When to go
Australia's seasons are opposite to the Northern Hemisphere — and the tropical north runs on wet/dry seasons instead. The golden rules:
- Sydney, Melbourne & the south: best October–April; summers warm, winters mild.
- Queensland & the Reef: best May–October (dry, clear water); box jellyfish season on northern beaches November–May.
- Uluru & the outback: best April–September; summer regularly tops 40°C.
- Top End (Darwin, Kakadu): dry season May–October is prime time.
- Western Australia: wildflowers August–October; Ningaloo whale sharks March–July.
Realistic daily budgets (per person, AUD)
| Style | Accommodation | Food | Activities & transport | Daily total |
|---|
| Backpacker | Hostel dorm $35–60 | Self-cater $25 | $30 | $90–115 |
| Mid-range | 3–4★ hotel/motel $150–250 | Cafés & casual $70 | $80 | $300–400 |
| Premium | 5★ / lodges $400+ | Fine dining $150+ | $150+ | $700+ |
Big-ticket experiences to budget separately: reef day trips $200–300, Uluru Field of Light $50–100, Bridge Climb $300+, scenic flights $200–600.
Getting around
- Fly: Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar and Rex link every capital; Sydney–Melbourne is one of the world's busiest routes. Book domestic legs early.
- Drive: Campervans are a national institution. Remember: left-hand side, huge distances, and avoid driving at dusk in the country (wildlife).
- Rail: The Ghan (Adelaide–Darwin) and Indian Pacific (Sydney–Perth) are bucket-list journeys; intercity rail suits the east coast.
- City transport: Tap on with contactless cards in Sydney (Opal), Melbourne (myki), Brisbane and Perth.
Entry essentials 2026
- Everyone except Australian and NZ citizens needs a visa or authority before boarding — see our Visitor Visas guide.
- Passport valid for your whole stay (6 months' validity recommended).
- Declare all food, plant and animal products on arrival — biosecurity fines are real and large.
- No mandatory vaccinations for most travellers; travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Quick packing notes
Sun protection is non-negotiable: the UV index here is among the world's highest — pack SPF50+, a hat and sunglasses. Add layers for southern winters, reef-safe sunscreen for Queensland, and an adapter for Type I power plugs (230V).
Safety basics: swim between the red-and-yellow flags at patrolled beaches, take reef stinger-suit advice seriously in season, and carry water on any outback walk. Emergency number: 000.