Australia is a magnificent country, home to unique landscapes and even more unique wildlife. With so much to see and do, it can be hard to know where to start – so we’ve narrowed down three truly incredible experiences to make the most of the glorious Australian summer.
3 Amazing Immigrant Experiences and Travel in Australia
Whether you’re moving to Australia or simply spending some time traveling around the country, you’ll find it’s a place like no other, brimming with brilliant sights and experiences. From fantastic culture to adventurous family activities, in Australia there’s something for everyone.
If you’re lucky enough to be in the country for the summer and want to turn your season from amazing to absolutely awe-inspiring, why not try one of the following unique experiences?
1. Diving or Snorkeling Along the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and our largest coral reef system. Stretching over 1600 miles (133,000 square miles in area) across Australia’s northeastern coast, it’s not just a single reef, but a collection of 2,900. It’s the only natural wonder visible from space.
It’s not the size and scale that makes the Great Barrier Reef so awe-inspiring, but the abundance and variety of natural life it’s home to. As well as stunning coral formations and over 1600 species of fish, you could find yourself swimming alongside rare whale species and six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles. It’s a truly unforgettable experience.
From guided boat tours to viewing the reefs from the air, there are many ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef, even if you don’t like the water! But for the most incredible and immersive experience, you’ll want to get up close on a dedicated diving or snorkeling expedition.
Thanks to its warm tropical waters, you can enjoy visiting the Great Barrier Reef year-round. But there’s something extra special about seeing the coral and its inhabitants in the gleam of the summer sunshine.
2. Bioluminescence at Jervis Bay
If you want a truly breath-taking experience few have the privilege of seeing, head to Jervis Bay on the New South Wales coast. Here, if you’re very lucky, you can witness a natural phenomenon as beautiful as it is awesome.
Bioluminescence is caused by microscopic algae, called Noctiluca, which are able to emit their own light. Only a tiny number of organisms can do this – and fewer still in such vast displays as the Noctiluca can create. So, seeing it in person is very special. At it’s strongest, the bioluminescence turns the waters of Jervis Bay into a shifting blanket of light – vivid blues and greens, almost like a liquid northern lights.
For your best chance of seeing bioluminescence, visit on the evening of a sunny day, shortly after a period of stormy weather. There are no guarantees even if you visit when conditions are ideal, so make sure to plan some back-up activities around the beautiful Jervis Bay community if you’re traveling in.
3. Lavender Fields in Tasmania
Tasmania is a place of immense wild beauty year-round, but it’s hard to beat the sight of vast purple fields stretching out to meet the summer horizon.
The lavender fields offer a feast for the senses, the gorgeous sight accompanied by wafts of charming scent, as the calming sound of the breeze passing through the bushes. And if you visit one of the two locations where you can walk among the flowers, you can even run your hands along the stems and capture the powerful fragrance on your fingertips. These are Port Arthur Lavender Farm and Bridestowe Lavender Estate.
Sadly lavender season can’t last forever, so if you don’t live in Tasmania, be sure to visit between December and February to see the fields at their most vibrant.
Sending Money Overseas from Australia
While sending money back home during your travels might be important, it certainly can’t be described as an awe-inspiring experience! But it doesn’t have to be a stressful one.
If you need to transfer money overseas from Australia, you’ll find it’s so quick and easy with Western Union that you’re back to soaking up amazing experiences in no time. You’ll find agent locations you can visit across Australia – including 2,900 Australia Post branches – as well as easy online transfers and a dedicated app that lets you send money transfers while on the go. So you’ll be able to send or receive money whenever you need to, wherever your adventures take you.
