There are few things more satisfying than a holiday during the Australian Summer. A long walk on perfectly cooked beach sand, an ice-cold drink in hand and friends by your side – it doesn’t get any better!
The weather is perfect, the skies are blue, and everyone seems a little happier when they can play, even in extreme heat.
However, dangers in the Aussie sun can present at any time, even if such hazards are minimal, but it’s best not to be caught off guard by learning a few essential tips on how to survive an Australian Summer.
An Australian Summer is a favourable time for most of the population and visitors to experience the great outdoors in the land down under.
However, because you’re often outdoors, you’re exposed to a few of the nasties in the country.
That’s when you need awareness and basic knowledge when going about your daily business, whether at the beach in the unforgiving ocean or driving on the open roads, where 100% concentration is vital.
If your awareness or knowledge slips for one second, a fun day could become a disaster and ruin your life’s good time during your Summer holiday.
This article is not meant to scare you away from Australia during the heatwave months; far from it. It’s here to assist you in your everyday decisions so you can have fun and keep cool during the hot summer nights or days.
Let’s get you on the right track with this handy guide on surviving an Australian Summer.
Surviving an Australian summer could mean seeking shade and drinking beer in Sydney.
Travel Smart – Tips on How to Survive an Australian Summer
If you’re planning to travel to Australia during the summer season, it’s essential to be well-prepared to make the most of your trip. Here are some helpful tips on how to survive an Australian summer:
1. Know your limits on the open water
It knows your limits on the open water; swimming at the beach or kayaking on the calm rivers is essential. It all seems a pleasant leisurely activity to enjoy, and most times, that is the case.
It’s essential to know your limits, your capabilities and your surroundings.
Are you a strong swimmer? Are you an adequate swimmer? The ocean or rivers can be wild and turn nasty without notice.
Too many locals and uneducated foreigners have drowned because they have underestimated the water. If you are at the beach, swim between the flags. If you are out exploring the local rivers, wear a life jacket.
If you are having a party at the beach, don’t drink and swim; that is just plain stupid. Adhering to these small steps is what could save your life. Please don’t take the mighty waters for granted because they can strike a fatal blow anytime.
Lastly, always keep two eyes on the children around the water. Whether it’s the ocean, a lake,e or the backyard swimming pool, too many innocent lives have been lost due to a lack of awareness.
Quick tips for the open water
1. Swim between the flags
2. Life jackets save lives. Use when appropriate
3. Keep an eye on the kids
4. Don’t drink alcohol and Swim
5. know your surroundings
6. Know your limits
Keep an eye on the kids in the water at all times. Life jackets are a must.
2. Keep hydrated – Drink plenty of water
Water, Water, Water. It will save your life, so keep as much on you as possible, especially if you are planning a big day out in the extreme heat, and know that hydration is the key.
Always take ample water with you, whether in a cool esky in the back of the car or having a camel pack[/easyazon_link]attached to you, which is especially vital when spending long hours in the sun.
Are you staying at home? Keep the fluids up; it’s not hard when in the comfort of your own house; the tricky bit is to remind yourself to keep drinking. Always accessible when you have a bottle of water within arm’s reach.
The average amount of water you should drink during an average day is two litres; that number can increase when you are active.
The colour of your urine is a good gauge to know if you are drinking enough water. If it’s clear, you are doing well. If it’s yellow, drink more water immediately. By the way, drinking beer doesn’t count as water consumption.
Quick tips
1. Drink around 2ltr of water a day
2. Take plenty of water with you on trips
3. Alcohol is not water
4. Check the colour of urine for hydration levels; the lighter the colour, the better.
Summer needs to be enjoyed by keeping hydrated with plenty of water.
3. Slip, slop, slap – Gotta Love a good Aussie saying
An iconic Australian slogan was made about twenty years ago to urge Aussies on how to survive Summer with three basic rules.
It’s also an excellent slogan to take with you worldwide, especially as many travellers love to holiday in the tropics where the heat is always oppressive.
The slogan, broken down in its three words, means slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat. It’s fair to say following such rules can help prevent skin cancer, a giant killer down under.
As you are probably aware, Australia is a sunburnt country and sadly has an unfortunate number of skin cancer patients yearly.
Following the slip-slap method, sunglasses in the shade can help keep the nasties away.
Quick tips for Slip, Slop, Slap
1. Use the Slip, Slop, slap method
2. Use the shade as much as you can
3. Wear sunglasses
4. Be Cautious on the Aussie roads
You feel free when the roads run for kilometres, and the scenery around you can be breathtaking. While that is undoubtedly the case with all the natural attractions in Australia, it’s also important not to get complacent.
Getting into a car is the single most dangerous thing you can do in a day, and the road must be respected for your own life and the lives of those also using the road.
