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Introducing Australia

When is the best time to visit?
There's no bad time to visit Australia, though there are a few tips to keep in mind. Much of Australia runs hot, especially in the north—places like Uluru, Darwin, and Cairns are best visited in the Southern Hemisphere winter (June, July, August). The opposite applies for southern regions like Tasmania and Victoria, which can get particularly cold in winter—January and February are the most pleasant times to visit.

Interested in the Great Barrier Reef? You'll have warm temps all year, though spring and summer bring stifling temps and lots of warm tropical rain. The famous Gold Coast is the country's Goldilocks region, with lovely weather throughout the year it's known for having beautiful weather most of the year. And given Sydney's southern latitude, glittering beaches are best visited in the warm summer months. Learn more

Where should you go?
Ask an Australian, and they'll tell you that picking a favorite place in their vast homeland feels as impossible as choosing a favorite child. That said, travelers can't go wrong with Uluru (the stunning sandstone monolith in the Northern Territory), Cairns and the renowned Great Barrier Reef, and the famous sights of metropolitan Sydney. Head to the Gold Coast for beach time, Melbourne for culture, Kangaroo Island for wildlife, and Broome to visit the fascinating Horizontal Falls, a series of tidal waterfalls in Talbot Bay considered a natural wonder. 

How many days do I need?
Since reaching this part of the world requires long flights across multiple time zones for most travelers, it's best to make the most of your journey with at least one week in-country. The more time you can give it, the more relaxed and satisfying the trip will be. A great 10-day itinerary might start with three days in Sydney before heading to Uluru, Darwin and Kakadu National Park, and Cairns for a few days each. Learn more

Have two weeks at your disposal? Even better. Consider flying into Melbourne, spending two days on Kangaroo Island, taking the Ghan Train from Adelaide to Alice Springs, and finishing with two nights each in Uluru, Darwin, and Cairns. Learn more about getting around Australia.

If you're combining Australia with another nearby destination like New Zealand or Indonesia, a 5-7 day trip is doable—you'll probably want to stick to exploring one city and taking a couple of day trips from there.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 11 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days · 16 days · 21 days

Australia Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Gold Coast & Byron Bay - 7 Days

Enjoy the sun, surf, and sand on this week-long tour of Australia's famous Gold Coast and Byron Bay. Starting in Coolangatta, you'll head up the Gold Coast to Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach, and Surfers Paradise, where you'll enjoy golden beaches, world-class shopping, and a vibrant entertainment scene. End your stay in Byron Bay, taking in stunning sunsets, visiting organic farms, and meeting with friendly local artisans.

Melbourne to Great Ocean Road: Self Drive Tour - 5 Days

On this five-day self-drive trip, explore the coastal capital city of Melbourne and then hit the open road. One of Victoria's most scenic drives, Great Ocean Road provides plenty of exciting pit stops—explore the surfing town of Bells Beach, discover the waterfalls of Lorne, zipline through the Otway Ranges, and visit The Twelve Apostles rock formations. On the way back to Melbourne, do some sightseeing in Ballarat, known for its Gold Rush heritage and indigenous art.

The Best of Australia & New Zealand - 22 Days

Cover the spectrum of these two dynamic countries with this comprehensive itinerary. Start off in New Zealand, where you'll visit both the North and South islands to explore Maori culture, natural wonders, adventure sports, and more—sip wine on Waiheke island, hike at Aoraki, and cruise through Milford Sound. Then head to Australia, starting with the city sights in Melbourne before you meet the penguins of Phillip Island, stunning scenes of Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef, and urban streets of Sydney.

Ultimate Australia - 16 Days

This well-rounded 16-day tour of Australia's highlights is sure to delight any first time visitor. You'll explore the hidden laneways of artsy Melbourne and the famous landmarks of Sydney, learn about indigenous culture at Uluru in the country's Red Center, and discover tropical Queensland with an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. Along the way, you'll meet kangaroos at Kangaroo Island, search for crocodiles at Kakadu National Park, and have free time to enjoy a few day trips of your choosing.

Tropical North Queensland: Hamilton Island, Port Douglas, Cairns & More - 7 Days

Explore North Tropical Queensland on this seven-day tour. Begin in Hamilton Island and snorkel, sea kayak, play a round of golf, or relax. Then, take a cruise to Whitehaven Beach and learn the area's history. Next, journey to Port Douglas to enjoy a leisure day, a Daintree Rainforest tour, and an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. The trip winds down in Cairns, with plenty of native animal exhibits to visit and a scenic ride up the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Best of Melbourne, Sydney & Cairns - 7 Days

On this weeklong trip to Australia, experience three different cities and several landmarks along the way. Begin in Melbourne, where you can enjoy local sightseeing, then travel the Great Ocean Road, which hosts scenic lookouts like The Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard. The next stop is Sydney, which includes a pub crawl and a day trip to the stunning Blue Mountains. The final leg takes you to Cairns, where the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park awaits, as well as a memorable finale at the world-famous Great Barrier Reef.

