Regardless of if you've been providing surgeries for people at a place like Northwest Surgery Center [1], working on projects in the hot sun, or surviving remote work from your home office, we think it's time you took a break. And what better place to recharge your batteries than the great land of Australia!

The island is ripe with culture, wildlife, beautiful scenery, and lots of activities to keep you entertained. But there are a few things you need to know before you take off, and we're here to catch you up.

Don't expect kangaroos in your backyard

While Australia is known for its diverse range of native wildlife, you shouldn't expect there to be kangaroos or koala bears roaming through the streets. In the heart of major cities, you can pretty much expect there won't be any exotic animals, and only in certain suburbs or areas outside the city can you occasionally see a passing animal. If you really want to see all the wildlife the country has to offer, you'll want to go on a guided tour or visit a reserve.

To tip or not to tip?

It can feel second nature to leave a tip when you go out to eat at a restaurant in the United States, but you won't find any of that in Australia for the most part. Tipping isn't a part of the everyday culture in Australia, and aside from a few select professions, it isn't required or expected. In fact, some people may even think it's insulting if you try to tip them for their service. Just do some research beforehand or ask the locals before dropping a few bucks.

Expect the sun

For those that are unaware, the sun can get pretty toasty, especially in Australia. The heat and sunshine are relentless here, and you'll want to take great care to stay lathered in a protective layer of sunscreen while you're visiting. While you're at it, take a hat, some sunglasses, and a nice selection of breezy clothes, too.

Brush up on Australian slang

One of the benefits of visiting Australia if you're from the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom is that they speak English as well, but just as every other English-speaking country has its own unique version of the language, so too does our southern cousin. There are tons of words or phrases that might leave you scratching your head or doing a double-take when you hear them spoken. For instance, they call flip-flops "thongs," fanny packs are known as "bum bags," french fries are "chips," candy is "lollies," and the afternoon is referred to as "arvo." You should also expect to hear the occasional "crikey" or "mate."

Welcome to Australia, mate

Knowing these tips before your trip to Australia will save you some confusion-and a sunburn-once you arrive. It's the perfect place to travel abroad [2], being familiar enough to keep you acquainted, yet foreign enough to show you a host of new sights, foods, and wonderful things to do.