country
AustraliaAustralia
First trip of two weeks: two bases on the east coast (Sydney 4–5 nights, then Melbourne or Cairns 4–5), flying between them, plus one driving loop of 3–4 nights; the trips that fail try to road-trip Sydney to Cairns or add Perth and Uluru in the same fortnight.
Australia is roughly the size of the mainland United States with most people on the east and south-east coasts. Sydney to Melbourne is about 880 km by road (a 9-hour drive, a short flight), Sydney to Cairns is a 3-hour flight and Sydney to Perth about 5 hours in the air. Fly between cities, drive only regional loops, and plan around reversed seasons, strong sun, the tropical wet season in the north and strict biosecurity at the border.
All regions, cities and parks in Australia (Atlas) →
Regions
Sydney base; Blue Mountains and the coast as day or overnight trips
4–6 nights
Melbourne base; Great Ocean Road as a 2–3 night drive
4–6 nights
Cairns or Port Douglas for the Great Barrier Reef and rainforest; Brisbane and the Gold Coast further south
4–6 nights
Uluru and Kings Canyon; fly in, 2–3 nights
2–3 nights
Arrive
SYD
Sydney Kingsford Smith
Main long-haul hub; train to the city centre in about 15 minutes
MEL
Melbourne Tullamarine
SkyBus to Southern Cross station; no rail link
BNE
Brisbane
Airtrain to the city; gateway for the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast
PER
Perth
Western Australia; nonstop flights to Europe and Asia
CNS
Cairns
Great Barrier Reef and tropical north; some flights from Asia
Time math
- 7 days
- Sydney 4 + Melbourne 3, one flight between them; or Sydney 4 + Blue Mountains 1 + coast 2
- 10 days
- Sydney 4 + Cairns 3 (reef) + Melbourne 3, three flights
- 14 days
- Sydney 4 + Melbourne 3 + Great Ocean Road 2 + Cairns or Uluru 4–5; no more than four flights
Country rules
- Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
Etiquette
- Casual and direct: first names are normal, but queue properly and be on time.
- Uluru and other sacred sites: follow the rules of the Traditional Owners, including photography restrictions; climbing Uluru is closed.
- BYO restaurants allow you to bring your own wine; ask first.
- Keep left on escalators and footpaths in the cities.
- Christmas to late January
- Summer school holidays: coastal towns, flights and campsites fill; book early.
- Easter (Mar or Apr)
- Four-day weekend and school holidays; roads and flights busy, some businesses close on Good Friday.
- Wet season in the north (Nov–Apr)
- Cyclones, flooding and road closures in the tropical north; some tours and parks close.
- Bushfire season (summer in the south, spring in the north)
- Park closures and fire bans; routes can change at short notice.
Money & passes
Cash necessity: 1/5
- Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$). Contactless cards and phones are accepted almost everywhere, including public transport in the big cities; some small cafes are card-only.
- Some businesses add a card surcharge; carry a small amount of cash for remote areas and markets.
- Tipping is not expected; round up for good service in restaurants if you wish.
- Prices include GST; the Tourist Refund Scheme lets visitors claim GST on eligible goods at the airport, subject to conditions.
Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry
Safety
- Emergency: 000 for police, fire and ambulance (112 also works from mobiles).
- Sun: UV is extreme for much of the year; hat, sunscreen and shade, even on cloudy days.
- Beaches: swim only between the red and yellow flags; in tropical Queensland and the Northern Territory, box jellyfish and irukandji are present roughly October–May, so use stinger suits and netted areas.
- Crocodiles live in rivers, estuaries and some beaches of the tropical north: obey warning signs and never swim where they are posted.
- Bushfires in summer: check the state fire service app and obey total fire bans and evacuation orders.
- Outback: carry water, tell someone your route, and stay with the vehicle if it breaks down.
- Wildlife on roads at dawn and dusk is the most common cause of rural crashes for visitors.
Australia is the long-haul hub of Oceania: New Zealand is about 3 hours from the east coast, and Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia are short hops from Sydney and Brisbane.
Sources
- Australian Department of Home Affairs — visas and ETA (official) (official)
- UK FCDO travel advice — Australia (official)
- Wikivoyage — Australia (secondary)