March 2010 Entries
New to backpacking? Whether you’re heading off on your first –ever overseas trip or just considering backpacker accommodation for a couple of nights, our tips can help make your trip safe, fun and comfortable.
Tip 1: Prepare and plan your backpacking tour
How much should you plan? Opinions are divided on this one!
Kirsty Henderson of Brave New Traveller suggests you should plan the first few days and book accommodation in advance, but leave enough unplanned time to follow spontaneous ideas. Others such as SmartTraveller suggest you plan the whole trip and book your accommodation in advance – for safety and to...
Where’s your favourite spot for a family holiday in Australia? Do you have a regular place that you visit every year? Or maybe you’re looking for somewhere new. Whatever your preference, our suggestions will give you some ideas for where to go, what to do and how to keep the kids entertained on that long journey to your family holiday.
Getting there
With so many sales and flight deals going for domestic flights within Australia, it’s possible now to fly the family somewhere for a long weekend or short break – or even a long holiday. Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar ...
If you’re planning to travel while you’re expecting, it’s wise to plan for your comfort and safety, both for your sake and your baby’s. We’ve put together some tips and links to help you make sure your trip goes smoothly from beginning to end.
Places to avoid
The Travel Doctor pregnancy fact sheet suggests it’s best to avoid places where the standard of medical care may be not as high as Australia. If anything goes wrong with the pregnancy while you are overseas, or you become ill or injured, you’ll want the best care possible.
Travel Doctor also suggests you avoid places where...
Planning a holiday overseas? There are just a couple of things you might want to consider when preparing for your trip, to make sure your holiday is safe and low-stress.
Tip: Make sure people know where you are
Consider leaving copies of your travel itinerary and passport ID with a friend at home. If you’re driving or hiking in a remote area, tell someone where you expect to arrive and what time you’ll probably get there. Also, it doesn’t hurt to let the concierge of your hotel know when you’ll be back, if you’re alone and heading out for the day.
Tip:...
Getting there
Many international airlines fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi from all major Australian cities. You can compare cheap flights to Vietnam on Travel.com.au, STA Travel or FlightCentre. You can also travel between Vietnam and China by train. There are road crossings between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, however these are not always recommended, as there are reports of travellers being attacked. It’s best to check current conditions before setting out by road.
Getting around
There are buses, taxis, motorcycles and bikes to get you to your destination – the drivers in blue Taxis speak English. You will need a licence...
If you’re travelling domestically within Australia or New Zealand, its unlikely you would need any more than up to date childhood vaccinations; the same applies for the United Kingdom or the United States of America. But in other parts of the world, especially developing countries, vaccinations against other diseases are required.
The Better Health website recommends all travellers to every destination be vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), varicella (chicken pox), measles, mumps, rubella and polio. These are covered in your childhood vaccination series, but check with your GP to make sure that yours are up to date – in...