Depending on when you first arrive in Australia, the weather can be a bit shocking. Everyone knows about the 90 F weather in Australia's summer months (although the average temperature in summer is 84 F), but what you might not realize is that winters can get cold. Winter lasts from June throughout August. From December to February, you can expect summer weather. Temperatures range between extreme highs of 122 F to lows of sub-zero temperatures depending on where you are located, so dress and pack accordingly. Sydney has a climate much like San Diego or Los Angeles, but the terrain switches from high-rise buildings to 100-foot cliffs breaking off into the ocean. The middle of Australia is as desolate a place as any on the earth. The continent as a whole is sparsely populated. Nearly as big as the United States, Australia has a population roughly equal to that of the state of New York.
Beaches in Australia are obviously famed for their beauty, but many people do not realize that throughout the summer months, nearly all of Sydney's beaches are struck by schools of blue-bottle jellyfish inhabiting just off shore. They are swept closer with each crashing wave. Although not deadly, blue-bottles are known for their very painful sting and welts left behind. Swim in the designated areas to avoid these painful little creatures. Sharks are not as much of a problem as many people believe, as most of the beaches are netted off. Once you get out into the Great Barrier Reef, your awareness of sharks should be higher as many different species like to inhabit that area, preying easily on reef fish. Western Australia's waters are known to be Great White territory, as most of the larger white pointers live off the coast. If you haven't already done so, take a shark safety course prior to taking to the deeper waters of both the eastern and western shores.
The people in Australia are loud, raucous and fun. They take their happy hours seriously and never miss out on a chance to hit the beaches when the weather is nice, which is nearly every day. In many ways, life is much simpler in Australia. People live, eat and sleep the outdoors. Also, appearance is not as big a deal for Australians as it is for other cultures. Don't be surprised to see businessmen walking down the streets of Sydney wearing a suit and tie with a mohawk or mullet-style haircut. The biggest shock for many people who move there is the cost of living in Australia. In relation to the United States, the cost of living is much higher. Most of your everyday needs, whether it be food or automobiles, are shipped in from other countries, and because Australia is an island, continent-to-continent imports involve very high taxes for the locals. The exchange rate is also not very good, so whether you are living in Australia for a year or the rest of your life, be financially prepared.
