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Australia is a melting pot of wild, shocking, and crazy things – here’s how to survive your trip Down Under

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(Image: Supplied)
(Image: Supplied)

From spiders, and snakes and all things creepy-crawly, to experiences with reptiles and koalas… Australia is wild, seriously.

But fear not. We’ve put together the ultimate Aussie survival guide to help you make it through a trip to the land of the Outback unscathed.

And here are some other things you need to beware to ensure you have the best time down under…

Be careful: Your horizons will be expanded

Don’t go to Australia if you don’t want your horizons expanded by an incredibly rich and diverse cultural history. You’ve been warned but be careful: your mindset will shift as you experience new traditions.

If you’re ready to brave a whole new world: a good starting point before visiting down under is to do some research on the local history, culture, and traditions.

Once you’re all clued up, immerse yourself in culture and history over at:
  • Queensland Museum in South Brisbane
  • QAGOMA (Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art) by the Brisbane River
  • South Australian Museum in Adelaide’s tree-lined North Terrace
  • Tandanya gallery in the City Centre of Adelaide
  • Visit the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory of Australia
  • Art Gallery of Western Australia at the Perth Cultural Centre in Perth
  • Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin
  • Explore Mitchell Street in Darwin
  • Makuru Arts Gallery in Petermann
  • Maruku Arts - Dot Painting Workshop in Yulara
  • Injalak Arts Centre in Gunbalanya
  • Tour around Koomal Dreaming in Yallingup.

Dangerously good culinary experiences ahead

If you’re looking for a monotonous, bland diet or prefer to keep your meals free of excitement – do not go to Australia.

Brace yourself for the mysterious world of fusion dining – bursting with taste, texture, and nuance. Australian food stirs up chaos with its rich, decadent, and diverse culture.

Dining in Australia is all about experiencing the best-in-class produce, shaped into dishes informed by the country’s diverse people, and served to world-class standards.

Tame your hunger with one of these wild foodie experiences:
  • Fine-dine at the Quay restaurant in Sydney
  • Get tropical at the Broome Mango Festival held in late spring in Broome, Western Australia
  • Eat farm-to-table or paddock-to-plate at The Farm Byron Bay in Ewingsdale
  • Weave through the underground coffee scene at hidden gems like Cup of Truth in Melbourne
  • Enjoy fresh fish and chips at Mooloolaba Fish Market at the Parkyn Parade in Mooloolaba, Queensland
  • Taste your way through the local wineries along routes in Adelaide, Victoria, Queensland, and more
  • Rough it out and go on a foraging experience with Josh “Koomal” Whiteland, a Wardandi man, at Koomal Dreaming in Yallingup
  • Get a taste of tropical brews at Matso’s microbrewery in Broome with mango, lychee, and even chilli-infused beers
  • Explore the street food scene of Night Quarter in Birtinya, Sunshine Coast for a mix of dishes from bao to tacos; barbeques and oz burgers (made with emu or kangaroo!)

Beware: Suspiciously inspiring art

You can explore Australia’s streets to see works by renowned artists. The art is etched across city walls, tucked into museum exhibitions, and even submerged in breathtaking teal bodies of water.

If you’re not careful you will absolutely encounter wild, vibrant pieces of art peeking out all over Australia.

So be prepared: keep your smartphone or camera handy to snap flash-free memories of the local artworks. Or strap a snorkel to your backpack to dive deeper into the local art scene.

Scarily unique artsy escapades across Australia include:
  • Heide Museum of Modern Art in Bulleen, Victoria
  • Inside Australia sculpture exhibit in Lake Ballard, Western Australia
  • Silo art trails in Western Australia & Victoria
  • The Museum of Underwater Art in Townsville, Queensland
  • The Field of Light in Uluru, Northern Territory
  • The White Rabbit Gallery in Chippendale.

Do not feed the wild animals!

Looking for a dull holiday with beige experiences? Australia’s not for you, mate. Just stay home.

But if you’re ready for adventure – come prepared with a thirst for thrills and a beastly hunger for adrenaline.

These adventures await:
  • Tour the sand dunes from Brisbane to Cairns
  • Go white water rafting along the rivers in Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria and more
  • Explore local hiking trails from plush Mount Gower to mesmerising Kings Canyon Rim Walk or the seaside Cape to Cape track
  • Ski, snowboard, and enjoy wintry adrenaline over at Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales
  • Get a closer look at the Aussie wild side by visiting one of the wildlife parks like the Australian Reptile Park near Sydney, the Danbulla National Park in Far North Queensland, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary near Brisbane, Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin, and Kangaroo Island near Adelaide… to name a few
  • Explore Lake Elizabeth, Great Otway National Park for a chance to see the strange yet wonderful platypus, and take a boat ride along the hazy waters
  • Feed dolphins in Moreton Island off the coast of Brisbane, shark dive off the coast of Manly beach, swim with sea lions over at Port Lincoln caught between Sydney and Adelaide, or watch a penguin parade over in Phillip Island near Melbourne for more of a seaside thrill
  • For a solo adrenaline kick: bungee jump in Brisbane or Cairns, hang glide in Tasmania or Sydney, rock climb and abseil in Booroomba or Mt Arapiles, cliff camp off Mt Buffalo or the Red Cliffs, sky dive in Melbourne or Gold Coast, kite surf in Byron Bay or Surfer’s Paradise, or scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef.

Do you see what we mean? Australia isn’t for the faint-hearted. There are countless scary good things to see and experience Down Under. Curate your custom list and go have the time of your life. Don’t say we didn’t warn you…

This post was sponsored by Qantas and produced by Adspace Studio.

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