The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Australia

Since Australia is on many people’s bucket lists, I thought it would be helpful to talk about some of the ways you can explore this vast country. From wineries, to culture, history, art, nature etc there’s sure to be something for everyone.

Australia is often thought of as a winter destination (for those living in the northern hemisphere). Makes sense as their seasons are opposite ours. However, one can visit year-round depending on where you want to go and what you want to explore. There are more climates and diversity than one may realize. Even though it’s an island, its not a small. Take the United States, flip it upside down and you have Australia (size wise).

Let’s start off by breaking down the seasons and what types of activities accompany them. This can help you decide which season you’d prefer to visit.

Summer

(December – February)

This is the best time to enjoy the beach and other outdoor activities. Maybe you’d like to relax on one of Sydney’s beaches or Tasmania’s Bay of Fires. It’s rainy season for the northern part of the country and inland (outback) will be really hot.

Fall

(March – May)

Nature fans may want to spend time at Litchfield National Park, or feel free to explore most areas as temperatures tend to be comfortable.

Winter

(June - August)

This is the best time to explore the outback such as Darwin, Uluru & Queensland Gorges. Head to the Blue Mountains for skiing and Christmas in July festivities. It’s a great time to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Note: it’s quite cold in the south. Stay north around Queensland for a warm vacation.

Spring

(September – November)

Like fall, it’s the window for exploring nature such as Kangaroo Island. Maybe you would like to head out wine tasting at the numerous vineyards. If the outback is on your list, remember it gets hot late spring.

A trip to Australia isn’t complete without spending time appreciating their unique and wonderful wildlife. Here are some of the most popular ones to consider and areas you’re more likely to find them.

You’ve likely heard, Kangaroos can be seen in most parts of the country. They are easier to spot in well known places such as the obvious Kangaroo Island. Other kangaroo hangouts are: Look at Me Now Headland in Coffs Harbour, the Blue Mountains and you may even see them laying on the beach at Lucky Bay.

Quokkas

Found on Rottnest Island, are now very popular thanks to social media. As adorable as they are, remember they are not to be touched.

Dingoes

Can be seen many places but the best place to see them is Queensland’s Fraser Island.

Koala

Koalas are so cute and who wouldn’t want to hold one. There are only two states that allow visitors to hold koalas – Queensland & South Australia and the best way to see them is on a tour.

Tasmanian Devil

One of Australia’s rarest species are found on Maria Island and are being introduced to other parts of the country. If you’ve seen them on animal shows, you know these too are to be appreciated from a distance.

For the foodies reading, here are a few of their traditional foods to try.

Meat pie: many consider it the national dish of Australia and it’s to be eaten with ketchup.

Marron: for those who like seafood, it’s a crayfish lending a sweet delicate taste.

Lamingtons: are cubed sponge cake, dipped in melted chocolate and covered in desiccated coconut.

Australia might be famous for it’s unique wildlife, outback & having the largest barrier reef in the world, but it also has a large wine presence. There are over 60 recognized wine regions and just like France, Italy, or California different soils and surroundings will lend to different flavors/blends. Some of the most notable wine regions are Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, & Brisbane.

It’s impossible to write about all the things one can see and do in a country, so I’ll focus on some of the most popular locations. I’ve already been mentioning things, as we go along, so consider this the highlight reel.

One of the major cities visitors fly in and out of is Sydney. Popular things to do are climb the Bridge, cruise the Harbour, watch a performance at the Opera House, relax on a beach, or head to the Blue Mountains for wildlife spotting.

Melbourne is famous for hosting big events such as the Grand Prix, the Australian Open tennis and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Here you can venture to Phillip Island which is famous for its colony of penguins and check out the Twelve Apostles rock formation on the Great Ocean Road. If you like viewing wildlife, take a helicopter ride to spot whales or kayak with the seals.

Uluru

Journey to the heart of Australia both physically and spiritually at Uluru also known as Ayers Rock. Here there are many experiences you can have from dining under the stars to helicopter rides. If the outback is on your list, you’ll want to include this magnificent site.

Kakadu National Park is the ultimate destination for nature and wildlife lovers. Here you can watch bold sunsets, take in the awe-inspiring waterfalls, see unique birds and get out of the city. You can take a one-day tour, out of Darwin, up to multiple days. You can even stay in the park in a safari-style lodge, cabin or glamp in a luxurious tent. Take a safari, guided cultural tour, or self-drive to choose your own adventure.

Did you know Australia has their own equivalent to California’s Pacific Coastal Highway scenic drive? It’s called the Great Ocean Road and traces the Victorian coastline. Fun fact - this road was made by 3,000 World War I soldiers using picks, crowbars & shovels – taking 14 years to complete. It was opened in 1932 and dedicated to all those who had died in the war. This scenic drive is 124 miles long and you can expect winding curves, lookouts, lighthouses & beaches along the way.

There are various ways to experience the Great Ocean Road from day tours the cover the highlights and longer tours that start and end in Melbourne. You can even do a 7-day tour that includes Kangaroo Island.

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living thing on Earth, covering over 134,000 square miles. It’s home to over 1,600 species of fish and 600 types of coral offering you many areas to access and explore this wonder. The main areas to access the reef are Cape York, Cairns, Port Douglas & Townsville. There are many ways to experience the reef, so no need to be scuba certified. Besides diving you can snorkel or stay dry on a glass bottom boat or semi-submersible submarine tours.

A unique experience to try and catch on Lady Musgrave Island between January and May is watching green turtle hatchlings scurry down the beach heading for the ocean. The conditions of the coral reefs have been a hot topic for some time. If you decide to tour the reef, there are many eco-friendly tour operators to choose from, so your visit doesn’t have a negative impact on the environment.

That is Australia in a nutshell, and I hope you found this overview helpful. If you haven’t visited yet, I hope you’ll be able to soon. I’d love to hear from you! If you’ve been to Australia, what were your favorite activities, or if you’re planning a visit, what are you looking forward to most?

Bianca Ramos - Travel Advisor

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