Planning a trip to Australia? With this guide, you'll learn all the details and basic tips to organize an independent trip to Australia.
Australia is a mind-blowing continent.
Beaches of breathtaking beauty, unique plants and wildlife you won't find anywhere else on Earth, turquoise waters, ancient forests, a vast desert hiding mysterious formations, incredible cities, fascinating cultures…
Who wouldn't want to visit a place like this at least once in their lifetime?
But planning a trip to Australia on your own is no easy feat.
There's just so much to choose from…
- Beaches: Surfing or exploring the underwater world?
- Nature: Ancient rainforests or endless deserts?
- Culture: Indigenous heritage or modern vibes?
- Getting around: By land, sea, or air?
You want it all, don't you?
It's entirely up to you; it's your time, your tastes, your call. And… that's the absolute best part!
It will be an Australian adventure tailored just for you.
What I can do for you is share all the practical tips so that, once you've put together your wishlist, organizing this epic adventure is a breeze. Just follow the recommendations in this DIY travel guide to Australia.
Ready? Let's dive in!
The Australia Guide in PDF
Want a PDF with all the Australia articles published on this blog?
Save it to your tablet or phone and check it out whenever, wherever, and however you like, while planning and traveling your own route along Australia's East Coast.
Sounds good? Then click here to grab it for just €1.95.
When to go
Given the country's massive size, the weather can vary wildly depending on the region you want to visit.
Unless you're only heading to specific cities or have your heart set on an event happening on a particular date, your best bet is to avoid the summer months, from December to March.
For example, keep this in mind if you want to:
- Enjoy winter sports: the best months are June through September in certain southern regions where it snows.
- Swim in the Great Barrier Reef: from May to October, you'll dodge jellyfish season.
- Visit the scorching desert in the heart of the continent: it's always demanding, but much more bearable if you pick the cooler months.
How to get there
Want a pro tip?
Fly into one city and out of another.
Australia is massive. Way bigger than your brain can comprehend! You definitely don't want to backtrack along the same route. You'd waste tons of precious time and money on transport.
So, give this a try:
- Be crystal clear on how much time you can/want to spend in the country.
- Set your flexible range of dates for your outbound and return flights.
- Get an idea of the route you want to take. Decide which must-see cities, national parks, or iconic spots you can't miss. Keep in mind the order of stops and the travel time between them.
- Search for “multi-city flights” so you can land at your starting point and fly home from the last city on your itinerary.
Cairns, Brisbane, and Sydney are the main cities on Australia's East Coast with major international airports connecting you to every corner of the globe. If you're exploring other parts of the continent, don't overlook Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin, or Perth, among others.
Flying out from Spain? Don't expect to find anything direct. Generally, your journey will take 24 hours or more, depending on the number and duration of layovers. If you snag a round-trip flight with just one 4-6 hour layover for around €1,000, you've found a killer deal. Don't let it slip away!
Here are the flight search engines where I usually find the best deals: Trabber, eDreams, and Momondo.
Personally, I love starting with Trabber because the price it shows is final (it includes card fees and extra taxes). That said, I always double-check and compare results across other platforms.
You never know who will have the best deals. 😉
Getting around
By plane
Given Australia's size, the best way to get from one place to another is often by taking domestic flights.
The main airlines with domestic flights in the country are Qantas, Virgin Australia, and the low-cost carriers Jetstar and Tiger Airways.
Car
One of the most popular ways to discover Australia is the classic “Road Trip”. It's as simple as renting a car, van, or campervan and hitting the open road across the continent.
For our East Coast trip, we chose not to rent a vehicle. We felt we'd spend too much time on the road and complicate the itinerary we had planned.
Want to know which companies the Aussies themselves use to rent campervans?
Some good friends recommended Jucy Rentals and Wickedcampers—both offer awesome last-minute vehicle relocation deals. If you're thinking about renting a set of wheels, check them out! Totally worth it.
That said, before you take off, remember to apply for your International Driving Permit. You'll need it to drive in Australia. And keep this firmly in mind:
Get ready to drive on the left!
Public transport
A great way to travel by road on a budget is by taking public transport.
Specifically, we used the Greyhound bus line on a couple of occasions, which runs routes across almost the entire country. And we were pleasantly surprised with this company.
The vehicles they use are large, new, and comfortable, with plenty of seat and legroom for you. Nothing like the intercity buses we're used to back home in Spain.
- You can buy your tickets in advance online or at various affiliate offices in the departure city.
- If you catch the bus at the start of the route, you should show up 20 minutes before departure time so they can load your luggage.
- The driver will go over basic rules at the beginning of the trip. Sometimes, they might even share details about the places along the route just like a tour guide. Don't expect to catch much, though. I understand English perfectly, but it was almost impossible to decipher the thick, pure Crocodile Dundee-style accent of those drivers.
There are also train lines covering long distances between the major cities.
Forbidden items
To protect the Australian natural ecosystem, which has suffered quite a few hits in the past, they have a very strict biosecurity policy on what you can bring in or take out of the country.
It's super simple:
- Avoid transporting animals or any kind of insects.
- Do not bring pieces of fruit, seeds, or fresh vegetables capable of reproducing.
- Give the soles of your shoes a good scrub before boarding the plane. A bit of mud containing organic matter is reason enough to get you fined.