Make the Most of Your Time in Australia

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
How Many Days to Spend in Australia

When planning a trip to Australia, 10 days is ideal for visiting four different areas. However, if you're strapped for time, you can explore two regions in five days or up to...

Australia Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Australia Hotel Advice

Unique places to stay, curated by kimkim specialists
Uluru
Sails In The Desert
4.9
(7)
· Luxury
You'll find Sails in the Desert within the town's Ayers Rock Resort, a compilation of several properties. Like most of the hotels here, a 30-minute drive gets you to the iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta, important sites for Australia's cultural heritage. Here, you can immerse yourself in...
Sydney
Vibe Hotel Sydney
4.7
(12)
· Upscale
One of three Vibe properties within the city, the Vibe Hotel Sydney sits in the bustling CBD, right on the border with the cool Surry Hills neighborhood. Guests will find themselves just a block from Oxford Street and Hyde Park, with Chinatown and Darling Harbour within strolling distance. The...
Port Douglas
Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel
4.8
(6)
· Upscale
Peninsula Boutique Hotel, an adults-only property, offers a boutique-style experience overlooking 4 Mile Beach. Nestled at the quiet end of Macrossan and Esplanade Streets, the hotel allows you to enjoy views of the Coral Sea and is within a 2-minute walk from bars, shops, and restaurants....

Best Experiences in Australia

Unique things to do, curated by kimkim specialists
Palm Cove
Catamaran Excursion to the Great Barrier Reef
4.8
(8)
1 day
·
Group tour
Discover the Great Barrier Reef with this full-day cruise on a high-speed catamaran, where you'll learn about the world's largest coral reef from onboard experts and get to experience it for yourself with snorkeling and scuba diving. The journey begins in Cairns, where you'll meet the expert crew...
Port Douglas
Catamaran Cruise + Water Activities in the Outer Great Barrier Reef
4.8
(4)
1 day
·
Group tour
Experience the rich underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef on this full-day guided catamaran cruise to the Agincourt Reef. The catamaran will depart from Port Douglas to take you to this fantastic ecosystem, which you can view from the vessel's underwater observatory. Throughout the day, you...
Melbourne
Excursion to Phillip Island
5.0
(2)
12 hours
·
Private
Embark on an afternoon journey from Melbourne to Phillip Island, known globally for its extraordinary Penguin Parade. For this excursion, it's common to start at Cape Woolamai, a hotspot for local surfers, then continue to the Koala Conservation Centre for an up-close encounter with Australia's...

Our Latest Australia Content

Australia FAQ

Australia is a bucket-list destination for many; it's far and it's massive, offering remarkable cultural and geographical diversity, from spectacular beaches, wet rainforests, and iconic landmarks to unique wildlife, world-class cities, and remote desert hamlets. Naturally, travelers have questions—"Is it safe?" "What's the food like?" or "How long should I spend?" This guide answers these and more of the most frequently asked questions, helping you to plan for a memorable Australian adventure.

16 Days in Australia - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Sixteen days in Australia is an excellent amount of time to experience the highlights and lesser-visited sights of two or three distinct regions. A classic tour introduces you to the top sights of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and their scenic surroundings, while an east coast road trip gives you plenty of opportunities to snorkel, cruise, kayak, and surf. Another superb option, especially for nature-loving travelers, is to split your time between the Great Barrier Reef, the Northern Territory, and the Australian outback.

Outback Road Trip Adventure: Sydney, Alice Springs & Uluru - 8 Days

Experience the best of Australia's rugged outback and biggest city with this eight-day bucket-list itinerary. The fun starts in cosmopolitan Sydney, where you'll explore iconic sights, including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and walk the coastal Bondi to Coogee trail. Then, it's time to fly to the heart of Australia, landing in Alice Springs. You'll take a road trip across the outback, driving the rustic Mereenie Loop, hiking Kings Canyon, seeing Kata Tjuta, and marveling at the magnificent Uluru monolith.

