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Big Australia Bucket List

Absolutely EVERYTHING to see, do and experience in Australia

25+ ESSENTIAL Travel Tips for Australia (Know Before You Go!)

Australia, or the “Land Down Under”, is one of the most coveted tourist destinations in the world – with its fine balance between wildlife and environment conservation and cosmopolitan modern-day living.

Both a country and a continent, Australia definitely has a lot in store for repeat and first-time travellers alike! Witness kangaroos and koalas right before your eyes, dip in pristine ocean waters, soak up the summer heat and the tingling sensation of the sun onto your skin, and enjoy scenic views of bustling cities and breathtaking nature throughout your travels!

Be sure to read this guide to our most essential travel tips for Australia before packing your bags and preparing for this once-in-a-lifetime trip! It’s the only list of Australia travel tips you will ever need and it’s everything you need to know before you go!

Table of Contents

• 1.1 The Best Time To Visit Australia
• 1.2 Australia is HUGE
• 1.3.1 By plane
• 1.3.2 By bus
• 1.3.3 By train
• 1.3.4 By Ferry
• 1.3.5 By car
• 1.4 Public WiFi Availability in Australia
• 1.5 The Emergency number in Australia
• 1.6 Swim Between The Flags
• 1.7 You have to try local beer, coffee & wine in Australia
• 1.8 Kangaroos and koalas are not that common in Australia
• 1.9 Aussies use Australian English
• 1.10 (Outside of a Pub) You Buy Alcohol either from a Warehouse or A Drive Through Bottle Shop
• 1.11 Is Australia Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
• 2.1 Where are the Best Places to Visit in Australia
• 2.2 How To Plan Your Budget for your visit to Australia 
• 2.3 Our Money Looks like Monopoly Money
• 3.1 Australian border control is very strict
• 3.2 Free walking apps for cities in Australia
• 3.3.1 Money changing
• 3.3.2 Credit card skimming
• 3.3.3 Tours from unreliable guides or websites
• 3.4 Learn the Lingo: Basic Language Tips for Australia
• 3.5 Tipping Culture in Australia
• 3.6 Pre-book popular attractions in Australia
• 4 5 Quick Australian Dos and Don’ts

GENERAL TRAVEL INFO FOR VISITORS TO AUSTRALIA

Visa: Unless you are an Australian or New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, or identify as a Torres Strait Island – practically everyone else needs a travel visa to enter Australia. Folks from the USA, UK and several other European countries are eligible for the free Visitor which allows visitors to stay for up to 3 months for each entry in a 12 month period.

That’s plenty of time to explore – but if you want to stay longer, there are other visas available too. Use the Australian Governments (free) visa finder tool to find the right one for you.

Currency: The official currency in Australia is the Australian Dollar ($, AUD). You can withdraw currency from ATMs using your local bank card or a designated travel card. If you are visiting from another country, be sure to check any fees and charges from your bank prior to using it and carry a second source of payment/cash in case your primary card gets ‘eaten’ by an ATM.

Language: English (Although Australia has no ‘official’ langauge, English is the most common language and is spoken throughout the country.) Almost 80% of all residents speak English at home, with Mandarin (2.5%) and Arabic (1.4%) spoken at home in small percentages.

WiFi/Internet Access: Depending on your length of stay and in what country, you can either purchase a local sim card (in advance or on arrival) – to swap out with the one in your own phone to avoid roaming charges. OR, grab a pay as you go portable Wifi Devices which means you can keep your sim active and connect wirelessly. Just remember to turn off data roaming so you don’t incur any hefty charges.

Essential Travel Tips for Australia for First Time Visitors: The Practical Stuff

The best time to visit australia.

If you’re in it for the most perfect time to visit – specifically when the weather’s not too hot nor cold and when flights are relatively cheap – you must go between March-May and September-November.

If you’re the “always in for summer” type of traveler, you must visit from December to February. During this season, the average temperature can be anywhere between 15-30 degrees. So, be sure to bring a water bottle and hydrate!

If you’re in it for a lot of food and wine thrills, you have to plan your visit from March to May (a.k.a. the Autumn season). You have to brace yourself, though! This particular period is the busiest of all. Expect big crowds, busier places, and jam-packed tourist destinations.

If you fancy an all-white season and game for an intense snow skiing sesh, head for the mountains in Victoria, Southern New South Wales, and Tasmania sometime during the winter. The Winter season in Australia begins in June and extends up until August.

If you want to try diving, surfing, kayaking, canoeing, and other water-related activities and experiences, time your visit for between September to November and head to the North East coast. Remember to pack your sunblock and sunglasses along with you!

TOP TIP: Wear sunblock. Even on a cloudy day. The sun is very strong in Australia and it is easy to get burnt. Don’t stand out as a tourist by turning bright red!

Australia is HUGE

How To Get Around Australia

Australia sure is a BIG country to explore. But, would you believe it if I tell you it’s very easy to go around in it? Australia has a lot of transport systems made readily available and accessible for all types of travellers out there!

Australia has a bunch of domestic airlines to save you in travelling around large distances. You may start getting yourself familiar with the following: Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Tiger Airways, and Rex. Knowing about their routes might give you a headstart in planning for your very own itinerary, as well as your budget!

If you’re one who enjoys travelling the long way to explore whatever you can, taking the bus in Australia is perfect for you to cover longer distances. Be comforted to know that coach and bus travel in the country is not only comfortable but also efficient and reasonably priced given their amenities. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, reading lights, and airconditioning throughout!

If you want to witness Australia in the most scenic yet convenient way possible, opt for the trains. Believe me when I say the train is the way to go.

• TrainLink: It runs from Sydney through New South Wales, down through Canberra to Melbourne and North to Brisbane in Queensland.
• V-Line: It connects Melbourne with regional hubs located in Victoria.
• Queensland Rail: It covers the entirety of Queensland.
• TransWA: It has services through Western Australia.
• The Ghan Train and Indian Pacific: Both generally sweep through the country. The Ghan specifically travels to and from Adelaide and Darwin, Red Centre, and the Top End. The Indian Pacific, on the other hand, runs between Sydney and Perth, through Broken Hill, Adelaide, and Kalgoorlie.

If you want to experience everything Australia offers, you also have to try getting on board on a ferry (and depending on where that is, you may need to have the stomach for it, as well!).

• Spirit of Tasmania: It operates a nightly passenger and vehicle ferry service from Melbourne (Victoria) and Devonport (Tasmania) – and is a notoriously bumpy crossing.
• SeaLink: Connects Cape Jervis (South Australia) and Kangaroo Island multiple times a day.
• Other ferry services: Other ferry services also operate that connect suburbs to capital cities such as those that run in and around Sydney Harbour, or those on the Swan River in Perth or on the Brisbane River.

Travelling in a car in Australia will give you comfort and the best road trip experience there is in the world! In case you didn’t know, the country boasts of its network of well-maintained roads.

Public WiFi Availability in Australia

Yup, don’t worry. We understand the need to connect to the internet, especially when traveling abroad. If you don’t have a local sim card and/or a portable WiFi device, lucky for you ⁠— we searched for this complete list of free WiFi hotspots around Australia . Just remember to be cautious, though. Hackers can easily have access to your personal information when you connect to these.

The Emergency number in Australia

Although we’re hoping you won’t ever have a need for this number, it’s always better to be prepared than sorry. Dial 000 (triple zero) when you encounter an emergency and are requiring the assistance of the police, fire, or ambulance departments.

Swim Between The Flags

While spending a day on the sand and frolicking in the water sounds like a great idea – a lot of beaches have lifeguards present for a reason. The rips around Australia can be life-threatening and must be respected. If there is a lifeguard on duty on the beach you find yourself on, be sure to swim between the flags they have set up. They are there to show you the safest point on the beach for swimming.

You have to try local beer, coffee & wine in Australia

In case you didn’t know, Aussies invented the Flat White. And if you are a coffee drinker, you have to try one in Melbourne – where coffee culture is practically a religion!

Aside from coffee, you may also want to spend some time enjoying the Australian craft beer scene, and having a glass ( or bottle ) or two of some of the worlds best wines. From Margaret River to the Yarra Valley, Hunter Valley to the Barossa – there is no shortage of incredible wine in this country.

Just remember to be a responsible drinker – and absolutely DO NOT drink and drive.

Kangaroos and koalas are not that common in Australia

There are plenty of places to see them though. From numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to secluded spots out in the country. Read our complete guide to Australian animals here to find out more. Also, not all Aussie animals are trying to kill you. Just around 75% of them!

Aussies use Australian English

Australian English is relatively different from American English or any other English for the matter – specifically in spelling, pronunciation, slang and shortening of some words. Oh and swearing is pretty common among friends in day to day conversation.

‘Mate’ is used universally – whether you’re the friend of a person or a complete stranger. It is a uniquely Aussie phenomenon which when used implies a sense of shared experience, mutual respect and unconditional assistance.

