Planning a trip to Australia can be a little overwhelming. It’s likely to be one of the biggest (and most expensive) holidays you ever take. Trust me though it’s worth it. If you are not sure where to start, my guide on how to plan a trip to Australia is for you!
Australia is one of those countries that is often considered a dream destination, a trip for the bucket list that may or may not happen one far off day. However these days it’s never been easier to visit the land down under.
With diverse landscapes from cities, deserts and rainforests and natural wonders such as Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia has something for everyone.
However, deciding to visit is the easy bit. For most of us, a trip to Australia is a big deal. It’s far away (at least a day’s travel for a lot of us) and requires a little more planning than the annual two-week holiday or weekend city break.
Don’t let that put you off though. With a little bit of planning, you can easily make a holiday to Australia the trip of a lifetime.
Planning a trip to Australia
It was always my dream to visit Australia. My first visit was way back in 2002 when I backpacked around the country for nine months. Starting Western Australia, I travelled across outback, through the red centre, down the East Coast and along the Great Ocean Road.
It was a great introduction to Australia and I’ve been lucky enough to visit many times since. From a quick 10 day visit to a month long stay, I’ve stayed in many hostels, luxury hotels and even slept out under the stars at Uluru. So you could say I’ve done the full Aussie experience. My Australian friends often joke I’ve seen more of the country than them.
Having had the opportunity to take so many different styles of trips and holidays has given me an insight in how to plan a trip around Australia. As well as what not to do and what to avoid!
I’ve learnt the hard way how far apart cities are and how tiring it can be to keep moving round trying to cram as much as possible into the shortest amount of time.
So I’ve created this guide to help you avoid some of the mistakes I’ve made and to share some tips on how to plan the perfect holiday to Australia.
When is the best time to visit Australia?
I’m often asked by friends when is the best time to travel to Australia and I usually say it doesn’t really matter. Anytime is a great time to visit Australia.
Australia is a year-round destination so there isn’t really
That said, most of us visiting from the northern hemisphere at least, are probably wanting to catch some of that famous Australian summer. So, December, January and February are the best months. Remember, being the other end of the world to us means the seasons are flipped. An Australian summer is our winter and vice versa.
It can get very hot there in summer so if extreme heat is not your thing, take a look at spring or early autumn. Both are usually still pleasant but without the searing heat.
It is hard to believe I know, but some parts of Australia do have a winter. Between June and August it can be grey and chilly. However, this is not actually as bad as it sounds. The only time I’ve seen Bondi Beach practically empty was a winter’s day so visiting in the off season has its advantages.
It’s important to bear in mind that in such a huge country there is a difference in climate from one side to the other. While a lot of Australia enjoys four seasons the tropical top end (think Darwin, Katherine etc) has wet and dry seasons.
Having spent a few days in Darwin in the wet season, it’s not something I’d recommend so keep that in mind when plan your trip.
Australian seasons
- Spring – September to November
- Summer – December to February
- Autumn – March to May
- Winter – June to August
The Top End Seasons
- Wet Season – November to April. Hot and humid with some humdinger storms, the wet season can be uncomfortable at times (a few days in Darwin was enough for me, I was outta there on the first flight available). However it makes for an incredible landscape with some spectacular waterfalls in the national parks as the water levels are at their highest.
- Dry Season – May to October. The dry season has warm sunny days with clear blue skies and cool nights making it more comfortable to see the sights and enjoy the national parks.
Whenever you decide to go just bear in mind things don’t always go to plan with the weather. So don’t plan your trip around it.
Out of the two Christmases I’ve spent in Australia, the first was grey and chilly (obviously still spent the day on Bondi, spot the Brit!) and the second was Melbourne’s coldest Christmas on record. I’m hoping for third time lucky.
Also, keep an eye out for school and Australian public holidays. Some destinations can get very busy so expect crowds and increased accommodation prices at these times.
How long to stay in Australia?
As long as you can!
Seriously, Australia is a huge country. So forget about seeing it all in one trip. It’s impossible.
I’ve been back six times since my backpacking trip and am still finding places I want to visit or return too. There is always somewhere to see a or a place to revisit.
Be realistic with the time you have. There is no point rushing a
Prioritise three or four things you wish to see or places you want to visit and plan around that.
Do you want to see Australia’s natural wonders? Experience the famous outdoor lifestyle or visit its iconic cities? Make a list of the things that matter the most to you and use that as your starting point.
