Australia

Home   >  Destinations   >   Australasia + Pacific Islands Guides   >   Australia Guide  

Key Facts

Flight Time : 16¾ to 23 hours

Annual Visitors : 9.4 million

Capital : Canberra

Land Area : 8,560,000sqkm | 3,300,000sqm

Population : 25.69 million

Languages : English

Currency : Australian Dollar

About

Australia is a country in Oceania, comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is a mega-diverse country, and its size gives it a wide variety of landscapes and climates, with deserts in the center, tropical rainforests in the northeast, tropical savannas in the north, and mountain ranges in the southeast.

The country is known for its stunning natural beauty, including the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback, and the Blue Mountains. Australia is also home to a variety of unique wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, and wombats.

Why Go

• The Great Barrier Reef (Queensland) is a must-see for any visitor to Australia. It is a truly awe-inspiring sight. Take a boat tour where there are options to snorkel or dive the coral reefs up close.
• The Sydney Opera House (New South Wales) is an iconic landmark, and it is worth seeing even if you are not attending a performance.
• A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Uluru – Ayers Rock (Northern Territories) is a sacred site to the Aboriginal people of Australia, and it is a powerful place to visit.
• Explore Kakadu National Park (Northern Territories) an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is home to a variety of natural wonders, including waterfalls, gorges, and ancient rock art.
• Discover the Whitsunday Islands (Queensland) are a group of islands known for their white sand beaches, clear blue waters, and coral reefs.
• Go wine tasting in the Barossa Valley (South Australia). Home to a variety of wineries that produce some of the best wines in Australia.
• Travel the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide. It runs for 243 kilometres (151 miles) and is known for its stunning scenery, including limestone cliffs, waterfalls, and beaches.

Guides >

Map >

Video >

Travel Offers >

When to Go >

Travel Guides

NEW SOUTH WALES

Explore rugged mountains to vibrant cities. Home to Sydney, as well as the Blue Mountains, and the Hunter Valley wine region. 

QUEENSLAND

Discover stunning beaches and lush rainforests. Home to the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands and Daintree Rainforest.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Adelaide is home to the Barossa Valley wine region, the Kangaroo Island wildlife sanctuary, and the Coorong wetlands.

VICTORIA

Home to Melbourne, as well as the Great Ocean Road, the Grampians National Park, and the Yarra Valley wine region.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Home to Perth, WA offers stunning natural beauty, from the red deserts of the Outback to the white-sand beaches of the Indian Ocean.

NORTHERN TERRITORIES

Gaze at incredible landscapes, and abundant wildlife. Home to Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kakadu National Park, and Litchfield National Park.

Map

Videos

Sydney, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast: The best time to visit these cities is during the spring (September to November) or fall (March to May) when the weather is mild and there are fewer tourists.



The Great Barrier Reef: The best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef is during the winter (June to August) when the water is cooler and the visibility is better.

The Northern Territory: The best time to visit the Northern Territory is during the dry season (April to September) when the weather is cooler and there is less rain.

The Outback: The best time to visit the Outback is during the winter (June to August) when the days are cooler and the nights are not as cold.

When to go