Finding the Best Transportation Methods to Get Across Australia

It’s no secret that Australia is a massive country. While this place is large, though, the vast majority of it is covered with land that very little has been done with. You can travel for hundreds of miles without seeing another person, and most tourists choose to stick to the coast when they are in the land of Aus. Of course, though, you may not want to do this and will need to figure out the best transport methods to get yourself across the massive piece of land. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring the best forms of transport to use when you’re travelling across Australia.

Cars
For most people, cars will be the most obvious choice when they are looking to cross a country like this. Being able to drive will give you a lot of freedom, while also making it possible to stop to see the sights along the way. Of course, though, driving will be a long process, and it could be quite dangerous if you’re not prepared to survive in the Australian outback. Companies like Burswood Car Rentals can help you to choose a vehicle that will be sensible in this sort of terrain. Just remember, if you're driving out in the bush be sure to pack some spare petrol just in case.

Helicopters
Taking to the sky can be a great way to make good time when you’re in a country like Australia. Helicopters have become common across this country, with their use being very popular in farming. This makes it possible to find tour companies wherever you are, and you can even think about chartering your own flight if you want to travel over a long distance. You will be able to see loads from the cockpit of a helicopter.

If you've travelled down the Great Ocean Road, you might want to consider booking a helicopter tour over the 12 Apostles. This will give you a once in a lifetime view of the gorgeous coastline. Uber has even gotten in on the helicopter spirit. If you're wanting to make a grand entrance into the Melbourne Cup, why not book a helicopter Uber with your friends! It will definitely beat the long cab and train queues.

Planes

If you look at a map of Australia, you’ll quickly notice that most of the large cities and towns are dotting the coast, rather than covering the inner reaches of the country. This can make travelling by boat a great way to see everything in Australia, while also getting to enjoy a unique experience on the water. Yacht and boat rental is popular in Australia, and there are plenty of large companies that have pickup and drop off points across the nation.

Public Transport

Are you trying to travel Australia on a budget? Public transport might be the best option for you. There are train lines in more major Australia cities with trams and buses operating to get you pretty much anywhere you need to go. Whilst flights to and from the major cities can be quite inexpensive, if you're wanting to maximise your Aussie experience, taking overnight trains or buses from the major cities might be your best bet. 

Getting your way across a place as large as Australia can be a challenge. A lot of people struggle with this, finding it hard to know what they need to do when they’re attempting this feat. Of course, though, it shouldn’t be too hard to figure out what needs to be done before you set off, and taking some time to plan it all will make it even easier.

And until next time...

Stay Curious!

What to Do to Relax Your Mind and Body

Relaxing sounds like the easiest thing in the world, right? But most of us know only too well than when you try to do it in practice, it’s anything but. There are so many things going on around you in the world and lots of pressures and responsibilities that pile up. And with all that on you remind, relaxing your body and your mind becomes very difficult indeed. Here are some of the tips and ideas that might help you to do this better.

13 Misconceptions Americans Hold About Australia

A few weeks back we tackled 13 Misconceptions Australians Hold About Americans. So naturally, it's only fair we address the reverse. Whilst, albeit, the misconceptions towards Americans lean in a more negative tone, this list will show that Aussie stereotypes are not without fault. We're putting some of the most common misconceptions to the test and finding out just how true they are. 

1. There's a Really High Chance You're Going to Die Whilst in Australia
We've got funnel web spiders, redback spiders, brown snakes, magpies, great white sharks, saltwater crocs, sea snakes, blue-ringed octopus, platypus, box jellyfish and the list goes on. So naturally, you're going to die if you visit Australia. FALSE!

There are definitely some dangerous animals here in Australia, and if you're not careful, the sun will probably kill you too, but it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. We've tackled this topic before on our post Is Australia Really That Deadly? So if you're curious what your odds of survival are, go check it out. 

2. Everyone Is Blonde And Surfs All The Time
Growing up, any time Australia was shown on TV, it was always gorgeous blonde surfer dudes. Even Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen totally played into this stereotype with their movie Our Lips Are Sealed. 

But Australia has an incredibly diverse population and most the Aussies I know, don't know how to surf. Don't get me wrong, there are many beautiful people here in Australia, but it's not limited to blonde surfers. Chances are, you're not gonna land a Hemsworth. 