During the flight, you'll be given an incoming passenger card where you must declare that you're traveling free of all these foreign elements. If you are carrying anything prohibited, declare it! They will simply take the forbidden item and dispose of it themselves.
They run routine inspections very often, so don't risk getting fined over something so silly. By doing so, you'll be helping protect a one-of-a-kind natural haven.
Must-haves in your wallet
Passport and driver's license
Make sure your passport is valid for the entire duration of your trip. And if you plan to rent a vehicle, request an international driving permit from your local traffic authority.
Visa
To enter Australia as a tourist, if you weren't born there or in New Zealand, you will need a visa.
As a tourist, if you don't plan to stay longer than 3 months, the free eVisitor visa (subclass 651), which you can apply for online, will be just fine. You can check out other options on the official website. At the bottom of this page, you'll find all the practical links you need, including this one.
Travel insurance
In general, whenever you travel abroad, it's always a good idea to have an insurance policy that covers medical expenses if something unexpected happens.
However, this is essential when traveling around Australia independently. Why?
- This continent is home to most of the dangerous animal species on the planet. This shouldn't scare you, though, since they're very easy to avoid. Generally speaking, if you follow the warning signs and local advice, you won't have any trouble at all.
- Venomous jellyfish or octopuses? Protect your skin with stinger suits or avoid swimming in high-risk areas and seasons.
- Snakes? Their first reaction will always be to slither away. They only attack if they feel threatened. So watch your step and don't corner them.
- Deadly spiders? They're out in the bush, doing their own thing without causing trouble. Just keep your hands to yourself and you won't even spot them.
- Crocodiles? They live in clearly signposted areas. Just use your head—stay out of the water!
- Aggressive sharks? They're common at several famous surf beaches. If you don't want to take any chances, just avoid them. Simple as that.
- Feisty kangaroos? Didn't see that one coming, did you? I didn't witness anything like this myself; in fact, I even got to pet some adult wild males without any issues. Still, I was warned: “if you see two kangaroos boxing, get away from them!” A kick from one of these animals can be lethal.
- Even if you're careful, accidents can happen to anyone. Of course, if you ever need medical attention, it's far more likely to be for a sprained ankle on a hike or a sudden fever. Still, do you have any idea how much a single day in the hospital or getting an antivenom could cost you?
We're talking well over €1,000, and that's in the best-case scenario.
Are you really going to pay for that out of pocket?
My advice:
Get travel insurance with IATI
I always travel with them. But you might wonder, why IATI and not another provider?
- They offer several insurance options: Basic, Standard, Star, Backpacker, and Family. Their comparison tables will help you review all the plans and decide which one fits your trip best (type of destination, activities you'll be doing, etc.).
- IATI pays medical or rescue costs directly upfront. You won't need to advance any money on the spot or deal with claiming reimbursements later. This is super handy when we're talking about four-digit bills or more.
- They have very competitive rates. To give you an idea, my 28-day road trip across Australia cost less than €100 per person. In my book, traveling fully covered with complete peace of mind for a whole month at that price is a total steal! What do you think?
- Need another reason? Well, here it is: a 5% discount on any policy you take out if you do it through this link.
Can I give you a piece of advice?
Don't take any chances: travel insured, enjoy your adventure, and… come back eager for more!
A little bit of inspiration
Alright, you've got all the practical info. But…
Have you made up your mind yet? Do you know which parts of Australia you want to explore?
I can't say the places I visited in 2015 are the only top spots on the continent. However, I can promise you that my destinations made for one of the most spectacular trips of my life. They're well worth checking out before planning your own DIY trip to Australia.
If you want to see the places I'm talking about, have a look at these links:
- Cairns, a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
- Wild koalas on Magnetic Island.
- Whitsundays and Whitehaven Beach: one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
- Lady Elliot Island: you won't want to get out of the water.
- Two days and two sunsets in downtown Sydney.
And finally, the road trip itinerary we followed along the Australian East Coast. An unforgettable 25-day trip... that I can't wait to do again!
As always, if you have any questions or doubts, leave me a comment at the end of this post. I'd love to help you out!
Useful links
- Flights: Trabber, eDreams, and Momondo.
- Jucy Rentals.
- Wickedcampers.
- Greyhound bus network.
- eVisitor Visa.
- Booking deals.
- 5% discount on IATI insurance.
Will there be anything left of Australia for those of us planning to go this year? 😭. For now, I think I'm going to put the brakes on booking anything... 😔
There's not much I can add regarding the catastrophe Australia is currently facing.
In my opinion, sustainable tourism (local, spending your budget in local shops rather than large foreign corporations) enriches the places visited in a constructive way, so traveling there could be a way to support communities in their recovery as much as possible.
Hi! I'm Ana from Buenos Aires and I'm traveling to Australia in November for about 22 days. I want to visit Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, and Cairns... How many days do you recommend for Cairns and the Gold Coast? I was originally thinking of spending more time in Sydney and Melbourne, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks a lot, great blog!
Hi, Ana!
What an awesome trip you're putting together! 🙂
Since I haven't been to the Gold Coast, I can't really tell you how many days would be best.
