Australia Archives - Top Spot Travel

March 21, 2020 by Jeremy

Information on Australia Citizenship Test and Traveling Before Ceremony

So, you have visited Australia and have decided you want to stay and become an Australian citizen. You have thought about it and you want to live, work and invest in this great country referred to by many as the Outback.

Permanent resident

Just to be certain that you understand – a permanent resident of Australian is someone who has a permanent visa but is not yet a citizen. You can have a “permanent visa” and work, live and study without any restrictions but you will not be a citizen and will not be able to:

Automatically will not have the right of entry into Australia if you travel out of the country.
You will not be able to vote in Australian government elections.
You will not be eligible for any governmental services and benefits that are maintained for only citizens.

Australian Citizenship

Australian Citizenship does have plenty of rewards for those who want to have permanent legal residency in Australia. Most of all you get to meet and live among people that like you have come from different countries and races from almost every country around the world. Second, you become one of a unified, liberated and democratic society. And finally, the most valuable part of becoming a citizen of Australia is the commitment you make to the value of the country and its people. You can find more information at citizenshipaustralian.com.

Citizenship Test

One of the requirements of becoming an Australian citizen is that you will have to take the Australian Citizenship test. This is a test that will evaluate what your knowledge is of Australia. This includes:

Beliefs
Geography
Government
Laws
The people

You also will be tested on the responsibilities and privileges of being an Australian citizen. The Australian Citizenship Test will also test what you know about Australia in regards to the government and the law. And importantly, it will also test you on Australia’s democratic:

Beliefs
Liberties
Rights

Apart from the topics already mentioned, the exam will also test your basic knowledge of the English language.

20 questions

This test is made up of 20 multiple-choice questions. It is a computer-based exam and the questions are drawn randomly from a large database of 200 questions and each applicant will have 45 minutes to finish the test. The questions are taken from the official guide called “Our Common Bond” that is published by the Home Affairs Department. Passing this test, you will need to make a score of at least 75%. After passing the test, you will have demonstrated your commitment and understanding of the Australian Citizenship Pledge.

Traveling outside Australia

You might have questions about traveling outside of Australia after you have approved for citizenship, passed your exam and ready for the citizenship ceremony. If you have not finished all of this, you must still travel using your current passport. And in addition, this will not affect your ability to attend your ceremony or to become an Australian citizen.

10 days

If you wait for at least 10 days, you might be able to apply to get a passport as an Australian citizen. If you have passed the Citizenship Test, it takes about 10 days for this information to be updated in the system. If you can’t wait, then your current passport will have to be used.

September 28, 2019 by Jeremy

Everything You Need to Know about Requesting an Australian Visa

Most people don’t know that even the shortest trips to Australia require a visa. When making plans on your trip to the Land Down Under, you should spare time to apply for the relevant visa and risk of ruining your trip. Thankfully, the process for requesting a visa for Australia is quite easy and can be done via websites like auvisa.org.

General Visa Requirements

The visa requirements will vary based on the type of visa you are applying for. Here are some general requirements you must meet in order to qualify for an Australian visa:

• You must not have a major criminal conviction in which you served more than 1 year in jail.
• You must be free of tuberculosis.
• If you intend to work in the country, you must be able to communicate sufficiently in English.

The Different Types of Visas

1. Temporary Work Visa. This visa is available to people who intend to work part-time in Australia. It allows a maximum stay of 3 months.

2. Tourist Visa. If you intend to go to Australia to visit friends or just to enjoy a holiday, you can apply for the tourist visa. This one is valid for a year, but you can only stay for 3 months at a time. With the tourist visa, you will not be allowed to work in the country, even part-time.

3. Business Visa. The business visa has similar requirements as the tourist visa, and the terms are also the same. This visa is ideal for people who intend to travel to Australia for business conferences. With this visa, you will not be allowed to sell goods or services in Australia.

4. Student Visa. You have to be accepted in an educational institution in Australia before you can apply for this visa.

5. Maritime Crew Visa. The MCV visa is available to people entering Australia by sea, and they have to be part of a sea crew. This kind of visa is very specific and can be requested as well on auvisa.org under the MCV visa section.