It can also take over a day to get there and you’ll lose anything from eight to twelve hours with the time difference, so you need to factor that in for your first few days.
Also don’t forget the jet lag too. While it’s tempting to hit the ground running, build in some time to acclimatise. Your body will thank yourself when you wake up at 3am the first day you are there.
At a minimum you’ll need two weeks. Three or four would be better if possible. That’s not to say you can’t see Australia in two weeks. You can get a good introduction, but you’ll need prioritise and plan carefully to make the most of it.
I’ve done a two-week trip in the past and managed to see three places and not feel rushed, but it was my third trip. I think if it had been my first, I would have been very disappointed to have rushed around so much and left so soon.
Where to visit in Australia?
Unless you have your heart set on a city, landmark or place this is probably going to be the most difficult bit about planning your trip. There is so much to see in Australia. The more you research the more places you’ll find to visit, I guarantee!
For my first trip, I had the luxury of time as I was backpacking so could take my time and see most of the places I wanted too and spend a reasonable amount of time in each. It makes a huge difference to how you plan a trip.
However, most visitors only have a couple of weeks. To get the most out of your trip it pays to do a bit of research and think carefully about what you want to see and do.
What are your interests? Cities, beaches or landscapes? What type of holiday do you want? Relaxing or adventurous?
With a few short
Two week Australia Itinerary
With two weeks you can see three places comfortably although two would be a little more relaxing. Look out for early morning and late-night internal flights to maximise your time in each location. Popular routes for two weeks include…
- Melbourne > Uluru > Sydney
- Melbourne > Sydney > Cairns (Great Barrier Reef)
- Perth > Uluru > Sydney
- Sydney > Uluru > Cairns (Great Barrier Reef)
These itineraries give you a good mix of cities and natural landmarks so you can see the highlights of Australia.
Three – four week Australia Itinerary
If you have a bit more time to play with a few more options become available. In three or four weeks you can comfortably add a few more cities or beach locations. You could even fit in a coastal road trip.
- Perth > Uluru > Cairns (Great Barrier Reef) > Sydney > Melbourne
- A east coast road trip – Cairns > Great Barrier Reef > Whitsunday Islands > Fraser Island > Noosa > Brisbane. With four weeks you might also be able to squeeze in Byron Bay, the Hunter Valley and Sydney
- A west coast road trip taking in Perth, Geraldton, the Coral Coast and the Ningaloo Reef.
- A few days on one of Australia’s iconic rail journey’s, Perth to Adelaide/Sydney or Melbourne to Darwin
Plan your dream holiday with my Australian bucket list packed with ideas of what to see and do on your trip to Australia.
Must see places for first time visitors to Australia
With so many fabulous places to visit in
Sydney
When you think of Australia, the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge are probably one of the first images that
Visiting Sydney for the first time? Find out how to spend two days in Sydney seeing the best the city has to offer.
Uluru
One of the great natural wonders of the world, it’s hard to describe just how magical a trip to Uluru is. Walk around the base to really get a sense of how huge it is.
Walking around the base of Uluru is a highlight of any trip to the Red Centre. View my experience of visiting Uluru and see why this is a must see.
Great Barrier Reef
The largest living thing on earth, it can even be seen from space. Dive, snorkel, take a trip on a glass bottom boat or fly over the reef on a helicopter. Whatever your budget (and whether you swim or not) there will be an option to explore the Great Barrier Reef for you.
The Great Ocean Road
One of the world’s most scenic drives. Beginning just 90 minutes out of Melbourne the 249 mile route takes you along coast of Victoria right up to the border with South Australia. Look out for the famous Bell Beach, the Twelve Apostles, London Bridge and many bays, beaches, waterfalls and spectacular views.
How to get to Australia
It’s never been easier to get to Australia. It still takes ages though. Hopefully one day we’ll be able to get there in a few hours. A girl can dream! Back in the real world…for most of us it’s around a day travelling, well unless you are visiting from New Zealand!
Most flights will include a layover, at least from Europe. It is possible to fly direct to Perth, Western Australia from London but that is the exception rather than the normal.
Planning your flights carefully will not only ensure you get a good deal price wise it will also help you maximise your time on the ground in Australia.