For Cairns, it simply depends on how many day trips to the reef or surrounding areas you want to do. Just set aside a full day per excursion. 🙂
Take a look at the post about Cairns for some inspiration. 😉
Big hug and have a fantastic trip! 🙂
Hi Celi! Thanks so much for your super interesting blog. I'm starting to plan the adventure of a lifetime for next August. I have the route pretty much mapped out thanks to recommendations like yours and a few others. But I still have some questions, for example: when should I start booking flights—as soon as possible or a bit later? And what approximate total budget should I count on for 13 days there, keeping in mind that even though I like driving, I'm a bit nervous about doing it in such a different country and would try to see """everything""" through "tours"?
Thanks a lot!!!
Hi, Javier! Thank you so much, I'm really glad the blog is helping you out. 🙂
I think you can book international flights about 7-8 months in advance. That's usually a good timeframe, though you never know when deals might pop up.
And as for the budget—oof! That depends on the activities you want to do, domestic flights, types of accommodation, etc. It's hard to give an exact number. The cost of living in Australia is high, so always plan for more than you think. 😉
Sorry I can't help more with that.
Best of luck and have an amazing trip!
Hi Celi!
I'm Rocío and I'm writing from Mallorca. First of all, congrats! The post is great!
We're planning a trip to explore Australia in November, around 17 days there, not counting travel time.
Honestly, your blog has cleared up a lot of things for me, but I still have plenty of doubts, especially because we're traveling with the little ones—there are 5 adults, a 4-year-old, and a 2-year-old in our group.
My sister lives in Byron Bay, so that would be our "base" so to speak... We know we'll have to spend a few nights elsewhere, but we'd like to keep that to a minimum... Hotels must be outrageously expensive, right? Any more affordable ideas?
We're planning on renting a car, since we think it'll be way more practical with kids than relying on bus schedules...
We've been looking into what we'd like to see: Blue Mountains, Sydney, the Twelve Apostles, Great Barrier Reef, koalas, and kangaroos...
We haven't bought the tickets yet, as we're planning to fly into one city and out of another, depending on how we map out the itinerary.
We want a relaxed, stress-free trip, but still be able to see as much as possible.
I'd love to get your take on this and how you'd organize it.
Thank you so much!!
And thanks again for sharing your adventures with us, they're super helpful!
Hi, Rocío!
Honestly, with everything you want to see, using Byron Bay as your base and spending only a few nights away is going to be virtually impossible. Distances in Australia are huge. It's more than an 8-hour drive to Sydney! And even longer to reach the Blue Mountains or the 12 Apostles.
To see the Great Barrier Reef, you could try visiting its southern section (for example, on a day trip to Lady Elliot), but it will be very expensive compared to other areas (like Cairns or the Whitsundays). In any case, it would still require spending a night away from Byron Bay.
You can spot wild koalas on Magnetic Island, but you run into the same issue: it's nowhere near your home base. Maybe your sister knows an area closer to her place where you can see them.
As for kangaroos, that's the one thing I'm 100% sure you'll spot no matter where you go. 🙂
To save on accommodation, I'd recommend using Airbnb or, if you don't mind a slightly less comfortable setup, renting a couple of campervans to sleep in (I think it would be hard to fit everyone into just one).
So my advice is to calculate driving times carefully between places to see if you really have enough time to fit all this in and still spend quality days with your sister in 17 days. In my opinion, that's a lot of driving with toddlers, who usually need more frequent stops. I'd definitely use domestic flights to cover those distances.
You're totally spot-on about one thing: the best option is definitely flying into your first destination and out of your last one.
Either way, even if you end up seeing fewer spots than planned, I'm sure you're going to love Australia!
Best regards and have an amazing trip! 🙂
Thanks so much for the tips!
We've decided to rent one of the biggest motorhomes and dive right into the adventure!
We'll start in Brisbane and end in Melbourne. Now we just need to plan the itinerary, figure out how many days we'll spend in each place, and buy the tickets!
Thanks again!
Awesome! You guys are going to have a blast, you'll see. If you feel like it when you get back, pop by again and let us know how the adventure went! 🙂
Big hug and have an amazing time in Australia.
Celi.
P.S.: Try not to drive at night, as kangaroos can give you a real scare by jumping into the road (it's very common). It's much better to travel by road during the day.
Hi Celi, good afternoon from Argentina.
I'm traveling in April/May this year. My idea is to do Australia and New Zealand. I have 30 days. I'd like to spend 20 days in Australia. I read the article and the comments you posted, and it was quite helpful, although I'm a bit lost when it comes to transportation because I think you need to rent a car for almost everything, right? My biggest question is whether I'll be able to do things without a car since I don't drive. Roughly speaking, my plan is to do: Sydney, Blue Mountains, Cairns (Great Barrier Reef), Melbourne, Cape Tribulation, Uluru, and Great Ocean Road. Can I do these without a car? Otherwise, I'll have to start ruling things out. And I'd also love to know if you have suggestions that include nature or charming little towns, which is what I enjoy the most.
Thanks a lot for everything!
Cheers!
We did everything without renting a car, Federico, although it's true we didn't visit the Blue Mountains, the Great Ocean Road, or Uluru. However, I'm sure you can book day tours or take buses that cover those routes in those places too.
As for nature, almost everything you mentioned is pure nature! Small towns in Australia are more functional than architecturally pretty, but you'll find nature in abundance at Cape Tribulation and around Cairns, the Blue Mountains, and even out in the Uluru desert. 🙂
Best wishes, have an amazing time, and thanks for your comment.
Hi, congratulations, I really loved everything I've read, thank you so much!