Nicknames, and the shortening of most words – often ends in -O, -A or -Y/-IE: Stevo (name), Arvo (afternoon), Straya (Australia), Barbie (BBQ) Footy (Football – Australian, not English), Accadacca (AC/DC), Tinny (can of beer), Servo (Petrol/Service Station), Bottle-O (The equivalent of a British ‘Off-Licence’ where alcohol is purchased for consumption off the premises, etc)

This might take a little bit of getting used to and may need a bit of translation from a local from time to time (but scroll down – we have included a few basic words below to give you a head start!)

(Outside of a Pub) You Buy Alcohol either from a Warehouse or A Drive Through Bottle Shop

And if that concept doesn’t blow your mind, you also can’t buy alcohol from the supermarket (like in the UK), but have to go to a dedicated alcohol shop/liquor store. There are often smaller, separated buildings located next to the supermarket (and which often sell alcohol at a premium price for the convenience) and are owned by the supermarkets. Coles has Liquorland, Woolworths has BWS etc.

Or you can satisfy your alcohol needs (and get cheaper prices) with a visit to Dan Murphys – which is essentially a warehouse full of beer, wine & spirits. Affectionately known as Uncle Dan’s by many across Australia, these huge buildings are located on retail parks which you wouldn’t normally walk to – and can’t walk back from carrying your haul (case of wine/slab of beer etc) – as it’s typically always cheaper to buy in bulk.

Is Australia Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

• Keep an eye on your belongings (bag/camera/phone etc) and be aware of your surroundings (for example, don’t have your head down glued to your phone)
• Be cautious and vigilant in busy areas or in crowds.
• Be wary of the ‘overly helpful’ local. The one who approaches you with stories and tips but seems to want nothing in exchange. And don’t feel obliged to give them anything.
• Be mindful of your drinking – that’s not to say not to drink, but alcohol lowers your inhibitions and reaction time. And a bag of Aussie Goon is a pretty standard item among the backpacker crowd and considered part of the Australian travelling experience!

• Walk with purpose – it will make you appear more confident and especially in Australian cities, will help you blend in with the locals.
• And finally, take note of where the exits are – wherever you are throughout Australia. You know, like you do on a plane. If there is an emergency, or you need to get away quickly, knowing where the exit is can be invaluable.

Top Australia Tips for Your First Visit: The Fun Stuff

Where are the best places to visit in australia.

Spread out across this vast country, Australia has eight city capitals, one within each State & Terriroty, which are all wonderfully unique packed with exceptional dining experiences, historic attractions, and non-stop shopping opportunities. Here’s why you need to visit each of them which will help in planning your trip:

• Canberra is situated in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It is the national capital, a city known for its cultural treasures and vibrant annual festivals.
• Sydne y is the largest capital in the country home to the famous Sydney Opera House, The Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach and close to the Blue Mountains for a perfect day trip from Sydney!

• Melbourne is the “Culture Capital of Australia” and one of the major cities in Victoria. From fashion to art, to film, to food, to sports, to music, to kids events, or to spiritual and multicultural festivals… Name it, Melbourne has it! (and some great day trips fro Melbourne too!)
• Hobart houses some of Australia’s convict era remnants adjoined with its panoramic coastal scenery. This picturesque city holds a number of interesting places to see including (but not limited to, of course) the charming Georgian era towns and villages!
• Cairns  is Australia’s adventure travel paradise – with bungee jumps and jungle swings, scuba diving and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, Skydiving over beaches and seaplane flights. For an adrenaline kick, head to Cairns.
• Adelaide is the perfect escape from the bustling crowds you might find elsewhere in Australia. It has surrounding hills to the east, beautiful beaches to the west (don’t miss Hervey Bay), luxuriously wide boulevards, and breathtaking park and garden views!
• Perth has a small population, the greatest weather year-round, and has a convenient location to stunning beaches. If this doesn’t make you want to visit Perth, I don’t know what else will!

• Darwin is the top end’s darling! From its World War II history to its very diverse food scene, to the best tropical lifestyle an Australian traveler could want, not to mention the different Outback tours through Kakadu National Park offered from the city – Darwin in the Northern Territory is the best place to be!
• Brisbane houses the liveliest subtropical paradise with ever-delicious food, coffee, as well as an epic music and arts scene. Not to mention the fact that it’s just an hour away from the world’s best beaches on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.

How To Plan Your Budget for your visit to Australia 

If there’s one thing you ought to know about Australia, especially if you’re a first-time traveler, is that it can be quite (sometimes really) expensive. To experience it at its best, you have to allot around $100-$200 per day for your accommodations, food, and activities.

Sad to say, though, transportation is a totally different conversation – meaning you need to allot a separate budget for it. Doing your research might do the trick in helping you get the best deals possible and that means everything!

What to eat in Australia

• Vegemite –  a dark brown paste made from various vegetables, yeast extract and spice additives. Regardless of anyone telling you not to try it because it tastes weird , I say still do! Who knows, you might like it more than you can probably imagine.
• Tim Tams – a famous Australian chocolate biscuit, which, anyone hardly says no to. Do yourself a favour by grabbing one and snack on it to your heart’s content!
• Chicken Parmigiana – although not particularly of Australian descent, you will most certainly encounter this dish in most Australian pubs  — and it’s worth the try!
• Fish and Chips – as the country is surrounded by oceans, it’s easy to say that their fish recipes are the bomb! This one’s definitely a must-try for the tourists.
• Pavlova – a meringue cake base topped with whipped cream and fruit that you can score from a cake shop, a bakery, or from major supermarket chains (directly look for it in the frozen dessert section).

Our Money Looks like Monopoly Money

Bet y’all want our funky money now, huh?!

Useful Tips & Friendly Advice for your First Visit to Australia

Australian border control is very strict.

Bringing prohibited items, whether or not you’re aware, will result in serious borderline problems. Included in the roster of forbidden things include fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, feathers, weapons, firearms, and wildlife among other things. It’s best to double-check your things before embarking on a trip of your lifetime by doing your research.

Free walking apps for cities in Australia

Scams to avoid in Australia

Australia being a great country and a continent by itself makes it not vulnerable to travel-related scams. Sad, but true. Here are several things you need to watch out for and avoid when traveling to Australia:

Money changing

Yup, it sounds so old school but it still happens anywhere – might be at a restaurant where the cashier switches you $50 for $5 and tells you you didn’t give enough cash, at an attraction, or right at the money changer. When dealing with money, it’s always better to double-check and try to book your activities in advance so you have total control.

Credit card skimming

Basically, credit (or debit) card skimming is the act of illegal duplication of information from the magnetic strip of your card. As much as possible, be wary especially when the restaurant personnel collects your card and swipes it out of your sight.

Tours from unreliable guides or websites

To make sure you’re not booking some dodgy day tours, you have to make sure you’re booking from official travel agencies. Before clicking that purchase button, do your research. Check reviews, ask for recommendations from your friends and family – or particularly anyone you trust. Doing so will be helpful during the time of an accident or an emergency.

Learn the Lingo: Basic Language Tips for Australia

• Gas means petrol.
• Thongs mean flip flops.
• Chips (commonly called hot chips ) mean fries.
• Fortnightly means every two weeks.
• Boot means trunk.
• Bum bag means fanny pack.
• Lollies means candies/sweets.

Tipping Culture in Australia

In a country where the minimum wage is a lot higher compared to other countries, tipping isn’t that much of a necessity — most especially where service charges are included in the bill (typically for group or specialty bookings rather than a meal for 2). No one’s stopping you, though! You can still give tips if you want to and you feel like it.

Pre-book popular attractions in Australia

5 Quick Australian Dos and Don’ts

• Slip, Slap, Slop, Seek, Slide (That’s slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on your sunglasses – if you’ve never heard the iconic Cancer Council slogan before. Fun fact – it was so successful in the 80s that there is a generation of Aussies with a Vitamin D deficiency!)
• Carry photo-ID
• Swim between the flags on Aussie beaches
• Watch out for drop bears …

Don’t:

• Drink & Drive
• Climb Uluru (thankfully the are now rules to prevent people climbing the sacred rock, but it’s good to remind everyone that it shouldn’t be done, should that ever change)
• Eat, Drink or Smoke on public transport
• Turn up to a BBQ empty-handed (bring a bottle of wine or beer that the host will enjoy)
• Get offended when Aussies swear, it’s part of our national identity.

That’s a wrap, I hope our helpful tips for Australia (perfect for firsttime visitors) has got you all excited to explore Oz and this Australia travel guide has given you all you need to know to make it happen. We hope you have a wonderful time in Australia.

And if you know someone who could use these Australia travel tips for planning their trip to Australia, be sure to share this article with them on Facebook, Twitter, Flipboard or Pinterest. Sharing is caring and we thank you in advance.