3. They Ride Kangaroos To Work
Not sure why, but I frequently get asked if I ride a kangaroo to work. I'm sure most people are just taking the piss, but there are a few snuck in there that are dead serious. Other crazy questions that get asked, "do Australians have electricity?"; "Is everywhere the desert?"; "Do people just like live in tents or something?".

I think I may know where this misconception came from. When Americans are shown photos of Australia its either surfers and the beach or the Outback with heaps of roos and no civilisation. So naturally, they just assume it's not there. I know when I hear people talk, it's like they talk about Melbourne and Sydney being like separate entities from the rest of Australia. But honestly, who knows. 

4. Everyone Has A Pet Koala
Just like riding a roo to work, pet koalas are a frequent misconception. Again I think this stereotype falls back to images of Australia that are shown worldwide. Think back to the recent bush fires, a lot of the photos being spread around the internet were of people helping koalas and other wildlife. It would be an easy leap to assume that koalas are just everywhere. 

Sadly, we do not have pet koalas. Although I'm sure, Archer would love to have a koala best friend to keep him company during the day. 

5. Australia And New Zealand Are The Same Country
That and Australians and Kiwis have the same accent. Y'all come on. That's like saying someone from California has the same accent as a New Yorkers. They're the same but also drastically different. I'm going to take a stab in the dark and assume this misconception stems from the similarities in the accent, ANZAC forces, and that both countries are islands. 

6. Australians Are Welcoming As
Australians are a pretty friendly bunch...unless you want to stay in their country. Immigrating to Australia is definitely a challenge. It's widely known that Australia really isn't keen on immigration. The visa standards are strict as, the visa prices are ridiculously expensive, so unless you're planning to come on a Working Holiday or Tourist Visa long term stays in Australia can be a major struggle. 

7. They're All A Bunch Of Convicts
So back in the day, the British monarch decided it would be a fantastic idea to ship all the convicts and criminals to the remote island that is Australia. There they would serve out their time, and Britain wouldn't have to deal with their mishaps anymore. But y'all... get this... some of the most common crimes were petty theft, stealing clothes, and stealing food. You know basic necessities to live. 

Whilst some data shows that 1 in 5 Australians can trace lineage back to the convicts (I'm looking at you Stolen generation policies for this high prevalence), assuming all Australians came from criminals completely negates Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders... you know the original owners of the land. You're missing out on some deep, rich culture with this assumption. 

8. Fosters... It's Australian For Beer
Growing up in America, there were constantly commercials for Fosters Beer on TV. With the brilliant slogan, "Fosters it's Australian for beer" so why wouldn't Americans think that all Australian's drink Fosters?

It wasn't until I moved here that I realised Fosters was, in fact, NOT Australian for beer. If you're in Australia and ask for Fosters, you'll be laughed out of the pub. Stick to VB, Coopers, Carlton Draught, XXXX, etc. and no one will know you're an American tourist. 

9. Everyone Gets Hella Drunk And Fights Each Other
Australians do love their beer. Sh*t Australians just bloody like drinking. They also, for some unknown reason, really enjoy a good pub brawl. Yup... this one is unfortunately pretty dang true. 

Suburbs in Sydney have had to give restrictions reducing the hours pubs and bars can stay open. In Melbourne suburbs, be prepared to have your ID scanned and your picture taken. This way, if you cause any issues, you're not only banned from that bar... chances are your banned from all the bars in that area. So maybe don't be a d*ck and fight randos at the pub?

10. Everyone Is Racist
Maybe it's just a white people thing, but there is the stereotype that Australians are hella racist. Again, this one sadly has some truth. Unlike the closeted American racists, Australians are pretty blatantly racist. You don't look Australian, be prepared to have some racist thing spat towards you. You don't sound Australian, you're still not safe from the racist statements. 

To be fair, if you pass as Australian, you're going to have a much easier time whilst in Australia. If you're a tourist, you'll probably be met with a slightly different attitude than if you're an immigrant. This is definitely an area where Australians could use some growth. 


11. Nobody Wears Shoes, Regardless of Where They're Going
This one... semi-true. Especially during the summer and if you're near a beach. Aussies do not wear footwear. In the supermarket, she'll be right. At the petrol station, who needs bloody shoes, mate?! No shoes, no shirt, no bloody problem. 

