Australia travel guide
Australia Tourism | Australia Guide
You're Going to Love Australia
A melting pot of cultures, Australia is one of the most diverse countries in the world and a hot tourist destination.
With a mix of vibrant cities and unbelievable landscapes, it's impossible to not feel at awe when visiting Australia.
What to do in Australia
1. Go on a Road Trip
Drive down the coast on the Great Ocean Road, Australia's most famous scenic route.
2. Visit Sydney
Explore Sydney and, if you dare, climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for spectacular views at 440 ft high.
3. Discover Aboriginal Culture
Learn more about nature from the native inhabitants of Australia on the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk led by the Aboriginal community.
4. Behold Australia's Nature
Visit Uluru, a natural wonder and one of the nine protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Australia.
5. Go Surfing
Swim or surf in Bondi, one of Australia's most famous beaches.
When to visit Australia
The low season (June to August) is perfect for enjoying an almost crowd-free Australia and doing some whale watching.
If you prefer a bustling tourism destination, the high season in Australia is from December to February, which coincides with the beach season and the top festivals.
How to Get to Australia
Entry Requirements
Unless you're a New Zealand national, all travelers to Australia need a visa to enter the country. Visas vary from short stays for tourists to the more extensive working-holiday visas.
Plane
Most international flights to Australia land in Sydney or Melbourne. Adelaide, Brisbane, and Perth are also good options.
Considering that flights from Europe and North America to Australia are long, most passengers opt to break it up with a layover in Hong Kong or Singapore.
Boat
During the high season, there are some cruise options between destinations in the Pacific, New Zealand and North America to top cities in Australia, like Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne.
Popular airports in Australia
Popular airlines serving Australia
Where to stay in Australia
Camping and RV parks are frequent and well-equipped. There is no better place in the world to test out van life than Australia. These parks are usually near beaches and many are equipped with swimming pools and playgrounds for kids.
Where to stay in popular areas of Australia
Most booked hotels in Australia
How to Get Around Australia
Public Transportation
In larger cities and towns, you can count on an efficient and inexpensive network of buses, suburban trains, and in some cases, trams (Melbourne) and light-rail trains (Sidney and Canberra).
Taxis are also widely available in all towns and cities.
Trains
Getting around in Australia by train is not the fastest and cheapest way of traveling, but it can make for a good travel experience if that's what you're looking for.
The Great Southern Rail and The Savannahlander are two private companies operating train connections between different cities. Within the same state, trains are usually operated by public and private state-based companies like, for example, Queensland Rail that connects Cairns to Brisbane.
Bus
Australia has a good network of comfortable, reliable buses, but always research the distances between cities when planning your journey. Buses have toilets, air conditioning, and, in some cases, free Wi-Fi.
Bus companies in Australia include Greyhound Australia, V/Line (Victoria), Firefly Express (Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sidney), Integrity Coach Lines, and Premier Motor Service (Eden to Cairns).
Car
In general, roads and highways are well-maintained, which is perfect for road trips. Remember that in Australia, you should drive on the left.
Most car rental companies only rent cars to drivers 21 years old or older. You'll need an International Driving Permit if your driver's license is not in English.
Plane
Taking domestic flights in Australia is a time-saving option if you're not staying in the country for a long time. There are some regional airlines, but the top carriers also operating domestic flights include Qantas and Virgin Australia.
Best car hire deals in Australia
Compact SUV
4 Adults, 2 Bags
$43/day
Compact SUV
4 Adults, 2 Bags
$51/day
The Cost of Living in Australia
Debit and credit cards are widely accepted, and if you need cash, it's not difficult to find an ATM. A meal at an affordable restaurant can cost approximately 20 AUD (13 USD). A one-way ticket on public transportation can cost, on average, approximately 4.20 AUD (2.90 USD). Two days' worth of groceries cost about 30 AUD (20 USD).