Australia is a magnificent country. Travelling in Australia is easy, accessible and loads of fun. Getting to and from Australia however is a different story. It is a long haul to and from Australia!
Australia is far from everywhere unless you live in New Zealand and even then it is still a couple of hours flying time to get there.
It really is down under but so worthwhile so here are a few tips to make the haul there and back easier.
Don’t see any worthwhile movies for at least three months before your flights to Australia. During the very long two flights that I recently took to and from Australia I caught up on all of the latest movies I hadn’t seen.
A fantastic way to pass the time!
Travelling to and from Australia involves going through several time zones, depending on where you are coming from, and remember in Australia there are three different time zones. For example Sydney and Melbourne share the same time zone but are 2 hours ahead of Perth on the West Coast and 1 hour ahead of Cairns in the North.
Most trips to Australia usually involve 2 flights, if you are flying via America or Asia.
We recently flew to Sydney via Bangkok. Going there we had a 3 hour layover in Bangkok which was doable. Personally wasn’t impressed with the Airport and so any longer layover hanging around the Airport would be uncomfortable and frustrating. On our return we had an 11 hour layover and decided to book into a Hotel.
I cannot recommend this enough.
We booked into the Regal Airport Hotel which is at the Airport. You literally walk 5 minutes from the Arrival Terminal to the Hotel – all under cover and basically a continuation of the terminal. As your luggage would and should have been checked in to your final destination it is a comfortable, easy and accessible short walk (with a trolley) to the Hotel.
The Hotel offers “day use” but when we went this was combined with a Spa Package which made it expensive so we booked a room for the day and didn’t look back.
Make sure to join the Hotel’s Rewards program before booking and so be eligible for free WiFi and discounts at the Restaurants in the Hotel and the Spa.
The Hotel has a marvelous outdoor pool, indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and spa.
Well worth having a massage after which you will feel ready for the next leg of the haul to your destination.
And then all you need to do is walk another 5 minutes to the Departure Terminal for your next flight on this haul to and from Australia!
The break and relaxation at the Hotel make the haul very much more bearable.
Other Tips:
The flights are long so wear comfortable loose clothing.
I suggest always flying with slip on clogs or shoes and always take socks with you.
Drink lots of liquid, preferably water, before and during the flights.
Remember that as opposed to Australia where the tap water is safe, drinkable and very good, in Hong Kong you cannot drink the water from the tap.
You might like to see my other posts on Australia:
Port Douglas North Queensland Australia is Paradise;
Kuranda;
Daintree Rainforest North of The Daintree River;
Snorkeling on The Great Barrier Reef;
Swimming at the Icebergs Pool, Bondi Beach