Australian food is the fusion of Asian and Western cuisines. Being a culturally diverse country, it offers a wide variety of dishes that reflects its multicultural history. Today, Australia is one of the most popular destinations for culinary tourism. Now, let’s take a look at Australian gastronomy.

Traditional Breakfast in Australia

Australians take breakfast very seriously. Their breakfast is usually light and consists of cereals with milk, toast with butter and jam, eggs, pancakes and tea. Vegemite, a dark brown paste with salty and bitter taste, is also very popular in the country which is spread over bread. Coffee is generally smooth and brewed in a large bowl with cold milk.

Lunch in Australia

The Australian lunch is composed of various conventional foods. They eat meat pie (traditional meat), sandwiches, fried chicken and fish & chips. The Australian sandwiches include various ingredients, almost anything, such as mushroom, beans, fish, sweet corns, eggs, pineapple and whatever. The burgers are very popular in the country.

Afternoon Snacks

The afternoon is the time for tea and it is regarded as a ritual which is due to the influence of former British colonies which were the first to settle down in Australia. Traditionally, tea is accompanied with many sweet things such as cookies, cakes and pies. Some people have changed this tradition by coffee.

Australian Dinner

The dinner is very important in Australia and usually consists of meat, fresh vegetables, seafood, salads and pickles. The meat dishes include kangaroo, crocodile, lamb and pork. Vegetables include potatoes, pumpkin, mushroom, carrot and onion. Rice consumption is very low, but pasta is highly regarded. The dinner is often followed by dessert such as Pavlova.

Typical Drinks

Australians often drink tea in the morning and afternoon. These days, coffee is also becoming very popular. But, the national drink in Australia is beer. There are many flavors of beer available in the country but ginger, mango and cider are the most common. Australian wines are also very good and cheap.

Australia is an extensive country with diverse cultures and that is the reason why there is so much versatility in the Australian cuisines. With such a huge variety of foods, eating in Australia is a pleasure.

Australia is a huge country with lots of attractions and things to do. Travelers who are planning to visit Australia must have collected all the important information about its attractions and things to do. But, here is a list of ten small tips and shortcuts which will help you enjoy your journey.

1) Australia is a developed country and provides clean drinking water. You can save your money by drinking tap water. Just buy a reusable bottle, fill it with the tap water and carry it with you. (But don’t drink bore water.)

2) Many shops in the country are cash only. They do not accept credit or debit cards and some accept a card on a bill of minimum $10. So, it is a better idea to keep some loose change with you.

3) You won’t find many fast-food options in Australia. McDonalds, KFC and Burger King are the only fast food restaurants what you will find here.

4) Australia has a GST (Goods and Services Tax) of 10%. If you shop for the minimum of 300 Dollars (AUD) in one store, you can claim a refund of GST under the Tourist Refund Scheme which is available at airports.

5) 000 is the number for all emergency services: ambulance, police and fire brigade. In any situation of an emergency, just dial 000.

6)  The internet in Australia is very expensive, but you can take advantage of free Wi-Fi in libraries and restaurants such as Starbucks and McDonalds. (Only first 30 minutes are free in most of the restaurants.)

7) The sun in Australia is not much friendly. You would need to apply an SPF 30+ sunscreen lotion before getting out. Reapply sunscreen, if you are spending a long time outdoors. Also, wear a hat and full sleeves clothes, and drink lots of fluids.

8) Urban transport is very expensive. So, it is better to rent a car to get around in Australia. Hitch hiking is another option to save money.

9) Eating out could be very expensive. You can save money if you cook you meal yourself. You can also grab a meal for half or one-third of the price in the food courts of any shopping mall if you hit the restaurant around its closing time.

10) There is no one right time to travel to Australia. Being the 5th largest country by size, Australia covers different climatic zones. The best time to travel to Australia depends on the area you want to visit.

These tips and hacks will make your journey easier in Australia. Also, share these tips with your friends.

Melbourne has a wide range of activities for travelers and shopping is one of them. The people of Melbourne love to shop and that is why the city has so many shopping malls. There is everything from top national and international brands to local street markets. Let’s take a look at the most visited shopping destinations of Melbourne:

Queen Victoria Market

The Queen Victoria Market is the soul of Melbourne and today it has become a historic icon of the city. For more than a century, opened in 1878, it has been a popular tourist attraction. Also known as ‘Queen Vic’ or ‘Vic Market’, the Queen Victoria Market consists of over 600 shops divided into different categories. In Deli Hall, you will find huge variety of cheese, cakes, pastry, dressed meat; Meat Hall has huge range of fresh meat and seafood; Fruit & Veg has exotic variety of fruit and vegetables. In other parts you can buy clothes, jewelry, toys, electronics etc.

DFO South Wharf

The DFO is a shopping mall with hundreds of leading brands, national and international, all under the one roof. Huge range of clothes, kids wear, footwear, accessories, jewelry and sports merchandise is available here. Heavy discounts are offered by the retailers on daily basis. You can have a quick meal and coffee in the food court or something that suits your taste. Over 4600 parking spaces are available in the mall. It is open seven days a week from 10 AM to 6 PM(Friday: 10 AM-9 PM)

Melbourne Central Shopping Centre

Melbourne Central is a popular mall in the city offering shopping, dining and entertainment options at one place. There are more than 300 stores spread over 5 levels of this modern architectural mall. GG House, Seafolly, R.M. Williams, Sass & Bide and Gorman are some popular brands located here. Strike Bowling is a place for entertainment offering 10 bowling lanes, pool tables, a bar, dance floor and music. Catch a movie at Hoyts Cinema, enjoy a chill beer in Asian Beer Cafe and taste something from the menu of Pancake Parlour. Melbourne Central is a place for the whole family.

