- CapitalCanberra
- CurrencyAustralian dollar (AUD)
- LanguageEnglish
- Main hubsSydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Brisbane (BNE)
- EntryETA or eVisitor required for most visitors
- Drives onLeft
Australia is big enough to feel like several countries at once. The east coast strings together Sydney's harbour, the sub-tropical beaches of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Inland, the Red Centre is home to Uluru and the gorges of the MacDonnell Ranges, while the Top End offers crocodile country and Aboriginal rock art at Kakadu.
Distances are the main planning challenge: Sydney to Perth is a five-hour flight. Most first-time visitors pick two or three regions rather than trying to see everything. A classic two-week loop is Sydney, Cairns or the Whitsundays, Uluru and Melbourne, linked by domestic flights.
Where to go
- Sydney and New South Wales: the Opera House, Bondi, the Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley.
- Queensland: the reef, the Daintree, the Whitsundays and K'gari.
- Victoria: Melbourne's laneways and coffee, plus the Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles.
- Northern Territory: Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and Kakadu.
- Tasmania: wild national parks such as Cradle Mountain, plus Hobart's food and art scene.
- Western Australia: Perth, Margaret River wine country and Ningaloo Reef.
When to go
Seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere. The southern cities are best from October to April, while the tropical north is most comfortable in the dry season from May to October, which is also stinger-free reef time. See our month-by-month guide.
Getting around
Domestic flights are the backbone. Rent a car for the Great Ocean Road, Tasmania or Queensland's coast, and remember Australians drive on the left. Long-distance trains such as the Indian Pacific and The Ghan are experiences in themselves rather than practical transport.
Where to stay in Australia
Compare hotels, resorts and guesthouses with free cancellation on many rooms. Via Booking.com.
Landmarks map
Top landmarks
Sydney Opera House
Jørn Utzon's sail-roofed masterpiece on Bennelong Point, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007.
Bondi Beach & Coastal Walk
Sydney's most famous surf beach and the start of the 6 km cliff-top walk to Coogee.
Great Barrier Reef
The world's largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 km along Queensland's coast.
Whitsunday Islands & Whitehaven Beach
74 islands in the heart of the reef, with the swirling silica sands of Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet.
Daintree Rainforest
One of the oldest tropical rainforests on earth, meeting the reef at Cape Tribulation.
K'gari (Fraser Island)
The world's largest sand island, with freshwater lakes, rainforest and 75 Mile Beach.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta
The sacred red monolith at the heart of Australia, and the domes of Kata Tjuta nearby.
Kakadu National Park
Australia's largest national park, with Aboriginal rock art, wetlands and waterfalls.
Twelve Apostles
Limestone sea stacks on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.
Cradle Mountain
Tasmania's iconic peak above Dove Lake, start of the Overland Track.
Tours & activities in Australia
Day trips, cruises and guided experiences, many with free cancellation. Via GetYourGuide.
Guides & articles
Australia vs New Zealand: Which Should You Visit?
Reef and outback or mountains and fiords? A side-by-side comparison of Australia and New Zealand to help you choose, or plan a trip that combines both.
The Best Honeymoon Destinations in Oceania
Overwater bungalows, private islands and alpine lodges: the best honeymoon spots in Oceania compared, with the best months to go and rough nightly costs.
New Caledonia Travel Guide 2026: Nouméa, the Isle of Pines and a UNESCO Lagoon
Baguettes and Kanak culture, a UNESCO-listed lagoon and the pine-fringed bays of the Isle of Pines: how to plan a trip to New Caledonia in 2026.
Tasmania Travel Guide: Hobart, MONA, Freycinet, Cradle Mountain and the Ultimate Road Trip
Hobart's food scene, MONA's provocative art, Wineglass Bay, Cradle Mountain's alpine trails and a 7-10 day road trip linking them all.
What to Pack for Oceania: Packing Lists, Reef-Safe Sunscreen and Biosecurity Rules
Lagoons, alpine passes and outback heat in one trip. Here is what to pack for Oceania, which sunscreens to avoid, and how to stay on the right side of strict Australia and NZ biosecurity rules.
Sydney for First-Timers: Neighborhoods, Ferries, Beaches and Day Trips
Where to stay, how to see the Opera House properly, the Bondi to Coogee walk, the best ferry rides and an easy Blue Mountains day trip.
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