When we're travelling to a new place, we want to know the ins and outs of what to do to make the visit worthwhile and avoid running into trouble along the way. But often these recommendations include tourist traps preventing us from having an authentic experience, and there's little mention of customs and etiquette.
1. "Don't ignore safety signs — particularly if you're outside of the cities. We lose quite a few tourists each year who decide to ignore the 'Don't swim here' signs."
2. "My favourite is on the Great Ocean Road. There are signs saying 'In Australia we drive on the left' — should probably pay attention to that one."
3. "Don't wear a cork hat. Just don't do it."
4. "Don't forget to plan your bushwalks or hiking trips. Too many tourists just wander off into the bush and go missing because they didn't check where and when the safest areas and times were. Same with swimming — swim between the flags, and don't go outside your comfort zone."
5. "Don't watch the movie Wolf Creek before driving to the outback."
6. "Don't drink the mainstream beers. Microbreweries are everywhere and are fucking tasty."
7. "If I had to think of an Australian tourist trap, I would say Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. It's dirty and full of overpriced gift shops, and the beach isn't even pretty. I still love the Gold Coast — I would just stay to the southern end."
8. "Don't ignore the drop bear warnings."
9. "Don't think that Bondi is our best beach. Just like Foster's, it's a lie sold overseas. Head north for beaches."
10. "Don't go to Byron Bay."
—u/[deleted]
"I'm with this bloke. Byron is fucked. I do not want to have to share the beach with other people."
11. "The Sydney bridge climb is highly overpriced and overrated — just go up the Pylon Lookout instead."
12. "Don't try to look for 'authentic' Australian cuisine. Apart from bush tucker, we don't really have any. But the greatest thing about Australian food is that we steal everyone else's, so don't ignore all the ethnic cuisine around you."
13. "Don't even bother asking for a Foster's."
14. "Don't get caught in the trap of traveling too much. Australia is big. It is a day's drive between Brisbane and Sydney and a solid week's drive to the western coast. We have several carriers that service most regional airports (Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Tiger)."
15. "Don't get stranded in the city late at night. Download the city's public transport app if you have a smartphone. Public transport quality and coverage can vary a lot between cities."
16. "After reading this thread, I'd say don't be offended by the swearing...it'll be fucking right, mate."
17. "Don't stick to the cities. Seriously, we have some of the very best countrysides. And don't ignore warning signs — Australia loves safety."
18. "Don't try to use our slang. It's not like France, where you get points for trying to learn our language. What you think our slang is is what we make fun of, and you'll just have a better time if you talk like you normally would instead of trying to fit in."
19. And finally, "Don't eat a kebab after a night out unless you've eaten there sober."
What are your recommendations on what NOT do when visiting Australia? Let us know in the comments!
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.