READY MORE AUSTRALIA TRAVEL INSPIRATION? YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THESE TRAVEL TIPS, TRAVEL ARTICLES, DESTINATION GUIDES, TRAVELER RESOURCES AND RELATED POSTS ABOUT OTHER AMAZING PLACES IN AUSTRALIA:

• Test Your Aussie Knowledge: The Big Australia Trivia Quiz + 80+ Interesting Facts about Australia
• South Australia: Adelaide Travel Guide (Perfect for First Time Visitors)
• Australian Capital Territory: Top Things to do in the ACT
• Queensland: QLD Bucket List (inc. the some of the best spots on the East Coast Australia – think Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Airlie Beach, Fraser Island and the Great Barrier Reef) + 50 Things to do in Outback Queensland
• New South Wales: Top Things to do in Sydney (inc. The Sydney Opera House, Byron Bay & the Blue Mountains ) & Best Places to visit in NSW + Incredible Ski Resorts in NSW
• Victoria: Free Things to do in Melbourne , Melbourne Travel Guide (Perfect for First Timers), Best Time To Visit Melbourne (Month by Month Guide) + Best Day Trips from Melbourne (inc. the Great Ocean Road)
• General Australia Inspiration: 25 Best Places to Visit in Australia (inc. Alice Springs in the NT!) + Best Australian Travel Apps + Australia Travel Tips to Know Before You Go
• Beyond Oz: Looking for content outside of Oz? Head on over to MakeTimeToSeeTheWorld travels blog – they’ve got content on everywhere from Sri Lanka to South Africa , North America to South America & the Middle East to Europe .

Hi There! Thanks for reading our guide to 25+ Essential Travel Tips for Australia (What to Know Before You Go)   I just wanted to let you know that this post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something after clicking a link, I may get a small commission – which is at absolutely no cost to you . If you enjoyed this article and are going to be searching for some of the things I mention anyway, I would love it if you could click through from the links above & thank you in advance! Read my full disclosure here .

1 thought on “25+ ESSENTIAL Travel Tips for Australia (Know Before You Go!)”

What a great collection of tips from travelers. I went through the list and nodded. Although I am still searching for all the right solid toiletries that work for me. And no matter how I try, I can’t travel with just a carry-on!

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What makes Tasmania an outdoor lover’s dream?

Home to real-life devils and 2,000-year-old trees, this epic isle takes travelers on an adventure of a lifetime.

At Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park , hikers tackle multiday trails that pass through a landscape of ancient forests and alpine heaths.

“Explore the possibilities” reads the license plate of my rental car, complete with a Tasmanian tiger peeking out from between two numbers. Challenge accepted, I think, tossing my hiking boots in the trunk and setting the GPS to the nearest national park.

Once mocked as a backwater, Tasmania is now one of Australia ’s fastest-growing tourism destinations and one of National Geographic’s Best Trips to take in 2020 . Key to the appeal of Australia’s southernmost state is its raw natural beauty, which it owes largely to a combination of its remoteness (airport expansion plans are under way, but international flights are still a few years off) and the enduring green spirit of its half million or so residents.

Swathed in 2,000-year-old trees and home to real-life devils (and even “tigers,” if you believe the rumors that the officially extinct thylacine lives on), it’s the stuff outdoor adventures are made of.

After making the trek here, visitors find that most of Tassie’s attractions are surprisingly accessible. It takes just four hours to drive the length of the state. No matter where you base yourself, opportunities to become immersed in nature are never far away—nearly half the state is designated national park, after all. Curious to discover if Tassie’s newest adventure experiences are as spectacular as they appear on my social media feeds, I headed to Hobart to explore the adrenalized enticements “within cooee” (within reach) of the capital.

Where to hike

“Bit cuter than the tiger snake, isn’t it?” guide Joel Kovacs jokes, as a pademelon (like a mini-kangaroo) hops across our path along the Three Capes Track, pausing a few feet away to peer at us through a hedge of cutting grass once used by the Palawa (Aboriginal people of Tasmania) for basket-weaving. Along with the trio of Bennett’s wallabies and the deadly tiger snake that had joined us on the track, not to mention the echidna we spot later that day, it’s been a wildlife-watching boon.

But the views remain the highlight of this four-day, 30-mile trail skirting the soaring dolerite cliffs that prop up the Tasman Peninsula, a windswept wilderness jutting off the state’s southeastern tip. Unveiled in 2015 to tremendous expectations, Tasmania’s newest multiday trail comes complete with architect-designed bunkhouses and a smattering of “story seats” inviting walkers to contemplate the history of the peninsula while taking a breather.

Last year, Tasmanian Walking Company , which runs luxe guided hikes on some of Tassie’s top trails, launched the Three Capes Lodge Walk, with groups overnighting at private eco-sensitive cliffside lodges discreetly tucked off the main trail. Considering the gourmet meals, the local wine I don’t have to carry in myself, and the two guides’ knowledge, it’s a truly transformative way to experience the trail, which is unlike any other in Tassie. But the 880-odd tracks that lace the state’s national parks, reserves, and conservation areas each have their own unique aspects. And variety isn’t the only selling point.

Related: This is what it’s like to see Australia’s Great Barrier Reef up close.

“Even the trails with the best infrastructure don’t detract from the feeling of being immersed in the wilderness,” says Kovacs, a Hobart native who has tramped many of them in his decade of guiding. “Tassie’s trails haven’t been widened like you’ll see in New Zealand and elsewhere to accommodate big crowds, and I hope they’ll stay that way.” Kovacs’s favorite is the Overland Track, a six-day traverse of Cradle Mountain–Lake St. Clair National Park .

High on my own wish list is the Wukalina Walk, a four-day Aboriginal-guided trek launched last year in the Bay of Fires, so-called partly for its orange lichen-covered granite boulders.

Red-necked wallabies find a haven in Narawntapu National Park , a seaside reserve of wetlands, lagoons, and sand dunes on Tasmania’s northern coast.

The island’s natural beauties include a superb fairy wren at the York Town Historic Site, the location of the first British settlement in Tasmania in the early 1800s.

More casual walkers find a diversity of day hikes to choose from. I squeeze in a quick jaunt to Russell Falls (and Horseshoe Falls upstream), in Mount Field National Park , which tumbles through a rainforest setting immortalized on Tasmania’s first stamp collection designed to promote tourism in 1899.

Other notable strolls include the Dove Lake Circuit beneath the towering spires of Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay Lookout for Freycinet National Park’s best view, and the Springlawn Nature Walk in Narawntapu National Park on the north coast for its wildlife. These are just three of 60 short walks listed by the Parks & Wildlife Service as the state’s best, and big developments are on the way.

A proposal to build six eco-sensitive hiker’s huts along the South Coast Track—Tasmania’s most remote trail—was greenlighted last year, while this past July saw the announcement of plans to develop a walking route in the Tyndall Range on the edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area .

Where to bike

Peering over my handlebars at the steep, rocky single track jagging down between the snow gum trees, I wonder if I’ve overestimated my ability. But after navigating a few tight corners without falling off, I settle into the ride down Maydena Bike Park , allowing myself to steal longer glimpses of the ever changing landscape as we descend more than 2,600 feet through a web of 62 trails (and counting) threading down a hillside northwest of Hobart.

“I like to think of this section as our own Jurassic Park,” assistant manager Luke Reed tells me as we weave between lofty king ferns in the temperate rainforest that hugs the slopes. Since decamping from the mainland two years ago when he got wind of the Maydena development, Reed says he hasn’t looked back. “There’s just so much to do here,” he says. “We’ve got Marriott’s Falls and Mount Field just down the road, and I still haven’t ridden all the trails in Maydena.”

While Maydena is Tasmania’s only all-downhill bike park, it’s just one of a growing number of top mountain bike parks popping up around the state. Just north of Launceston, Hollybank Mountain Bike Park opened in 2014 with a six-mile descent called the Juggernaut that draws riders from around the world.

The following year, the former tin-mining town of Derby transformed into Australia’s premier mountain biking destination overnight following the opening of Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails . And the scene continues to evolve, with the first section of the St. Helens Mountain Bike Trail Network, 40 miles southeast of Derby, having opened in November.

“You can even ride some of the Mount Wellington trails,” says Reed, as we peel off our helmets. Relieved to have completed a lap of Maydena without having to test the limits of my travel insurance, I take his word for it.

Where to kayak

My guide, Liam Weaver, sees it first. Following his lead, I kayak slowly toward the small brown lump moving across the water. Suddenly it stops, its slick furry body and iconic “duck bill” more visible as it pauses on the surface for a few seconds before diving under the tannin-stained water. It’s my first wild platypus sighting, and I’m rapt.

“On some trips we spot more than 20,” says Weaver, grinning back at me, and I snap back to scanning the river for more platypus activity.

Opened in 2015, wilderness retreat Pumphouse Point frames a wintry scene at Lake St. Clair. The glacier-carved basin is Australia’s deepest freshwater lake.

Fog rolls in over the fertile Tamar River valley, home to several wineries.

