Places to visit in Australia

Australia is a paradise on earth. It is vast and beautiful. While on the one hand, you have the best of the natural beauties, on the other, the man-made wonders stand with pride. You will have a lot to see and do when you visit Australia with your loved ones. Plan a vacation to this stunning country and get blown away by the immense number of tourist attractions.

Best time to visit Australia

• Did you know?

  • Australia lies in the Southern Hemisphere. As a result, they have summer during Christmas and experience winter around May. Keep this in mind when you pack for your Australian holiday.

Before you finalise your itinerary, be sure of the travel period. You may consider visiting the country during a season of your choice. Here’s how Australia feels during the various seasons:

1. Summer in Australia

Summer sets in by December and lasts all the way till February. The weather gets very hot and humid at this time, especially during the day. You get long hours of sunshine, which makes it favourable for visiting the beach. Summer is a popular tourist season in Australia.

Travel tip: For an extremely unique experience, celebrate a hot Christmas in Australia. While in most other places you will see a white and snowy Christmas, in Australia you will find people celebrating the holiday while barbecuing and surfing on the beach. It is a very unique sight and experience.

2. Autumn in Australia

Autumn in Australia lasts between the months of March to May. The colours of the leaves begin to change and this is a great time to visit the wine regions of the country. The weather is pleasant and the average temperature stays around the 18-degree mark.

Travel tip: There are some amazing wine tours available in Australia. You are taken to the wine region and given an extensive tour of a winery. You can explore and learn about winemaking, so try to include a wine tour in your itinerary.

3. Winter in Australia

Winter sets in by June and lasts till August. It gets very cold and some regions also experience snowfall. This is an extremely beautiful time to visit Australia as you can experience bright sunshine and cold, snowy weather all at once.

Best places to visit in Australia

• Did you know?

  • There are city passes available in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne. You can get such a pass and use it to enter the different tourist attractions in the city, without having to buy individual tickets.

  • Hop on hop off buses are available in large cities like Brisbane. This is an excellent and economical way to see the different tourist attractions, so book a ticket on such a bus on your next visit.

Listed below are some of Australia’s best tourist destinations. Take a look:

1. Sydney

The most important and famous city in Australia, Sydney is a hotbed of tourist attractions. It has some of the most beautiful natural wonders as well as man-made marvels. Start off by visiting the iconic Sydney Opera House. Then, head over to Sydney Harbour Bridge and get stunning views of the city. Don't forget to spend a day at Bondi Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the world, which is just about 7 km away from the heart of Sydney.

Travel tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes when you visit the Sydney Opera House. The place is so large that seven, full-sized aeroplanes can be parked inside it! You will need to walk around a lot to explore, so choosing the correct footwear becomes crucial.

2. Melbourne

Melbourne is another popular tourist destination in Australia. When you are here, don't forget to check out the Melbourne Museum. It is a historically and culturally rich place. Then, hop over to the National Gallery of Victoria, one of the largest and most prominent art museums in the country. Next, take a tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens, where you will find many unique, native Australian plants. The place is gorgeous and you can spend hours enjoying the beauty. If you happen to be in Melbourne during summer, go to St Kilda Beach and enjoy some exciting watersports.

Travel tip: Melbourne has many walking tours. Book one for yourself and explore the city with other travellers and an experienced guide. This is a very interesting and inexpensive way to explore Melbourne.

3. Great Barrier Reef

One of the most iconic and legendary places in Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world. It is perhaps the most stunningly beautiful place you will see in Australia. Visit the place and go snorkelling into the reef to have the experience of a lifetime.

Travel tip: The reef stretches over a large area. While some corals are in shallow waters, others are deep into the ocean. When going snorkelling or scuba diving, follow the orders of the instructors very closely as you may not be able to navigate safely on your own.

4. Uluru (Ayers Rock)

The Uluru is a sacred, Aboriginal monolith that stands majestically in the vast open. It is a massive sandstone rock that has become a symbol of Australia. It is situated in the country’s Northern Territory.

Travel tip: Though you can climb to the top of Ayers Rock, it is not considered to be disrespectful as the rock is a sacred part of the Aboriginal culture. Hence, refrain from climbing the rock when you visit the place.

5. The Whitsunday Islands

If you really like beach holidays, spend a couple of days at the Whitsunday Islands, which are just off the coast of Queensland. The place has gorgeous beaches, and a laid-back ambience and is perfect for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing. You have excellent hotels and resorts in the area that enhance your experience.

Travel tip: This is an excellent choice for a honeymoon destination. It is beautiful yet secluded and you can have a great time with your newlywed spouse in this place.

6. Kakadu National Park

An excellent national park, you will see many native Australian species here such as different types of crocodiles and kangaroos. Apart from this, you can also see some beautiful aboriginal art. The park is situated in the Northern Territory and you would take about a full day to cover the park, so include it in your itinerary accordingly.

