Australia
Harbour icons, red desert and the Great Barrier Reef

About Australia

Overview

Australia is a vast land of dazzling contrasts, cosmopolitan harbour cities, the red-desert heart of Uluru, and the underwater kaleidoscope of the Great Barrier Reef. Travelers come for iconic sights like the Sydney Opera House, golden beaches, ancient rainforests and unique wildlife found nowhere else. It rewards both first-timers ticking off icons and adventurers heading into the Outback.

On the map

Touristic sites

The landmarks that shape a journey through Australia, explore them on the map.

  • 1
    Sydney Opera HouseThe sail-shaped UNESCO-listed performing-arts icon on Sydney Harbour.
  • 2
    UluruThe immense sacred sandstone monolith at the spiritual heart of the Red Centre.
  • 3
    Great Barrier ReefThe world's largest coral reef system, stretching more than 2,300 km off the north-east coast.
  • 4
    Sydney Harbour BridgeThe famous steel-arch Coathanger spanning the harbour, with summit climbs available.
  • 5
    Twelve ApostlesTowering limestone sea stacks along Victoria's Great Ocean Road.
  • 6
    Bondi BeachSydney's world-famous surf beach and the start of the scenic Bondi-to-Coogee coastal walk.
  • 7
    Daintree RainforestOne of the world's oldest tropical rainforests, meeting the reef on the Far North Queensland coast.
  • 8
    Blue MountainsA dramatic escarpment region of eucalyptus-hazed valleys and the Three Sisters, near Sydney.
Best time to travel

Spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May)

Spring and autumn are among the best times to travel the whole country, with more affordable international flights than summer and comfortable temperatures. Summer, from December to February, is high season and the most expensive, with capital-city temperatures of about 20 to 37 degrees Celsius, though the northern tropics are in their wet season. Winter, from June to August, is low season with fewer tourists and cheaper deals, but it is peak season for the sunny Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region. The tropical north's dry season, May to September, offers perfect travel conditions for the reef and Top End.

Dec-FebHot summer high season, great beaches in the south, wet season up north.
Mar-MayAutumn shoulder, ideal countrywide travel and the Red Centre's dry season begins.
Jun-AugCool winter low season down south, but peak season for Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.
Sep-NovSpring shoulder, warming weather, wildflowers, wildlife and dry-season north.
Good to know

Australia at a glance

The practical essentials for planning your trip. Our team confirms the details for your dates and nationality.

Best time to travelSpring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) for countrywide touring; May to September for the tropical north and reef
CapitalCanberra
LanguageEnglish
CurrencyAustralian dollar (AUD)
Entry / visaShort-stay visitors need pre-authorisation. Passport holders from countries such as the US, Canada, Japan, Singapore and South Korea can apply for the ETA (subclass 601), a A$20 service charge, up to 3 months per visit. EU/EFTA and UK passport holders can instead apply for the free eVisitor (subclass 651), same conditions.
Getting aroundDistances are enormous, so domestic flights link Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns and Uluru, with self-drive ideal for routes like the Great Ocean Road.
What to book

Best tours in Australia

A taste of our most-loved journeys. Every one is a flexible starting point for your tailor-made trip.

Classic & Cultural

East Coast Icons

Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef along Australia's east coast.

Adventure & Nature

Red Centre & Reef

Uluru's Outback wonders paired with snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef.

Luxury

Great Ocean Road Escape

A scenic coastal drive from Melbourne to the Twelve Apostles with premium lodges.

Family

Australia for Families

Reef snorkelling, wildlife parks and easy coastal walks make Australia a natural multi-generational trip.

See all Australia programs
Why Australia

The specials

World-class icons

The Opera House, Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef are bucket-list sights in one country.

Wild and unique nature

Ancient rainforest, red desert and coral reef host wildlife found nowhere else.

Effortless coastal cities

Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane blend beaches, food and culture.

Questions about Australia?

Read our frequently asked questions, or tell us what you're dreaming up and we'll design it around you.

Read the FAQ Plan a Trip

Travel facts verified from Tourism Australia, Wikipedia, Australia, Wikipedia, Electronic Travel Authority (Australia), Wikipedia, Great Barrier Reef. Sample tours are suggested starting points; details and pricing are finalised by the Tourkom team.