Travelling in Australia
Planning a trip to Australia? You’re in for an amazing adventure! This Australia travel guide has everything you need to make your visit unforgettable. From the stunning Great Barrier Reef to the iconic Uluru, we’ll show you the best places to go and things to do. Don’t miss out on the hidden gems that many tourists overlook – we’ve got insider tips to help you experience the real Australia.
Our top pick for exploring Australia is the Great Barrier Reef. It’s not just beautiful – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Even if you’ve never snorkelled before, you can still enjoy the colourful fish and coral. We recommend going with a tour from Cairns or Port Douglas for the best reefs.
For a taste of the Outback, Uluru is a must-see. It’s more than just a big rock – it’s full of Aboriginal history and culture. Try to book a tour with an indigenous guide to hear the fascinating Dreamtime stories. If you have extra time, add Kings Canyon to your itinerary.
Want to get off the beaten path? Head to Western Australia’s coast. It’s less crowded than the east coast but just as beautiful. Start in Perth and drive north to Broome for an unforgettable road trip along the rugged coastline.
All About Australia
Australia is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. From the unique wildlife to the white sand beaches – Australia is a fantastic place to travel. This Ultimate Travel Guide will help you to work out where in Australia you might like to go, the best time to travel to Australia, facts and info to help you be prepared for your Australian adventure and of course all the best things to see and do in this incredible country (and continent!) Let’s jump right in.
Australia Visa Requirements
Almost all visitors with the exception of New Zealanders require a visa to enter Australia. Australia does offer a simple electronic application for the countries listed below for stays up to 3 months. Any passports not from the countries listed below will require a complete visa application as will anyone who wishes to stay longer than 3 months.
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong (SAR of China)
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Monaco
- Norway
- Portugal
- Republic of San Marino
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan (excluding official or diplomatic passports)
- The Netherlands
- United Kingdom—British Citizen
- United Kingdom—British National (Overseas)
- United States of America
- Vatican City
More info on Australian Visa Requirements
New COVID requirements as at the 22nd July have removed all the previous vaccination certifications that were required for Australia.
As per the Home Affairs website:
- People entering Australia do not need to provide evidence of vaccination status
- People entering Australia do not need to complete the Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration
- People leaving Australia will not be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status
- Unvaccinated visa holders do not need a travel exemption to travel to Australia
Masks are no longer required on flights traveling to Australia
Australian Currency & Money
Australia uses the Australian Dollar and this is the only currency accepted in the country. For the purpose of value against other currencies, as a typical example,
- CAD usually sits reasonably on par with the AUD.
- USD is always at least 30-35% stronger than AUD, and
- GBP is often up to 50% stronger than the Australian dollar.
This is of course a rough estimate. Work out how much your currency will get you in Australia via XE.com.
ATMs and Using Money In Australia
 | ATMs and Cards ATMs are everywhere & foreign credit/debit cards are accepted in most places. Please check with your local bank before you leave as to how much you might be charged for Australian transactions as this can be significant. ATM withdrawal fees can also be high so it is worth knowing if your bank has an affiliation with an Australian bank for ATM use. You will need your debit card to be either Mastercard or Visa |
 | Australian Bank Notes & Coins Because of the high level of security with Australian bank notes they are very hard to replicate so counterfeiting isn’t a huge problem in Australia. While it does still happen you will find that the larger bank notes are readily accepted with no challenge. It’s not like the US where you can find it hard to pay for anything with a $100 note. |
Tips for Money In Australia
- Australia has no 1 or 2c coins. If you pay in cash in Australia, transactions will be rounded up to the next 5c if the value ends in 3 or 4c and will be rounded down to the lower 5c mark if it is 2c or below. This only applies to cash payments.
- A travel debit card is a great idea for your trip to Australia as you can load AUD onto your card and use it with no conversion fees. The Australian dollar is usually one of the main currencies global travel cards have available.
