Everything you need to plan your trip: the best destinations explained in depth, when to go, what it really costs, how to get around, ready-to-copy routes, food, wildlife, Aboriginal culture, safety and — first of all — which visa you need for your passport.
Australia is a once-in-a-lifetime trip: white-sand beaches, the largest reef on the planet, some of the world's most liveable cities, sacred red deserts and wildlife found nowhere else. It's also a country-continent as big as Europe, so planning it well changes everything. In this guide, updated for 2026, we cover what to see, when to go, how much it costs and how to get around, with ready-to-copy routes. Let's start with the thing that saves the most headaches: the visa.
Yes. No one enters Australia without a travel authorisation arranged before flying — not even for a layover. Which one you need depends on your passport. Check it here and prepare it early:
Choose based on the passport you travel with. Approval always rests with the Australian Government.
These are the places travellers love most, with what's really worth doing at each, how long to spend and a tip to save you time (and money).
The perfect gateway and the country's postcard. Its harbour is one of the most beautiful in the world, crowned by the Opera House (a World Heritage site) and the Harbour Bridge. Sydney mixes surf beaches, characterful neighbourhoods (Surry Hills, Newtown), nature on the city's doorstep and a contagious outdoor lifestyle.
The largest reef system on the planet: over 2,300 km and the only living thing visible from space. It's home to more than 1,600 fish species, six of the world's seven marine turtle species and coral gardens in impossible colours. Explore it from Cairns, Port Douglas or the Whitsundays on snorkelling or diving trips (certified or not).
Australia's spiritual heart: a 348 m sandstone monolith rising from the desert that changes colour at sunrise and sunset. It's sacred land of the Anangu people; since 2019 climbing is not allowed, out of respect for their culture, but walking around it (the 10 km Base Walk) is a far more powerful experience. The base town is Yulara.
The cultural capital and Sydney's eternal friendly rival. It's a city for wandering: laneways full of street art and specialty coffee (much of the flat white culture was born here), historic markets and a huge calendar of sport and events (Australian Open tennis in January, F1 Grand Prix, Aussie footy).
One of the world's most spectacular coastal drives, about 240 km from Torquay to Allansford. It combines cliffs battered by the Southern Ocean, surf towns, eucalyptus forest with wild koalas and the famous rock stacks of the Twelve Apostles.
74 islands in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Their jewel is Whitehaven Beach, 7 km of silica sand so white and fine it doesn't even get hot, lapped by turquoise water. Access is from Airlie Beach.
The tropical base for the reef and, at the same time, the gateway to the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest on Earth (over 135 million years), where the jungle literally meets the sea at Cape Tribulation.
Australia's wildest, greenest island, perfect if you love nature and good food. Pure air, otherworldly national parks and a surprising food and art scene in Hobart.
A wildlife sanctuary a short hop from Adelaide: kangaroos, koalas, sea lions, echidnas and penguins in the wild, in spectacular coastal scenery. A place to drive slowly and meet animals at every turn.
The most remote, wild and sun-drenched side of the country, still uncrowded. Perth is a relaxed, sunny city; around it are some of Australia's best beaches and marine-wildlife experiences.
Remember that in Australia the seasons are flipped: summer December–February, winter June–August. And since the country spans from the tropics to a cool climate, the "best time" depends on where you go:
The biggest expense is the long-haul flight, followed by internal flights (distances force you to fly). Rough reference for two weeks per person:
| Item | Backpacker | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| International flights (return) | USD 1,000–1,500 | USD 1,300–1,900 |
| Internal flights (2–3 legs) | USD 280–500 | USD 400–700 |
| Accommodation (per night) | USD 35–60 (hostel) | USD 100–190 (hotel) |
| Food (per day) | USD 30–45 | USD 70–100 |
| Tours (reef, Uluru…) | USD 350–550 | USD 700–1,400 |
| Total 2 weeks | ≈ USD 2,700–3,300 | ≈ USD 3,800–4,700 |
Money-saving tips: book internal flights early (Jetstar and Virgin often have deals), cook in hostels with kitchens, use BYO restaurants (bring your own wine), and travel in shoulder season (April–May, Sep–Oct).
Indicative 2026 figures; they vary by season, booking lead time and city. The visa fee is separate (the ETA 601 has a small charge; the eVisitor 651 is free; the 600 has a Government fee).
Australian cuisine is multicultural (Asian, Mediterranean, modern) with superb produce. Don't miss: brunch and specialty coffee (the flat white), seafood (prawns, oysters, barramundi), barbecue meats, meat pies, and sweets like Tim Tams, pavlova or lamingtons. For native flavours, look for "bush tucker" (native ingredients like macadamia, kangaroo or Kakadu plum). Tap water is drinkable across the country.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the oldest continuous living culture in the world: over 65,000 years. Experiencing it respectfully is one of the trip's most enriching parts: tours led by local communities at Uluru, rock art in Kakadu, desert-art galleries and cultural centres in almost every city. You'll often hear a "Welcome to Country" or an Acknowledgement of the Traditional Custodians of each land.
Australia is very safe when it comes to crime. The real risks are natural and easy to avoid with common sense:
Confirm which one you need (ETA 601, eVisitor 651 or Subclass 600) and get it right the first time. We explain it step by step.
🎓 Choose and prepare your visaThe approval of any visa rests exclusively with the Department of Home Affairs.
For a first trip, 2–3 weeks cover the east coast essentials without rushing. Australia is as big as Europe: better to pick one or two regions than try to see everything.
It depends on the region (seasons are reversed). Tropical north: May–October. South: spring and autumn. April–May and September–October are usually best for combining.
Yes, always. European & UK: eVisitor 651 (free). USA, Canada, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia…: ETA 601. Everyone else: subclass 600. Check which is yours above.
As a reference, USD 2,700–4,700 per person for two weeks, depending on season and style. Flights (international + internal) are the biggest expense.
Yes. Use flights for long hops; rent a car or campervan for the coast. Watch for wildlife on the road at dusk.