Nightlife places in Australia

• Tips for first-time visitors:

  • Reserve a table in a club. This may be expensive, but if you are keen on visiting a particular nightclub or bar, try to book a table. You will get better access and service and can feel more comfortable. However, this will cost a lot of money, so keep your budget in mind.

  • Dress properly. The clubs and bars don't usually allow open shoes and very casual clothes, so check beforehand about the appropriate dress code and follow it during your visit.

Listed below are the most famous and happening nightlife venues in Australia:

1. Chinese Laundry

The Chinese Laundry is one of the most iconic and well-known clubs in Sydney. You can enjoy some amazing live music, delicious cocktails and an excellent party ambience all at once when you visit this famous nightclub, especially on a weekend.

Nightlife tip: Try to get on the guest list of the club. You can do this if you know an important person in the club or you can even look online. Sometimes, there are offers that help you get on the guest list, so keep researching.

2. Revolver Upstairs

Located in downtown Melbourne, this fascinating nightclub has live music, stand-up comedy shows, and performances and also offers great food and beverage options. Do pay a visit to the Revolver Upstairs when you visit Melbourne.

3. The Rock Lily

A more relaxed bar that is a favourite post-work hangout place, you get some of the best cocktails in Brisbane here. It has a beautiful decor and serves some great food too. This is an ideal place to meet up with friends or to go on a date.

Nightlife tip: Tipping the waiters is not compulsory in the bars and clubs of Australia, however, it is expected that you leave a tip for your servers even at a bar.

4. Nighttime scuba diving

Nighttime scuba diving is very popular in many places in Australia. You can try this out in the Great Barrier Reef, Rottnest Island and Tasmania.

5. Boundary Street Night Market Brisbane

If you really want to experience the real feel and vibe of Australia, visit the Boundary Street Night Market in Brisbane. It is held every Friday and Saturday from 4 pm to 10 pm. It has a variety of stalls that sell everything from food to clothes. Along with this, there’s also live music and the atmosphere is truly electric.

Important things to know/ tips for visiting these locations in Australia

If you are looking to visit the famous tourist destinations in Australia, keep the following tips and guidelines in mind:

1. Book a holiday package if possible and get a number of tourist attractions included in it. You don't have to book individual tickets at every tourist place and this can help you budget better. But ensure the package you choose has all the inclusions you need.

2. Be well prepared for the weather. Australia has erratic weather and one moment it will be bright and sunny, and the next, it will start pouring! And after the rain, it may just cool down a bit too much. So prepare well for the weather irregularities and carry light jackets, umbrellas, extra pairs of shoes, etc.

3. Be very respectful of the surroundings. There are many delicate species of plants and animals in this country and the conservation of these is taken with utmost seriousness. Do not harm any plant or randomly pluck flowers from trees. Also, refrain from spotting or littering as this can invite trouble.

4. The main tourist attractions get very crowded during the peak season. To avoid the crowds, visit the places at odd hours. Try to get in early in the morning or in the afternoon. The mornings and evenings are usually packed, so look for an emptier window.

5. Carry a travel card. These cards work a lot like debit cards but are pre-loaded with a set amount of money. You can use these at any place that accepts credit or debit cards. Using such a card saves you the hassle of carrying cash all the time and getting the currency converted. Carry some small amounts of the local currency, but stick to your card for the larger payments.

Conclusion

Australia is a very nice and beautiful country that makes for an amazing travel destination. If you are planning to visit Australia soon, start your preparations and have a wonderful vacation in the country. Keep all the points mentioned above in mind and your trip will be very enjoyable and memorable.

FAQs

1. Is there a weekend destination near Sydney?

There are several weekend holiday retreats near Sydney. If you are staying in Sydney for a long time, look to explore places such as the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Hunter Valley, Port Stephens and Jervis Bay on your weekends to see the real beauty of the country.

2. What are the main activities in Bondi Beach?

Bondi Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Australia. You can do a number of things here like swimming, surfing, sunbathing and jogging. There are also several bars and cafes in and around Bondi Beach. You can spend hours at this beach and still not get enough of it, so make sure you include it in your itinerary.

3. Does it rain heavily during the monsoons in Australia?

There is no specific monsoon season in Australia, but the rains come all through summer. You may experience moderate to heavy rainfall between December and March. At times, severe storms, including cyclones, hit the country, but at other times, the rainfall remains moderate. Check the weather warnings if you sense a bad climate while on your vacation in Australia.

4. Is there a sale season in Australia?

Yes, there are several sales that happen in Australia. The Boxing Day Sale, which happens on December 26th each year, sees discounts on major products up to 70%. There are also some mid-year sales that happen in January and July respectively and you get amazing deals at these times too. Plan your vacation around these dates and you can shop to your heart’s content!

5. Is Australia an expensive country?

On average, Australia is slightly expensive. However, with proper planning and a good budget, you can have an economical holiday in this wonderful country.