One of Australia’s most elusive creatures, these shy monotremes (egg-laying mammals) thrive in the upper Derwent River, which snakes down a rural valley northwest of Hobart lined with sheep farms and hop plantations that scent the air with an odd mix of lanolin and beer. Weaver estimates 30 to 50 breeding pairs of platypuses make their homes here, setting the scene for Tassie Bound ’s flagship kayaking tour.

“When Liam first took me down here on a kayak, it felt like we were being gifted an opportunity to create a unique, sustainable tourism experience,” Liam’s wife and business partner, Fiona, tells me after the tour. She also runs Wild Island Women , Tasmania’s first female adventure community. “Even some locals are unaware that we have this incredible wildlife-spotting opportunity on our doorstep,” she says.

Even if you don’t see any platypuses, it’s a ridiculously scenic afternoon paddle downriver. Three years since launching the tour, Tassie Bound remains the only operator on the river, which adds to the sense of adventure. The couple also run various other kayaking tours, and there’s some beautiful kayaking to be had around the Freycinet Peninsula, though keen paddlers in search of the ultimate off-grid adventure would be wise to check out Roaring 40s Kayaking ’s multiday expeditions in the rugged, hidden waterways of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Operated in the same region is Australia’s most spectacular white-water rafting experience, an eight-day adventure down the Franklin River, which was saved from a dam project in the ’70s, thanks to one of the most significant environmental campaigns in Australia’s history.

“The experience of paddling down the untamed wilderness of the Franklin, which has no man-made infrastructure whatsoever, is incredibly powerful,” says Tassie-born Elias Eichler, who runs Franklin River Rafting with his wife and fellow rafting guide, Franzi. “The water is so pure we have a cup hanging off the side of the boat that you can just dunk in the river if you get thirsty. Where else can you do that these days?”

Where to eat

From King Island Dairy cheeses to Bruny Island oysters, Tasmania’s edible output is legendary, and with more than half a dozen established food and drink trails across the state, choosing your own culinary itinerary is one of Tassie’s most rewarding soft adventures.

Given its ideal climate for malting, Tassie’s Whisky Trail is a good place to start. Following a suitably weird morning at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Tassie’s flagship cultural institution and an adventure in itself, I drop into Shene Estate , just a 30-minute drive north of Hobart. The Kernke family has painstakingly restored an exquisite 19th-century Gothic-Revival sandstone stables and barn, the latter now acting as the tasting room of the family distillery.

The first release of their triple-distilled Mackey whisky won the gold medal at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, but I’m partial to their Poltergeist gin. It was named in honor of the pagan witch-protection symbols etched into the buildings during colonial times, though Anne Kernke, who runs tours and tastings by appointment, hints there’s more to the story. She once experienced the sensation of someone sitting on her bed when she was in it, and nobody else was around. “We love a property with spirit, so we thought we had better make some,” she winks as she pours me a gin and tonic.

Other paths reveal the spectrum of Tasmania’s tastes. Oenophiles follow the blue-and-yellow signs along the 105-mile loop north from Launceston to discover more than 30 cellar doors on the Tamar Valley Wine Route . The Made on Bruny Island gourmet trail is ideal for oyster and cheese lovers.

While tucking into a perfectly battered fillet of trevalla from one of Hobart’s famous floating fish-and-chip shops, I think that if there’s a downside to seeking adventure in Tasmania, it’s that no matter how hard you throw yourself into it, you’ll be lucky to go home any lighter.

Taking another bite, I figure I can live with that.

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‘Fortress Australia’ Has a New Message: Come Back

For nearly two years, the country projected a harsh message of rigidity and “rules are rules.” Will long-haul travelers bet on the easygoing, inviting image it is sending out now?

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By Tacey Rychter and Isabella Kwai

Moments after the Australian government announced that it would reopen the country’s borders to international travelers later this month, Emily Barrett locked in a fare for a flight to Sydney. The 32-year-old nanny from Palo Alto, Calif., spent three days researching and talking to Australian friends before she decided to book her trip to the island continent, which for two years had some of the world’s strictest border controls and longest lockdowns aimed at controlling the spread of the coronavirus.

“They all said, ‘if we go back into a lockdown now, people will go into the streets,’” she said. Her two-week trip is scheduled to start a few days after the border opens on Feb. 21.

Potential travelers and tourism operators alike are cautiously optimistic about the reopening of “Fortress Australia,” but many wonder if the isolated nation’s ongoing Covid restrictions — such as vaccine and testing requirements, as well as mask mandates — will make the return of international travel more of a trickle than a splash. Australia’s reputation for rigidity and reclusiveness during the pandemic — at odds with the inviting, easygoing nature portrayed by the country’s tourism boards — may also be a hurdle to overcome.

“There is no doubt that a full recovery will take time, but we are confident that the demand for Australia is strong,” said Phillipa Harrison, the managing director of Tourism Australia, the country’s tourism board.

Tourism was one of the fastest growing sectors in Australia’s economy before the pandemic, contributing 45 billion Australian dollars in 2019, or $32 billion.

Australia is among the world’s most immunized countries for Covid-19, with 94 percent of people over 16 fully vaccinated. Through 2020 and 2021, the country pursued a tough “zero Covid” strategy that closed national and state borders; restricted Australians from returning home and even leaving; enforced monthslong lockdowns and required its few visitors to undergo expensive hotel quarantines . Surging cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in January, which persist, but have since declined , tipped most of the country into a new ‘living with the virus’ phase .

“It’s about coming back so the virus is under our control, whereas we felt that the virus was controlling us,” said Catherine Bennett, an epidemiologist at Deakin University in Melbourne, adding that opening the borders represented a turning point. “This is saying: We’re ready for this.”

Australia’s walls come down

Australia’s grand reopening comes with a few ground rules. Travelers entering the country must be fully vaccinated to avoid a costly hotel quarantine, and must test before arrival — somewhat common requirements for travel now.

But it will take a little more time for Australia’s welcome mat to roll out all the way. The entire state of Western Australia — a third of Australia’s vast land mass, but home to just 10 percent of the population — has essentially been closed to both international travelers and even vaccinated Australian citizens for most of the pandemic. It plans to reopen to vaccinated travelers on March 3, with testing rules on arrival. The state, which has reported about 2,900 total cases and 10 deaths since the pandemic began, is home to Perth — one of the world’s most remote major cities — more than 7,000 miles of coastline, the Kimberley region’s dramatic sandstone gorges and wine destinations like Margaret River. While the federal government can open the nation’s borders, the states can still set their own Covid restrictions, including entry rules.

“We desperately want people to come back,” said Graeme Skeggs, a general manager at Adam’s Pinnacle Tours , one of Western Australia’s larger tour companies, which, until the pandemic, operated luxury tours of the state’s renowned coastlines and landscapes. Much of their business evaporated after Covid struck, and some smaller operators the company worked with have closed. “Two years is a lot longer than any of us thought,” Mr. Skeggs said.

While many operators who rely on foreign tourists are hopeful, it’s clear that there is no simple return to prepandemic times.

China overtook New Zealand as Australia’s largest foreign tourist market for the first time in 2017, and 1.3 million visitors from mainland China spent more than $12 billion Australian dollars , or nearly $9 billion, in 2019, about 27 percent of the year’s international visitor spend.

With China still severely limiting outbound travel, that leaves a gaping hole in Australia’s tourism economy.

Michelle Chen opened the Apollo Surfcoast Chinese Restaurant in 2012 along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road — one of the state’s major scenic attractions, about a 2.5-hour drive from Melbourne — to cater to the hundreds of Chinese day-trippers who would stream off buses each day on their way to view the Twelve Apostles, a limestone rock formation farther down the coast.

When Australia closed to Chinese travelers on Feb. 1, 2020, she lost “nearly a hundred percent” of her business. In another stroke of misfortune, the restaurant burned down in April of last year. She reopened in December a few doors down. But Ms. Chen is not expecting her core customers to return for a long time.

She’s even revamped her menu, which used to feature dishes like Sichuan chile chicken that appealed to mainland Chinese visitors. Now the menu is “80 percent Australian-Chinese,” Ms. Chen said, with milder offerings like Mongolian beef. “I find I can’t sell the Chinese-Chinese dishes.”

Another thing desperately she’s looking forward to with the return of international travel: more workers. “Everywhere is shortage of labor,” she said.

The Djokovic drama

In January, the Australian Open — one of the country’s biggest sporting events, which draws hundreds of millions of viewers annually — became a media circus when Novak Djokovic, the world’s number one men’s tennis player, who is not vaccinated, was detained and finally deported from Melbourne because of his risk for “civil unrest.” The drama, which stretched on for 10 days, triggered protests in Australia from groups who believed the battle was the latest example of Covid-related mandates trampling public freedoms.

“Strong borders are fundamental to the Australian way of life,” the country’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, said after the decision to cancel the tennis star’s visa.

Australia’s fixation with border security is highly contentious within the country, particularly its harsh treatment of asylum seekers , but ultimately plays well with voters. But how would Mr. Djokovic’s unceremonious booting fit into Australia’s new “come on in” narrative?