Tips for booking flights to Australia
Book as early as possible
If you know when you want to go, then start looking as soon as possible. There can be a big variation in price depending when you choose to travel. Holiday seasons such Christmas and school holidays can be very popular and therefore come in at a higher price.
You don’t want to miss out on a good deal by booking flights too late or having to pay more than you need to.
If you are going for an Aussie Christmas keep in mind flight prices can rise dramatically over the holiday period. If you book early enough and go either side the of the peak season (early December to early/mid-January) you should be able to get a good deal but you’ll definitely need to get organised and plan ahead.
Look out for airline sales
If you are flexible on when you can travel look out for airline sales. You can pick up some great bargains if you are not restricted by particular travel dates.
Choose your airline carefully
As you will be spending a long time on this flight, you’ll want to choose your airline carefully. Sitting on a plane for most of a day is not anyone’s idea of fun. So, don’t just go for the cheapest ticket. Think about your comfort too.
Look at the route they take, where they stopover, what their service and inflight entertainment is like. It’s most likely you’ll be spending more than 24 hours with them so you’ll want to like them.
Considering upgrading
If the thought of 24 hours in
To stop over or not to stop over?
While nonstop flights are here (well to from London to Perth) it more than likely you will have the option to stopover somewhere.
If you have the time to spare it is nice to break the long flight up. Plus you have the bonus of being able to visit another country/city. Popular choices for layovers from Europe include Dubai, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Or going west, Los Angeles or San Francisco.
While I’ve done both options (direct and stopping over), these days I prefer to power all the way through to Australia. This is so I can maximise my holiday time and spend as much of it as possible on the ground in Australia.
Going straight there still involves a short stop over, usually a couple of hours, just enough time to stretch your legs and get some food. You’ll then either get back on the same plane or have to go find your gate for the next plane. Short term pain for long term gain!
Take a night flight
As I’m usually travelling on limited time, I like to squeeze every last drop out the time I have available.
To maximise the time on the ground in Australia I usually take a flight leaving London in the evening straight after work. You get on the flight, have some dinner, watch a film then wake up in Australia.
Booking a flight to Australia
I usually start my flight search with Skyscanner to get an idea of possible routings, stopovers and of course cost. Once I have an idea of what I would like to book I usually use a travel agent such as Flight Centre to help me find the best deal.
Getting around Australia
While Australia is vast it’s pretty easy to get around. And not as expensive as you might think. Whatever your style of travel or budget you have plenty of options on how you travel around Australia.
Internal flights
If you are on limited time flying around the country is your best option. Australia has an extensive domestic air network.
Between major cities (Melbourne and Sydney for example) flights are as frequent as every half hour. Early morning or late evening flights are usually the best value price wise. They also have the advantage of giving you the day free to explore.
If you are flying from the northern hemisphere you can often buy multi cities flights sometimes at no extra cost (or only a little extra) than a straight return ticket. These can include stopovers on the way to Australia, flying to cities in Australia and flying home from a different city. There are almost endless combinations.
Always research your options and price this up against booking internal flights directly with the domestic carriers though. I’ve often found it is cheaper to book a straight return to Australia and buy internal flights separately.
Bus
If you are not too pushed for time there is an extensive and reliable bus network around Australia.
Greyhound
Australia’s largest coach network covers the east coast, through the centre and the top end. It operates 365 days a year.
When I backpacked I had a pass and could basically hop on hop off the network as I wished. It was completely flexible which was great as plans change often when backpacking. If I bused around Australia again, I’d definitely take up this option.
Visit Greyhound for more information.
Integrity – covering the west coast from Perth to Broome and everywhere in between. They offer express passes or a hop on hop off option.
Visit Integrity for more information.
Backpacking buses
If you are looking for something a little more tailored, then there are
Offering flexible travel, they’ll take you to all the main places on the backpacking trail in Australia. They are also a great way to meet fellow travellers.
Operators include
I must add here that my backpacking days are long over so have not used these companies. Although I used Stray many years ago in New Zealand and had a great time. Please do some thorough research before making any decisions.
Personally I found travelling around Australia is easy enough to do on your own and a lot more flexible. However, if you are not confident travelling solo, want some company or someone to take the hassle out of travel planning then joining a tour or hop on hop off bus is worth considering.
Train
Australia has some of the world’s greatest train journeys so if you have the time it is worth considering letting the train take the strain. It’s not a cheap option but it is unique way to see Australia.
