Australia Safety
Polio Case in Australia, July 1, Thai Airways
July 1st, the first case of Polio flew into Australia in more than 20 years. A word of caution for all travellers- always make sure you immunizations are up to date! If you were on Thai Airways flight TG999 from Bangkok on July 1, you should get in contact with Victorian Authorities.
Almost 250 people were on the flight from Bangkok to Melbourne early this month with a 22-year-old student from Pakistan who was later diagnosed with the first case of polio in Australia in 20 years, officials said.
About 100 of the mostly-Australian passengers had been contacted and efforts were …
Date: July 16th, 2007 |
1 comment
Driving In Australia, Survival Tips #2
Hello folks! It’s that time again! How to Survive while Driving in Australia! I’m putting together a multi-part guide to conditions and issues you need to be aware of while driving in Oz…. If anyone can explain the Melbournian J-turn in the comments section, it would be greatly appreciated. The take home message from today’s blog- READ the SIGNS!!!!!! Road Signs, Oh boy where to start.
Street Name Signs, Just because you are at an intersection, do not assume there will be street name signs to tell you what both roads are called. Occasionally there will be a street name for one of the roads, but not the other. Occasionally there will be no name signs at all. This can be a tad bit frustrating when trying to navigate and you are not sure what road you just ended up on by accident at that last round-a-bout.
No Turn Signs Just because you see a HUGE No Right Turn sign does not actually mean you can’t turn right there. You have to look underneath the Big Sign to the little sign that is printed in 12 font, while you are driving 40 km/h which qualifies what they mean. It might mean that trucks over 3 tonnes can’t turn there, or you can’t turn from 8:30 am to 10:15 am Monday through Friday, or only busses are allowed to turn there.
Clearway Signs This concept drives me CRAZY! OK- imagine if you will- a MAJOR road in your town. A Main thoroughfare. Now imagine people being allowed to park in the outside lane…randomly. You are driving along… and wham… parked car. No Warning. This concept makes people learn to swerve while driving. (Yesterday I about blew my lid when I saw a BUS swerving around a parked car! What is this world coming to?!) Again- the Australian RTA can’t figure out why there are so many wrecks…maybe because there are PARKED CARS on the Highway!!!?????? Anyway- back to the Clearway Signs. SOMETIMES it is OK to park on MAIN ARTERIAL ROADS, and sometimes it is not. These friendly little signs, and I do mean physically little, have a picture of a tow truck on them and the times (printed in 12 font) stating at which hours it is prohibited to park in an otherwise perfectly functioning lane of a road. Do yourself a favour and almost NEVER drive in the outside lane. It will either end with no warning, or there will be a random parked car. I’d LOVE to hear back from any of you who have experienced this bizarre phenomenon.
Date: March 29th, 2007 |
2 comments
Australian Emergency Phone Numbers
Hey gang! No one wants to need emergency phone numbers- but everyone should know them. Here are a few of those critical numbers to know. If there is another you are looking for- let me know and I will add it. Happy Travels!
Ambulance, Police, Fire Brigade
000
Crime Stoppers
1800 333 000
Energy Australia
131388
General Post Office
159-171 Pitt Street
131318
Local Directory
12455
Overseas Operator
1225
Date: November 7th, 2006 |
No Comments
Tourists packing it over film
I’m not surprised, but I have to admit that the stupidity of people knows no bounds….a recent article highlights a few travelers who are a) avoiding the Wolf Creek movie because of its scary reputation (fair enough) and b) avoiding Australia….because that is where it is set. SERIOUSLY. Most said they wouldn’t change plans, but really… Flabbergasted. From Tourists packing it over film
Date: December 20th, 2005 |
No Comments
Authority tests tourist bushfire warning system
After wildfires killed 10 people in 2002 an 2003, the government has established improved security measures to warn holiday-makers about the issue. Since most deaths result in people being, well, idiots, and not taking precautions, I’m not sure how much it’s going to help…Authority tests tourist bushfire warning system
Date: January 5th, 2005 |
No Comments
Embassies and Consulates in Australia, Contact information
Hi there gang. When traveling overseas, it is important to know important emergency contact information. Many times, this could include your home country Consulate or Embassy. Visas, immunizations, passports, etc, can all get lost, or need applying for.
The links below are listings of the countries that have embassies or consulates in Australia. I will do another post for Australian Embassies overseas. For more information and travel advisories see the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Index …
Date: July 11th, 2007 |
No Comments
Backpackers, Skiers, and Travellers, 1Cover Insurance for All
The Following is a Paid Review
Are you a backpacker, Business Traveller, organizing a group holiday or going to the Snow? As I’ve mentioned a few times previously on this blog, it is extremely important to get good travel insurance. 1Cover is an insurance company providing coverage for Australian Citizens and Residents to cover short term and Long Term holidays. They have an option for everyone!
If you are a backpacker, They have a policy that covers the basics like your overseas Medical/Hospital/Dental expenses as well as a personal liability clause that covers you in case some one sues you should you, oh, wreck a car, or crash into to someone on the ski slopes.
If you are a Business Traveller, they have long and short term comprehensive coverage that not only covers the above, but also covers things like rental car insurance, lost luggage, and emergency accommodation due to trip delays.
Check out all the different policies available, Medical only, Group travel, single trip in Australia, and Multiple trip coverage. If you are planning several holidays this year, their annual travel insurance policy will save you time and money. It covers unlimited trips abroad over the year and travel up to a maximum of 90 days per individual trip. Travellers of all ages are eligible for coverage, and many pre-existing conditions are automatically covered with no waiting period. Policies are good from 5 to 365 days.
Date: March 26th, 2007 |
No Comments
Organized Sports and Travel Insurance
While in Oz or other places overseas- do you plan on skiing, snow boarding, water skiinig, surfing- or mega worry- play organized sports? If so…please look at the terms of your travel insurance very carefully.
I am sure you all have heard- the Aussies are MAD about their sports. If you are planning to spend anytime in Australia and are sporty at all- you will be faced with the opportunity to play organized sport of some sort- a corporate comp, a neighborhood comp or even a club team. I …
Date: October 4th, 2006 |
No Comments
Alert levels to be simplified
The recent Bali bombings have urged the Australian government to review its travel alert system. They hope to make the warnings simpler and more user-friendly. Jargon such as “defer non-essential travel” would be changed to a more cut-and-dried, “don’t go there unless you have to”. From Alert levels to be simplified
Date: November 7th, 2005 |
No Comments
