Editing Australia (section)

== Sun, surf and sand ==
Australia is famous for it's sun, surf and sand! If you are from Europe you will learn quite quickly that the sun is very strong here, you can begin to burn within 10-15 minutes. In general during summer the high-UV periods are between 10am and 4pm though this varies from day to day so check [http://www.bom.gov.au weather reports].

Our beaches can be dangerous to swim in if you don't know the area. We have rips and undertows which can drag you out to sea, the best advice is to swim between the flags set up by the local [http://www.slsa.com.au/default.aspx?s=home Surf Lifesaving Australia] club. If you feel afraid you can signal a lifesaver by waving in water. If the distinctive red and yellow lifesaving flags are not on display, this means the beach is not being patrolled by lifesavers and if you get into trouble there may not experienced lifesavers to rescue you.

A menace to the beaches of northern Australia are box jellyfish or 'Portuguese Man of War'. These are seriously dangerous if they sting you. They have very long tentacles which are hair thin, but if they get wrapped around you they can sting you severely enough to kill you. Blue bottles are the other common jellyfish you'll see washed upon the beach all over Australia - these guys are small, and though they'll give you a bit of a sting if they touch you they're not dangerous. Their sting can be treated with vinegar or ice to help stop the stinging. In general read about the beaches you are going to visit to check if there are any dangerous animals in the water, and if you don't know what it is, don't touch it (including shell fish).