6. Work and Holiday Visa. This visa is only available to people who are between 18 and 30 years old. With this visa, you will be able to combine work, studies, and holiday in Australia. It is ideal for people who intend to supplement their holidays in Australia with some temporary work.

7. Long Stay Visa. If you want to extend your stay in Australia, you can apply for this visa. You should make your application for this visa if you are already in Australia on a visa that is about to expire. This visa will extend your stay for up to 12 months.

8. Second Working Holiday Visa. If you have previously received a working holiday visa, you can apply for the second working holiday visa. Individuals who are already working in Australia should apply for this visa before the first one expires.

Most Australian visas have to be obtained before you can enter the country. That means you have to sort out the visa long before your trip. You should consider applying for the visa in good time, for example soon after booking your flight, to make sure everything is in place before your departure.

March 21, 2018 by Jeremy

Fun Things to Try in Brisbane at Night

Exploring a city at night and finding the different activities only available at that time will feel like you’re exploring a whole new city. And there’s nothing better than taking a city you’re in and seeing things and doing activities that are not available during the day.

Brisbane at Night

Brisbane is a city that has a lot to offer its tourists. And we’re not just talking about the generic dinner and date. No, Brisbane’s nightlife gives you a variety of choices to do in the area, and if you’re willing to spend a little more cash, you can try out more stuff to do and have a better time with your friends. And to help you plan out your night in Queensland’s capital, here are a few activities you must try here at night

Browse the Collective Markets

The Collective Markets is not just your ordinary night market. The 3-day weekend market is the only one of its kind in Brisbane. With that said, you can check out a lot of things in the area including artistically crafted item, food, souvenirs, and a whole lot more! It’s indeed a great way to spend an evening before or after dinner.

Open Air Cinema

There’s just something appealing about reclining chairs, and freshly buttered popcorn that gets you relaxed just thinking about it. There are a few open-air cinemas around Brisbane for you to check out. Ben and Jerry’s Openair Cinema, held at the Rainforest Green in South Bank is the most popular. Often available from September to November, you can catch some of the latest movies as well as some classics you are not going to want to miss. Entrance to the cinema is $10 for concessions, $18 for adults, $40 for the Star Lounge, and $60 for a group of four.

Wheel of Brisbane

Seeing a city’s skyline from a great vantage point is breathtaking. And when you take a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane, you will be treated to city lights and the night sky like never before. The Wheel of Brisbane is located in South Bank and is also one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. It is composed of 42 enclosed capsules. Each capsule can accommodate up to six adults and two kids. It also takes about 12 minutes to complete the rotation, with various stops as it lets people on or off.

Brisbane River Night Kayak

Ever wanted to try kayaking? If you choose to do it in Brisbane River at night, you will also have the option to have dinner after. And of course, you will be given a choice to have some beer with your meal. It’s a great way to spend a Friday or Saturday night, just paddling along the river and seeing the city glow just beyond your reach.

Kangaroo Point Cliffs

Rock climbing is a fun sport that lets you test out your skills and climb rock mountains. It’s a great way to stay in shape and to take on new challenges along the way. But most people often do it in the day, where the sun is out and beating on the back of your neck. So, why not try it at night?

Kangaroo Point Cliffs offer night climbing sessions for those who want to try the sport with a twist. The staff will teach you everything you need to know about rock climbing, and the mountains have a height of up to 20 meters, so you can expect the adrenaline rush will be unlike any other climb you’ve had before.

The best part is that this activity is open to anyone who is willing, and beginners are always welcome to try it out.

Go and see this beautiful city at night and try out everything it has to offer. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, you’ll find that these activities are always worth trying at least once. And to get to your various activities at night, get a Brisbane car hire service to avoid the hassle.

December 16, 2016 by Jeremy

The Pros and Cons of Traveling with a Camper Trailer in Australia

One of the classic ways of traveling around Australia is with a camper trailer.

Towed behind your vehicle of choice, the camper trailer is the quintessential make-shift home for your time in the great Australian outback, or along Australia’s pristine coastlines.

There are definitely many things to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to use a camper trailer for your road trip. We look at some of the pros and cons to make the decision a little bit easier for you.

The Pros

The first big pro of choosing a camper trailer for your Aussie road trip is the price point. Camper trailers are generally more affordable to buy or rent than their counterparts – a caravan or campervan.

