Tag Archives: sea

Tips for Travellers to Australia

With wide open spaces, iconic scenery and a beautiful array of wildlife, Australia is one of the most popular tourist hot spots worldwide. Often very popular with young travellers and those looking to take a gap year out of education to go travelling, part of Australia’s appeal is that it is a completely unknown continent that just happens to speak the same language as we do.

spiderThis may sound like a strange thing but one reason less people travel to see the world is the fear that they will be stuck in an unfamiliar place and they won’t be able to properly communicate their distress. Australia gets rid of part of that fear, as most people speak English. You get the strange new world, without the fear of being stuck up the language river without a paddle.

However, there are a whole host of other dangers just waiting to pull you under the water and while we may be vaguely aware of them we’ve piled together a few top tips for those of you who are planning on hiking it across Australia in the near future.

Stay Clean to stay safe!

Always wash your hands before eating. It may sound like a no-brainer but you’d be surprised at how often people forget about hand sanitation. You can always take a portable hand sanitizer with you if there is nowhere near to clean your hands. When going outside always put your shoes on to prevent scrapes or possible bites and scratches. Make sure to shake your shoes before putting them on just in case little critters have tried to crawl in them overnight!

Know the Climate

SONY DSCAustralia is a hot country! Make sure to take plenty of water for hydration wherever you go and always apply a lot of sunscreen. If you happen to swim at all, make sure to apply sunscreen both before and after swimming as the sun can quickly burn skin if left unprotected. Try to wear a hat to prevent heatstroke, or at least drink water regularly.

There are a lot of insects in Australia, and while some are just a little bothersome, a lot of them like the taste of human flesh! Apply insect repellent along with your sunscreen to avoid nasty bites and scratches and if you need to sleep at night with the window open, make sure you have flyscreens or netted screens to prevent the nasties from coming inside at night!

Safe Swimming

crocorileAlways swim between the designated red and yellow flags as Australian beaches are home to strong underwater currents commonly known as rips. To avoid these make sure to swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim alone or at night. Lifeguards will patrol the beaches but it is better not to take any chances!

When travelling through or near established crocodile habitats there will often be safety and warning signs. Take heed of these and never swim in rivers, tidal rivers, mangrove shores, estuaries or deep pools nearby. If you plan to go fishing or boating, make sure to take expert advice when fishing or boating near crocodile habitats.

Between November and April, the tropical beaches of Australia may be home to marine stingers which can cause discomfort and certain species can even be lethal. Swim within the designated areas and if you are swimming, diving or snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef make sure to wear protective clothing and to pay close attention to the warning signs. Be aware!

Travel Insurance

As with any holiday, having the proper travel insurance is essential. Australia is a little different in that there are a huge number of small critters which can deal a lot of damage in a small period of time. Having good medical insurance is essential, as with backpacking or hitch-hiking you can never be 100% certain that your holiday will be injury free. Depending on your visa type you may be entitled to certain benefits through the public healthcare system of Australia, but a lot of medical expenses will be taken out of your own pocket, so it is essential to have good medical insurance.

Take good care of yourself and make sure you are well prepared before you head out to Australia. You can never be sure of what will happen once you get there but it is better to plan for the worst and hope for the best instead of getting stuck in a foreign country with little or no back-up plan! Just remember to still have fun!

Beautiful Hotels and Resorts – The Manta Resort

Here at Penguin we love holidays. Who doesn’t love holidays? Holidays are the only way to take a step back from everything, relax and see the sights at a leisurely pace. However a crucial part of the holiday is where you choose to spend it. Some people may enjoy a holiday in the sun with an all-inclusive hotel, allowing for just a little spending money to get you by on market days. Other people will save as much money as possible on the hotel by just going for the basics, and then splashing out on informative tours and trips out.

Whether you are a sunbather or a sight-seer, certain hotels and locations are simply too stunning to pass up and they are guaranteed to make the experience of a lifetime. They may cost a pound or two more than a normal 3 star hotel or all-inclusive holiday package deal, but the memories created by staying in these gorgeous locations are well worth the hefty price tag. 

The Manta Resort

Imagine waking up after a long luxurious nights rest, and rolling over in your bed to see…the sea. The Manta Resort, located in the sunny tropics of Zanzibar is a resort like no other in that it has a specially designed underwater room. The entrance to the room is above sea level, with a beautiful wooden chalet standing atop wooden stilts and the iconic underwater room built underneath which is also anchored to the sea bottom by thick chains.

5956802620_bb66ded10a_zThe bedroom floats four metres below the surface of the sea, where you can take a look out into the murky depths, keeping your eyes out for the beautiful tropical fish that can be seen, right from your bed! Plus the view from the top veranda at night is breathtaking, with the unhindered sight of a million bright stars, where you will honestly feel as if you are miles away on your own private island.

Currently there is only one underwater room available at the Manta Resort in Zanzibar, but there have been plans for extra rooms to be added in the future. Why not splash out for a few nights of pure wonderment as you enjoy the beautiful sights of the deep sea without ever having to get your feet wet!

At Penguin we understand how important reliable transport can be, and that it can make or break your holiday, particularly after a long flight that leaves you wanting to simply flop down onto the hotel bed. We provide an easy to search hired car directory anywhere in the world, simply type in your location and go!