“From our view, it really highlights the strength of Australia’s border policies,” said Chris Allison, Tourism Australia’s acting manager of the Americas. While Mr. Djokovic’s treatment was divisive, he said, it showed that “Australia has zero tolerance in terms of requiring vaccinations to come into the country,” and affirms the message of “how we’re trying to reopen our borders safely and protect the health of the nation.”

But time — and bookings — will tell if long-haul travelers are willing to bet on Australia’s reopening.

Some prefer to wait and see. Australia was where “everyone wanted to go” before the pandemic, said Samantha Carranza, a manager at Sky Tours , a travel agency in downtown Los Angeles. But “there isn’t much demand right now,” she said, adding that Australia’s protectiveness has made her clients cautious to travel there. “No one’s sure if it’s really open or not. Will it close again, will they get stuck there?”

The data shows that interest in travel to Australia is already on the rise: Flight bookings were up 200 percent following the border-opening announcement compared to the week before, according to Forward Keys, a travel analytics company.

“While the immediate jump in bookings is encouraging, the overall booking volume compared to the equivalent week in 2019 is modest,” said Olivier Ponti, the firm’s vice president of insights.

“I imagine there will be more and more confidence over the course of the year,” said Christie Hudson, a senior public relations manager at Expedia, the major online travel agency. “People are really ready to start thinking about these bucket-list trips again. I think for a lot of Americans, Australia is a bucket-list-type trip.”

Opening Aboriginal Australia to the world, cautiously

Cultural experiences led by Australia’s diverse Indigenous groups will be a focus of marketing to overseas travelers, according to Tourism Australia. But in the Northern Territory, the region with the highest proportion of Indigenous people, many remote communities are barred to outsiders until at least March 3 in an effort to protect the residents there from infection.

International visitors are key for the region’s Indigenous tourism sector: Before the pandemic, nearly 70 percent of overseas visitors to the Northern Territory engaged in Aboriginal tourism activities, compared to 16 percent of Australian tourists.

Victor Cooper, who owns and operates Ayal Aboriginal Tours in Kakadu National Park, said he used to welcome visitors from Europe and the United States to his “grandmother’s country,” where he taught them about bush tucker (native foods) and told traditional stories of the land.

“I had a really, really good thing in the overseas market, it took a long time to get that,” Mr. Cooper said. He has not had any overseas bookings since the reopening announcement, and worries things may be “complicated” for a while yet. “I don’t think I’m going to get the clients I used to have back in 2019.”

Other tourism operators are already seeing signs of recovery, which gives them hope for a better year ahead.

“It’s good to see people again,” said Dave Gordon, an employee at Wake Up Bondi , a hostel on Sydney’s famous beach, of the limited number of travelers who have been filtering back in recent months. “It’s exciting.”

Since the news of the border reopening, booking numbers for later in the year have risen, he said.

The first year of the pandemic was “quite a struggle,” he said. To survive, the hostel, which is on Bondi Beach’s main thoroughfare, slashed its rates and accepted longer-term lodgers, and even closed for a period.

But the border opening removes a major hurdle for him and other operators across the country, who want to convey a clear message for would-be tourists thinking of Australia: “Come!” he said. “This is the time to travel.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places for a Changed World for 2022.

Tacey Rychter is the social editor for the Travel section. More about Tacey Rychter

Isabella Kwai is a breaking news reporter in the London bureau. She joined The Times in 2017 as part of the Australia bureau. More about Isabella Kwai

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Lac de Bimont, Provence. (Photo: Markovdz via Flickr)

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23 of the best things to do in Australia

Nov 2, 2023 • 13 min read

Experience the best of Australia with this guide to the top things to do © Dallas and John Heaton / Getty Images

An ancient land of diverse ecosystems, Australia is a nature lover’s wonderland.

From emerald rainforests and fragrant, eucalyptus-covered mountains, to golden ribbons of coastline  and woodland caves with Aboriginal art, there are countless ways to experience the beauty of this vast island nation. Even in urban settings, nature is never far away. Rainbow lorikeets squeal at sunset and crashing crystal waves will beckon you outdoors, if just to sip Aussie wine and scoff prawns. Here are the best things to do in Australia.

1. Admire the Sydney Opera House from a different angle

Inspired by yacht sails and surrounded by water, the glorious Sydney Opera House is an Australian icon. The majestic curves dominate Sydney Harbour and look impressive from every angle. Stroll right around its base – something many don’t know you can do – then take a white-knuckle climb up the  Sydney Harbour Bridge with a guide to get a view of the Opera House. For a quiet perspective, kayak at dawn as the sun kisses the surrounding waters, or picnic under Moreton Bay fig trees in the crowd-free Tarpeian Lawn in the Botanic Gardens.

Local tip: Time your visit to watch  Badu Gili  – a light show of First Nations stories by Aboriginal artists – projected onto the Opera House. It has been such a hit that in recent years it has turned into a daily free event at sunset.

2. Learn about bush food under the stars in the Red Centre 

The didgeridoo plays while the sun shimmers on the horizon and the earth’s rusty red intensifies. Then the Southern Cross and stars spill across the sky. Enjoy a tasting menu of native bush ingredients in the Northern Territory 's Red Centre alongside this remarkable backdrop.

3. Be dazzled by the marine life at Ningaloo Reef

The Great Barrier Reef has a lesser-known but equally dazzling sibling in Western Australia. Ningaloo Reef is a jeweled necklace of coral reef that fringes the coast, especially near Exmouth , making it very accessible for snorkelers. Nearby, blowholes force ocean water through sea caves and up to 20m (66ft) into the air. Ningaloo Reef is a magical place for swimming alongside whale sharks (the world’s largest fish) and migrating humpback whales (be sure to always give these wild creatures a lot of space).

Planning tip:  For children and those who don't want to swim, glass-bottom boats are a comfortable option to see manta rays and turtles gliding above the coral below.

4. Eat authentic world cuisine and new Australian fusions

Nearly half of all Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas. That’s why eating at restaurants in a Little Korea, Thai Town or Greek Precinct means you get the real deal. As always, it pays to window-shop for somewhere that has mostly local diners.

Modern Australian food highlights these world flavors through European cooking techniques, and its varied climate and nutrient-rich land produces top-quality fresh ingredients. Chefs are exploring pairing indigenous flavors such as desert lime and bush banana (which resembles snow peas) with seafood, Australia’s specialty. This kind of dining is always the most exquisite with a beach, river or harbor view.

5. Walk at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania

On first seeing Cradle Mountain , even Aussies might exclaim, “I didn’t know Australia could even look like this!” It’s true that the glacier-hewed crags and alpine heaths here have a touch of the Scandinavian. Cradle Mountain is all Australian though, with pristine ancient rainforests, mirrored lakes, and unique fauna isolated from the rest of the world.  Hiking newbies: head to Ronny Creek for a glimpse of wombats drinking from a creek in a buttongrass moorland. The terrain is flat, and most visitors head for Dove Lake, so you’ll have the marsupials (and shuttle bus stop) to yourself.

6. Watch baby penguins waddle 

The sun won't even be up yet, but it'll be worth it – and your heart might melt – when you witness little blue penguins waddling across the sand. Phillip Island is the most famous penguin site, but there are other islands and even secret spots in cities such as  Manly in Sydney and St Kilda in Melbourne. 

7. Learn to surf, or at least have a laugh trying

You might not ride a tube on your first lesson, but paddling and standing on a surfboard for one glorious moment before being dumped in a fizzle of white foam is an amazing feeling. Besides, getting water-confident will help you enjoy some of Australia’s nearly 12,000 beaches . When the water’s choppy, try sandboarding on dunes across the country, often in places with rich Aboriginal history, including Henty Dunes in Tasmania . 

Local tip: Want to learn more about the history of surf culture and the grassroots campaign by women surf pros to be recognized and celebrated in the sport? Check out the 2021 documentary  Girls Can't Surf . 

8. Join Sydney locals on the Bondi to Coogee walk

Hugging 6km (3.7 miles) of coast between two beaches, the clifftop walk from Bondi beach is saturated by blue skies and rolling ocean. No matter how many times you walk it, each turn is a delight: outdoor baths that glitter with crashing ocean waves; Gordon’s Bay, decorated with wooden boats; Waverley Cemetery with the most exclusive resting place in Australia; McIver’s Ladies Seawater Baths hewn from rock; and lounging locals at Tamarama, Clovelly, and Bronte beaches, each with their own personality . 

Local tip: Stop at the Clovelly Bowling Green for a beer and a barefoot game of lawn bowls overlooking the ocean – you just need to sign in as a guest. The walk gets steep after this, so it may be tempting to stay and linger.

