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Get lost on the world’s largest island, a place that offers all the amenities of home but is far enough away to experience an island paradise without paying an arm and a leg. Over 30,000 miles of beautiful beaches welcome tourists to the land of the koala bear, the kangaroo, and wildlife unlike anywhere else on earth.All you need to do to is save money and plan the perfect island escape is follow some basic steps in order to make it an unforgettable journey.

Packing for your trip- Make sure that you have your airline tickets and visas. Take three forms of id including your driver’s license, valid passport, and birth certificate. Order travelers checks. Keep receipts separate from checks. Carry a couple of credit cards but also carry cash in case there is an emergency and credit cards or checks do not work. Have your mail held until you return.

Predict the cost of your trip and carry a budget planner. Stay within your means and know the currency exchange rates. Pack your clothes according to the time of year and where you are traveling. Consider purchasing some of your essentials in the country so you will not have so much to carry. Keep all of your important documents, reservation numbers, contact information, medication, and other important items handy. Don’t forget to pack your camera, and remember your point and shoot camera will not always take great distant shots. You may need a good camera with a lens to take those breathtaking shots. Know what type of luggage you can take on the plane or cruise ship. Take travel maps. Don’t forget your cell phones and chargers.

Getting to Australia- There are many major airlines that offer flight packages to the great Outback; or take a cruise to one of the port cities! Perhaps, combine a cruise there with a flight home? If you choose that route, shop early for flight and cruise packages.

You’ll also need a visa; purchase these months in advance. Like entering any other country, you’ll have to abide by Customs regulations. Knowing what you can bring in and take out of the country should be pre-determined, including currency.

A travel insurance policy is a great precaution for the unexpected, whether weather or lost travel documents. Unlike in the United States, the north is more tropical with warm temperatures and the south is cold. Visit during the summer months from December through February. Winter months include June through August with snow in the southern mountain regions.

Australian Accommodations – Save money by staying in cheap hotelson the island or enjoy posh amenities at a first class hotel. From resorts to rustic camping, it’s easy to locate hotels across Australia that offer international name brand lodging for every budget. Rent a service apartment. Enjoy home-cooked meals at a bed and breakfast inn. Stay on an Aussie farm where you can learn to shear a sheep. Travel by horseback or even go fishing while watching an early morning sunrise.

Getting around Australia- From in the air; enjoy a view across the country with a number of domestic airlines from major city airports. Rental cars can be reserved at major airports, city locations, and resorts – research them all for the best pricing and deals. If you can get use to driving on the left side of the road with the steering wheel on the right side of the car, meander across desserts with endless sunsets.

Travel across the Victoria’s Great Ocean Road along the southeast coast. Bus fare is reasonable with comfortable amenities that make touring a great way to travel. For a quick scenic adventure, fan the rails on a journey across the country to major cities and popular tourist towns.

Great Destinations- Travel across the Great Ocean Road through national parks. Go whale watching. Hunt for shipwrecks. See old volcanoes and majestic waterfalls. Swim with the dolphins. Ride scenic roads along the Great Barrier Reef. Go skiing in the Australian Alps. Visit small mountain towns. Plan your trip to cities like Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and the Gold Coast. With eight great states and territories, enjoying mountain resorts and coastal cottages is made easy to help you discover why tourists come to the tropical paradise of Australia.

Assistance for your vacation- Aussie vacation specialists knows how to find the best deals for every budget. They know how to put together a package for the whole family and can help you create an itinerary, reserve hotels and car rentals, and assist you in planning any other part of your vacation. Check with the official tourism office to assist you with planning your vacation. They can answer any questions about every area from mountain escapes to coastal getaways.

With proper planning, you can enjoy a great vacation to Australia from the time you board your flight to the time you return, all the while adding precious memories to your scrapbook.

This guest post was written and provided by freelance writer and consultant Erica Gustafson who works with Expedia. She has planned many leisure and business trips to Australia and put this post together for your next island vacation.