Practical ways to make your next Sydney trip safer and hassle-free.
Sydney is the most populated, biggest, and oldest city in Australia. It also serves as the home for many famous attractions, such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. No wonder so many tourists make this city a part of their itinerary when visiting Australia.
Even though Sydney prides itself on its friendly residents and safe streets, it never hurts to be on the safe side. If you’re planning to visit, make sure to note the travel safety tips we listed below.
1. Practice good hygiene.
First things first: practice good hygiene to stay safe and healthy. The Australian government is closely monitoring the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people believe – for now – that the chances of the virus disappearing completely is unlikely. The virus easily transmits in the human population.
The best thing all can do now is to abide by preventive measures against getting the virus and spreading it to other people. Doing the following hygiene practices are strongly recommended:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after going to the toilet and before and after eating.
- Cover your coughs or sneezes with your elbow.
- If you’re sick, avoid contact with others. Practice physical distancing and stay more than 1.5 metres away from another person.
2. Buy travel insurance before you leave.
Get travel insurance that can cover you for accidents, theft, loss and medical problems before leaving. If you have risky activities on your itinerary such as rock climbing or scuba diving, double-check if your policy covers these.
If you’re from overseas, you may also want to check if your country of origin has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement in place with Australia. If so, you might be entitled to subsidised health care services under the public healthcare system of the country.
3. Bring adequate sun protection.
Australia receives one of the highest levels of ultraviolet radiation of any country because of its geographical location. As a result, we have one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world. You need to have adequate protection, especially between 11 am and 3 pm when the UV radiation levels are at their highest.
Wear clothes that cover the skin well. Put on an excellent water-resistant sunscreen (at least SPF30) throughout the day. Use sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. Always take breaks. Sit in the shade and drink lots of water to prevent dehydration.
4. Don’t be over confident when swimming on the beach.
Sydney Harbour offers many beautiful sheltered beaches, many of which also have tidal swimming enclosures. However, make sure not to get too overwhelmed that you forget to be cautious while swimming. One of the most common causes of death among tourists is drowning.
Always stay near the red and yellow flags. Surf lifesavers have designated this area as the safest place to swim in the water. Don’t swim alone, after eating a large meal, or if you are under the influence. If you find yourself needing help in the water, stay calm and call the attention of people nearby.
5. Always drive on the left side of the road.
If you are an international visitor, you will be allowed to drive a car as long as your licence is in English. If not, you need to get an International Drivers Permit (IDP) from your country of origin.
The steering wheel of cars in Australia is on the right side. The gear stick will feel reversed if you come from the US or Europe. Most accidents occur on isolated and windy roads because drivers forget what side they should be driving on. As the driver, take of these two things:
- Always be positioned closest to the middle of the road, and
- You have approaching traffic passing on the driver’s side.
Accidents happen most often when drivers are tired. Distances in Australia are long, often longer than tourist drivers are used to. Plan your trip to ensure you aren’t driving tired.
6. Be vigilant when travelling in areas with high crime rate.
Sydney is quite safe even for solo female travellers. The residents are friendly and willing to help you out. There are some areas however that the high crime rate is higher than the others. If you are visiting these places, it pays to remain alert.
- Kings Cross
- Penrith
- Liverpool
- Blacktown
- Parramatta
- Fairfield
- Campbelltown
- Cabramatta
- Redfern
On the other hand, the safest areas include the city centre, Bondi, and Lavender Bay.
7. Always be alert when riding public transportation.
Taxi cabs in Sydney regularly undergo safety inspections and random compliance checks from the government. Always share to a trusted person the details of your ride.
Trains are generally safe. However, avoid riding an almost empty train at night. A study conducted by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reported that most criminal incidents in railroad systems happen between 6:30 pm to 6:00 am.
8. Beware of dangerous animals.
Snakes and spiders in Australia can be extremely dangerous. Sea creatures have their fair share of dangers, too. If you can recall, Steve Irwin died due to a stingray incident in Australia’s northern coast.
If you’re going to the suburbs, you should know about other creatures too. That includes the Sydney funnel-web spider, the Australian paralysis tick, and the common death adder.
Take note of the emergency number you can contact in case you get stung or bitten in Sydney: 000.
9. Do not let your guard down, even if you’re already in your Sydney accommodation
Let’s face it. Travelling is not that easy especially when you come from a faraway place. Once you reach your hotel, you already feel tired and dirty. You may be in a hurry to take a bath, sleep or do the first thing in your to-do list.
Never let your guard down wherever you are, especially if you’re travelling alone. Lock your doors when you go out or when you arrive in your accommodation in Sydney. Don’t open your door immediately when someone knocks. If there is a peephole, check first who is outside.
Book a Nice and Safe Sydney accommodation with Savoy Hotel
Planning a trip can be stressful, most especially booking the right Sydney accommodation. Although our city is known for being safe, it wouldn’t hurt to stay somewhere you can feel more secure and at ease.
Savoy Hotel offers complete facilities at affordable prices. Contact us today and let’s find a room that fits your budget!