9. Feel ancient Australia in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory

Kakadu is the perfect kind of middle of nowhere. It’s the wild Australia that you might have already daydreamed about. Waterfalls bloom from rock, prehistoric crocodiles thrash the wetlands, lorikeets sing, and Aboriginal guides bring ancient rock art to life. As you trek between gorges and woodlands or hike for views over endless treetops, your worries seem far away. 

Planning tip: Helicopter or fixed-wing scenic flights are a wonderful way to get a sense of the sheer scale and beauty of Kakadu. Note that flights are only available over Jim Jim Falls in the wet season (November to April). Traditional owners request that the skies are rested in the dry season (May to October).

10. Celebrate Pride at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade 

It might have started off as a protest, but today, over 40 years later, Australia’s largest LGBTIQ+ Pride parties all night. What makes the parade the highlight is the 200 flamboyant floats. The vehicles are decorated 12 months ahead, and dancers practice weekly to sashay for that one night. Grab a stool or milk crate to watch from the sidelines and prepare to shout “Happy Mardi Gras!” to strangers. But the nightlife excels  all year round in Sydney , with cozy, queer-friendly pubs including the Bearded Tit . 

11. Explore Uluru with an Aboriginal guide

Uluru has been a sacred site to the Anangu, the area’s Aboriginal people, for 10,000 years. It’s definitely worth engaging an Anangu guide for the Kuniya walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole at the base of Uluru to hear ancient stories, decipher rock art, and appreciate the significance of Uluru’s towering slopes.

Planning tip: Go at dawn to beat the heat, then go back at night to see the desert illuminated by 50,000 lights in the Field of Light show.

12. Spot native wildlife on Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Kangaroo Island is a montage of Australian nature on show. In one day, you can glimpse koalas snoozing in eucalyptus trees, echidnas waddling, and kangaroos and wallabies sunbathing. In between, walk under the towering stone fossils of Remarkable Rocks and dip your toes in the clear blue waters of a parade of beaches you'll have all to yourself (except those guarded by sea lions).

13. Cheer on Aussie sports from the Dunny Derby to AFL

Sport is everywhere in Australia, from international matches to the local Dunny Derby (yes, it’s a toilet race). Even if you aren’t a sports nut, seeing a big match taps you into the Australian psyche at its most excitable. Women’s sport is finally getting the attention it deserves in Australia and there’s a good turnout for women’s cricket and Australian Football League (AFL) games these days. Sydney will host the 2027 Netball World Cup, and netball might make it into the Brisbane 2032 Olympics lineup.

Planning tip:  Plan ahead for tickets to see the Australian Open tennis in Melbourne or the World Surfing Championships on the Gold Coast . 

14. Get naked at a nudist beach

Aussies aren’t that fussed about nudity or what adults do in their own time. Feel the sun bathe every inch of your body at one of Australia’s community-minded nudist beaches . Don’t forget sunscreen; the rays are mighty here and burnt bits aren’t fun.

15. Spot a koala 

Who doesn’t love a cuddly koala? Just look at their high-on-eucalyptus faces! Fortunately, cuddling koalas is no longer encouraged in most states, even in controlled environments like wildlife parks. Instead, you can spot one high up in the street trees of rural towns around Australia’s southeast coast. As well as admiring the wildlife , look out for opportunities to learn about Australian bush conservation and how people can help wildlife recover after bushfires.

16. Cycle Victoria’s High Country on dedicated rail trails

Thank lockdowns for the cycling rebirth in Australia. The Victorian High Country has rewarding views at every turn. Ribbons of roads and disused railway lines (now reinvented as cycling rail trails) roll out alongside olive groves, tree ferns, and wineries between alpine valleys and lake swims. There are long stretches of flats for families and casual riders, and mountain trails right into the bush for the adrenaline-chasing cyclist.

Detour: The Victorian High Country boomed with gold in the 1850s, and there are traces of this wealth – and the Chinese miners who sought it – in the towns along the way. Eldorado has a gold museum, while Yackandandah has both quaint tinned-roofed buildings and a historic cemetery dedicated to Chinese gold miners.

17. Admire Aboriginal rock art

Art has been essential to cultural life through 65,000 years of Aboriginal Australian history. Seeing Aboriginal art is a captivating launchpad to conversations about Australia today for its First Nations people. Learn more about the significance of rock art at the Northern Territory's Arnhem Land and the Quinkan rock galleries in Queensland; the emergence of dot paintings on canvas in the 1970s in the Northern Territory; or the storytelling of contemporary works displayed at city museums, such as the Yolngu women’s bark paintings.

18. Drink in Australia's varied wine regions

Australia is blessed with clean water and rich soil to produce some top wines. Winery hopping lets you feel the sun and country air that fed the grapes while you taste test. Try old vine Shiraz in the Barossa Valley (South Australia) or a cabernet sauvignon from the Margaret River region (Western Australia), chased down with chardonnay in the Hunter Valley (New South Wales) and finishing with a pinot noir in the Yarra Valley (Victoria) or a sweet Riesling in Tasmania. You’ll need a few weeks to do it all, and every one of these wine regions is worth visiting for more than just its grapes.

Local tip: Include a gourmet farm-to-table lunch right in the vineyards, with produce freshly plucked from the garden. If you’re booze-free, try some non-alcoholic wine, which is becoming easy to find in Australia.

19. Enjoy the Great Barrier Reef sustainably

The Great Barrier Reef is a masterpiece of thousands of smaller reefs, coral, and islands. It’s a world must-see, not just for Australia. There’s no way to recommend a free-for-all visit; climate change has caused mass coral bleaching, and tourism can be damaging. Yet there are still ways to visit in a sustainable way, as well to contribute to its conservation, such as by participating in a citizen science or reef restoration program facilitated by local tour operators. Don't forget to wear reef-safe sunscreen. 

There is so much to see: turquoise waters resplendent with sea turtles floating above you and a kaleidoscope of coral beneath you; manta rays, dugongs, and a treasure trove of fish so diverse that there are species yet to be discovered. It’s enough to turn you into an advocate for marine conservation.

20. Try Aussie snacks

Australian food is world food, but there are some must-try Aussie staples that locals still adore. You might wince, but at least sample some yeasty, salty Vegemite spread thinly on toast. A smoother brunch is smashed avocado toast, an Australian invention; or a Thai curry pie, a spin on a classic Australian meat pie; and a sausage sizzle, the Aussie barbecue version of a hot dog.

You’re most likely to bring home Tim Tams, the chocolate-covered biscuits that Aussies longingly sob for when overseas. Australia’s greatest export to the coffee world is the flat white, which is most famously fine-tuned in Melbourne.

21. Stay out all night in Melbourne

In central Melbourne , the street-art-decorated laneways hide a society of wonderfully grungy cocktail bars and clubs. The famously moody weather of the city makes Melbourne an excellent place to go out while being entertained indoors. For interesting drinking, live music, historic theatres, and the Melbourne International Comedy and Film Festivals, the city dominates the country’s nightlife calendar.

Planning tip: If you're traveling with children and want a night out with the kids, check out the Victoria Market Night Market . There's one in summer and one in winter with street food stalls, buskers, live music, and local maker markets. Alternatively, many summer sporting events that run into the dark hours, like Friday night football, are also pretty child friendly.

22. Learn about Australia’s migration story

Australia is a vibrant nation of migrants. The Immigration Museum in Melbourne and the Migration Museum in Adelaide bring out the colorful threads of this timeline through memorabilia, voices, artifacts, and photos. They celebrate the positive elements in this story and are worth a visit for a deeper understanding of multicultural Australia.

23. Get used to sharing Australia with crocs, spiders and sharks

It’s true, Australia has some top-of-the-food-chain creatures. You have to go out of your way to bump into them, though. Wildlife parks are a (safe) way for kids – and adults – to get their thrills being splashed by a jumping crocodile, wincing at a funnel-web spider or black snake being milked of venom, and spotting the deadly spurs on a platypus. An even mightier heart thumper is cage diving at eye and teeth level with a great white shark.

Local tip: Obviously, you don't want to get cozy with deadly Australian animals. Always ask locals for advice on where it is safe to swim or walk, and heed warning signs before heading out. 

This article was first published August 2021 and updated November 2023

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How To Spend A Month In Australia For Under $2,500

• Plan ahead and book flights from LAX to Sydney for less than $1,000 with airlines like United and Qantas.
• Hostel-style accommodation in Australia will cost at least $1,120 for a month, leaving $600 for other expenses.
• Budget $50 a day for meals, bus tickets, and attractions while exploring Australia to stay within a $2,500 budget.

Welcome to the land Down Under! Australia is a vast country occupying a landmass comparable to the size of the contiguous United States but with a population of just less than the state of Texas. Australia is full of natural marvels and attractions, but unfortunately, it is also a rather expensive destination. However, it is possible to spend a month in Australia for less than $2,500.

First-time visitors to Australia need to be careful to properly budget their trip. It's also important to know that places like Sydney are infamously expensive and travelers can quickly overrun their budgets. Here's how to keep your Australia trip under $2,500 for a month-long vacation.

