The Perfect Gift Guide For Travelers To Australia

If you know someone who is travelling to Australia, you might be wondering what to get them as a gift before they go. Here are some ideas for both serious and novelty presents that will fit in their suitcase or hand luggage.

If they are planning a road trip, a road atlas for all or part of Australia is a great gift idea. A wide-brimmed sun hat, a good pair of sunglasses, and sun cream with a high SPF are also useful for the Australian climate. A compass will come in handy if they are planning on doing any bushwalking or scaling mountains. A Kindle is perfect for long journeys and for quiet nights in hostels or camping. A head torch is another gift that will be useful for camping or for reading in a hostel dorm room. A GoPro will help them capture all the amazing experiences they will have.

If you want to give them something fun, you could get them an Australian-themed novelty item, such as an inflatable kangaroo or a drinks holder shaped like a flamingo. You could also get them an Australian slang guide or a book about the country, such as In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson or Lonely Planet Australia.

Travel adapters

Plug Type

Australia uses a Type I power plug, which has two flat pins in a V-shape and a grounding pin. Make sure to get an adapter that is compatible with this plug type.

Device Compatibility

Not all travel adapters support multiple voltages, so be sure to check that the adapter you choose is compatible with the electronic devices you plan to bring. Australia's voltage is 230 V, and its standard frequency is 50 Hz.

Number of Ports

Consider how many devices you need to charge simultaneously. Some travel adapters have multiple USB ports, which can be handy if you have multiple devices that need charging.

Power Output

If you plan on charging multiple devices at once or have devices with high power requirements, look for an adapter that can handle higher power output. Some adapters may have lower power limits, which could cause issues when charging certain devices.

Size and Portability

Since you're travelling, you'll want an adapter that's compact and lightweight, making it easy to pack and carry.

• The Ceptics Australia Power Plug Adapter is a simple and compact option, offering dual USA inputs and compatibility with Australia, New Zealand, and China.
• The TESSAN Australian Power Adaptor features four outlets and three USB charging ports, including a USB-C port. This adapter is great if you have multiple devices and want to charge them simultaneously.
• The OREI Australia, New Zealand, China Power Plug Adapter comes with dual USB ports and is suitable for use with various devices like cell phones, laptops, cameras, and more.
• The EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter is a versatile option, featuring three USB-C and two USB-A ports. It's compatible with various countries, including Australia, making it a good choice if you plan to travel to multiple destinations.

Sun protection

Clothing

Hats

In addition to the adapt-a-caps mentioned above, there are several other options for sun-protective hats. The Sunday Afternoons Legionnaire Sun Guide Cap offers UPF 50+ protection, while the Gobi Over Hat Hard Hat Cover and Gola Over Hat Hard Hat Cover provide UVeto protection. These hats can be ideal for outdoor activities such as gardening, hiking, or riding a mower.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a crucial part of sun protection, and it's important to choose one that offers adequate protection. Invisible Zinc is an Australian brand of sunscreen that provides high-quality sun protection. Look for sunscreens that offer UVA and UVB protection to ensure effectiveness against the sun's harmful rays.

Other Accessories

Other sun protection accessories include sunglasses and UV-protective clothing. It is also recommended to check for any changes in the skin and to be mindful of incidental sun exposure, even on cloudy days.

Entertainment for long journeys

There are many ways to keep entertained on a long journey. Here are some ideas for what to buy for someone travelling to Australia to keep them amused en route:

Electronic Devices

Noise-cancelling headphones are a great gift for the journey and for when your traveller arrives in Australia. They can be used on the plane and are awesome for listening to music or podcasts.

A GoPro camera is a brilliant, compact gift that will be useful for someone leaving to start a new adventure. It's small, durable, and waterproof, so it's ideal for taking into the water when learning to surf or paddleboard.

An iPad is another handy, portable gift that can be loaded with movies, TV shows, and games to prepare for any travel delays.