I'm traveling from December 22nd to January 2nd to New Zealand and Australia. What do you recommend? Thank you very much, I'm 32 and traveling with my wife and our 5-year-old daughter.
Hi, Kenny!
Thank you so much for your comment. I'm really glad you like the recommendations.
I wouldn't know what specific place to recommend, since New Zealand and Australia are massive countries packed with gorgeous spots. Specifically, I haven't visited New Zealand, so I can't really speak about it. But for Australia, just ask yourself: what kind of destinations appeal most to you and your family?
– Do you like driving? The Blue Mountains and Great Ocean Road, for example, would be right up your alley.
– Want to spot koalas or kangaroos in the wild? Magnetic Island or Kangaroo Island are safe bets.
– Drawn to desert landscapes? Ayers Rock!
– Prefer rainforests? Kakadu National Park or Cape Tribulation, north of Cairns.
– Snorkeling and scuba diving? Cairns, Lady Elliot Island, etc., etc., etc… Almost anywhere on the east coast. 🙂
– Beach and surfing? Gold Coast.
– Visiting iconic cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth…
And a thousand other things! As you can see, it really depends on what you enjoy, especially with so few days split between both countries.
My advice: pick just a few destinations and spend at least 2 days in each. I like to travel slow, but that's also a very personal choice.
I hope this helps you out a bit. Big hug and have a fantastic trip!
Hey Celi,
Congrats on the blog! I'm traveling to Australia in January 2019. I'd like to ask if you bought a prepaid SIM card for your unlocked phone on your trip. If so, which carrier did you pick? Is there good coverage outside urban areas?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers,
Hi David,
Thank you so much for your comment!
Yes, we bought an Optus prepaid SIM card with 1.5 GB of data for $30, valid for one month, at a mobile shop in Cairns. We didn't plan on making calls, so that plus the accommodation Wi-Fi was more than enough for us. But I remember they also had packages that included calls.
Overall, we had good coverage throughout our entire trip (here's the link if you want to check the locations), with the exception of Lady Elliot Island. But neither ours nor any other carrier worked there. They warned us about that beforehand, so it wasn't a problem for us at all.
Hope this helps! Sending you a big hug and have an amazing trip! 🙂
Hi Celi! My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Australia for October this year. Your posts have been super helpful, but we still have one question: our flight lands in Brisbane, and we want to see the Great Barrier Reef as well as Whitehaven Beach. What do you recommend? Heading up to Cairns for the barrier reef and then Hamilton Island for Whitehaven Beach, or doing both directly from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island? We're not sure about traveling all the way up to Cairns for the reef... I've been told the coral looks better up north and is cheaper, but at the same time Cairns city itself doesn't have much going on... could you help us out?? THANKS!!
Hi Marisol,
Thanks for your kind words! I'm so glad the blog is helping you out.
You're right: Cairns as a city isn't particularly charming, and its main draw is the huge variety of tours heading out to the Great Barrier Reef (with many different spots to choose from).
From Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island, if you want to see the reef in all its glory, you'll have to take an excursion to the Outer Barrier Reef (the farthest part from the mainland). That's also what you visit from Cairns, but from Airlie Beach it's further away (longer boat ride), there are fewer tours available (which are pricier), and the specific reef locations offer less variety compared to Cairns.
Honestly, I didn't go to the Outer Barrier Reef off Airlie Beach, but I'm sure it's just as stunning. Every single corner of the reef is unique and gorgeous. The corals are always there regardless, and it really comes down to how lucky you get with the marine life you encounter that day. But I'm certain you'll enjoy it either way! For instance, I saw the Outer Barrier Reef in Cairns (north) and at Lady Elliot Island (far south), and both blew me away. Why would the middle section be any different? That's just my hunch, of course—I wish I had seen it all!
That said, wherever you go, the key is making sure you go out to the Outer Reef and don't settle for the inner reef (like the one surrounding the Whitsunday Islands, which is fine, but not nearly as breathtaking or rich).
So I'd do the math: what works out best for you? Flying to Cairns and staying there to do 1 or 2 tours? Accommodation + tours will be cheaper, but you'll have to pay for extra flights and lose time traveling.
Or, staying in Hamilton or Airlie Beach and doing the slightly pricier tour from there? Keeping in mind that sleeping in Airlie is reasonably priced, but Hamilton is very expensive.
One suggestion that I couldn't do due to time and budget, in case you don't end up going up to Cairns: sleeping under the stars on the Outer Barrier Reef from Airlie Beach.
Well, I hope that helps a bit! Keep in mind this is just my humble opinion, okay? In the end, what matters most is what works best for you two.
Big hug and have a fantastic trip!
Hi Celi, you mentioned Lady Elliot Island and it sounds super interesting. How can I get there from Brisbane? What's your recommendation?
Cheers.
Hi Dary,
No problem at all! I have a post on Lady Elliot where I explain how to get there, right in this section:
https://www.losmundosdeceli.com/lady-elliot-island/#Como_llegar
Hope you find it helpful!
Big hug. 🙂
Hi Celi, your article was super helpful.
In my case, I want to make a 360º change and move there in September, but I'm not really sure about all the paperwork I need to do or how long it'll take—am I still in time?
My plan is to go there to work and study on a Working Holiday Visa.
Which area is better, Melbourne or Sydney?
Can't wait to hear back from you!!
Thanks a lot,
Isabel.
Hi Isabel, what an adventure!
