Home to both the world's oldest living culture and some of its oldest landscapes, Australia has far more to offer than the laid-back lifestyle and beautiful beaches that attract most visitors. From the tropical north's reefs and rainforests to the snow-tipped peaks of Tasmania and cosmopolitan capitals to the magnificent red-tinged hues of Uluru, the Land Down Under is full of surprises—although some of the best things to do in Australia won’t come too far out of left-field; like surfing, sipping coffee, and road-tripping the more than 16,000 miles (25,750 kilometers) of postcard-perfect coastline.
There’s a reason why most people hit the beach in Australia’s summer (December–February)—it’s often excessively, overwhelmingly hot. Add in the threat of bushfires, floods, and cyclones, and you might think Australia is trying to deter you from visiting. And yet, summer brings with it countless festivals and major sports events in most major cities, from New Year’s celebrations in Sydney to the Australian Open in Melbourne and the Woodford Folk Festival north of Brisbane.
There’s no overstating it: Australia is a large, vast country, with huge distances between its major cities. Prepare for long road trips to get around Australia by car, even if going from Melbourne to Sydney. And train travel isn’t very common, except for several special scenic trains like the Ghan through the Red Centre. Flying is the main means of transport for interstate travel in Australia, with regular flights out of regional airports.
Australia has a reputation as a laid-back country, but there are some things that get taken very seriously in Australia and biosecurity is one. Don’t try to sidestep rules around bringing in prohibited goods, from fruits and vegetables to weapons, untreated wood, and animal products. And there are rules not just for entering Australia but also for moving between one state to the next, so be sure to read the signs and take them seriously.
Local Currency Australian Dollar (A$) | Time Zone AEST (UTC +10) | Country Code +61 | Language(s) English | Attractions 756 | Tours 4,596 | Reviews 299,756 |
Australia is a country famous for its unique and often dangerous wildlife, endless supply of sand beaches, the famous Great Barrier Reef, beautiful red deserts, cosmopolitan cities, relaxed attitude, and fondness for beer and barbecue.
...MoreIn a country as large and remote as Australia, there’s never enough time to see everything. Places in Australia not to miss include the Great Barrier Reef, the city of Sydney, Victoria’s surfing-friendly coast, and Red Centre attractions such as Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
...MoreThe number one attraction in Australia, in terms of visitors, is the Sydney Opera House, which opened in 1973 and sees more than 10 million visitors a year. The sail-like space is cited as a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture.
...MorePopular activities in Australia take advantage of the country’s size and natural resources. Top visitor pastimes include surfing at its beaches, snorkeling and diving in the Great Barrier Reef, and road tripping through the Outback.
...MoreOnly in Australia can you get a selfie with a quokka on Rottnest Island, share a deserted beach with kangaroos at Lucky Bay, learn about Aboriginal traditions and culture in the Red Centre, and explore the world’s largest reef at the Great Barrier Reef.
...MoreAustralia’s diversity is one of its greatest features, but many would say that the most beautiful part of Australia is northern Queensland, owing to the picture-perfect shores of Whitehaven Beach (and others), the endless rainforest of the Daintree, and the famous underwater marvels of the Great Barrier Reef
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