Australia Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go
Planning a trip to Australia can feel overwhelming—the country is enormous, the seasons vary by region, and bucket-list destinations like Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, Melbourne, and the Great Ocean Road can be thousands of miles apart. Use this Australia travel guide and the following Australia travel blog posts to plan your perfect vacation.
This Australia travel guide will help you decide where to go, when to visit, how to get around, how much to budget, and what you need to know before you arrive. You’ll also find practical information about Australian visas, currency, transportation, weather, electrical outlets, safety, food, and travel etiquette.
Visiting Australia for the first time? Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns and Brisbane are great starting points, depending on your interests. Visit Sydney for its iconic harbour and beaches, Melbourne for food, culture and the Great Ocean Road, Cairns for the Great Barrier Reef and tropical rainforest, or Brisbane for easy access to Queensland’s beaches and islands.
Because Australia is so large, resist the temptation to see everything in one trip. Choose a few regions that match your interests and season, then give yourself enough time to experience them rather than spending your vacation constantly in transit.
Australia Travel Guide at a Glance
Planning your first trip to Australia? Here are the essential things to know before you go:
Capital: Canberra
Currency: Australian dollar (AUD)
Language: English is the primary language
Emergency Number: 000
Driving: Australians drive on the left
Power Outlets: Type I, 230V, 50Hz
Seasons: Summer is December–February; winter is June–August
Best Time to Visit: Depends on the region; spring and fall are great shoulder seasons for many destinations
Popular First-Time Destinations: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Brisbane, the Great Barrier Reef, and Uluru
Getting Around Australia: Fly between distant regions; use trains, trams, buses, ferries, or rental cars locally
Visa Requirements: Most international visitors need a visa or travel authorization before arriving; check current requirements for your passport
Best Known For: Beaches, wildlife, the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, vibrant cities, and spectacular road trips
Don’t Miss: Sydney Harbour, the Great Barrier Reef, Great Ocean Road, Uluru, Australian wildlife, and at least one coastal experience
Best Places to Visit in Australia for First-Time Visitors
First-time Australia travel tip: Australia is much larger than it looks on a map. Instead of trying to see the entire country in one trip, choose a few regions that fit your interests, travel dates, and available time.
Sydney: Best for Iconic Sights, Beaches and First-Time Visitors
Visit Sydney for some of Australia’s most recognizable experiences, including the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach. The city combines major attractions with beaches, coastal walks, restaurants and easy access to the Blue Mountains, making it an excellent starting point for a first trip to Australia.
READ Top Things to Do in Sydney Australia
READ One Day in Sydney Australia’s Blue Mountains
Melbourne: Best for Food, Culture and the Great Ocean Road
Melbourne has been referred to as the world’s most livable city. The city has narrow lanes, covered arcades, gardens, street art, coffee houses and cafes, and fairy penguins. It is also a day trip away from the famous Great Ocean Road and the famous Brighton beach boxes.
READ Top Things to Do in Melbourne Australia
Brisbane: Best for Sunshine, Islands and Queensland Adventures
Brisbane is located in Queensland along the gorgeous Gold Coast. Brisbane is the third-largest city in Australia. It is known for its picture-perfect bridge, manmade lagoon, pedestrian-only shopping street, and koala bears. Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island is an easy day trip away for sand boarding, snorkeling a shipwrecked reef, and hand-feeding wild dolphins.
READ Top Things to Do in Brisbane Australia
READ Tangalooma Resort Australia, Day Trip Itinerary
Cairns: Best for the Great Barrier Reef and Tropical Rainforest
Cairns is known for its rainforests, reefs, waterfalls, night market, koala bears, sky rail, scenic railway, and crocodiles. Cairns is a great location to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and explore Australia’s rainforests.
READ Top Things to Do in Cairns Australia
Australia Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go
Where is Australia?
Australia is in the southern hemisphere, between the Indian and the Pacific ocean. The country has a total population of 26 million. Australia is almost as large as the USA, is the world’s sixth-largest country. The country measures about 2,485 miles wide and about 2,398 miles long. Canberra is the federal capital of Australia.
What Language Is Spoken in Australia?
Australia does not have an official language. Australian English is the primary dialect, it differs from US and UK English in terms of spelling and grammar. You may also hear Mandarin, Punjabi, Filipino/Tagalog, and Arabic. Australians use a lot of slang, google phrases before you arrive. Do not be offended if you hear Australians curse.
Do I need a visa to visit Australia?
All visitors to Australia need a Visa. According to Project Visa, US citizens traveling to Australia for less than 90 days must have a valid passport and a visa or approved Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter.