Well, to be honest, I have no idea if you're in time or what paperwork you need to fill out. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you have to apply for the visa directly through the Australian authorities. The ministry's link has links to them and other instructions.
As for choosing between Melbourne and Sydney, I think it really comes down to your personal taste. In my opinion, both are safe bets.
I really enjoy listening to the Australiando podcast, where a Spanish guy shares all the steps he had to take to live and work permanently in Australia, along with some of his experiences. He lives in Sydney and talks about the city in some episodes, so his audio might help you figure out if Sydney would be your kind of place.
I'm sorry I can't help you more, but I don't have experience applying for that type of visa.
Hugs, and best of luck on your next adventure!
Hi Celi. I'm Laura from Argentina and I'm planning to travel to Australia and New Zealand from 12/22/2018 to 01/12/2019. Can you tell me if it's a good time to go? Can you help me organize the places to visit?
Hi Laura!
Visiting Australia and New Zealand in the middle of summer in the southern hemisphere? Less rain and warmer temperatures… it's the perfect time! Although you'll definitely run into the downsides of peak season too, but you can't have it all!
As for the places to visit… I'm not entirely sure how to help. In 20 days, what you can see of both countries will be quite limited, so pick based on your tastes: nature, hiking, road trips, cities, climbing, surfing, rainforests, Aboriginal cultural areas, desert, the Barrier Reef (it's jellyfish season, so you'll need to take proper precautions)…
This is super personal—it depends on your budget, your passions… You won't be able to visit everything, but I'm sure that if you take some time to choose, you'll love whatever you see. And you'll come back wanting more!
Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but it's tricky to answer such a broad question. If you have any other questions, feel free to write back. Big hugs and have an amazing trip!
Thanks for replying so fast!!! Last question: which places would you definitely not miss on your first trip, looking to explore cities and go diving in the reef?
Celi, we decided to just do Australia!! I'm going to check out all the tips you give in each answer to plan the trip!
Thanks
Haha! This feels like a live chat!
Awesome! If you're only doing Australia and you're especially interested in the Barrier Reef, there's a ton of info on the blog (that was my main goal).
And if you also want to check out cities, besides Sydney (that one's an absolute must), you could look into Melbourne, Adelaide, or Perth. A reader once wrote to me saying she particularly loved Perth, although it's all the way on the other side of the country from the Barrier Reef, and your dates won't match the whale shark season at Ningaloo Reef (diving with them will have to wait for your next visit, just like it did for us). 🙂
If after reading all my posts about the reef (Cairns, Magnetic Island, Whitsundays, and Lady Elliot), you need help deciding, just tell me which ones you're torn between and why, and I'll be more than happy to help.
So exciting, isn't it? 🙂 Big hugs.
Good morning Celi,
We just got back from Australia and I wanted to thank you because your articles served as our guide in quite a few places and situations. We visited Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns, and with your clear influence, Magnetic Island and its Koalas, plus the Whitsundays. Your beautifully detailed posts were our go-to guide, so thank you so much once again!!!
Hi Luis!
Oh wow, what a joy to read a comment like this! A thousand thanks, truly. Comments like yours are what give me the energy to keep sharing my routes on the blog. I'm so glad to have contributed my little grain of sand so you could enjoy Australia the way it deserves.
A huge hug and until the next adventure! 😉
I'M TRAVELING TO AUSTRALIA IN LATE APRIL 2018. I ONLY HAVE ACCOMMODATIONS AND DOMESTIC FLIGHTS BOOKED… I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHERE I CAN EAT WELL AND ON A BUDGET IN SYDNEY, BRISBANE, CAIRNS?? AND WHAT KIND OF ACTIVITIES DO YOU RECOMMEND AND WHERE CAN I BOOK THEM? THANKS
Hi Pilar,
I can't give you any tips on Brisbane, because I haven't visited the city itself.
For Sydney and Cairns, yes, and you have plenty of information about where to eat and what to do in their respective blog posts:
Everything I know is right there. Big hugs and have an incredible trip!
Hi! First of all, thanks for all the info, it's incredible!
I'm organizing my trip, traveling solo. The plan is to start in Cairns at the end of June and make it to Melbourne by July 20th (doing the whole journey by Greyhound). I'm hesitating a bit about the duration… especially because of the budget. Do you think doing Cairns (4n) - Mission Beach (2) - Airlie Beach (2n) - Hervey Bay (2n) - Brisbane (3n) - Surfers Paradise (1n) - Byron Bay (2n) - Sydney (4n) - Canberra (2n) - Melbourne (4n) - Auckland (2n, just because my flight back to Argentina departs from here) is good? In total it's a whole month there—would you suggest staying more days since I'm already in that part of the world?
Thanks a million in advance,
wishing you all the best!!
Josefina
Hi Josefina, thanks a ton for your comment! 🙂
What an incredible route you've put together!
Let me try to answer your points step by step:
– Is 1 month in Australia enough? Hahaha! In my opinion, it's never enough time to see Australia. (I'm hopelessly in love with this continent, can't help it!). But we don't have unlimited time and money, so 1 month is pretty great (in my view).
