Australia
Australia is a continent-sized country where the Great Barrier Reef, the red heart around Uluru and the cities of Sydney and Melbourne sit thousands of kilometres apart, so most trips focus on one or two regions. Expect extraordinary wildlife, long empty beaches and a relaxed outdoor culture, with seasons running opposite to Britain's.
Overview
Australia's scale shapes every itinerary: Sydney to Perth is a flight of about five hours, and Uluru is three hours by air from Sydney. First trips usually pair Sydney with one or two other regions — the reef and rainforest around Cairns, Uluru and Kings Canyon in the Red Centre, or Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road. Given longer, the Top End's Kakadu, Tasmania's wilderness and Western Australia's near-empty coast repay the extra flights. What sets the country apart is wildlife found nowhere else, from kangaroos and koalas to platypus and cassowaries, and more than 60,000 years of Aboriginal culture written into the land.
Travel here is easy but expensive. Cities run on contactless cards, English is universal, and roads and campsites are well maintained, though distances between fuel stops in the outback demand planning. Accommodation and eating out cost roughly what they do in a big British city, so many visitors save with hostels, campervans and the free electric barbecues in public parks. The December–January school holidays fill coastal towns and push prices up. People are often surprised by how strong the sun is, how quickly the tropical north turns humid and stormy from November, and how empty the country feels: a long drive can pass more kangaroos than cars.
Map of Australia
Top 5 highlights
- 1Wildlife
Great Barrier Reef
The world's largest coral reef system stretches about 2,300km along Queensland's coast. Day boats from Cairns and Port Douglas reach the outer reef for snorkelling and diving among turtles, reef sharks and giant clams; the Whitsundays add sailing and Whitehaven Beach.
- 2Nature
Uluru
The sandstone monolith sacred to the Anangu people glows red at sunrise and sunset. Climbing has been banned since 2019; instead walk the 10km base path, join a ranger-led talk and explore the domes of nearby Kata Tjuta.
- 3Architecture
Sydney Opera House
Jørn Utzon's sail-roofed opera house, opened in 1973, is best appreciated from a ferry or the Harbour Bridge walkway. Take a backstage tour or book a performance, then walk round to the Royal Botanic Garden.
- 4Nature
Great Ocean Road
One of the world's great coastal drives runs about 240km from Torquay, south-west of Melbourne, past surf beaches, koala-filled eucalyptus forest at Kennett River and the Twelve Apostles' limestone stacks. Allow two or three days rather than a rushed day trip.
- 5Nature
Kakadu National Park
This vast World Heritage park in the Top End spans wetlands, sandstone escarpments and waterfalls. Watch sunset from Ubirr's rock-art site, see paintings made over thousands of years, and cruise Yellow Water for crocodiles and birdlife; visit in the dry season.
Biggest cities
Sydney
Australia's oldest and largest city wraps around a deep, many-armed harbour: ride the Manly ferry, walk the Bondi to Coogee clifftop path, and see the Opera House from the water.
Melbourne
Sydney's cultured rival is built for eating, coffee and sport: lose a day in the laneways and Queen Victoria Market, then catch footy at the MCG or tennis at the Australian Open.
Brisbane
Subtropical, laid-back Brisbane is the gateway to Queensland's coast; walk the riverside South Bank, ride a CityCat ferry, then head for the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast or K'gari (Fraser Island).
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Australia
Best time: Mar–May, Sep–Nov.
Average climate in Sydney
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarAdelaide Fringe
The southern hemisphere's biggest arts festival fills Adelaide with comedy, cabaret and street performance for around a month from mid-February, with many shows cheap or free.
- May–JunVivid Sydney
For about three weeks from late May, light projections and installations transform the Opera House sails, Circular Quay and Darling Harbour, with music and talks alongside.
- DecSydney New Year's Eve
Fireworks launched from the Harbour Bridge and barges light up the harbour at 9pm and midnight; claim a foreshore vantage point early, as some require tickets.
How much does Australia cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Meat pie
A hand-sized pastry case of minced beef and gravy, eaten with tomato sauce at football grounds, bakeries and service stations nationwide.
Barramundi
This meaty white fish from northern rivers and estuaries is grilled or pan-fried; order it in Darwin or Cairns, ideally wild-caught.
Lamington
Squares of sponge cake dipped in chocolate and rolled in desiccated coconut, sometimes split with jam and cream — a staple of bakeries and cake stalls.
Getting around
Distances make domestic flights essential for covering more than one region; Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar link all the main cities. Hiring a car or campervan suits the Great Ocean Road, Tasmania and the Queensland coast, while Greyhound coaches serve the east coast. The Ghan and Indian Pacific trains are scenic journeys rather than practical transport. Cities have good trains, trams and ferries, and Uber and DiDi operate widely.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- I230V — bring a UK-to-I adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 000 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +61
- Time zones
- UTC+10, UTC+9:30, UTC+8 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Not expected, as wages are relatively high. Rounding up or leaving around 10% for good table service in restaurants is appreciated but optional.
- Etiquette
- Australians are informal and use first names quickly. In a group at the pub, take your turn buying a round (a 'shout'). Ask before photographing Aboriginal people or sites, and respect signs closing sacred places.
- Main airports
- Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD), Sydney; Melbourne Airport (MEL), Melbourne; Perth Airport (PER), Perth
Visas & entry for Australia
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to visit Australia.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Hepatitis BJapanese encephalitisPolioBat Lyssavirus
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Australia
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Tue 26 Jan 2027 | Australia Day |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sun 25 Apr 2027 | ANZAC Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Know before you go
- Seasons run opposite to Britain's: December to February is summer and peak school-holiday season, so book Christmas flights, campervans and coastal stays months ahead.
- UV levels regularly hit 'extreme' in summer. Wear SPF50+, a hat and sunglasses, and swim between the red-and-yellow flags patrolled by lifeguards.
- In tropical Queensland and the Top End, box jellyfish are a risk roughly from October to May; wear a stinger suit and use netted swimming enclosures. Never swim where crocodile warning signs are posted.
Australia travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Australia?
The best time to visit Australia is generally Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Peak months are March, April, May, September, October and November. Average highs in Sydney range from 17°C to 26°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Australia cost per day?
Roughly £60 a day on a tight budget, £140 mid-range and £300+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Australia?
Australian dollar (AUD).
What plug type does Australia use?
Type I sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Australia?
Traffic drives on the left in Australia — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Australia?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Australia?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to visit Australia. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Australia before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/australia/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Australia?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, Polio and Bat Lyssavirus sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
