Australia is a vast country offering a wide range of accommodation options to the traveler. On this page, I want to talk about some of the types of accommodation that you can expect when exploring the country.

Within the main cities, you can expect mainstream hotels. These you can compare rates online and place your booking. There are also motels, youth hostels and guesthouses in all the major cities and towns of the country.

Throughout Australia you will come across specialty accommodation such as boutique hotels, which are usually converted from historical buildings in or near the cities, tropical island resorts, ski resorts, British-style bed-and-breakfasts, self-catering apartments, even houseboats and sheep stations.

Hotel Grading

Australia does not have a formal hotel grading system. Although you will come across labels such as four or five stars, there is no official yardstick for measurement. You just have to expect that if the hotel calls itself 5 stars, it will have facilities that are of international standards.

Features

A standard feature in all the hotels and motels is air-conditioning during the summer and heating during winter. other standard features to expect include the coffee and tea making facilities and television. Most hotel rooms will have ensuite bathrooms, though you need to determine whether it is fitted with a tub or just a shower. If you are booking a double room, you will need to find out whether it is for a double bed (one bed) or twin bed (two beds).

Room Pricing

Prices of hotel rooms vary according to facilities as well as location. Needless to say, the biggest cities such as Sydney and Melbourne command the highest prices. A presidential suite in a five star hotel in these cities may cost well over a thousand Australian dollars a night, while at the other end of the scale, a bed in a dormitory of a backpacker hotel will cost you just around A$20. Generally, expect to pay around A$80-A$100 at most motels and bed-and-breakfast establishments.

Some parts of Australia suffer from room shortage, so booking is necessary there. This includes the major cities and the coastal resorts in Queensland. Room shortage becomes particularly acute during major cultural and sporting events. It is also accompanied by rate hikes, so it is always a good idea to plan your trip well ahead of time and book early. Visit Delta Airlines Flights to get amazing offers on flight booking with vacation packages to Australia.

Traveling with Children

There should be no major problem bringing children along. Many hotels provide a supplementary child bed or cot, some even at no additional charge. The major establishments even have babysitting services. However, some of the country house hotels are strictly no-children establishments, so check in advance.

Facilities for the Disabled

It is the requirement by law for all new buildings and those renovated to provide facilities for the disabled. If you are a disabled, it is still wise to check in advance on what facilities are available.

Eating in Australia

Unless you are a very, very picky eater, you would be delighted with the food in Australia. There is so much to eat, that the question of where to eat in Australia shouldn't arise. This country is a melting pot of cultures - the influx of peoples from all over the world to live in Australia has created an Australian cuisine that is a little bit of this and a little bit of that. You can find good Greek cuisine, pasta, as well as Chinese food, Vietnamese food, Malaysian food. There is so much to try and so much to enjoy!

The bigger the city, the wider the choices of restaurants at your disposal. You can find here formal dining places along with pubs, cafés; and anything in between according to your inclination and budget.

Outside of the major cities, you can find good restaurants particularly in the wine country, which of course is also a place to enjoy some of the best wines of Australia.

Meal prices vary from restaurant to restaurant, of course. Sydney and Melbourne tend to be the most expensive destinations, along with the major tourist resorts. Nonetheless, you will find that prices in Australia are usually lower than in comparable places in Europe or the United States. As a rule, meals at a top rate restaurant in Sydney or Melbourne. On the other hand, meals at an informal Asian or Italian restaurant will only cost you around A$30-A$40 per person.

Meal Times in Australia

Lunch is usually served from 12:30 pm to 3:0 pm while dinner is from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. The cheaper eateries as well as Asian restaurants tend to close earlier, perhaps around 9:30 pm. Most restaurants open seven days a week, but to be sure, make a point to find out or contact them before going, to avoid disappointment. Having said that, there are plenty of places to dine if your first choice isn't available.

How to Pay

Major credit cards are accepted by most restaurants in Australia. If you don't find the credit card signage on their door, it may be useful to confirm before ordering. A General Service Tax or GST is added to your bill, so it is not compulsory to tip unless you are particularly pleased with the meal or service. Get Delta Flights for cheap airfares with extra discount on vacation packages to Australia.

Vegetarian Meals

With the number of vegetarians (and vegans) in Australia on the increase, you can usually find at least one vegetarian dish in all restaurant menus. In addition, there are also restaurants specializing in vegetarian cuisine, especially in the major cities.

Beverages

Restaurants described as "licensed" is permitted to sell alcohol. The Australian wine list usually highlight the origin of the wine by state. The wine is sold by the glass, carafe or by the bottle.

Dress Code

Only a handful of extremely upmarket establishments would impose a dress code on their patrons, and even that, may be limited to requiring male diners to put on a tie. On the other hand, most places would frown upon diners appear in beachwear and sandals. To play safe, the way to go is to dress smart casual.

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed inside restaurants, although this is rarely enforced in pubs. On the other hand, smoking is usually allowed in the outside tables at al fresco dining places.