Flying To Australia And Back For Less Than $1,000

Plan ahead and book return flights from lax to sydney for $800.

Australia has direct flights with the United States to Hawaii, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Houston (as well as from Canada's Vancouver). Famous airlines like United, Delta Air Lines, and Australia's national carrier, Qantas, offer flights between the USA and Australia.

• Example Trans-Pacific Airlines: Qantas, United, Delta, American Airlines, Air Canada, Air New Zealand (transits New Zealand)
• Cheap Flights: From $800 (Return Los Angeles to Sydney)
• Flight Duration: Approx. 14 hours nonstop

United offers flights from San Francisco and Los Angeles (with a layover in San Francisco) to Sydney and return for approx. $810 for October 1 to October 30. Air Canada also offers slightly cheaper flights from Los Angeles to Sydney (transiting through Vancouver).

The cost of flying from America's East Coast is significantly more expensive - there are return flights from New York's JFK airport for around $1,200 return.

Plan early to get cheap flights to Australia — never leave it for the last minute!

10 Lesser-Known Destinations In Australia You Should Visit For A Perfect Vacation

Budgeting for a month's accommodation in australia, it will cost at least $1,120 to spend a month in hostel-style accommodation in australia.

There's no other way of putting it: Australia is expensive. After purchasing the flights, one will likely have around $1,700 to 1,500 dollars left. The only ways to manage the budget for accommodation are by buying a van and living in it, or camping, or staying in hostels.

• Cost of Hostels: From $25 per night (mostly $30-50 per night)
• Month Hostel Accommodation: Approx. $600

In Sydney, the cost of a hostel dorm is from $25 a night (most are around $40 a night) and similarly priced in other major Australian cities. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia is the small coastal resort town of Byron Bay in New South Wales. The cost of a night in a dorm here is from $40 a night.

So if the average night's dorm accommodation in Australia is $35 and budgeting for 28 nights, then that would cost approx. $1,120. This leaves around $600 to cover all other expenses in Australia.

10 Great Attractions To Visit That Are Unique To Australia

Budgeting for other expenses in australia, $600 is not enough for australia, but $2,500, excluding flights, is manageable for australia.

$600 is only $20 a day and is not enough to explore Australia for a month (at least if visitors want to get out and about). This is enough to eat self-catered meals, but not enough for attractions and exploring.

Adding back in the $800 for the flights and taking out $1,120 accommodation expenses gives a budget of around $1,400 or $50 a day. $50 a day is manageable in Australia, but will still force hard decisions — like cutting out Uluru/Ayers Rock and diving the Great Barrier Reef.

Greyhound Australia is one of the main bus companies offering long-distance bus rides. The cost of an early bird bus ticket from Sydney to Byron Bay is AUD 68 or around USD 44 (a distance of approx. 500 miles). It costs around USD 51 to take the bus from Sydney to Brisbane.

• Long Distance Intercity Bus: From $51 (Sydney to Brisbane)
• Meals: Self-catered only
• Flights: From $84
• Phone: Approx. $20 ( 35GB for one month)

It is often cheaper to fly in Australia than take the bus. So, backpackers could take the bus up the cost from Melbourne or Sydney to northern Cairns (where the incredible Great Barrier Reef is located) and then fly back for as little as USD 84.

The budget is tight, and there may not be the funds available to actually go diving on the Great Barrier Reef. But at least visitors in Cairns can explore the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest in the world .

With a budget of only $2,500, it will not be affordable to eat out in Australia. Instead, backpackers will need to pack their own lunch and prepare their meals at the hostels by themselves. Even backpacker-budget attractions can add up and eat into your funds.

But while it is tight to explore Australia for a month and on a budget of $2,500, it is possible .

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Sydney weather: intense rain threatens major flooding in NSW as SES issues warnings for drivers

Storm claims a life in Queensland after body of man found by his ute near Logan, while rivers in south of state subject to flood warnings

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Major flooding could threaten parts of Sydney and drivers have been warned to avoid non-essential travel as a deadly storm brings intense rainfall along the eastern seaboard.

An inland low and coastal trough joining forces over New South Wales was forecast to bring heavy localised falls to much of the state on Friday.

Sydney has faced its highest daily rainfall in two years, recording 111mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am Friday. The city is on track to surpass its average total rainfall for April before the weekend.

“We’ll see the heaviest rain falling overnight, probably from midnight to around 7am to 8am,” Weatherzone meteorologist Angus Konta said.

Authorities warned 24-hour rainfall totals could top 200mm in Sydney and the south coast, with as much as 300mm dumped on the Illawarra escarpment overlooking Wollongong.

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Major flooding was possible along the Hawkesbury-Nepean River bounding Sydney from late Friday, with Penrith likely to cop as much rain in a day as one-and-a-half times the April average.

NSW forecast rainfall: 50mm falls from Coffs to Wollongong for today, but the system will move south tomorrow. Heavy rain in Sydney both days. (via @BOM_au pic.twitter.com/D3xl5pjjst — Luca (@IttimaniL) April 5, 2024

Transport for NSW took the rare step of warning drivers statewide to avoid non-essential travel, while the NSW State Emergency Service warned coastal communities from Sydney to Goulburn to stay indoors.

The SES has already conducted seven flood rescues overnight, six related to people in vehicles, and has responded to more than 550 incidents across the state during the past 24 hours.

The majority of calls have related to leaking roofs, sky lights and gutters, but chief superintendent Dallas Burnes said the service was preparing for flash flooding and riverine rises.

Storms have led to 92 flights being cancelled or delayed at Sydney Airport, mostly across the domestic network, and the city’s train network is experiencing widespread delays.

Nine schools across NSW have shut down amid the severe weather, six of which are in the state’s north-east. The shutdowns are affecting seven public schools and two independent schools.

Almost every river in eastern NSW and numerous rivers in southern Queensland are subject to a flood watches or warnings, as heavy rain and possible flash flooding hit both states.

“What we’ve got is a trough along the NSW coast and it’s extending right up into Queensland, so it’s dragging quite a bit of subtropical moisture down,” Konta said.

The trough is deepening and interacting with an upper-level low over NSW, which is further boosting the moisture level in the atmosphere, he said.

Storms have already claimed a life in Queensland after the body of a man was found by his ute near Logan, while a 30-minute wave of rain in northern NSW flooded enclosures at a wildlife sanctuary on Thursday.

“Due to the amount of water dumped into the park, we have relocated our animals and the hospital [has been] relocated to a higher position,” the Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary said.

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With the catastrophic 2022 Northern Rivers floods fresh in minds, the SES said the silver lining for Friday’s system was that it was moving.

“If we go back to those northern river floods, it didn’t move as forecast,” the NSW SES commissioner, Carlene York, said.

“It stayed there, it kept dumping the rain and that’s obviously had the big impact.”

Volunteers had proactively deployed vehicles and vessels into danger areas.

Residents in such areas should clear gutters and tie down loose items ahead of time, SES metro zone commander Allison Flaxman said.

Severe weather is expected to gradually shift overnight to centre on NSW’s south coast, before easing throughout Saturday as the trough moves east to the Tasman Sea.

But persistent showers over the weekend will likely push Australia’s largest urban water supply dam to overflow on Monday.

Warragamba Dam, on Sydney’s south-western fringe, sat at 96% capacity as Friday’s storm approached.

“We require about 90mm of rain to fill Warragamba Dam … we’re expecting 100mm to 150mm,” Water NSW’s chief executive, Andrew George, told AAP.

“The spill will occur likely when the rainfall event has moved on, so it is very important that the community remain vigilant,” he said.

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Airport firefighters set to strike nationally, threatening school holiday travel plans

Aviation firefighters at major Australian airports are set to strike on April 15 amid claims from their union that a shortage of aviation fire and rescue firefighters is putting air passengers at risk.

United Firefighters Union Australia (UFUA) says it has leaked documents from employer Airservices Australia showing an "extreme risk" at 13 airports, and "high risk" at 14 others.

The planned work stoppage is due to affect 27 airports around the country and run for 4 hours from 6am.

The action threatens to disrupt school holiday travel plans as students in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory begin their two-week term break and those in other states return to begin term two.

UFUA has claimed that government-owned air navigation regulator Airservices Australia has failed to address resourcing issues, but the regulator has hit back, saying staffing levels are adequate.

The union's aviation branch secretary, Wes Garrett, told ABC radio the "primary concern" of every aviation firefighter was the "safety of air travellers that they have sworn to protect and the safety of their fellow crew members".

"These leaked documents confirm that Australia's air travellers face a dire risk every time they set foot on an aircraft in Australia, should an incident occur," Mr Garrett said.

"At 13 major airports across Australia, including Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide, the leaked documents confirm that air travellers face extreme risk."

He said air travellers at 14 remaining airports across Australia, including Sydney, Canberra, and Hobart were at "high risk".

Mr Garrett added that the task resource analysis (TRA) of the service showed current staffing numbers were "well below what they ought to be".