Australia Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
14 Days in Australia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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10 Days in Australia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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7 Days in Australia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Australia

Liz Neal

I have been involved in the travel industry since my first job out of college, working for hotels, airlines and travel companies which allow me to know the industry from all sides. I approach my...

read more...
active 2 hours ago

Vicky Steinhardt

Hey there! I'm Vicky, and travel is my passion. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have dedicated my entire career to the travel industry. Melbourne-born, my journey led me to live in the...

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active 8 hours ago

Paula Adams

I grew up in a very small rural town called, Humpty Doo which is 30 minutes outside of the city of Darwin, in the Northern Territory. I lived the true outback life with wallabies jumping in my...

read more...
active 27 mins ago

Connie Campos

I have travel to Australia and New Zealand every year, and I've been to all the places you are looking to visit so I can speak to you from experience and first-hand knowledge.

read more...

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Trip Reviews for Australia

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Australia & New Zealand - Amazing Trip! Worked with Paula
Australia | Feb 24 - Mar 15, 2025

Anita T.
East Brainerd, TN | Reviewed on Mar 18, 2025

Paula was absolutely amazing! She listened to understand my likes and to identify the activities that I would most enjoy.

Her knowledge and experience helped me plan an amazing trip.

Local specialist: Paula Adams

Hi Vicky Once again thank you so much for the Sydney visit
Australia | Feb 28 - Mar 6, 2025

J
jock r.
South Africa | Reviewed on Mar 17, 2025
Hi Vicky Once again thank you so much for all your assistance in planning my Sydney visit . WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CITY ..... My guide Steve was amazing and the guide that took us to the mountains wow such a young man but so knowledgeable about Australian history and everything actually thumps up 2 both See you next year again Australia Perth and outback take care Vicky Regards Read more

Hi Vicky

Once again thank you so much for all your assistance in planning my Sydney visit .

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CITY .....

My guide Steve was amazing and the guide that took us to the mountains wow such a young man but so knowledgeable about Australian history and everything actually

thumps up 2 both

See you next year again Australia

Perth and outback

take care Vicky

Regards

Hotel Review
Own Accommodations Arranged
Authenticity & Character
Location
Shangri-la Sydney
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sydney City Small Group Walking Tour (Small Group Tour)
Sydney
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sydney Bridge Climb Summit
Sydney
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Blue Mountains Wildlife Full-Day Sights and Hiking from Sydney
Sydney
Quality of Experience
Food
Transport
Bondi-Bronte Culture & Coast Small Group Walking Tour
Sydney
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Vicky Steinhardt
Vicky Steinhardt
Local specialist in Noosa, Australia | Replied on Mar 18, 2025

Thanks so much for your feedback Jock. It was a pleasure helping you arrange your experiences whilst in Sydney and I am so glad you loved it!
Yay for Perth...also a beautiful part of this country
Thanks again and All the Best
Vicky

I have nothing but praise for Kim-Kim and the...
Australia | Feb 3 - Mar 5, 2025

Catherine M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 12, 2025
I have nothing but praise for Kim-Kim and the arrangements that they made for our trip. So many fantastic tours and delightful places to stay! I particularly enjoyed the in-person encounters with the wildlife like petting koalas, kangaroos and wallabies and feeding tropical birds. It was the trip of a lifetime. Read more

I have nothing but praise for Kim-Kim and the arrangements that they made for our trip. So many fantastic tours and delightful places to stay! I particularly enjoyed the in-person encounters with the wildlife like petting koalas, kangaroos and wallabies and feeding tropical birds. It was the trip of a lifetime.

Hotel Reviews
Peppers Beacon Queenstown
Queenstown

I particularly liked the place we stayed in Queenstown. It was a nice apartment with lots of room and very convenient with a washer and dryer. It felt very spacious and contributed to a pleasant experience in Queenstown.

Vibe Hotel Sydney
Sydney

Our stay at the Vibe Hotel in Sydney had some drawbacks. The hotel's computer system went down, so we couldn't get a key and had to be escorted to our room every time. Although the room I got was a bit bigger and fine, my sister and brother-in-law were cramped in their regular-sized room. Additionally, the street the hotel was on seemed a bit rundown compared to most of Australia and New Zealand, which surprised me. Nevertheless, the location was convenient for visiting Chinatown.

Activity Review
Oceania Tours and Safaris - Phillip Island and Moonlit Sanctuary Tour + Penguins Plus Viewing
Melbourne

The Phillip Island and Moonlit Sanctuary Tour, including the Penguins Plus Viewing, was a standout experience for me. The penguins were so cute and it was a truly memorable experience. Despite not being able to take pictures, it left a lasting impression on me.

Local specialist: Laurel Thachuk

Why travelers love kimkim

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