Australia holidays: Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and Tasmania
A country the size of a continent, with the world's largest coral reef, a red rock in the middle of the desert and two big cities arguing over which is best. How to plan the long trip to Australia.
Sydney
Photo: Photoholgic / Unsplash
Australia at a glance
The ferry from Circular Quay to Manly sails past the Opera House, under the cliffs at the harbour mouth and out towards the Pacific, for the price of a bus ticket. That is Australia in a nutshell: spectacular, informal and easy. The country is almost the size of Europe, with only 27 million people, most of them along the coast.
The currency is the Australian dollar. UK visitors must apply for an eVisitor visa online before travelling. For the rest of the region, see our Oceania guide.
How to plan your trip
Sydney, the harbour and beaches
The Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi and the coastal walk to Coogee. The Blue Mountains are a day trip away. Stay four nights.
Melbourne, for cafés, food and the Great Ocean Road
Laneways of coffee bars, Australia's best restaurants and football at the MCG. From here you drive the Great Ocean Road past the Twelve Apostles.
The Great Barrier Reef
The world's largest coral reef is reached from Cairns and Port Douglas in the north or from the Whitsunday Islands. The Daintree, the world's oldest rainforest, is right next door.
Uluru and the Red Centre
The red sandstone monolith is sacred to the Anangu people. See it at sunrise and sunset, and stay at least two nights.
Tasmania and Kangaroo Island, for nature
The southern islands have national parks, wilderness and wildlife you will not see on the mainland, plus some of the country's best nature lodges.
Uluru
Photo: Antoine Fabre / Unsplash
When to go
September to November: spring, comfortable across the country. The best time for a long road trip.
December to February: summer and beach weather in Sydney and Melbourne. Wet season and stinger season in tropical Queensland.
March to May: autumn, good weather in the south and the end of the wet in the north.
June to August: winter in the south, but the best time for the reef and Uluru.
Good to know
Fly between cities. Sydney to Cairns takes three hours, to Perth five.
They drive on the left, and distances outside the cities are vast.
The sun is strong. Wear sunscreen and a hat, even when it is cloudy.
Australia has strict rules on food and plants in luggage. Declare anything you are unsure about.
Where to stay
Capella Sydney is on the World's 50 Best Hotels list, and Park Hyatt Sydney sits right by the Harbour Bridge. Up north, qualia is the luxury choice in the Whitsundays, and Silky Oaks Lodge has treehouses in the Daintree rainforest. All four are in our Australia hotel guide, along with six more. Longitude 131° at Uluru and Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island are booked directly with the hotels and are not in the guide.
Frequently asked questions about Australia
How long should I spend in Australia?
At least three weeks. That covers Sydney, Melbourne, the reef and Uluru.
When is the best time to visit Australia?
September to November is the best all-round season. For the reef and Uluru, June to October is best.
Do I need a visa for Australia?
Yes. UK citizens apply for a free eVisitor visa online before travel. It is usually granted quickly.
How long is the flight to Australia from the UK?
Around 22 to 24 hours with one stop, often in Singapore, Doha or Dubai.