"What we say is that the outcomes and risk identified in those processes needs to be reflected in our enterprise agreement," he said.

He said the TRA was an internationally recognised methodology for determining the amount of firefighters, trucks and resources required to protect passengers in the event of a worst-case scenario at an Australian airport.

"Disgracefully, Airservices have known about the dire risk to air travellers should an incident occur since 2022 and have refused to release the documents to the Union or the public," he said.

Mr Garrett said the staffing concerns topped the list of 26 items on a log of claims that were sought to be resolved in the current enterprise bargaining negotiations, which began last October.

"We don't seem to be making any progress whatsoever," he said.

"These resource shortages include a lack of key personnel to operate breathing apparatus, shortages of firefighting agents to suppress multiple incidents, insufficient personnel and vehicles to protect both sides of a crashed aircraft, a lack of personnel for effective fire ground command and control, and a lack of procedural control at Australia's airports."

The union is seeking a 20 per cent pay increase over three years, while Airservices Australia has offered 11.2 per cent over three years.

Mr Garrett said the timing of the strike action had "coincidentally" fallen during school holidays for some states.

"I don't think there is any convenient time for a work stoppage when it comes to aviation and I think that should really actually inspire Airservices to get in and settle the deal as soon as possible so that there aren't any stoppages and there's no inconvenience to the public."

Airservices Australia said the union's action was motivated by its bid for a pay rise as part of the ongoing employment agreement negotiations.

In a statement, Airservices Australia said the dispute had "nothing to do with staffing levels" which were sufficient to meet operational requirements.

It added that the TRAs "do not measure current state operational risk".

"The risk assessments included in the TRA process are based on theoretical scenarios that do not account for the likelihood of an event occurring or reflect the current operational environment," the statement said.

"Airservices conducts operational risk assessments to capture and define the management of risks and manage them to a level that is as low as reasonably practicable, and the TRA documentation states that Airservices' existing processes are both effective and appropriate for current levels of operational risk."

"Airservices has sufficient ARFF personnel to meet our regulatory obligations and is investing $1 billion over the next 10 years in equipment and facilities for our Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) crews."

The statement said the union's bargaining claims would cost the aviation industry and passengers an extra $128 million.

Airservices Australia said it would work with the airlines and airports to maintain safe operations and minimise any impact on the travelling public during the planned work stoppage.

General manager of people and culture at Adelaide Airport Dermot O'Neill said he was unsure "precisely what impact there might be on operations" at the airport, which was about to embark on its busiest month since the pandemic.

"At this stage, it's our intention to keep in touch with Air Services and we will provide any relevant updates to our customers via our social media channels and no doubt airlines will be doing the same thing," he said.

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Rumors of King Charles Touring Australia amid Cancer Re-Emerge as Source Says Nothing Has Been Ruled Out

The King's nephew recently shared that the monarch is "hugely frustrated" that he "do everything that he wants to be able to do" amid cancer treatment

Stephanie Petit is a Royals Editor, Writer and Reporter at PEOPLE.

ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty

King Charles ' first trip Down Under as monarch is still up in the air amid his cancer treatment .

After Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said last month that the country is "preparing for a possible visit from His Majesty The King to Australia later this year," new reports say the King, 75, is prepping for the visit to occur this fall.

A royal source guides that nothing has been ruled out or in as they look ahead to the fall and planning continues for future engagements, but it is all subject to medical advice and there may be adaptations where necessary at the time. Overseas visits would not and could not be confirmed until nearer the time.

Before news of his cancer diagnosis, King Charles was widely expected to travel to Australia around the time of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which is being held in Samoa and scheduled to kick off on Oct. 24. Since Australia is a Commonwealth realm, they recognize the British monarch as their head of state.

"The King has shown his compassion for Australians affected by recent natural disasters, just as Australians have shown compassion and support for the King following his cancer diagnosis," Albanese said last month. "The King, Queen and members of the royal family are always welcome in Australia. My government is engaging with states and territories on options for a possible royal visit."

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

A royal source recently told PEOPLE that the monarch and his team are thinking about a summer schedule amid "amplified confidence" in light of the sophisticated cancer treatment he is receiving, adding that the King is "positive" and his doctors "are optimistic."

While he's continued to work behind the scenes, King Charles' royal engagements have been restricted to small numbers of people since the palace  revealed his cancer diagnosis  on Feb. 5, However, towards the summer when the risk of airborne illnesses eases, larger events could take place outside – such as  Trooping the Colour , the annual public celebration of the monarch's birthday set for June 15 this year.

"One thing that has been wholly undiminished is his appetite for work," the royal source added.

Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty

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Peter Phillips , the King's nephew, recently said the monarch is "very keen to get back to a form of normality."

“I think, ultimately, he's hugely frustrated . He's frustrated that he can't get on and do everything that he wants to be able to do," Princess Anne's son said on Sky News Australia 's  The   Royal Report. “But he is very pragmatic, [and] he understands that there's a period of time that he really needs to focus on himself."

HOLLIE ADAMS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

In a promising sign of his progress, King Charles made his first major public appearance since his cancer news on Easter to attend church with members of the royal family. After the mass at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, the monarch and  Queen Camilla  briefly  greeted members of the public on a surprise walkabout.

"Get well soon, Your Majesty," a woman said in a video shared to  X  by Rebecca English of the  Daily Mail , prompting the King to reply, " I'm doing my best! "

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Glasshouse Rocks, Narooma, New South Wales © Destination NSW

7 family adventure holidays in Australia 

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Grab your crew and get outdoors. On land or sea, these active experiences will make unforgettable family memories.

By Amy Fraser and Sue White

With epic vistas, dense rainforest and sandy beaches, adventurous souls will love the Great Ocean Road near Melbourne . A road trip is a great way to see the sights, but why not experience the area’s beauty on two feet? Along the three-day guided 12 Apostles Lodge Walk , you’ll cover stretches of the walk, spotting native wildlife and enjoying gourmet meals every evening. The best part? You only have to carry your daypack.

Guide to the Great Ocean Road

Experience the rugged beauty of one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives.

Read time • 4min

Learning to catch a wave is an unmissable Australian holiday experience. Famous city beaches such as Bondi Beach and Manly have ample surf schools to enjoy, but you’ll find surfing towns all along the east coast of New South Wales. Seek them out on the Legendary Pacific Coast road trip. Or in Byron Bay , check out The Pass, a calm, protected cove that produces slow waves perfect for new surfers.

The Legendary Pacific Coast Route

From world-class wine to sparkling beaches and ancient rainforest walks, the Pacific Coast is a drive to be savoured.

Does your family dream of secret beaches, uninhabited islands and days filled with discovery? If so, you’ll love a guided sailing holiday in the Whitsunday Islands, a spectacular archipelago comprised of 74 islands along the Great Barrier Reef . Set sail from either Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach . If you just can’t get enough of the islands, extending your family trip is easy at one of the region’s island resorts .

Guide to the Whitsundays

Blue waters, snorkelling and coastal views more beautiful than a postcard – it’s all waiting for you in the Whitsundays.

Get active while providing your children with the opportunity to explore the ancient cultural ties of the first inhabitants of Shark Bay – the Nhanda and Malgana Aboriginal People. Kids will love Darren "Capes" Capewell as he enthusiastically shares knowledge about the land that has been passed down for thousands of years. Seek out bush foods, learn about medicinal plants and kayak around turtles, rays, sharks, fish and the elusive dugong (when in season).

Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Cultural Adventures

https://www.wulagura.com.au/tours/kayak-wildlife-tour

Canberra isn’t just a treat for foodies; the city’s beautiful surroundings are a mecca for adventurous activities. One of the most iconic spots is picturesque Lake Burley Griffin , where you can get the adrenaline pumping on a segway tour, or cruise around on a GoBoat. For a nature fix, explore Corin Forest – a snowy playground during the winter months. To spot koalas, platypuses, emus, birdlife and kangaroos, wander the Koala Path Walking Trail at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve .

Guide to Canberra

Find a mix of history, art and the outdoors in Australia's capital city.

From an inland sand dune named Little Sahara (created over 17,000 years ago) to mesmerising natural attractions and oceans teeming with playful marine life, active families won’t be short of things to do on Kangaroo Island. Race down the dunes on a sandboard , feel the wind in your hair on a quad bike tour or join Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari to swim and snorkel with dolphins and seals.

Guide to Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is a nature lover's paradise.

Cradle Mountain’s dramatic landscape is brimming with wildlife wonders and family-friendly walking trails – with jaw-dropping vistas waiting at the top. Start in Launceston , where you can ride the world’s longest chairlift at Cataract Gorge before driving two hours to Cradle Mountain. Marvel at the scenery, spot wombats and wallabies along the Enchanted Walk and meet adorable Tasmanian devils at Devils @ Cradle .

Guide to Cradle Mountain

Tasmania’s majestic mountains make for the perfect wilderness escape.

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

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