I must confess, it was a weird thing to witness going into a supermarket in metropolitan Melbourne with no beaches or water to be found, and people were shopping without shoes. That would get you kicked out of the shops in the States. But not here. Fun summer tip. If your house doesn't have cooling, take a trip down to the bottle shop, forgo the shoes, and stand in their fridges for a bit. You'll survive summer no problem that way. 

12. They're Always Throwin' a Shrimp on the Barbie
If you wanna quickly regret your trip to Australia, make sure you tell an Aussie to throw another shrimp on the barbie. You will quickly be met with the following: 

A. It's prawns; and 
B. They aren't typically thrown on the barbie. 

I'm pretty sure this one originated from an old commercial in the States, but it sure has stuck throughout the years. This misconception is false. 

13. You Can Easily Travel the Entire Country in a 2 Week Holiday
Y'all, Australia is big! Could you travel all of the US in 2 weeks? Nope, not going to happen. I'm not even sure you could drive non-stop and see the majority of Australia. Flying from Melbourne to Perth (east coast to west coast) will take you about 4 hours. The distance from Melbourne to Syndey is similar to the distance from San Diego to San Francisco. Going from place to place will take some time. If you only have two weeks to spend in Australia, less is more. Pick a city or two and really explore that city. There is so much to do and see here you don't want to feel rushed. 

Were you guilty of believing any of these misconceptions? What are some misconceptions foreigners hold about your country? Share them in the comments below!

And until next time...

Stay curious

How to Beat the Quarantine Blues

With most countries around the world starting to go into lockdown, it wouldn't be unreasonable for people to feel anxious and apprehensive. The lack of control, the fear, it can get to anyone. So what happens if you're in one of the countries who has placed a "shelter in place" order? What in gods green earth are you supposed to do to pass the time? I mean, it's one thing to choose to remain indoors for 14 days. It's an entirely different ball game when you're forced to stay indoors for 14 days. Don't worry, we've come up with 31 ways to help pass the time and beat the quarantine blues. 

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission from each purchase at no additional cost to you. All opinions are 100% my own**

Create Your Mad Max Gang
The world has lost its bloody mind. Toilet paper is nowhere to be seen. Supermarkets are sold out of everything. Footy players are playing to empty stadiums. But don't you worry, Aussies have been prepping for this day since 1979. If you live in a sharehouse, it's time to start working on your gang attire. Prep for the impending apocalypse in style. Will your house be more like the Toecutters? The War Boys? The Buzzards? Or are you going to create something entirely new to protect your turf and little supplies of toilet paper?!

Read a Book
If you're anything like me, reading a book has become next to impossible. The only time I get to enjoy a good book is via Audible on my drive to work. Forced lockdown means that I can actually read a book. If your home is lacking a library, some local libraries are delivering books to people during isolation periods. It's a great excuse to binge read the Harry Potter series for the umpteenth time.

Book a Session with a Therapist Online
Just because you're in isolation doesn't mean mental health struggles immediately go out the window. Many counselling and therapeutic centres are closed for face-to-face sessions. However, that doesn't mean that you cannot still have a session. If your therapist is not offering online therapeutic services, check out apps like headspace or BetterHelp. Both offer affordable therapeutic services and allow you access to online counselling from the comfort of your own home. 

If you are in crisis and need to speak to someone immediately (within Australia), try:

1800RESPECT

This line offers confidential information, counselling and support services 24hrs to support people impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, or abuse.

Carers Australia at 1800 242 636
Offers short term counselling and emotional support for carers and their families.

Headspace 1800 650 890
Offers free online and telephone counselling services for people aged 12-25 and their families. 

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Offers free online and telephone counselling services for people aged 5-25. 

MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78
Offers telephone and online support for men. 

MindSpot Clinic 1800 61 44  34
Offers online and telephone assessments and treatments for adults with anxiety and depression

QLife 1800 184 527
Offers online and telephone supports for members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

SANE Australia 1800 18 7263
Offers information about where to go for supports if you're unsure where to turn. 