Books and Magazines

A book or magazine is a great way to pass the time on a long journey. An Australia guidebook or a book about Australian culture would be a thoughtful gift.

An adult colouring book is a fun and relaxing option, or for kids, an activity or colouring magazine will keep them entertained.

Games

A pack of cards is always a good option for a long journey.

For kids, printable travel games or activity books can provide hours of entertainment.

Other Ideas

A travel pillow or travel bed will ensure your traveller gets a good sleep on the long flight.

A travel journal is a great way to document the journey and can be decorated with photos, washi tape, and Polaroids.

A cable organiser will keep all travel electronics and chargers in one safe place.

Gifts to remember home by

• A book of traditional English recipes: This will be a great reminder of home, especially when your sister is missing the food from back home.
• Noise-cancelling headphones: A good pair of noise-cancelling headphones will be a godsend on the flights and will be useful throughout her trip.
• A framed photo of you both: A framed photo of you both will be a lovely reminder of home that your sister can keep on her desk or bedside table.
• A photo keyring: If you're looking for something smaller, a photo keyring will be a perfect, portable reminder of you and your sister's favourite memories.
• A travel diary: Your sister can document her trip and all the memories she makes in a travel diary.
• A UK plug adapter: A UK plug adapter will be a useful gift for your sister, and she will be reminded of home every time she uses it.
• A UK-to-Australian dictionary: This will be a fun and useful gift for your sister, helping her translate English terms from the UK.

Australian slang guides

When travelling to Australia, it's important to familiarise yourself with the local slang to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings. Australian slang is unique and can be challenging to understand, even for native English speakers. Here are some essential Australian slang guides to help you navigate the language during your travels:

Common Australian Slang Words and Phrases:

• Arvo: Short for "afternoon." So, if someone says "S'arvo," they mean "this afternoon."
• Aussie Salute: Waving your hand to scare away flies.
• Bail: To cancel plans. For example, "Bruce bailed" means Bruce isn't coming.
• Bathers: Swimsuit.
• Beauty: An exclamation of delight or approval, similar to "great!"
• Bills: Teapot, typically referring to one used outdoors, such as over a campfire.
• Bloke: A man.
• Bogan: The Australian equivalent of a redneck.
• Booze Bus: A police vehicle used to catch drunk drivers.
• Bottle-O: Liquor store or a place to buy alcohol.
• Brekky: Breakfast, the first and most important meal of the day for Aussies.
• Bush: The countryside or a rural area outside of urban centres.
• Cab Sav: Aussies' shortened name for Cabernet Sauvignon wine.
• Cactus: Something is broken or dead.
• Chrissie: Christmas.
• Cobber: A good friend.
• Coldie: Beer. "Come over for a few coldies, mate!"
• Coppers: Policemen.
• Crikey: An expression of surprise.
• Crook: Can be used to describe someone who is unwell or angry. It can also refer to a criminal.
• Dag: Someone who is a bit of a nerd or geek.
• Daks: Trousers or pants. "Tracky daks" refer to sweatpants or tracksuit pants.
• Drongo: A fool or someone not very bright.
• Esky: An insulated container used to keep food and drinks cold, often used for beers.
• Fair Dinkum: An expression of honesty or sincerity. "Fair Dinkum?" means "Honestly?"
• Footy: Football, typically referring to Australian Rules Football or Aussie Rules.
• G'day: A friendly greeting, short for "good day."
• Galah: An Australian cockatoo or, colloquially, someone not very intelligent.
• G'day, Mate!: Australians tend to add "mate" to the end of sentences.
• Goon: Cheap boxed wine, a staple of the Australian backpacking experience.
• Hard Yakka: Hard work.
• Heaps: A lot or many.
• Iffy: Risky or unreasonable.
• Maccas: McDonald's.
• No Drama(s) or No Worries: Everything is fine or no problem.

Frequently asked questions