– Route: I think you've divided your days really well among your chosen destinations. The only downside is that you're going to spend soooo many hours traveling between them by bus, don't you think? Just from Airlie Beach to Hervey Bay it's about 10 hours on the road. Personally, I'd get tired of spending so much time in transit, no matter how comfortable the buses are (and they definitely are!). But that's a personal preference. I imagine that if you set up the trip this way, it's because you feel like doing a road adventure, meeting people on the buses, watching the landscape roll by outside the window… That definitely has its own charm too.
My advice? Count up the hours you'll spend on the bus carefully to make sure you really want to do it that way, or if you'd rather drop a destination (for example, you could wrap up in Sydney instead of Melbourne and fly from Sydney to Auckland; just an idea to cut down bus time and add extra days to the other spots…). Or otherwise, grab a few more days! (If only!).
I hope that helps a bit. One thing I'm sure of is that you're going to love it. You've chosen a truly spectacular destination. Big hugs and have a fantastic trip! 🙂
Celi, thanks a million for the reply!! Yesss, if I could I'd stay the whole year, but well.. the budget would be way too high haha.
I'll keep in mind what you told me about the bus hours and see how I reorganize it.
Really, thank you so much,
Have a wonderful life!!
J.
My pleasure, Josefina,
Have an amazing time on your trip. Huge hug! 🙂
Hi Celi!!! My name is Cristian and I'm from Argentina. Excellent post. My girlfriend and I are reading it together. And all the comments too. We're going on May 19th for 15 days. Arriving in Sydney and flying back from Sydney as well. What itinerary would you recommend, please? We've read a lot and there are so many options. We wish we had way more days to stay. If you could send us a PDF, that would be awesome. Thanks a lot in advance! Greetings from Argentina
Hi Cristian! Thanks a million for your comment.
I really can't give you a specific itinerary without knowing what you like to do. It really depends on your travel style:
– Do you enjoy road trips? The Blue Mountains and the Great Ocean Road, for example, would be right up your alley.
– Want to see koalas or kangaroos in the wild? Magnetic Island or Kangaroo Island are safe bets.
– Are you drawn to desert landscapes? Ayers Rock!
– Prefer rainforests? Kakadu National Park or Cape Tribulation, north of Cairns.
– Snorkeling and scuba diving? Cairns, Lady Elliot Island, etc, etc, etc… Pretty much the entire east coast. 🙂
– Beach and surfing? Gold Coast.
– ….
And a thousand other things… As you can see, it depends a lot on your tastes, especially having only 15 days.
My recommendation: pick 3-4 destinations besides Sydney at most, and book flights between them. 3-4 days for each destination would be a good average to really enjoy each one.
I hope this helps you out a bit… Let me know how it goes! Big hug and have a fantastic trip!
P.S.: If you'd like the PDF, sign up for the newsletter and I'll send it to you as soon as it's ready. 🙂
Yes!!! You've helped me so much… thanks for that quick recap! We're already putting the itinerary together taking all those tips into account! Thank you so much!!! Cheers, you rock!!!!
Awesome! I'm so glad I could help. How exciting! I hope you both have a fantastic trip (both planning it beforehand and experiencing it during the journey!). 🙂
When you get back, if you feel like it, let me know how it went. Big hug!
Hi Celi! I need your help once again. I'd like to know how you got from Airlie Beach to Sydney. Thanks a lot! !!
Hi Cristian,
No problem at all! I didn't travel directly from Airlie Beach to Sydney. In the post about my itinerary you can find all the details, but to sum it up: I took a flight to Bundaberg, visited Lady Elliot Island, headed back to Bundaberg, and caught a flight to Newcastle with a layover in Brisbane. From Newcastle, I drove down to Sydney with some friends. Either way, I'm sure you can easily catch a flight from the airport near Airlie Beach to Sydney—whether direct or with a layover, I'm not totally sure.
In case you want to read all the details: My 25-day route through Australia.
Big hug!
I want the PDF!
I need help planning our one-month trip through Australia! So exciting!
Hi Lidelai,
You're going to have an incredible time, you'll see! To get the guide, just sign up for the newsletter and I'll send it over as soon as it's ready (almost there!). Big hug and happy travels!
Thanks for all the info! We're heading there for 15 days this summer, so: I want the PDF!
Best wishes!
Awesome, Núria! I'll send it out shortly in a newsletter. (It's almost done…). Big hug!
Hi,
I'm going in June, after spending the last two years visiting Thailand and Malaysia.
I'm doing Melbourne, Sydney, and Auckland, but I need to spend 5 days at a hotel on a paradisiacal beach just like I did in Koh Lipe or the Perhentians. And if possible, without a wetsuit. What do you recommend?
Thanks in advance
Hi Diego!
Let's see if I can help you out a bit.
Along the Great Barrier Reef spanning Australia's east coast, there are several islands with dreamy paradise beaches that offer snorkeling access. If you want to avoid wearing a wetsuit, the further north you go, the better. Lizard Island (on the pricier side) or Green Island (off Cairns, a bit further from the tropics) come to mind. In any case, I'd say in June you can stay in the water for 30–60 minutes without a wetsuit around these islands (lows of 22–23ºC / 71-73ºF, highs of 25–26ºC / 77-79ºF). But if you plan on swimming for hours and hours, it might be worth renting a wetsuit. It really depends on what you're planning to do. What I know for sure is that lounging on the sand catching some sun will never be an issue, no matter the time of year. The Australian sun is seriously strong (watch out!).
I hope this helps! If you want to know anything else, just reply to this comment. Big hug and happy travels!
You're a huge help, thanks!
