Travel tips

Before you travel

  • Take daily walks to get fit. Buy good walking shoes and break them in.
  • Research the destinations you will visit to be aware of local customs and culture
  • Have a health check up.  Ask your Doctor about recommended immunizations
  • Check  travel health  www.traveldoctor.com.au
  • Get current medical & optical prescriptions to replace medicine and spectacles if lost.
  • Take enough required medicines to last for your trip
  • Carry your medication in your hand luggage
  • Check that your passport is valid for six months from date of departure.
  • Take out travel insurance
  • Photocopy X 2 your important documents, including passport, airline tickets, insurance     cover, credit cards etc. Leave a copy with someone at home and take one with you  OR scan these documents and email them to yourself,  you can access them from any internet station.
  • Take extra passport photos just in case!
  • Decide how you will access your money overseas. Consider some cash for arrival
  • Check Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DAFT) www.smarttraveller.gov.au  for updated advice on the safety and security in countries you are going to visit.
  • Leave a copy of your itinerary and a hotel contact list for friends or relatives at home.
  • Pre- address adhesive address labels with the names and addresses of those you will be sending postcards to.
  • Make a copy of your email contact list
  • Taking a mobile phone ? Contact your provider for global roaming. Turn your voicemail   off just before you leave

  Packing   The golden rule is TRAVEL LIGHT!

  • Clothing -.

         Tip 1 - The best tip is to color coordinate and layer dress for a versatile look. 

                    You can change your look with a scarf, belt, tie or vest.

         Tip 2 - Lay out all the clothes you think you would like to have on your trip then

                     choose only half to take.  Ladies - A sarong and pashmina shawl are always handy.

         Tip 3  - Very important. Take good quality walking shoes

  • Jewellery Do not take anything valuable

 Consider taking

            Earplugs great for long flights or noisy hotels

            Sunglasses and sun hat

            Laundry soap, travel clothes line and travel clothes pegs

            Blow-up coat hangers

            Universal sink plug plugs are often missing from hotel rooms.

            Electrical adapter

            Ziplock  plastic bags

            A small spiral notebook to jot down times, dates, names etc.

            Sewing kit

            Safety pins and rubber bands

            Novels Secondhand paperbacks are ideal to swap or leave behind when read

            Small knap sack or backpack to carry camera, water etc when walking around cities.

            Small torch

            Night-light plug-in for sleeping in dark hotel rooms.

            Travel clock with multiple time-zones alarm

            Small pair of scissors

            Handy wipes

            A small credit-card sized calculator for currency calculations

            Fold up umbrella

            Hairdryer mostly available in all quality hotels.

            Insect replellant

            Purse packs of tissues

            A phone calling card from your home provider bills calls to your home account.

            Vegemite

            A basic first-aid kit

Your take-on hand luggage

  • Remember nothing sharp
  • A pen to fill out forms
  • There are new rules regarding limits on liquid volume refer to your airline website
  • An extra pair of underwear and small bag of toiletries in case your luggage is lost
  • A good book
  • Tasty snack or sweets
  • Neck pillow
  • Medications

Electronic gear

  • Mobile phone and charger
  • Digital camera
  • Memory cards
  • Battery charger for camera
  • Associated cables
  • Spare batteries

  When traveling

  • Do not leave your luggage unattended in any public area
  • Do not accept packages from strangers
  • Avoid being a crime target do not wear conspicuous clothing
  • Be vigilant at all times
  • Always get a hotel business card from the hotel where you are staying, makes getting a taxi or directions easier if you are in a foreign country and dont speak the language
  • Get a local map from the hotel
  • Calling home from a hotel room can be expensive.  Usually there is a phone booth in the hotel lobby that accepts phone calling cards.
  • Have a positive attitude
  • Respect the culture and customs of the country you are visiting

Useful links

Use these other websites to find out information about your travel destination: