Have the best time on your trip Down Under with our Australia travel guide
Australia is famous for its beautiful landscapes, unique coastlines, friendly and relaxed people, and stunning flora and fauna. This free Australia travel guide will take you on the journey of a lifetime. So, pack your sunscreen, and let’s get started…
Before you go
Before traveling to Australia, you should keep some things in mind. For most of us, this is one of the longest flights we can board, and Down Under has some special surprises for visitors!
| Visa Requirements for Australia You require a valid passport and a visa before entering Australia. You can find out which visa you need and find further information here. | Currency Australian Dollar (AUD) 1 AUD = € 0,64 1 AUD = $ 0,69 |
| Current Travel Restrictions in Australia (January 2023) Travelers entering Australia from China, Hong Kong, and Macau must provide a COVID-19 Test upon entry. You can find more current information here. | Timezones Australia has four major Timezones: AWST (UTC +8) ACST (UTC +9:30) AEST (UTC +10) AEDT (UTC +11) |
| Travel Budget On average, you’ll need to plan with 100 – 160€ ($109 – 173) a day for accommodation, food, activities, and traveling around. You can reduce this by staying in hostels or renting a camper van. | Best Time to visit April or October Summer: November to February Winter: June to August |
What else to keep in mind when traveling to Australia
Always wear sun protection
This is one of the lessons we had to learn the hard way in this Australian travel guide. Because the hole in the ozone layer over Australia is so thin, the sun is much stronger. You should wear sunscreen whenever you go outside, even when it’s overcast. Sunscreen with SPF 50+ can be bought everywhere and is relatively cheap.
Take care, when Bush Walking
When you head out on a hike in Bush bush, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind before going. Let somebody know where you’re going and let them know when you plan on coming back. Stay away from dry river beds in the Bush or canyons. It might start raining out of nowhere, and water can rush down the riverbed.
Know your animals
Educate yourself on the different animals you might encounter in Australia and how to act in case of bites or stings. Stay away from wild kangaroos and koalas. They can be dangerous and punch or bite you even though they look fluffy and cuddly.
Discover the beauty of Australia…
Top 10 Things to do in Australia
It’s not easy to pick only ten things to do in Australia, but you shouldn’t miss out on any of these fun things to do in Australia. From turquoise water to unique rock formations and lush rainforests, Down Under has it all.
1. Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, New South Wales
In this Australia Travel Guide, we only recognized we were in Australia when we stood in front of these iconic buildings. The best view of both is from Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair in the Royal Botanic Gardens. From the Opera House, walk along the water, enjoy the view, and after a 10-Minute Walk, you’ll reach this excellent vista point. On your way back, walk through the Gardens and enjoy different kinds of plants from all over Australia.
2. Great Ocean Road, Victoria
One thing that can’t be missed in this Australia Travel Guide is the Great Ocean Road. The road will take you from Torquay to Allansford, and along the drive, you will have a view of the most stunning views in all of Australia. You should plan at least two days to take this 240 km drive, take some hikes, and enjoy the spectacular views.
3. Uluru, Northern Territory
Some of you might know this mighty red rock in the middle of nowhere as Ayer’s Rock. However, today, the rock and its surroundings are called Uluru. The word Uluru comes from the Yankunytjatjara language and connects the words for crying and shadows but is primarily a place name without further meaning. You can learn more about the significance of Uluru here. To visit, book a tour in advance and fly to Alice Springs, right in the heart of the Outback. You will learn much about Aboriginal culture, land, and beauty.
4. Fraser Island, Queensland
Did you know that Fraser Island is the biggest sand island in the world? With an area of 1.655 km2, there’s much to see and discover here. Our highlights were Lake Mackenzie and the Wreck of the SS Maheno. Lake Mackenzie has some of the cleanest and clearest water in the world. Before it ends up in the lake, it is filtered through millions of layers of finest sand. And, after taking a bath here, your hair and skin will be super smooth. The Wreck of the SS Maheno once was a Union Liner and a hospital ship in World War II. After running aground on Fraser Island, the Australian and New Zealand Army used the ship as target practice. Funnily, they never hit the ship during practice.
If you’re planning on visiting, in this Australia Travel Guide, we recommend you do it as part of a group tour. You can take a bus tour for one or two days or join a 4×4 adventure for two to three days, where you’ll get to drive on the only beach highway in the world.
5. Daintree Rainforest, Queensland
Daintree is one of the most extensive and biologically diverse rainforests worldwide. You can find beautiful wildlife, stunning trees, and other unique plants here. It is also the Gateway to one of the most beautiful coastlines on earth – Cape Tribulation. Here you’ll find untouched beaches and beautiful reefs. Set up camp in Port Douglas and join one day tour through this beautiful area.
6. Whitsunday Islands, Queensland
This is one of our absolute favorites among the amazing things to do in Australia. The perfectly white sand and turquoise water will make you believe you are in paradise. Fun Fact: You cannot take any sand home from Whitehaven because it is so precious. It is the finest grade of sand worldwide and is even part of the Hubble Space Telescope.
If you want to learn more about the fantastic islands and spend some time snorkeling and/or partying, we recommend joining a multiple-day sailboat tour from Airlie Beach.
7. Byron Bay, New South Wales
Byron Bay is one of the most chill towns you will ever visit. Australians come here to relax, surf, and do yoga classes. As a tourist, you can learn to surf or walk around town to find some nice cafés and restaurants. The vibes here are immaculate, and you will feel relaxed when you enter the town.
8. Rottnest Island, Western Australia
If there were a heaven on earth, it would probably be Rottnest Island. You can visit the island from Perth in Western Australia. You can not only enjoy white beaches and turquoise water in this beautiful nature reserve, but you can also see Quokkas. A small marsupial that always looks happy and can only find here.
You can visit the island by ferry or book a tour to visit the island’s highlights in one day. You can also stay overnight at campgrounds or resorts around the island.
9. Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
There are thousands of reasons Australia should be on your bucket list, but Kakadu National Park might be one of the most compelling. This enormous national park offers a variety of things to do. In this Australia Travel Guide, we recommend you stay a week or longer to see most of the rugged and unique landscapes. Local operators provide superb tours through the bush and will teach you everything there is to know about Australian nature and culture. You can find the perfect itinerary and the best activities for your stay here.
10. King’s Canyon, Northern Territory
King’s Canyon is the main attraction in Watarrka Nation Park. The park, especially King’s Canyon, is a great hiking or bushwalking destination. In this Australia Travel Guide, we recommend spending a night in the Outback to make the most of the adventure. Enjoy peaceful and starry nights. Have dinner under the stars and watch the sun rise over some of the most spectacular sights in the world.
Watarrka National Park is about 450km South of Alice Springs. To get here, you can get on a flight to Alice Springs and rent are to drive through the Red Heart of Australia or take a 16-hour drive from South Australia to Petermann.
The Ultimate Australia Itineraries
Australia is the perfect destination for a road trip. With these itineraries, you’ll find the perfect road trip for your schedule through this Australia Travel Guide. We recommend spending at least four weeks in Australia to see the highlights and if you have more time, check out the extras at the end of this blog.
Melbourne to Sydney (1 week)
This road trip is memorable, and it takes you along the coast through lush rainforests and beautiful beaches from one fantastic city to the next. This trip is also perfect if you like camping, so grab your camping gear or book a camper van and hit the road.
Two days in Melbourne
Start your trip with two days in Melbourne. The city is famous for its alternative vibes and fantastic coffee and cafés. Walk around the city and explore cafés, graffiti, and other art. Visit the National Gallery of Victoria with changing exhibitions, including traditional Australian art and modern international pieces. Take a walk around the Royal Botanic Garden Victoria and find the tree Queen Elizabeth II planted on her first state visit to Australia. We recommend visiting Queen Elizabeth Market in Melbourne CBD for good local food. And to get the best view of the city skyline, head to the Shrine of Remembrance or the Melbourne Skydeck. After two days in Melbourne, pick up your rental car or camper van and hit the road heading east along the coast.
