Best time
Year-Round
Currency
AUD ($)
Language
English
Getting around
Plane, private transfer and public transport
I moved to Australia almost three years ago, and with no sign of leaving, clearly it holds a special place in my heart. I’ve been very lucky to travel all across Australia, with just a few remote spots left on my bucket list. I’m passionate about sharing the best of Australian travel with visitors. There’s truly something for everyone here – whether you want to snorkel with Nemo and friends, hike Tasmania’s wild mountains, connect with ancient cultures in the Red Centre, or a thousand more adventures you could spend a lifetime exploring.
In this guide, I’ve curated my advice and recommendations by state, alongside coverage of my adventures and the best things to do on an Australian adventure!
Katie’s verdict
Pick an area or two, and plan a return trip.
Too many people want to see everything in Australia in ten days. Even a month wouldn’t be enough! Go with the seasons and select a few destinations that speak to you and complement each other – this guide will show you how.
Before you go
Quick tips
- Australia is highly seasonal. Work with the climate instead of against it. Summer is the perfect time to head South, avoiding the heavy rains and extreme heat further North. The Northern States shine in winter, bringing warm weather and sunny blue skies.
- Tipping is appreciated but not expected. 10% at a high-end restaurant would be considered generous, rounding up is usually perfectly adequate.
Good to know
How many days do I need?
How long is a piece of string! Allow at least three nights in each destination. Most stops will be linked by plane – although domestic flights are usually easy, any quicker and you’ll spend the whole time in the airport with no time to soak in your surroundings.
Is Australia expensive?
It is on the expensive side – Americans and Brits will find their currencies have strong buying power, but premium experiences and accommodations come at a fairly high price. General holiday purchases – meals out, drinks, tickets – come in slightly cheaper than cities like London or New York.
Which destinations can I combine with Australia?
Australia deserves a good amount of time, but if you have extra time to explore this hemisphere, there’s lots of opportunities to break up your journey. Singapore or Indonesia work well en route to Europe, New Zealand or Fiji work well for the U.S as they offer direct flights to North America.
What about the snakes and spiders?
This is the first thing everyone asks me. In the cities it is very unusual to see snakes and spiders – I see less spiders than I used to see in my house in England! If you’re camping or out in the bush/rainforest you may see some but they are usually easily avoided. In the city you’re more likely to encounter neighbourhood possums!
Don’t miss
Highlight Experiences
Swim with giants on Ningaloo Reef
Uncover ancient rock art, accessed by helicopter
Charter a remote reef on an exclusive Kimberley adventure cruise
Taste oysters straight from the lease in Tasmania
Surf with champions on the Gold Coast
Come eye to eye with koalas at Mikkura Station
Where to lay your head
Highlight Australia Accommodations
Immerse yourself in the Flinders Ranges’ ancient wonder
Wake as the sun rises over Uluru
Make the Great Barrier Reef your backyard on Lizard Island
Stay in the heart of it all in Sydney
Sleep among the sea cliffs at Three Capes Lodge, Tasmania
Go off-grid on safari at Bamurru Plains, on the edge of Kakadu
explorer further
Wander By State
Tackling Australia takes time – wander through the below guides to learn more.
Queensland
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
The Australian Capital Territory
The Northern Territory
Tasmania
Western Australia
From the journal
Australia Stories
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At The Edge of the World at Sal Salis, Ningaloo Reef
When imagining an Australian adventure, a few icons usually come to mind. Awe-inspiring Uluru in the red desert heart of the country.…
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A Cosy Country Escape to Bells at Killcare, NSW
Driving through the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, it doesn’t take long at all before Sydney feels a world away – highways and…
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Connecting to Place at Saffire Freycinet
The journey from Hobart to Freycinet is a thrill in itself. Two and a half hours of winding coastal road traces along…