The wetsuit thing was more about the mandatory use because of jellyfish.. what can you tell me about that in June?
You're very welcome, Diego!
Well, jellyfish (stinger) season runs from November to May, so I'd imagine June is already in the clear, quieter season. I was there in August–September and there weren't any. That's because, since it's winter down there, water temperatures are lower.
I'd say you won't have any issues in June wherever you visit the reef. Mind you, the further south you go, the cooler the water will be (though it rarely drops below 21°C / 70°F, I'd say), and the lower the chance of running into jellyfish (which is already very low for June).
Other islands further south you could consider are Hamilton Island (in the Whitsundays) and Lady Elliot Island. I have written about these areas since I was nearby, or stayed right on the island, respectively. The water will be a tad cooler than up north, though.
Just thinking about it makes me want to throw a few clothes into a backpack and book a flight! Whichever one you choose, you're going to fall in love with the Great Barrier Reef, you'll see.
If you need any more details, you know where to find me. 😉 Big hug.
Hi Celi,
My name is Carolina and I'm from Argentina. I'm traveling to Australia in April. I've been reading your posts about Cairns and the Whitsunday Islands and I'm torn between the two. I'm looking to snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef but also want to enjoy a great beach. Which option would you recommend? Is there any beach near Cairns you can actually visit? The Whitsundays look truly incredible and I wouldn't want to miss out. I was thinking of spending 3 days in Cairns and a day and a half in the Whitsundays, but I'm not sure if that's enough time or if I'll be rushing too much.
Thank you so much! Cheers
Hi Carolina! Thanks for your comment. So sorry for the delayed reply, but it was impossible for me to get online earlier.
You have plenty of options, and they're all great, so don't worry:
– There's no beach in Cairns itself, although there is one on a nearby, more family-friendly island: Green Island. There are ferries from Cairns, so getting there is super easy. The only thing is that snorkeling around the island (right off the beach!) isn't quite as spectacular as on the outer barrier reef, which you'll visit on day trips from Cairns. So definitely don't skip that tour, even if you also check out Green Island.
– 2 nights and 1 day in Airlie Beach are plenty to do the Ocean Rafting Southern Lights tour, where you'll get heaps of beach time at Whitehaven Beach and do some snorkeling as well (the outer barrier reef still wins for beauty, though).
– From Airlie Beach/Whitsundays, you can also take day trips to the outer barrier reef. The only catch is that it takes longer to get there (it's further off the coast) and the trip tends to be pricier than from Cairns.
So, as you can see, you have all kinds of options! If you have time to spend two nights in the Whitsundays, I'd do tours in Cairns (a couple of different ones to explore two areas would be awesome) and then head down to the Whitsundays to check out Whitehaven Beach. But it all comes down to your plans. Either way, trust me, you're going to love it no matter what you end up seeing. I'm sure you'll have an absolute blast!
If you need any more help, feel free to drop another line—don't be shy. Big hug and safe travels! 🙂
Your posts are great, but with the PDF it would be the absolute best!
So I want the PDF!
I'm heading off to study for a month in Sydney soon, and then hit the road!
Thanks for sharing everything! Amazing stuff!!!
Hi María, thanks a million for your kind words! Wow! Comments like yours make it all worthwhile.
I'm working on the PDF right now, hopefully it'll be ready in time for when you hit the road.
Enjoy Sydney! (I'm a little bit jealous in the best way possible—you'll see, you're going to love it).
By the way, have you heard of the Australiando podcast by Gabriel Viso Carrera? He's been living in Sydney for almost a year, sharing his experiences around Sydney and beyond on his podcast—covering everything from paperwork to day-to-day life. Since I'm totally in love with Australia, I listen to it regularly. And I think you can pick up some really useful tips from a few episodes for your month-long stay (supermarkets, food, parks, fun facts about the city, etc.).
That's all for now—enjoy Australia! Big hug.
Hello!! We're looking into going this winter!!
I want the PDF!!
Thanks 🙂
Hi Ana! Thanks for your comment, I hope to have it available really soon. If you'd like to get it straight to your inbox, make sure to sign up for the newsletter. Big hug and safe travels!
Hi, we're planning to travel to Australia this year and your blog has been a lifesaver! We're going to read it bit by bit to get a good idea of what's in store for us on this new adventure. Catch you later.
P.S.: I want the PDF!
Hi Infravg, I'm so thrilled to hear that my experience is helping you plan your own Australian adventure. Have the best time!
If any questions pop up, you know where to find me! I'll be more than happy to help if I can. Big hug. (The PDF is in the works, almost ready!).
hi,
i'm bookmarking your blog, it looks really useful and interesting
i'll look it over
i was in australia in 2015, my daughter lives there (brisbane): back then we visited melbourne, sydney, cairns and brisbane (1 month for me; 2 months for my wife and son)
... and we're repeating the trip this (our) summer: new zealand (2 weeks), tasmania (1 week) and brisbane+gold coast+'surroundings' (2 or 3 weeks)
we'll save uluru and canberra for another trip 🙂
Hi Javier! Thanks for your comment. What an amazing plan, getting to explore Australia at a relaxed pace across several trips. Make the absolute most of it!