One night in Bournda National Park
You can stop at beautiful places on this 6-hour drive to Bournda National Park. Follow signs marking spots of interest or check google maps for sights and vistas along the way. Drive to the campground at the beach and find your site. You’ll need to pay a small entrance fee for the park and book your camping spot in advance. You can find more information about the national park and things to remember here.
One night at Pebbly Beach
Continue heading up the coast, enjoying vistas and small towns. You’re now heading to one of our favorite campsites in Australia – Pebbly Beach! The small campground has everything you might need to recharge and take a break after your drive. Make your way to the beach to see kangaroos and wallabies sleeping on the sand and enjoy the sound of crashing waves while the sun sets. Find your camping spot and all the information you might need here.
One Night in the Blue Mountains
Before heading to Sydney, you’ll have one more stay in nature in the Blue Mountains at Bents Bassin Campground. Keep in mind that the Blue Mountains are popular among tourists and locals. So book your visit ahead. You can find more info here.
Two Days in Sydney
You made it to Sydney! Enjoy the main sights and refresh your mind after your road trip to the city. Head to Bondi Beach and relax at the beach or learn more about native Australian flora and fauna at Taronga Zoo.
Sydney to Brisbane (1 week)
If you just arrived in Sydney and it is your starting point, add another two days to your itinerary and explore this beautiful city. Afterward, get your rental car or camper van and head up the coast for an iconic Australian road trip.
Two Days in Newcastle
Newcastle is a harbor town famous for its beaches and the Worimi Sand Dunes. Spend some time at beautiful beaches and book a quad tour around the dunes close to the city. Take some time to relax or see some historic buildings in the town, like Fort Scratchley.
One Night in Coff’s Harbour
Take the 4-hour drive up North to Coff’s Harbour. Along the way, you can stop at beautiful viewpoints to take a breath. Spend the night in Coff’s Harbour and get some good food at one of the many places at the pier or in town. The next day start your day with a small hike through the rainforests of Dorrigo, close to Coff’s Harbour.
Two Days in Byron Bay
Make your way up north to of the loveliest towns in Australia. Byron bay is famous for its hippy vibes, surfing, and good food. You can do an all-day surf course here or relax at the beach. If you need another activity for the day, walk up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse.
Two Days in Brisbane
On your way to Brisbane, you can stop in gold Coast and Surfer’s Paradise for a little stroll on the beach and some iconic shots of the skyscrapers. Head to Brisbane, find accommodation and grab some food at the South Bank. Here you’ll see public pools, free to use for everyone, and you’ll have a spectacular view of the city. The next day, explore the city center, including the Botanic Gardens and Town Hall. If you’re interested in seeing Koalas, you can head to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and learn more about this animal and its conservation.
If you have more Time…
Are you spending more than two weeks in Australia? Then it would be best if you didn’t miss out on these highlights…
Travel from Brisbane to Cairns
After exploring Brisbane, drive up the coast to Cairns. This road trip will take you another two weeks. Spend time on Fraser Island, the Whitsundays, and the Great Barrier Reef. Magnetic Island is the perfect spot for a diving course to see Australia’s different types of marine life.
Perth and Rottnest Island
Western Australia is completely different from the east coast, where the red desert meets the ocean. You’ll be able to see fantastic nature, meet quokkas, and in particular months it is also possible to snorkel with whale sharks.
The Outback – Alice Springs, Uluru, and Watarrka Nationalpark
Are you feeling adventurous? Head to the Outback and discover wholly different and unique landscapes. Learn more about the history of Australia and how life works in these rural parts of this great continent.
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