Oceania · Australia and New ZealandDetailed guideCountry in Oceania
Photo: Reto Stöckl / NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
There is nowhere else quite like Australia, nicknamed the Land Down Under, the only country that has a whole continent to itself. With Indigenous cultures that go back over 65,000 years and truly global immigration in modern times, the country is famous for its natural wonders, wide open spaces, beaches, deserts, "the bush", and "the Outback". However, it is also highly urbanised, with an array of cosmopolitan cities – the largest and most famous being Sydney, situated on one of the most famous harbours in the world.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Australia.
Cards and cash
Australia is largely a cashless society, as virtually all businesses accept credit cards and debit cards.
Tipping
Tipping is not customary in Australia, although tips are somewhat accepted if you freely choose to give one; however, tips are becoming increasingly frowned upon.
English
Although Australian English is both heavily influenced by both American and British English, Australia also has its own set of terminology.
All three operate LTE (4G) and 5G networks; 3G has been phased out.
Mobile networks
The tap water in urban Australia is always safe to drink.
Exposure to the sun at Australian latitudes frequently results in sunburn, and Australians have the highest skin cancer rate in the world.
Covered in the guide
Travellers are generally unlikely to insult or cause offence to an Australian through any kind of cultural ignorance.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the relatively small, purpose-built national capital of Australia is home to plenty of museums
the "City of Churches", the relaxed South Australian capital is close to world-renowned wineries
capital of sun-drenched Queensland and gateway to beautiful sandy beaches
gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas, Daintree National Park, and many beautiful beaches and resorts; a great place for people to get away and relax
Australia's tropical northern capital, at the top end of the Northern Territory
picturesque and quiet capital of Tasmania, the site of the second convict settlement in Australia
Australia's capital of coffee, culture, and sport, and often considered the country's most European city, known for its vibrant arts scene, world-class dining, and rich sporting culture.
the most remote continental city on Earth, on the south-western edge of Western Australia
a mountainous national park in New South Wales, including the "Three Sisters" natural feature
most popular national park in Tasmania, home to Australia's deepest lake and one of its most scenic mountains
the world's oldest living rainforest and a well preserved tropical rainforest, home to the largest groups of cassowaries.
see first hand this natural wonder, off the coast of Queensland and the world's largest coral reef system
a spectacular coastal drive in Victoria past many scenic icons including the "Twelve Apostles" rocks standing in the ocean and the world's largest war memorial
tropical adventure travel, Aboriginal culture and nature activities in the Northern Territory. Second largest national park in Australia about the size of Wales
South Australia's most iconic national park contains a naturally formed amphitheatre and many fossils dating back from the Ediacaran era
includes the Bungle Bungle Range, a spectacularly incised landscape of sculptured rocks rising over 250 metres high
Places in Australia on the World Heritage List.
Great Barrier Reef
Listed 1981
Sydney Opera House
Listed 2007
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Listed 1997
Macquarie Island
Listed 1997
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Australia's most populous state also has Sydney, the oldest and largest city, and surrounds the purpose built capital city of Canberra. The coast of New South Wales is lined with beach-side communities; a little inland are the mountain ranges of the Blue and Snowy mountains; further inland still are sweeping agricultural plains giving way to the outback.
From the red deserts surrounding Uluṟu and Alice Springs up to the tropics of Darwin and Kakadu National Park, the Northern Territory is stunningly beautiful, and easier to access than you might think.
Famous for its sunny warm weather, Queensland offers coastal exploration from the vibe of the Gold Coast to the tropics of the Great Barrier Reef to the bustling city of Brisbane. It is also home to tropical rainforests of the Daintree National Park, and the island resorts of the Whitsundays. Inland lies the ranges of the hinterland, and further on the vast expanses and beauty of outback Australia.
Renowned for the internationally recognised fine wines of the Barossa Valley, the beauty of the Flinders Ranges and the outback and events and culture of the City of Churches, Adelaide. The only state that was never a penal colony and was settled entirely by free settlers.
Separated from the mainland by Bass Strait, the mountainous state of Tasmania has the rugged beauty of Cradle Mountain in the west, the beaches of the east, and the wilderness of the south. Hobart was the site of the second European settlement in Australia, and many historic sites are well preserved.
Victoria, Australia's smallest mainland state, offers a diverse mix of landscapes and experiences. From the dramatic surf beaches along its southwest and central coasts to the lush, rolling farmland and picturesque national parks, the region caters to a wide range of interests. The state's cultural and economic hub is Melbourne, a cosmopolitan city known for its world-class shopping, fashion, food, and sporting events.
A vast state. The southwest contains the state capital and major city of Perth. The wine growing and scenic destinations of Margaret River and Albany are towards the southern region. In the far north are the tropics and the beachside destination of Broome. Small townships, roadhouses, mining communities and national parks are scattered around the long distances between.
Public transport and paid services in Australia.
By train
Trains are rarely a practical means of long-distance transport in Australia: they tend to be slower than driving, more expensive than flying and run less frequently than buses.
By coach
e. long-distance bus) travel in Australia is cheap and convenient, although the distances involved for interstate connections are daunting.
By boat
Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth have ferries as part of their public transport system. Some smaller roads in the regional areas still have punts to carry cars across rivers and canals.
By car
Australia has a generally well-maintained system of roads and highways, and cars are a commonly used method of transport.
By taxi
Larger towns and cities have taxi services and can be hailed on the street in most CBDs. Uber and Didi are available in major cities.
By plane
Due to the large distances involved, flying is a well-patronised form of travel in Australia.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Australia.
Finding apps for Australia…
Other ways to travel:QuarantineBy thumbBy bicycleHiking
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Sydney (Mascot) · International · SYD
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Canberra
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 29° | 26° | 23° | 19° | 14° | 11° | 10° | 11° | 15° | 19° | 23° | 25° |
| Avg. low | 13° | 12° | 10° | 7° | 4° | 2° | 1° | 1° | 3° | 6° | 9° | 11° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 58 | 92 | 68 | 41 | 31 | 65 | 46 | 53 | 47 | 59 | 75 | 71 |
| Humidity | 60% | 68% | 70% | 73% | 77% | 84% | 83% | 78% | 72% | 67% | 64% | 61% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$90
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$245
Per person, per day
Luxury
$625
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $45 | $135 | $365 |
| Food and drink | $25 | $55 | $130 |
| Local transport | $10 | $25 | $55 |
| Activities | $10 | $30 | $75 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Australia. Australia is generally a safe destination for travelers. Review our Travel Guidance for Australia to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator review your travel insurance policy for coverage monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts Bushfires in Australia There is a higher risk of bushfires in Australia during the spring and summer seasons, from October to February. For advice, visit the bushfires section on the safety and security page. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Australia.
ItinerariesDates, host cities, tickets, rooms and transport for 2027's biggest events, from the Women's World Cup in Brazil to the Rugby World Cup in Australia.
6 min read
Culture & historyMany travellers to Australia are interested in the culture of Indigenous Australians (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). Indigenous Australians practise the oldest continuing human culture in the world.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsDriving in Australia is an experience to be savoured. It is a way to experience the wide-open spaces and magnificent natural scenery, and there are so many destinations that can only be experienced by car.
Wikivoyage
Food & drinkAustralian cuisine is hard to pin down: in this nation of immigrants, restaurants claiming to offer it are few and far between, and the word tends to either evoke meat-and-three-veg British stodge or tourist-trap…
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsAustralian slang is informal language used in Australia.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureAustralia is known for having a large number of national parks, actually the largest of any country in the world, with around 650.
Wikivoyage
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