If you’re going on a road trip with a budget, this will be a big selling point for you. Be sure to shop around for the best price point before you make your final decision.

Camper trailers are much lighter to tow behind a car than other options. This means that you won’t have to drive a larger or heavier type of vehicle to tow it.

This helps increase the fuel efficiency of your car and your budget!

Compact camper with storage. Image: Gumtree Camper Trailers

Safety is another pro when it comes to camper trailers. With caravans or camper vans, you have a less visibility on the road and in your rearview mirror.

This can get pretty annoying and even dangerous if you’re not used to driving with larger vehicles towed behind you. Camper trailers take this out of the equation because of their smaller size and ability to be compacted.

One of the biggest pros of a camper trailer is that it gives you more access to off-road areas that you wouldn’t normally be able to access with a caravan or campervan.

Again the smaller size of the camper trailer comes into play here. Because of its smaller size, you can easily maneuver to those tight and tricky spots (maybe a classic Australian Gumtree!) that other vehicles can’t get to.

The Cons

One of the cons you have to consider with a camper trailer is that it takes much more time and effort to set up and take down than other options. If you’re crunched for time, then this could really put a dent into your planned agenda.

Camper trailers are also slightly less convenient than larger living spaces, like you get with a caravan.

They are smaller, which means there is less storage space and less options for amenities, that you get in larger options.

Sportliner ‘Avan’ Australian made camper trailer. Image: Gumtree

Because of the canvas sidings and roof, there’s a big lack of privacy with camper trailers. If you’re someone who likes your peace and quiet at night, a camper trailer will provide less of that to you.

Camper trailers are one of the most popular ways to get around during an Aussie road trip.

Many people love them because of the many pros. However, there are also some cons that you should consider before hopping onboard and buying or renting one.

November 9, 2016 by Jeremy

The Most Interesting Things to See in Perth

Photo by CC user Richard Giles on Flickr.

Thinking about planning a trip to Perth, Australia? Then you’re not alone! With tourism growing more each and every year, Perth showcases itself as a great vacation destination with beautiful coastlines, good food and a plentiful amount of fun activities alongside great cultural experiences. With so much to do and see, you might find yourself tight on time. An easy way to make sure you have enough time to explore as much as possible during your trip is to hire a car in Perth. This way you’ll be able to zip around without having to try to figure out how to get from street A to street B.

During your planning process you’ll find lots of different activities and things to both see and do, but which ones should you pick? To help you out, here’s a list of some of the most interesting things to see while in Perth.

St Mary’s Cathedral

A beautiful cathedral church, St Mary’s Cathedral is both awe inspiring and picture perfect. A visit here will allow you to get up close and personal as you take in both the design and the history of the church. As you learn about its importance, you’ll also learn of how it was constructed in three different phases, with the last phase being completed in the 2000s.

Indigenous Heritage Tour In Kings Park

If you’re interested in a little culture and history mixed together, you’ll find the Indigenous Heritage Tour in Kings Park to be a great choice. This tour lasts about 90 minutes or so and is lead by an Aboriginal guide. During the tour you’ll learn about the Wadjuk people and the use of local plants for both food and medicine.

Perth Royal Show

Only available as an attraction during the end of September, the Perth Royal Show is a great choice if you love animals, free things to do and lots of different shows. If you’re interested in agricultural experiences, you’ll find lots of them here, all of which are fun for all members of your family or group. You’ll also find lots of different food options each and every day of the show, making it a great experience all around. Wondering how you’ll get to the show? That’s easy as you’ll find both buses and trains making regular stops at the showgrounds during the duration of the show.

SciTech

With over 200 interactive exhibits to view, you’ll find yourself both educated and inspired at the same time. SciTech is also a great stop for those traveling with children as they’ll find lots to do and see that are both fun and age appropriate. The main themes that you’ll find here are technology, mathematics and engineering. If you’ve got a family member who is thinking about entertaining one of those three fields, make sure to take them here!

As you can see above, there are lots of great attractions in Perth that you’ll want to make sure you add to your itinerary. If you’re staying for longer than a week, you’ll find a lot of other great activities to add to your list, making each and every day of your visit full of excitement.