- You will find that some facilities and events in Australia ONLY accept cards as payments so you will need to be aware of that. All of our Airlines are card only on board so you will need a working card to purchase food and drinks.
- Money exchanges exist in the heavy tourist areas (like Gold Coast, Cairns & Central Sydney) but almost all banks will help you to change your money. NB: You won’t get a good exchange rate at any airport in Australia so unless you need the cash for a reason, cards will be a better option.
Power & Plugs For Australia
 | Australia operates on a 230 volt system and uses a 3 prong plug with an earth. It is a type I plug with all the pins the same thickness. While Australia is actually a 230 volt system, most locals will refer to it as 240 volt. |
Tips for Power & Devices In Australia
- If you are coming from a country that uses a much lower voltage (like the USA) you will need a voltage converter and not just a plug adapter.
- If you try to use hair dryers and hot styling tools (from a country with a lower voltage) without a converter you risk severe damage to the item and probably a few scary moments.
Medical & Health In Australia
Australia has a good medical system, however it is not free for international travelers. Travel Insurance is a must and should be purchased before arrival.
Try World Nomads or Travel Insurance Saver for options.
Should you bring any medication into the country it should be declared at Customs. You should bring your prescription or a copy of it to ensure you are allowed to proceed with your medication.
Safety In Australia
Australia is typically a safe location and has a low crime rate. Despite this you should always take precautions when you travel. The emergency information for Australia is one number that covers police, ambulance (paramedics) and fire.
A U S T R A L I A
EMERGENCY INFO
DIAL 000
Call 000 from anywhere in Australia for:
- Police
- Ambulance or
- Fire
Australia Travel Guides
Queensland Travel Guides
Western Australia Travel Guides
Tasmania Travel Guides
All About Australia
3 Must Do’s For Australia
Coral Bay
Western Australia’s coastline is rugged and isolated. Not as much as it was when we did it 30 years ago (Wow!) but it is something that shouldn’t be missed. The east coast is beautiful but the west coast is an Australia that lots of people never see. Start north on the coast road from Perth and don’t stop until you hit Broome.
The Great Barrier Reef
Even if you aren’t an ocean person or have never snorkelled before, you must do the Great Barrier Reef. Most of the best reefs are off Cairns and Port Douglas however Heron Island off Gladstone is a divers paradise. I have a Cairns Reef post that might help you choose what company you go out with, but if you ask questions you will find a boat that is your style of trip.
Uluru
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, is a must do for all visitors. If you have a few days, include Kings Canyon in that. Try to make sure you get either an indigenous guide, or an indigenous owned company that will tell you all the dream time stories. You can do a day trip from Alice Springs if you are short on time. This trip is great, but it is a long day.
More Things To Do In Australia
Visit the winery region of Yarra Valley. Quaint towns combined with full day winery tours close to Melbourne.
Cooper Pedy – an underground town to escape the heat
Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Hire a car and tour the south west of WA for a few days. Wine and beaches – what’s not to love
Hire a 4wd and get up the West Australian coast to Ningaloo Reef, Coral Bay and Exmouth
- Visit Kakadu National park
The Wild Rivers and Cradle Mountain Area in Tasmania. The weather is mightily unpredictable so only go in summer but even if its wet and cold its still beautiful
Go Bush! Head out past Rockhampton to Carnarvon Gorge for some real Australiana bush.
- Visit the small fishing towns of the New South Wales south coast.
Fraser Island is a MUST do.
- Hike Sydney’s Great Coastal Walk (14 days to do it easy)
My Favourite Photo From Australia
I’ve had some incredible wildlife experiences in my life but getting mugged by a whale HAS to be up there as the best one.
We were visiting Dunsborough in South West of Western Australia and staying with some friends when we decided to make the most of the stunning afternoon (completely wind free – which can be rare in the west) and head out with a bottle of champagne and see if we could see some whales breaching on the horizon.
Little did we know how the afternoon would play out. You can read all about getting mugged by a whale on my blog, but suffice to say – BEST ANIMAL EXPERIENCE EVER!