Highlights
Sydney
The harbour is the centrepiece: walk from the Opera House past the Royal Botanic Garden, climb or cross the Harbour Bridge, and take the ferry to Manly. The coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee links several of the city's surf beaches.
The Great Barrier Reef
The world's largest coral reef system runs for more than 2,000 kilometres along the Queensland coast. Cairns, Port Douglas and the Whitsunday Islands are the main bases for snorkelling, diving and sailing trips.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
In the Red Centre, the great sandstone monolith of Uluru and the domes of Kata Tjuta are sacred to the Anangu traditional owners. Walk around the base of Uluru and watch the rock change colour at sunrise and sunset.
Melbourne
A city of laneway cafés, street art, galleries and sport, from the Melbourne Cricket Ground to the Australian Open. Trams make it easy to reach St Kilda, Fitzroy and the Queen Victoria Market.
The Great Ocean Road
A coastal drive west of Melbourne past surf beaches, rainforest and the limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles, with good chances of seeing koalas in the trees along the way.
Tasmania
An island state with a large share of its land in national parks. Hike at Cradle Mountain, walk to Wineglass Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula, and visit Hobart's waterfront and its weekly Salamanca Market.
Kakadu National Park
A huge park in the tropical Northern Territory, with wetlands full of birds and saltwater crocodiles, waterfalls and rock art sites where Aboriginal paintings span thousands of years.
The Daintree Rainforest
North of Port Douglas, this ancient tropical rainforest meets the reef at Cape Tribulation. Look out for cassowaries, and take a river cruise to spot crocodiles.
Interesting facts about Australia
- Canberra was purpose-built as the capital in the early 20th century, partly as a compromise between rivals Sydney and Melbourne.
- Voting in Australian federal elections is compulsory for adult citizens.
- The Dingo Fence, built to protect sheep flocks in the south-east, is one of the longest fences in the world at more than 5,000 kilometres.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived in Australia for at least 50,000 years, making theirs among the oldest continuous cultures on earth.
- Australia has no official language in law, although English is the national language in practice.
Best time to visit
Seasons are the reverse of the northern hemisphere. Sydney and Melbourne are best in spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May). The tropical north, including the reef and Kakadu, is best in the dry season from May to October; the wet season brings heat, storms and, from about November to May, marine stingers in coastal waters. The Red Centre is pleasant from May to September but very hot in summer. Tasmania is at its best from December to March.
Practical information
| Capital | Canberra |
|---|---|
| Currency | Australian dollar (AUD) |
| Languages | English |
| Plugs | Type I |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 000 for police, ambulance and fire (112 also works from mobiles) |
| Driving | On the left |
| Tipping | Not expected, as wages include service. Rounding up or leaving around 10 per cent for very good restaurant service is appreciated. |
Getting around
Domestic flights are the practical way to cover long distances, such as Sydney to Cairns or Melbourne to Uluru. Hiring a car or campervan is popular for coastal routes and the outback, but distances between fuel stops can be very long, and animals on the roads are a real hazard at dawn and dusk. Cities have good public transport with tap-on cards, and in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane you can tap on with a contactless bank card. Long-distance trains such as the Ghan and Indian Pacific are scenic journeys rather than quick connections.
Staying connected in Australia
Mobile coverage is excellent in cities and towns and along most of the coast, but the country is so large that much of the interior has no signal at all. Expect long gaps on outback highways, in national parks and on remote stretches of road in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, libraries and some city centres and public transport. Download offline maps before any outback drive, carry water, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
See Australia eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Australia
- Google Maps: Public transport and driving directions; download offline maps for any trip away from the coast.
- Uber: Ride-hailing in all major cities and many regional towns.
- BOM Weather: The Bureau of Meteorology's official app for forecasts, storm and fire weather warnings.
- Emergency+: An official app that shows your GPS location to give to emergency services and lists the right numbers to call.