Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

17 May 2025

4-minute read

Travelling halfway across the world can be daunting, especially when you’re stepping out of your comfort zone into a place as vast and diverse as Australia. But for Azima Mohamed, her recent visit and subsequent move to the Land Down Under was both enlightening and heartwarming.

South Africans travelling to Australia need a visa, with a process like that of other first world countries. The application cost is R2400 at the current exchange rate. Supporting documents include proof of home ownership or lease, bank statements and a letter of employment. Elderly people are also required to do a medical exam. Since health care is free in Australia, the government does not want anyone with obvious health issues as they can be a drain on the health system. Finally, applicants require biometrics and an interview before their application is approved.

From the outset, Azima describes Australia as clean, orderly, and incredibly scenic, with a sense of calmness in the way people go about their day that is a far cry from the buzz and energy of Johannesburg. The culture is “laidback” and “outdoorsy”, seamlessly blending modern city life with nature.

Depending on which area you want to experience; Australia is huge, with the drive from Perth to Sydney being 48 hours long, an almost 5-hour flight, and crossing 2 time zones. The weather differs by region, but the seasons are the same as South Africa since both countries are in the southern hemisphere. If you’re wanting the outback experience, Azima suggests going in the winter because summers are prohibitively hot. For all the coastal areas spring and summer is the best time to visit, since winters in Western Australia are rainy.

Australia is known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant cities, with something for everyone. From hiking and mountain climbing to diving and kitesurfing, adventure-seekers will find every type of outdoor activity in Australia. Sightseeing attractions include the Great barrier reef in Cairns for snorkelling and diving tours, the Sydney opera house and the harbour for the stunning atmosphere and landscape, and Uluru, known previously as Ayers Rock, a huge red rock in the desert holding spiritual significance in the aboriginal culture.

With a coastline of almost 50 000 km’s linked by approximately 10 000 beaches, most Australians live within 50km’s of the ocean. The Gold Coast beaches are fabulous for surfing, and Perth, where the most amazing beaches lie, feature water sports and snorkelling off shipwrecks. Within two hours of Perth, you can see dolphins, stingrays and whales. Every beach looks like a postcard with clear turquoise waters, and a mix between waves and still lagoons and bays.

In the major cities there’s public transport with regular buses and trains but Azima says that you should expect to walk a fair amount from the station to your destination. There’s also Uber, but it’s incredibly expensive. The cheapest and easiest option is to hire a car, as SA licenses are accepted in Australia and the roads and signage are similar making it easy to drive. Each place is a distance from the next, so this option makes the most sense if you’re not booked with a tour group. Australia has a huge camping culture with lots of safe campgrounds featuring kitchens and shared bathrooms. But if you’re not that rustic and looking to stay in a hotel or even a motel, accommodation is quite pricey.

Culturally, Azima notes how multicultural and diverse the people are and how the Muslim community there has carved out a visible presence, despite the prevalence of anti-Muslim sentiment amongst some of the locals. Food is varied with a fusion of cuisine. For Muslim tourists, especially South Africans who are spoilt for choice when it comes to food, halal is essential. In Australia, 90% of all lamb, beef and chicken is halal as the animals are slaughtered in the same abattoirs that export meat to the Middle East and Indonesia. But Azima advises being wary of cross contamination since lots of halal friendly places also serve pork and alcohol. However, there are fully halal Middle Eastern restaurants in almost every town, even the smaller ones, so there’s an abundance of kebab shops.

For Azima, relocating to Australia has been a bittersweet experience. On the positive side, the facilities are outstanding, everything works, schools are free, there are parks along every few streets, regular events and fairs, and lots of governmental support. The beaches are wonderful and it’s safe to just leave your stuff on the sand while you swim. On the downside, living without your support system and your friends and family is not easy. Azima mentions that domestic help is a luxury because labour is so expensive, so having to do all your cleaning yourself really takes some getting used to after being spoilt in SA.

So, whether you’re dreaming of koalas and kangaroos or just curious about travel, listen to the full interview with Azima Mohamed to learn more about Australia.

Listen to the full interview here.