While the holidays are the busiest times in Australia, as holiday-goers pack their bags for a quick getaway, you will see all kinds of motorists.
From the crazy drivers who overtake at dangerous times, truckies who test your patients and slow motorists who have a decade to reach their destination.
Patients will be tested.
A few tips to note are: Don’t drive tired, keep to the speed limit (it’s there for a safe reason), watch your surroundings, and most of all, be patient; there is no need to rush to arrive a few minutes earlier. If you let it be, your drive on the Aussie roads can be safe, scenic, and enjoyable. Don’t be in a hurry, because that’s not good for anybody.
Quick tips for driving on the road
1. Overtake vehicles in overtaking lanes
2. Don’t drive tired
3. Be patient
4. Don’t Drink and Drive
5. Don’t speed
6. Watch out for those kangaroos.
The open roads in Australia need to be respected at all times.
5. Be on Alert during the Bush fire Season
A quick mention: I can’t see many travellers falling under and starting a fire or being caught up in a bushfire, but it does happen.
In the summer months of Australia, there is a complete fire ban, which means if you’re camping or having a day trip out in the woods, you can not start a campfire thinking roasting marshmallows is a good idea; it may be a disaster.
Even if no tragic event unfolds, you haven’t accidentally torched the forest on fire.
If you are caught starting a fire or using a machine that can ignite flames, your bank account may be a little short after you receive a hefty fine from the authorities.
If you doubt what you can’t do during a fire ban, check out this website for further details and be an intelligent traveller in Australia.
Quick tip during a fire ban
1. Summer in Australia is a complete fire ban
2. No Campfires
3. When trouble occurs, listen out to local radio stations for advice
The Aussie bush is fun with nature; respect the laws in Summer.
6. The Sizzling barbecues are suitable for Australian Summer
Ultimately, the ultimate goal is to bring many people and laughs together by getting into your swimwear and having a dip in the swimming pool. You can responsibly drink ice-cold beer while watching the Aussies in the cricket and the old Aussie favourite of sizzling a steak on the BBQ.
It’s summertime down under. Enjoy the moment, but do it with safety at the forefront of your thinking because you want to get home in one piece. Don’t forget the mozzie repellent; those annoying little mosquitoes will kill you. Happy travels.
Check it out. It’s a book that all parents will love. It’s a comedy about The Summer Holidays Survival Guide, when the kids are on school holidays and weeks drag on and on until their return to school. It’s a good laugh and reasonably cheap on the Amazon Kindle.
Be prepared this Australian Summer.
My biggest issue would most likely be the heat. I’m more adopted to the below zero temperatures that we currently have here in Sweden 🙂
The only time I have been in below zero temperatures is when I was in Korea in 2014. Loved it, don’t know about living in it though.
I’ve got a few friends who have emigrated from Ireland to Australia and they are constantly complaining about the head (although loving every minute of it). I’m kind of surprised not to see any mentions of the local wildlife here as some similar articles I’ve read are always mentioned the country’s abundance of dangerous animals. Is this something that’s a little exaggerated? Anyway, great post and some really top advice
My partner and I decided to visit Australia this year. On the other hand, my tourist visa was denied on my first attempt of application. I was too frustrated but did not give up. I gave a second try. Just like the result of my previous application, it was denied again. I am very much familiar with the warning which is to swim between the flags only.When I was doing our itinerary, we would like it very much to visit Bondi and Coogee beaches and I have always read that reminder.
Slip slop slap had me laughing! Definitely a down under saying but great advice! I always have to remind myself to stay hydrated while traveling too. The sun can be so brutal!
Aussie saying, too true mate.
I have to say, these tips are incredibly true and it’s surprising that so many people tend to ignore most of these! My husband and I were in Australia for our summer (Australian winter) so we fortunately didn’t have to deal with the extreme heat but even so, the weather can still be warm, especially along the coast. Hopefully we will be back to visit and hit the surf more this time!
Great tips! I think the tips apply to any other place with similar weather conditions. It’s nice to have these as reminders. My friend and I did grand canyon 4 day trek in the middle of summer – your tips can certainly apply to that scenario easily.
Excellent advice. I will head all of your warnings once I finally visit AUS! It’s important to remind people of the obvious summer precautions, because we often forget some of the basics when our heads are full of travel related obstacles. Sometimes I’m so busy trying to drive safely, I forget to drink enough water! Thanks for the reminders! 🙂
I love the slip, slop, slap method you described. I live near Virginia Beach. We definitely could use that method for protection from the sun around here too. When you mention bbq, I can’t help but think about “shrimp on the barbie.”
Great tips! Haven’t been to Australia but I think in every places, especially in hot countries, like us in Ph, water is always needed.