Chadstone Shopping Centre

Chadstone is Melbourne’s leading shopping mall and a must-visit on your trip to the city. Located almost 20 km from the city center and it offers free shuttle service for its customers. With almost 500 retail stores, Chadstone claims to be the largest shopping center in Southern Hemisphere. It has a large collection of numerous international luxury brands and Australian designers, that’s why it is called ‘Fashion Capital’ of the country.

The list of amenities offered by Chadstone includes a food court with a wide selection of restaurants and cafes, banks, ATMs, currency exchange, baby change rooms, wheelchairs and more. It also boasts the largest parking area with over 9000 free parking spaces.

In addition, Northland Shopping Centre, Spencer Outlet Centre, Highpoint Shopping Centre, Collins Street, Swanston Street and Royal Arcade are worth visiting places in Melbourne.

Australia is blessed with countless beaches which are scattered along its beautiful coastline. These beaches offer a wide variety of water activities such as swimming, surfing, boating, fishing and snorkeling. We have selected 5 beaches of Australia where you can spend a great day out.

Gold Coast, Queensland

This is one of the most preferred destinations for a holiday in Australia. The Gold Coast is a favorite hideout for the Australians during their holiday with kilometers of beach, perfect waves for surfing and amazing nightlife. With over 7 kilometers of sandy beaches, the Gold Coast is a guarantee of success with both, fans of the beach and with citizens convinced.

Whitehaven Beach

This 7 km long beautiful beach is located at the heart of the coral reef on Whitsundays Island. The white sand on the beach and turquoise water of the sea attract thousands of tourists every year. Rafting in the ocean or sea kayaking combines romantic moments with action that has its bit of inevitable adrenaline. This is not only the most beautiful beach in Queensland but also the most eco-friendly in the region.

Hyams Beach

Located around three hours drive to the south of Sydney, Hyams Beach is perfect for those who wish to take some time off and enjoy the nature. This beach is popular for having the whitest sand in the world and clear turquoise waters. It even holds the record in Guinness Book of World Records for the whitest beach in the world. The Hyams Beach is surrounded by two national parks: Jervis Bay National Park on one side and Booderee National Park on the other.

Bondi Beach

Located just 7 kilometers from the center of Sydney, the famous Bondi Beach is a Mecca for surfers and sun lovers. Numerous restaurants, cafes, bars and luxury homes are located near the beach. Bondi Beach is the definitive example of the grandeur lifestyle of this beach town Sydney. Beaches suitable for surfing, proximity to the city center, excellent atmosphere, an abundance of restaurants and cafes and easy accessibility by public transport make the Bondi Beach one of the most Popular in Australia.

Bells Beach

Bells Beach, located next to the towns of Jan Juc and Torquay on the great Ocean Road, is a very famous beach for water sports. It hosts many surfing contests and other water sports events. Rip Curl Pro, the oldest surfing contest in the world, was held here in 1961 for the first time. Bells Beach not only provides an opportunity for surfing but its proximity to the Great Ocean road also gives the possibility to admire the fantastic views along the road.

So, these are 5 famous beaches to visit in Australia for an amazing day out with family or friends.  On your trip to Australia, try to visit at least one of these.

Sydney is one of the most important and most visited cities in Australia. Although Sydney is popular for sun, sea and opera but this magnificent city also offer numerous shopping opportunities to satisfy your craving to shop. It is a pleasure to shop in Sydney and you can find numerous options such as small shops, huge departmental stores, street markets and big shopping malls dispersed all over the city. If you plan a day of shopping, then Sydney is a perfect destination. Check out some of the most popular shopping destinations in Sydney:

The Rocks Market

Located in the historic district at the foot of Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Rocks Market is the most famous in Sydney. The ancient buildings of the market were restored to maintain the glamour of the old days. This covered market is popular for local crafts, funky clothes, indigenous products, toys, gadgets and all kind of artistic products. This historic area is full of restaurants, cafes and pubs. It opens all days of the week.

The Queen Victoria Building

It is a 19th-century building situated on George Street in the central business district. It is considered as one of the most beautiful shopping center worldwide and one of the most famous in Sydney. This antique mall contains more than two hundred shops of all kinds. The shops include luxury boutiques, art & antiques shops, jewelry and many restaurants. It is a pleasure to shop here or just take a stroll.

Dinosaur Designs

The next name in our list is a place that you cannot miss! Dinosaur Designs is a store of handmade jewelry and home decor objects. Each stuff is made in their workshop by their skilled artisans. The jewelry designs are unique and very colorful, so it becomes very difficult to choose one. The products are inspired by nature and art comprising bright hues and amazing textures. Each piece is in the store is almost collectible for its exceptional design and beauty.

Darling Harbour

It is an exciting place where you can find street performers, street theater and exhibitions. Here you will also find the Harbourside Shopping Centre which is popular for its tax-free and many specialty shops like Crocodile Stop and Kangaroos and Koalas. The mall has an array of cafe, restaurants and entertainment options. The building of the mall is very beautiful and its location is even more beautiful.

Chinatown

Chinatown is situated in the southern part of the city center. It is the cultural and commercial center of the Chinese community with lots of shops selling clothes, gifts, herb and Chinese food. On your visit to Chinatown, make sure to stop at nearby Paddy’s Market which is one of the largest markets in the city. Here you will find clothes, gifts, fish, fruits, vegetables and everything. Prices are very cheap here and you can also bargain with the vendors. It is the best place to buy souvenirs as you will get better discount here than any other area in the city.

These are some of the best places to shop in Sydney, although shopping options in the city are limitless. Prices are very affordable and variety of products is also great. Make sure you get enough time for shopping in Sydney along with sightseeing.