Mari Kondo the Heck Out of Your House
Don't lie, you've been putting off cleaning your house since 1994. Being stuck at home, in a messy home, can do bad things for your overall wellbeing. Take the now copious amounts of time you have to clean the house. Don't want to tackle everything in one day? Schedule one room per day to clean. This way, by the end of the week, your home will be sparkling. That or you'll have to start all over with the first room you cleaned!

Create Your Own Tasting Room
Supermarkets have been limited, to say the least. This might mean that you've had to get different foods than you usually eat because the hoarders took all the dang food! Even if you did get your normal stash, this doesn't mean that you have to give up the fancier things in life. 

Create a romantic date for you and your partner with a charcuterie board and some beverages. The bottle shops still have heaps of wine so grab a few you've never tried and create a beautiful, romantic tasting. Just don't hold us responsible if 9 months from now you have a new lil' quarantined. 

Utilise Your Creative Side
Do you like painting? Writing? Drawing? Underwater basket weaving? Your quarantine time is perfect for getting in touch with your creative side. Spend this time being productive. Who knows, you might even be able to turn your artistic creations into a nice little side hustle. Which who doesn't need a little extra money with the shutdowns right now!?

Have a Netflix Binge Session
Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Stan, all of the lovely stream services are there for our binging pleasures. It is ok to have a lazy day. With all the craziness and the constant bombardment of bad news, it is ok to want to dissociate for a little bit. Schedule yourself a binge day, grab a good blanket and some yummy comfort food and binge your favourite series. 

Create a Workout for the Netflix Series You're Binging
Ok so maybe your binge day turned into a binge few days. That's ok too. But how do we make sure you're staying active and not putting yourself at risk for any of the sedentary health complications? Create a small workout challenge for the series you're binge! You could even share it online and get your friends to join in. Think stuff like "do 10 situps every time Jim pranks Dwight". 

Join an Online Fitness Challenge
You'd think with workplaces closing it would give you more time to get to the gym... wrong! Gyms too are affected by this here virus. But that's totally ok. There are a ton of online fitness challenges going on. Find one that's right for you. There are some like One Moore Rep's fitness challenge that is offering some cool arse prizes. Other challenges are free and provide a range of workouts you can do in the comfort of your own home. 

Clean Your Oven
No one ever cleans their oven until its time to move house. And let me tell you, it's probably feral as. Use this time to clean that baby, you've got nothing else to do. 

Try Out New Recipes 
Shelter in place warnings means no eating out. Which unless you have disposable income, UberEats will get old super quick. There are a ton of simple to follow recipes on different blogs and on YouTube. I personally LOVE the Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey videos. Use this time to experiment with new recipes. Your cooking skills will become next level after this shutdown. 

Give Yourself a Spa Day
Pour yourself a nice bubble bath, add some bath bombs or Epsom salts, cleans that face and add a sheet mask and relax. Utilise this time to treat yourself. Heck, utilise this time to master your skincare routine. We're going at least 14 with minimal sun exposure. It will do the aging process some good. 

Become a Master Makeup Artist
There are some incredibly talented makeup artists on YouTube. Spend some time mastering the art that is makeup. Try some of the cool makeup challenges going around TikTok. You'll be able to unleash your creative side and help pass the time. 

Become a Master Masseuses
If you're lucky enough to be quarantined with another human, utilise this time to work on your massage game. That way, when we're all released back into the wild, we'll be relaxed and ready to fight for what's ours. 

Work on Your Flexibility
Look, we're all going to be less mobile during this quarantine. We don't want to increase muscle aches and pains. Spend 30 minutes a day stretching or doing an online yoga class. This will help keep you moving and who knows maybe you'll master your long time goal of doing the splits. 

Have a Facetime Dinner Party
Just because we're sequestered does not mean we cannot interact with one another. Create a virtual dinner party where you and your friends can chat over a meal and some wine. It might not be in person, but at least you don't have to eat your microwaved mac and cheese alone. 

Spread Some Kindness on Instagram or Other Social Platforms
With all the uncertainty and craziness going around, why not shed a bit of positivity and kindness. Find one of the kindness Instagram templates and spread some love. It's a great way to shoutout some awesome people and just generally remind the people you care about that they're hella cool. 

