WHAT TO DO IN AUSTRALIA

Heading to Australia? With so many beautiful cities and sights, we share what to do in Australia in this country travel guide. 

An introduction to Australia

Australia remains a highly popular destination among tourists, and with the breadth of things on offer to do there, it’s easy to see why. From expansive coral reefs to thriving cosmopolitan cities, there’s something for everyone to try. If you haven’t yet entirely decided if Australia is the best destination for your upcoming vacation, not only is it the perfect region for families, but it is also an amazing choice for couples and even solo travelers.

The diverse country is considered one of the best road-tripping destinations globally. The aboriginal history has been reserved, the weather is amazing, and the diverse nature and wildlife prove to be a bucket-list experience for many travel bugs. If that’s not enough to convince you, the laid-back culture of the locals and incredible cities and vibrant nightlife here will be. 

So, if you have decided on Australia as the destination for your next vacation, you might be wondering which locations are the best options. Here are just a few incredible places you should try to see when you go down under.

Where to go in Australia?

Sydney

What vacation to Australia could be complete without a trip to Sydney, Australia’s largest metropolitan area? The city, situated on the picturesque New South Wales coast, offers an extensive list of things to experience. The Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Bondi Beach are all internationally famous landmarks and must-see destinations. But despite their popularity, these attractions are just the tip of the iceberg of what Sydney has to offer. 

Its nightlife is one of the best in Australia and is particularly distinct because of its many small, sophisticated bars. Visiting a cocktail bar in Sydney is a perfect way to relax and see the sights. The King’s Wharf and The Rocks are particularly popular since they offer incredible opera house views and the coast. If you want to absorb some culture, Sydney has a wide range of museums and art galleries whilst families can enjoy the awesome zoos in Sydney.

Uluru

As previously known by Europeans, Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is a spectacle that any visitor to Auscan’ta can’t miss. The large, flat sandstone rock is referred to as an inselberg, “island mountain.” This is because, despite the fact that it stands over 1,000 feet above sea level, it is not surrounded by any other mountainous rock formations. 

Situated in the heart of the central Australian desert, this makes for a rousing sight in the Northern Territory. At over 200 miles away from the nearest town, Alice Springs, it is also one of the most isolated places in the world. Uluru is also famous for appearing to change color depending on the time of day. In particular, it seems to glow red during sunsets, making this the best time to soak in the views.

Uluru also has great cultural importance to the local Anangu people, who have settled the area for thousands of years. Consequently, there are still many incredible historical artifacts in the area, most notably cave paintings. Due to its cultural significance, however, visitors must show proper respect when traveling to the region.  

Daintree Rainforest

One of the reasons Australia remains so popular with tourists is the variety of climates and landscapes it offers. So, while central Australia is known for being barren and arid, there are fortunately plenty of other natural sights to be seen across the country. In particular, Daintree Rainforest is considered to be one of the most picturesque and unique ecological areas in the world, even among rainforests. 

Located north of Cairns, Queensland, in the northeastern peninsula of Australia, the area is highly distinctive due to its rare combination of white sand beaches, tropical rainforests, and coral reefs. Like many other parts of Australia, it is also home to a wide array of unique flora and fauna. The rat-kangaroo, for example, is the smallest type of kangaroo and is only found in the northeastern rainforests of Australia. Daintree is also home to 1 of only two kinds of tree kangaroo native to Australia and several species of endangered birds.

Perth

Western Australia is well known for its beautiful beaches and endless sunshine. It’s no surprise that one of its most popular spots is right on the coast. Hillarys Boat Harbour is an iconic destination in Perth and is a must-see for any traveler. Whether you like to indulge in world-class shopping and dining, or simply enjoy a casual coffee or ice cream, Hillary’s boardwalk has it all. Hillarys Boat Harbour provides a gateway to the Indian Ocean and, as you can imagine, there’s plenty to see.

From the harbor you can book a ferry to go scuba diving, whale watching or visit the famous quokkas on Rottnest Island. You can also discover more under the ocean at AQWA, Hillarys Boat Harbour’s underwater aquarium. You may need a few days to experience everything, luckily, you can book a serviced apartment right on the harbor.

There are also plenty of day trips from Perth, so you can escape the city if you fancy a change. At the end of your busy day, there’s no better place to relax and enjoy a meal while you watch the sunset over the ocean.

Preparing For An Australian Vacation

Once you have decided which location in Australia to head to, you will need to be thorough when it comes to planning your trip. It is best to consider travel vaccines as the recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A and B, yellow fever, rabies, polio, Japanese encephalitis, tetanus, MMR, measles, and a few others. However, your doctor will recommend the essentials for you. In addition to this, you will also need to consider the passport and visa specifics of visiting the region. A valid passport and visa is vital to gain entry into Australia, whether for business, leisure, or other reasons. 

Australian weather is like no other in the world, so once you get to packing, you should pack for the expected weather conditions considering your time of travel. The seasons are the opposite time to those of America, and while you can expect extremely warm temperatures in summer and spring, winter and autumn are not nearly as cold as winter in Northern hemisphere regions. It does rain quite often, though, so you should pack in a rain jacket and boots just in case. With that said, you should mostly pack for warm conditions when traveling in summer or spring, and you won’t have to be too worried about overpacking for the cold during the winter and autumn seasons.