans if you are gay or lesbian. There’s a whole world out there – so get exploring!