Routes include…
The Indian Pacific between Sydney > Adelaide > Perth
The Ghan – Adelaide > Alice Springs > Katherine > Darwin
The Overland – Melbourne > Adelaide
I travelled between Perth and Adelaide on the Indian Pacific and it is still one of the best things I have done in Australia. Even in a (now departed) backpacking budget seat.
Two days and three nights on a train crossing the Nullarbor Plain gives you a real sense of how huge Australia is. It really brings home the remoteness and isolation away from the coastal cities.
Sadly the budget option is no longer offered so it is not a cheap way to travel but if you are looking for a one of a kind experience then I’d highly recommend it.
View my post on crossing the Nullarbor on the Indian Pacific to see what it’s like to spend two day on a train!
Accommodation
Australia has accommodation to suit all budgets. From hostels for backpackers and the budget conscious to luxury five-star hotels for that holiday of a lifetime.
If camping is your thing or you want to spend a few nights under the stars then you won’t find a better place than Australia. There are many campgrounds including some with
Packing list for Australia
Packing for a long haul holiday needn’t be difficult. If there is one thing my backpacking days taught me is that we actually need very little when travelling or on holiday.
Even if that holiday is the furthest you’ve travelled or longest you’ve been away. You still don’t need as much as you think. As you’ll most likely be moving around while in Australia you want
Write a list of what you want to take with you and half it. And maybe half it again. Remember you could be carrying this around for a month or more.
View my Australia packing list for some long-haul holiday packing ideas.
Concerts, Sport and Festivals
My travels are usually based around concerts or sporting events. For
Australia has no shortage of world-class events to attend
Sporting Events
Australian’s love their sport don’t they? Even if they make up their own rules sometimes. Aussie rules football? What’s that all about?
That aside there are some great sporting events to attend throughout the year. There is nothing quite like being there for a live sporting event. Watching on TV just doesn’t cut it. You just don’t get the same sense of atmosphere as standing with your fellow sports fans.
Thankfully Australia is home to some of the worlds greatest sporting spectacles. So if you time your trip right you can make it extra memorable.
Top Australian sporting events include…
- January – Australia Open (Melbourne). Look out for ground passes to get all the atmosphere without paying top dollar.
- March Formula One (Melbourne). Ground passes offer good value if you don’t want to splash out for a grandstand.
- October – Motorcycle GP (Phillip Island)
- November – Melbourne Cup (Melbourne obv) The whole of Australia seems to come to a standstill for this race.
- December – Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Cricket (Winter test series at venues around Australia). Don’t miss the Boxing Day Test, it’s an Aussie tradition.
Also look out for local sporting events such as Aussie rules, club cricket and rugby.
Concerts and Theatre
If sport isn’t your thing Melbourne has a thriving theatre and art scene and all the major cities have music venues of every size.
Some shows and events happen each year and some suggestions of events to attend are below. For one off shows such as concert tours then check local listings or ticket agencies such as Ticketmaster Australia or Ticketek. You never know, maybe your trip will coincide with your favourite band or singer touring.
- January – March (various) A Day on the Green. A series of outdoor concerts featuing some of the world’s biggest artists.
Art and culture
- May – Vivid Sydney. A festival of light. Hundreds of light shows are projected onto Sydney’s buildings including the iconic Opera House
- October – Sculpture by the Sea, Sydney. A free public art exhibition. Sculptures are placed along the path between Bondi and Tamarama Beach.
Plan your trip to Sculpture by the Sea with my guide to the Bondi to Coogee costal walk.
Food and Drink Festivals
- Tasting Australia, South Australia
- Curated Plate, Queensland
- A Taste of Kakadu, Northern Territory
- Noosa Food and Wine festival, Queensland
Australia Travel Tips
Visas
All
Travel Insurance
Before leaving for your trip make it’s worth checking your travel insurance (or buying some if you don’t already have some!) covers you adequately.
As well as ensuring you are covered for the countries you are visiting make sure you are covered for any optional activities you may take part in on your travels.
I made that mistake on my backpacking trip as I was adamant I wasn’t going to do any risky activities. Two months in New Zealand with everyone showing off their adventured I ended up hang gliding. Thought without calling my insurance company first and upgrading my cover! A lesson learnt.
I hope that gives you some tips on how to plan a trip to Australia. If you decide to visit this amazing country let me know in the comments below.
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