A huge hug and happy adventuring!
change of plans: it must be freezing cold in Tasmania during their winter; 2 weeks in new Zealand and the rest cruising along the Queensland coast... 🙂
Hi Javier! What an epic plan! Sounds fantastic. The further north you go on the Great Barrier Reef, the warmer the water will be (closer to the tropics). But hey, nothing a rented wetsuit can't fix. So go out and enjoy! And thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Hi! I'm writing to you from Argentina. I'd love some recommendations on the best destinations to get to know Australia—it's the first time going for me and two friends! Destinations and how many days would be ideal.
Thanks!!
Hi Ayelén!
Australia is huge and packed with amazing spots. Unless you spend 3 months traveling around, I doubt you can see it all.
In my case, I was super happy with my 25-day trip along the East Coast of Australia (I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat). You can see all the details of what we did and how much time we spent at each stop in that post. Plus, at the end of it, you'll find the list of everything I had to leave out for round two (which is still to come). Right here.
Every single place I mention is totally worth it; picking one over another just depends on what you're into (nature, cities, wildlife, partying, desert, rainforest, ocean, outback, snorkeling, surfing, indigenous culture... the list goes on forever).
And as for time, it's the same thing—it depends on how fast you like to travel. In the article, you can see how long I spent in each destination during my road trip. And for the places I haven't visited yet, I'd estimate something like this:
– Kangaroo Island: 2-3 days?
– Blue Mountains: 2-3 days?
– West Coast (Perth, Ningaloo Reef, Monkey Mia): 1-2 weeks?
– Uluru: 3-4 days?
– Great Ocean Road: 2-4 days?
– Kakadu National Park: 3-5 days?
– Hervey Bay: 1-2 days?
– Cape Tribulation: 2-4 days?
I can't be 100% sure since I haven't been to those yet. I hope this helps you out a bit!
Big hug, safe travels, and have a blast! 🙂
hey, how's it going? writing to you from Argentina. 4 friends and I rented a campervan and we want to road-trip from sydney to cairns, we have 24 days... which places do you consider must-sees on our trip? and how many days should we spend in each place? we're 20 years old. thanks a lot.
Hi Mateo, what an epic road trip! Thanks for dropping a comment.
Here are a few suggestions:
– In Sydney, you could spend anywhere from 2 to 5 days, depending on whether you fancy checking out its beaches or how thoroughly you want to explore the city.
– If you love nature, don't leave without seeing the Blue Mountains (2-3 days).
– Into surfing? Gold Coast is a great spot (2-3 days?).
– Fraser Island must be awesome, though I think you'd need to rent a 4WD to get around (1-2 days).
– If it's whale season, I'd definitely do a tour from Hervey Bay (1 day).
– Stop in Airlie Beach to visit the Whitsundays. I'm sure you'll love the tour we took. (2 days)
– Keen to spot wild koalas? Take the ferry over to Magnetic Island (2-3 days).
– Cairns and Cape Tribulation, further north. Cairns is a perfect base for snorkeling day trips. And if you're nature lovers, I'm sure you'll love Cape Tribulation too. 4-5 days total.
You have time to fit it all in, though it'll be a bit rushed. I'd pick the spots that fit your vibe best and enjoy them to the fullest. And if you're looking to party, you'll easily find it in Cairns and on boat tours heading around the Whitsundays from Airlie Beach.
Hope this helps a bit. Have an absolute blast! Have a great trip. Cheers.
Hello, good afternoon from London.
My name is Irene. I'm planning a trip with my friend to Australia. To be honest, the trip is getting closer and we are just as lost as at the beginning.
We land in Brisbane. We would like to visit: Sydney and the Blue Mountains, Melbourne and the Twelve Apostles, Uluru, the Whitsunday Islands with some scuba diving, and finally head back to Brisbane.
We have 15 days for all of this.
I'd like to ask you, roughly how much time in days would you estimate for each place?
Thank you so much for your time 🙂
Hi Irene! Good morning! What an awesome plan you and your friend have, I'm a little jealous! It is true that your schedule is a bit tight to see so many things. Anyway, here is my estimate in days for each place:
Uluru: 3 days, 4 nights – minimum 2 days, 3 nights (and rent a car to explore the surrounding area, there's a lot more to see around here besides Uluru)
Great Ocean Road: 2 days, 3 nights – minimum 1 day, 2 nights. What I would do is: arrive in Melbourne and sleep in the city, rent a car and drive the road in one direction, sleep somewhere near the end, and head back the next day. Spend your last night back in Melbourne.
Sydney: 2 days, 3 nights – minimum 1 day, 2 nights (taking into account arriving or leaving via the airport)
Blue Mountains: 3 days, 2 nights – minimum 2 days, 1 night (only counting the night in the Blue Mountains)
Whitsundays including scuba diving: 2 days, 3 nights minimum, although you might want to enjoy the reef a little longer. If you prefer to go scuba diving somewhere else…
Whitsundays without scuba diving: 1 day, 2 nights.
Scuba diving in another destination: 2 days, 3 nights – minimum 1 day, 2 nights.
I hope those 15 days are spent entirely in Australia and not for the total round trip (you lose about 3 days traveling to and from there). If they are 15 full days, I think you'll manage to see everything you want. Though I would personally recommend taking something off your list to enjoy the rest with a bit more time. At least, that's how I'd do it, as I prefer slower-paced travel. But hey! Everyone enjoys traveling their own way!
So, whatever you decide, have fun! You're going to love Australia, I'm sure of it. Have a great trip! 🙂