With iconic wildlife, beautiful beaches and colorful reefs, Australia has something for every traveller. Located between the Indian and Pacific oceans, Australia is both a continent and country (the 6th largest in the world), and home to the Great Barrier Reef - the largest coral reef in the world. It has an estimated population of around 25 million people, with about 90% of the population living in urban areas along its coastline. Consisting of 6 states, australia’s large land mass gives it a wide variety of landscapes, from tropical regions, to mountains and deserts. This means the climate can vary greatly, with a mediterranean climate in the south, to a desert climate in the interior, and a tropical climate in the north. Australia is heavily influenced by ocean currents, affected by both monsoons and El Niño, and can be subject to flooding in some areas and droughts elsewhere.
The general seasons in Australia consist of summer from December to February, autumn from March to May, winter from June to August, and spring from September to November. Having relatively mild winters and a varied climate, travel to Australia is year round. If you’re looking for the best time to visit, autumn or spring are good seasons for all regions, while the north can be very hot and humid in summer and the south cooler in winter.
The following are a list of recommended vaccines from the CDC. However, it is always recommended that you check with your primary care physician to meet your specific needs and ensure you are up-to-date on routine vaccinations before you travel.
Hepatitis A: can be transmitted through contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B: transmitted through sexual contact, blood products, or contaminated needles.
Japanese Encephalitis: transmitted by mosquitoes, there is a small risk for Japanese Encephalitis depending on when and where in Australia you are travelling, and if you spending a lot of time outdoors. Talk with your physician about whether or not you need the vaccine. Note: this vaccine can be expensive! If this is a barrier, read about how to get it cheaper here.
Rabies: transmitted through infected animals, rabies is present in bats in Australia. Recommended for travellers doing outdoor activities or working with bats.
Yellow Fever: there is currently no risk for yellow fever in Australia, however the government does require you to have proof of the vaccine if you are coming from an area where yellow fever risk exists.
The following are a list of preventable disease that currently do not have vaccines available.
Dengue: transmitted by mosquitoes and tends to have a higher risk in urban and residential areas than other mosquito borne diseases. Care should be taken to avoid getting bitten.
Having such a varied terrain, travellers should pack appropriately for the region of Australia they are visiting. The sun can be very intense and precautions should be taken to avoid sun exposure, which may lead to sunburn, heat stroke, and dehydration. So remember to drink plenty of water, and wear protective clothing during the day and sunscreen with at least 15 SPF with both UVA and UVB protection. Travellers should bring appropriate rain gear, particularly if visiting the north of Australia, and wear appropriate footwear for all outdoor activities.
Australia also has a wide variety of unique plants and animals, and is home to some of the most dangerous animals in the world. So use caution and do not provoke any wildlife that you encounter! It is also recommended to use a similar hands off approach when exploring Australia’s reef systems, as the coral can be very fragile or potentially very sharp to the touch. Remember to stick to marked paths when exploring outdoors, carry a first aid kit, GPS or compass, and notify someone of your travel plans. Much of the landscape can be disorienting to those unfamiliar with it, and there have been cases of people getting lost in the past (don’t be that person!).
Can I drink the water? Yes, the water in Australia is considered safe to drink in urban areas. However it is not recommended to drink unregulated sources of water. Utilize an appropriate method to treat unregulated water before drinking it.
Is it wheelchair accessible? Yes, the urban areas of Australia tend to have very good wheelchair accessibility.
What medications should I bring? It is always recommended to bring any prescribed medications with you. If you find you require more medication during your travel, visit a local physician to obtain a prescription. Australia has a scheme called the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) that subsidizes some medications. Visitors from countries that have a reciprocal agreement with Australia may be eligible to receive these subsidized medications. Refer to a local Australian physician to discuss your specific situation and medications needs. It is also recommended to travel with a small medical kit, and a healthy travel packing list for Australia can be found here.
Important Numbers:
Police/ Fire/ Ambulance: 000 (112 from international phones)
Text emergency relay service (for hearing or speech impaired): 106
SES assistance in floods and storms: 132 500
Police attendance: 131 444 (all states except Victoria)
International incident emergency helpline: 1300 555 135 (within Australia) +61 6261 3305 (outside Australia)
Australia country code: +61
Hear from a local
Read what locals have to say about health in their country here.
*The content above is for informational purposes only and reflects my own personal opinion and experiences. Other sources for information utilized in creating this content include the CDC, WHO, and Yellow Book. Please refer to your attending physician for all health advice
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