Im going to visit Australia next month. Will the fact that I'm an american be a problem?

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fruitsalad

Sounds like you've got a cool plan, but I agree with Santerese, don't travel from Adelaide to Perth by car, especially not in summer. It's a very, very long way with nothing much to do or see, and it'll probably be really hot. Perth is a lovely, interesting city but fly or at least take the train.

There's heaps to do in all those places and on the way. Be sure to take the long way from Melbourne to Adelaide via the very scenic Great Ocean Road, and if you have time while you are in South Australia see if you can visit Kangaroo Island (by car ferry), it's an amazing place. Also stop at least a day in Mount Gambier - see the famous Blue Lake and feed the possums.

Canberra is a slightly odd, all planned city, different to the rest of Australia, but there are a lot of interesting things to see there. Australian towns nearly all have a tourist information centre with lots of info about the local area.

And don't worry, unless you are going to behave in a loud, patronising manner (a very small proportion of Americans unfortunately do behave like this, but just the fact that you have asked the question says that this doesn't describe you) then you will be made very welcome. Bring your hats and sunscreen!

! baby cakes;

i'm an australian and I don't know anyone that would be bothered by the fact that you are american...
and if you are going to the sydney area I would definately go on the bridge climb ...unless you are scared of heights

Black Cat

Australia is pretty big, so you need to narrow down the area for sites.

Why would you being yank be a problem?

Warren S

I am an American who has lived here for over three decades and only once in that time did I meet an Australian who was nasty because I am a 'Yank" Australians are among the friendliest and greatest people on the planet and genuinely like Americans. Come on down and enjoy!

Bardy

As long as you treat us Aussies ok then you will enjoy your trip. Do not be the loudmouth yank type as that will cause enmity. Just be yourself and enjoy this great country. My advise is, do not rent a car and drive to Perth from the Eastern States but fly. Virgin do cheap flights and you will save $1000.00s on petrol. Hire a car in each city. Then fly to the next one.

Terran

I lived in Australia for a year, and found everyone there very friendly and my being an American wasn't a problem. In fact most people pegged me as American as soon as I spoke, and the reaction was usually very friendly. As far as cool sights, I enjoyed all the non-touristy stuff. Took a road trip on a bus from Melbourne to Adelaide and the paved road literally disapeared and everyone was driving in the dirt in a line. My favorite place was the beach town called Glenelg in South Australia.

Also I went to a nature preserve where you could feed wallabies and emus. Getting to see a red kangaroo get it on with his lady friend was a surprise on that trip though!

superkcccannervj x.o

places to go:
sydney harbour bridge
opera house-sydney
uluru-largest rock in da world
Taronga zoo
sydney aquarium
sydney wildlife world
Bondi Beach

I have an american family they speak a different accent and a bit different but that doesnt mean anything.

there are many more places 2 go depends if u go in spring or winter or any other season the AUSTRLIAN way( weather in AUSTRLIA!)

Santerese

Of course you'll be welcome!

I wouldn't drive from Adelaide to Perth though. Endless plains of red sand and road kill can only hold even the most enthusiastic tourist's attention for so long. If you're determined not to fly, maybe consider the train. I reckon that would be much more comfortable.

Have fun!

perfectly_dark007

not at all mate :) my american fiance thought the same thing for some reason! Where in australia? if your around sydney you gotta spend time on Sydney harbour, get a cruise or something, visit darling harbour, make a trip up the central coast and see the vinyards etc soooo much to do

Bella B

Being an American shouldn't be an issue.

My advice is similar to some of the others here though. Don't be a loud mouthed "idiot" and don't insult the locals. Being a bragger and big noting yourself is considered crass.

Around Sydney go out to the Blue Mountains (start with Katoomba area and the Jenolan Caves).

Canberra is pretty much a visit the building scenario, museuma nd art galleries, Parliament House... Questacon and the Australian War Memorials are a must.

Melbourne is shopping and food.

Adelaide has the wineries.

Perth go to Rottnest Island and Fremantle.

jennifer h

No problem at all. Your welcome, Australia is very big , there are plenty of amazing things and areas to see. Depends what state you will be in and how you intend to travell Ask again with telling us how long you will be here etc

molly

As long as your names not Bush we will love you but seriously I live in West Australia and you would be better flying to Perth and hiring a car or just flying straight to Broome or Kununurra for an outback experience.
If you don't see it all you can always come back and hope you have a ball.

ZED

You should rent a good car man. That stretch across from South Australia to Perth is a long long road I can tell you. You should have been on it before it was all sealed. I went as a kid with my ole man years ago by coach which broke down for two days waiting for parts. It was something else out there. The 'Nullabor' Plain. Means 'no trees'

( hey you cant go !! until *ozmaniac* comes on here and tells you all about your visa requirements man ! )

Nurse Kelly

If you are driving a rental car remember we drive on the left hand side of the road (it the other way around, the left lane is the slow lane and the right lane is usually an overtaking lane unless it's for turning right off the highway or main road)

DTF

If you are flying into Sydney my advice would be to do your Sydney thing, harbour cruise, bridge climb maybe, check out the Northern Beaches. 2 hour drive north is the Hunter Valley. The vineyards are excellent, Newcastle is nice too. From Newcastle airport for less than $100 each you can fly up to the Gold Coast, check out the beautiful beaches, Draculas is a Caberet Restaurant that is so much fun, check it out. (If you go up North more, check out the Great Barrier Reef) Then fly back down to Melbourne (for less than $100 again, check out airlines Virgin Blue and Jetstar for cheap flights) do some shopping and check out the cool city. I personally wouldn't go down to Tasmania, I have never been and have no interest, nothing against the place but feel there would be more places I would enjoy. I wouldn't recommend driving to Perth. I had a friend drive Sydney to Perth and it took 5 days. A lot of nothing on the roads either, straight roads, no trees, nothing!! Probably fly up to Darwin, check out Uluru, maybe you could drive to Perth from there? I probably wouldn't, but if money is an issue with flights etc. But Australia is very big and other than flying, would take you some time to get from A to B.
Maybe when you get into Sydney, visit a travel agent like Flight Centre and they could really help you out.

You will be absolutely fine here being an American. It's not that us Aussie's dislike you personally, but some of the movie stars, politicians and famous people over dramatise everything and that's all we get to see of the US really. But I personally love the yank accent and have a few friends from California. You will have a ball here mate.

Enjoy yourself, and get ready to adjust to a laid back culture where Sunday arvo drinks are compulsary and thongs (flip flops) are what you will be living in!!
And don't try and talk like us in slang lol. it just sounds funny when yanks and english attempt it lol. Just enjoy listening to us! HAVE FUN!!

IheartJB

im australian and being american wont be a problem at all. i actually love american's accents and want to got there when im older.

Money-Magnets

There are loads of Americans either visiting here or moving here permanently it won't be a problem.

If you are driving from Melbourne to Adelaide make sure you drive the Great Ocean Road - it's a great drive and really beautiful. Stop off in Mount Gambier which is the half way mark and where we live :-)

iansand9876

It will only be a problem if you think it is. Then it will be a real problem.

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