Australia
Why Australia is the best place to visit
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Our beaches are divine
When you think of Australia (besides kangaroos and koalas) you probably think of sunny beaches and rolling waves – and you’d be right! If you visited one beach a day, it would take you 27 years to see them all. Our sandy stretches are home to world-class surfing, unique marine life, striking ocean pools and unbeatable beach culture. So, it’s no wonder Australian beaches regularly rank among the best in the world. Surf, swim, snorkel, sun-worship – there are endless ways to enjoy Australia's beautiful beaches and islands.
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We've got some really big things
How many times can we say Australia has the world’s biggest, oldest or greatest something? A fair few, it turns out.
From the only living organism visible from outer space (the Great Barrier Reef) to the planet’s biggest rock (no, not Uluru – it’s actually Mount Augustus!), many Aussie attractions defy imagination. We’re the world’s biggest island with the world’s oldest rainforest, the world’s whitest sand and the world’s oldest civilization.
We could go on, but we’ll let you discover the rest for yourself.
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The wildlife is weird and wonderful
Did you know that 80 per cent of Australia’s wildlife is so unique it can't be found anywhere else in the world?
Our exotic animals will make you gasp, laugh and scratch your head, sometimes all at the same time. You’ll be familiar with some – kangaroos, koalas and wombats – others you might not expect. Like harmless whale sharks (swim with them in Ningaloo Reef); the smiling quokka (grin alongside one on Rottnest Island); the shy platypus (hiding in south-east Australia’s rivers); and one of the planet’s largest birds, the emu.
Sure, you can visit a zoo or watch a wildlife documentary, but there’s nothing like getting up close to Australia’s magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
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The road trips are sublime
When the journey matters as much as the destination, there’s no better way to explore Australia than with a road trip.
Given time, you can enjoy one of Australia’s iconic road trips, such as the iconic Nullarbor Plain crossing – an epic one- or two-week drive traversing the Great Australian Bight, featuring some of the country’s most amazing coastlines and landscapes. More modest road trips include a journey along the Great Southern Touring Route, a family road trip around Kakadu, or the Queensland Great Sunshine Way.
Imagine it now: windows down, sun on your neck and wind in your hair as you cruise along Australia's incredible coastline. Sounds pretty good, right?
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We're an adventure-seeker's paradise
Australia’s adventure options cater to every style of explorer, span every corner of the country and cover all domains – the definition of adventure is up to you!
Ocean adventurers can meet the Great Barrier Reef’s Great Eight and come face to face with whales, turtles and over 50 species of shark. Lovers of the skies can enjoy the best scenic flights over Australia, including dramatic air safaris, pub crawls by helicopter and waterway exploration by seaplane. If it’s thrills you seek, you can get your fix with an adrenaline rush. Descend 140 metres (459 feet) down the world’s highest commercial abseil or swim with great white sharks!
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Get closer to our ancient culture
Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have the oldest continuous culture in the world, having called this land home for over 60,000 years. There is so much about this country that is spiritual and sacred to Indigenous Australians.
From traditional rock art and dot paintings to didgeridoos and Creation stories, there are hundreds of reasons to include Aboriginal experiences in your trip. The cultures and communities differ in each region, so you can learn a little more about our ancient origins everywhere you go.
FAQs
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Due to Australia’s size, there are many different climates and weather patterns, which means Australia is the perfect place to visit all year round!
In the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. So, when things get colder up north, come Down Under to enjoy an endless summer.
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Australia’s official language is English. However, Australia is a multicultural nation with a significant migrant population, so it's common to hear a diverse range of languages in Australia's cities and towns.
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You may need an adapter in order to plug your appliances into the power sockets in Australia: the adapter required for Australia is Type 1 Australia plug. The plugs in Australia have two flat metal pins, forming an inverted ‘V’ shape, and occasionally a third pin in the centre. The electrical current in Australia is 220-240 volts, AC 50Hz.
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In Australia, we use Australian dollars – not to be confused with US, Hong Kong or any other dollars. XE Currency Converter will help you convert your own currency at the market exchange rates.
Currency exchange is available at banks, hotels and international airports. Cirrus-compatible ATMs are everywhere, banks line most main streets, and credit cards are widely accepted. Keep in mind, there’s an AUD$10,000 limit for bringing cash into the country (if you bring more, you’ll have to declare it at the border).
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Australian goods and services include a tax (that’s included in prices). Travellers may be able to refund the tax they pay on goods and services bought in Australia through the Tourist Refund Scheme. You do so at the airport upon your departure.
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Mobile data is available in most places in Australia – though you might not be able to access a signal in the outback. Your mobile plan may charge steep international roaming fees, so we recommend, if your phone is unlocked, that you pick up a prepaid Australian SIM card when you land, allowing you to make calls and access data at local prices.
Free Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, cafés and restaurants.