What is the currency in Australia?
Australia’s national currency is the Australian dollar (AUD). US dollars are not accepted at restaurants, attractions, or stores. Don’t be fooled by ‘0 commission’ money exchangers because the ‘service fee’ is high. Be sure to download a free currency calculator before you arrive.
Can I use credit cards and ATMs in Australia?
ATMs are available throughout Australia, you will need a 4-digit PIN. Avoid large fees by using your bank’s international partner in Australia and google its location before you travel. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are widely accepted in Australia, and Discover may be accepted. Save money on fees with a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees and make purchases in Australian dollars (AUD). It is always a good idea to carry some cash.
How much should I budget per day in Australia?
According to Budget Your Trip, the average daily cost of traveling in Australia is $136. Expect to pay $1,895 + airfare for a one-week trip for 2.
When is the best time to visit Australia?
Australia’s seasons are opposite the United States. The winter months are June, July, and August. The spring months are September, October, and November. The summer months are December, January, and February. January is the rainiest month. Autumn months are March, April, and May. The high season in Australia is between December–February (summer); the low season is between June and August (winter). The shoulder season is March–May and September–November.
How Do You Get Around Australia?
Australia is spread out. It will take you over 9 hours to drive from Sydney to Melbourne. Air travel is the most convenient mode of transportation between regions in Australia. Australia has over 300 airports; domestic airlines include Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Tigerair. Local transportation systems include buses, trains, trams, and ferries.
What Power Adapter Do I Need for Australia?
The plugs in Australia are type I. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. American electronic devices rated to 50 Hz and between 220 and 240 V will work with the correct US to Australia power adapter. I recommend buying a universal adapter with surge protection.
Is Australia a safe country for solo travelers?
According to Travel Safe Abroad, Australia is a very safe country for travelers. Not only is the overall risk low, but there is also a low risk of scams, pickpockets, and muggings. There is a medium risk a wild animal will jump in front of the car while driving on open roads and a high risk of natural disasters. Dial 000 in an emergency. Contact the US Embassy for non-urgent emergencies, such as a lost passport.
What food do I need to try in Australia?
Vegemite toast, Fairy Bread (white bread with sprinkles), Tim Tam (chocolate biscuit), meat pie, sausage rolls, Anzac biscuits, Pavlova (meringue cake with whipped cream and fruit), chicken parma, barbecue, fish and chips, Golden Gaytime (ice cream bar), and Lamingtons (sponge cake filled with jam, covered in chocolate icing and dusted with coconut).
Tips for Traveling in Australia
- Tipping in Australia is not a common practice.
- The sun is strong in Australia, wear sunscreen.
- Always bring a side dish when invited to a BBQ.
- Smoking is VERY expensive, about $40 per pack expensive.
- Cars drive on the left, always look right before crossing a street.
- Swim between the flags to avoid swells and sharks.
- The legal drinking age is 18.
- You do not buy alcohol from the supermarket, you go to the liquor store or the drive-through bottle shop.
Check the Australia Office of Tourism website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Top Things to See and Do in Australia
- Tour the Sydney Opera House and climb the Harbour Bridge
- Visit Melbourne’s Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles
- Watch the Phillip Island penguin parade
- Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
- Walk the treetops at Daintree Rainforest
- Spend time on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast beaches
- Sail around the Whitsunday Islands
- Visit the Outback and Ayers Rock in Uluru (but don’t climb it)
Interesting Facts About Australia
- Australia is the only continent covered by a single country
- Australia is the only continent that doesn’t have an active volcano
- Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world
- There are 10,685 beaches in Australia
- Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world
- The Great Barrier Reef is the largest eco-system in the world and it has its own post office box
- The Australian Alps get more snow than the Swiss Alps
- Uluru Stretches For 15 Miles Underground
- The Great Ocean Road is the world’s largest war memorial
- 33% of Australians were born in another country
- 90% of Australians live on the coast
- Australia exports its camels to the Middle East, and over 1 million roam the deserts
- There are three times as many sheep than people living in Australia (63.8 million)
- 80% of the animals are unique to Australia
- Australia has 21 of the world’s 25 most venomous snakes
- Australian wallabies have broken into opium crops, got high, and ran around creating “crop circles”
- Aussies drink 1.7 billion liters of beer per year (680 bottles of beer per adult)
- Australians spend more money on gambling than any other nation
- Australia was the second country to give women the vote in 1902
- You are fined if you do not vote in Australia
- Each week, more than 70 people overstay their Visa
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