From 24–25 May 2025, Melbourne’s Federation Square came alive with the colour and excitement of the Korea Festival. The event offered a dynamic mix of K-pop performances, traditional Korean music and dance, and hands-on family activities like Korean games and hanbok dress-ups
Supported by the Australian Government’s Smartraveller, the festival drew more than 100,000 attendees and fostered a sense of connection and community. Smartraveller representatives at the event encouraged those inspired to travel overseas to make Smartraveller their first destination
Smartraveller provides the official travel advice on over 175 overseas destinations. It has information on local laws, safety passports, visas, travel insurance and more. It also offers resources in multiple languages
Talking to representatives at the event, a festival goer highlighted how Smartraveller aided in her recent trip to Japan, “Smartraveller is a truly great website, providing a variety of travel advice and information in a single location. I always check the website before travelling overseas, which I did three months ago for our family trip to Japan and South Korea
Another attendee shared, The Smartraveller is easy to navigate. It provides advice on travel insurance, local laws, customs, and festivals. For my recent travel to India, I subscribed to destination updates, which provided prompt updates as the advice changed, helping me plan my travel better
Smartraveller’s travel tips for your future overseas adventures
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Research and confirm visa and entry requirements for your destination. Reach out to the relevant embassy or consulate for up-to-date information
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Learn about recommended vaccinations and health precautions for your destination. Check your medication’s legality and requirements
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Don’t forget your travel insurance and make sure you read the fine print on your policy
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Be aware of how dual nationality may affect your travel plans and consular services
Respect the laws of the country you’re visiting, as they may differ from those in Australia
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Be mindful of the culture and places of significance in the regions you explore. The includes wearing appropriate clothing at places such as temples
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Use social media responsibly, as posting sensitive content or comments on political issues can have consequences in some countries
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If travelling alone, take extra precautions, such as using official transport and not disclosing that you’re travelling solo
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Keep your bags and belongings close – don’t leave them on the ground or the back of a seat. This gives thieves a perfect opportunity to steal them
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Leave a copy of your travel itinerary and insurance details with someone back in Australia
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If you don’t already have a passport, allow at least six weeks to receive it
For more information about Smartraveller, and to access in-language travel advice, please visit https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/consular-services/communities or scan the QR code
Subscribe for free destination updates and follow Smartraveller on Facebook, Instagram, and X
A couple of images from the festival are below, to download these and other high-res images go to: https://multimedia.dfat.gov.au/fotoweb/albums/aD5zS409EzSmS5VJ/
Images left to right: festival-goers watching a performance, festival-goers at the Smartraveller stall, and a festival-goer wearing her traditional hanbok