Beat That Video Game You Haven't Had Time to Play
Let your inner gamer be free this quarantine season. Whilst I'm new to the gaming world, I fully intend on mastering Final Fantasy and possibly replaying Fallen Order. Whether you only have games on your smartphone, computer, or a gaming station, let your inner gamer unleash. Who knows maybe you'll become one of the top players. 

Play (and Attempt to Beat) Pandemic
Board games are a great way to pass the time. Why not take the piss out of the situation and give Pandemic a crack. It's definitely one of the more challenging board games I've ever played. If you're isolated by yourself, some games such as Catan are offering online versions so that you're able to play with your friends virtually. 

Do Online Professional Development Classes
Does your profession require you to do PD? This may be the perfect time to get it all done. Several online sites allow credited PD courses for professionals. Who knows, since you're technically working you may even be able to utilise PD's as billable hours! 

Start a Side Hustle
A lot of people are getting laid off from their jobs because of the isolation process. If you're not privileged enough to have annual leave, sick leave, or even some savings, this is going to hit incredibly hard. Look into starting an online side hustle. 

Do you have a bachelors degree? Maybe teaching English online is the side hustle for you. Are you good at photo editing? Try and put up postings to get editing work. Have you managed to stay healthy throughout this process? Maybe look into food delivery positions. Places like Woolies and Coles are hiring a TON of extra stock people because of how quickly stock is flying off the shelves. There are other ways! 

Do Your Taxes
Y'all taxes are due soon. Might as well get them done. If you're eligible for a refund, your wallet will thank you. 

Take a Virtual Trip
So you can't leave the house, no problem. Take a virtual trip! Places like the Melbourne Zoo are offering live stream videos of their animals. It will help you start to figure out where you want to go on holiday once this all levels back out. 

Start Planning Your Next Holiday
Better yet, while you're virtually touring the world, start planning your next holiday. There are so many incredible travel bloggers that detail heaps of useful information for holiday travels. If you want to travel to Australia, we've got you covered! Chances are, flights will be incredibly discounted to make up for the lack of sales. Take advantage of that!

But not right now... seriously. Don't put people at risk for a holiday. Wait until we have a better understanding of how long this is all gonna last. 

Support Small Businesses
While major corporations might have the means to survive a prolonged shutdown, small businesses do not. Instead of ordering online from Amazon or any of the big supermarket chains, reach out to local and small business and see if they're offering delivery during this craziness. If you had contracts booked with freelancers or independent contractors, please still pay them or see if they can provide other services. They're hurting bad atm. 

Practice Some Mindfulness and Meditation
Too much stress is bad for the body. Utilise this time to practice some guided meditation and mindfulness. There is still heaps to be thankful for. 

Take a Class Online
Time to upskill baby. Did you know that some major Universities offer free online classes? Why not enrol in one? It's a great way to pass the time and expand upon your skills. 

Learn a New Language
In addition to taking a class online, why not learn a new language. Did you know that most companies offer higher salaries for individuals who can speak multiple languages? Download an app like Duolingo or, better yet, hire someone to teach you another language remotely! You'll be supporting a freelance worker and upskilling yourself! Win-win baby!

Send Postcards to Your Friends and Family
Yes, we have Facetime and Facebook and Instagram to stay in touch but why not have a little fun. AusPost has a postcard app (and I know there are others out there) where you can create and send your own postcards from images on your phone. Take some crazy isolation photos and send them to your friends and family. You could even create little games and secret agent postcards. It will definitely help pass the time. 

Do a Puzzle
Puzzles are a great way to pass the time. Make it some crazy impossible one, and you'll be entertained for hours. 

Remember We're All in This Together! 
Please, PLEASE, remember this is a crazy time. We've never really experienced anything like this before. Please be kind to one another. Stop being selfish. Think of others besides yourself. Give back in whatever means possible. Share one small act of kindness each day. It will help. 

It is a little easy to go stir crazy when stuck inside, but remember, we will get through this. Utilise your time to upskill yourself, reach out to friends and family, and stay active. If you have friends or family who struggle with mental health or physical health challenges, make sure you're keeping in touch. It's easy to become socially isolated when we have to...well physically socially isolate ourselves. What are you doing to help beat the isolation blues? Share it in the comments below!

And until next time...

Stay curious!